[USER]

Hearing Aid – need help. Where is the most cost effective way to get a hearing aid? We are retired on fixed income.

Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids.

Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[Marsha]

My son is an audiologist, plus he has been hearing impaired since birth, so we have a big history with hearing aids and a cochlear implant.

What I want to tell you is, do NOT go to the cheap places for a hearing aid.

You will get an inferior product and many places such as Miracle Ear force you to only go back to them because they put locks on them and make it impossible to go to someone else for service.

Many insurance coverages to give benefits for hearing aid purchases, so check that out.

I know where my son works, they carry many brands of hearing aids, which is important because some types work better with your hearing loss than others, and it is important to have options so that you can find what works for you the best.

Contrary to what many people think, the high expense of good hearing aids is not because of price gouging of audiologists.

They have a high overhead cost and the costs are standard. One thing a good practice will do is work with you to help you find affordable options.

There are lower, middle and upper level options price-wise, but they work with you to find the best possible option that you can afford. They will also help you understand your insurance coverage.

I know where my son works will give you some kind of package which includes maintenance and service.

They are very upfront on everything that they offer and really try to work with the customer.

Even though going to an audiologist seems to be cost prohibitive, it is worth it in the long run because these are people that have Doctorates (four year college degree beyond the undergrad degree) and the knowledge to help you hear your best.

Also, if you are experiencing a hearing loss, you need to be checked out by an audiologist to make sure your loss isn’t because of some underlying condition that needs to be treated.

An audiologist will look you over and if they suspect there is an underlying condition, they will refer you to an ENT.

You don’t want to play around with your hearing. Because I am on this site, you can be sure that I like to live life frugally and as cheaply as I can.

I can tell you that when it comes to hearing loss, you really do get what you pay for.

One more thing…….my son tells me all the time how a patient comes in, totally unhappy with how they are hearing with their box store hearing aids, etc.

They take the time to properly test them, put different options on them, they are allowed to try them for a certain amount of time after they get the new ones, and if they don’t like them, they return them and get a refund, or try something else.

It is my observation that these people are almost always satisfied, and they return to the audiologists from that point on.

Once in a while, a person’s hearing loss is so severe that hearing aids do not work for them.

At that point, they may be a candidate for a cochlear implant. So many more options and a thorough exam and successful treatment.

Good luck to you and do your research.

[Lois]

I heard Costco was approx 1600. I got mine covered by my Medicare advantage for the same price.

Call your insurance and see what they say.

[Dusty]

I will tell you most states don’t see hearing aids as a need and so that’s why most insurance either don’t cover them or only cover half! Our insurance only covers $2,500 and my daughter needs a set of them which should be about $4,500 every time she needs a new pair which we got told is every 5 years.

We also lost her set one time and we weren’t worried at first because we got told at the beginning she had warranty on them.

Ya for the warranty to get a new set was $500 out of pocket!

We have had her hearing aids since she was 4 months we didn’t lose them till at the age of 4 years old!

First time ever and I searched the house even more after they told me how much they would be out of pocket and I got lucky and found them!

I also have a hearing aid myself but I only needed one and still it was $190 out of pocket because insurance still had to find a way to charge me something.

[Jackie]

If you or your husband is a Veteran you can get them from the VA. We paid $100 for $6000 rechargeable (no batteries) that can be adjusted with your phone.

They repaired them for free also. Took to local VA office and they shipped them at no cost.

[Larieta]

My husbands doctor recommended Cotsco. He said that’s where he goes.

My husband spent thousands on a hearing aide from an audiologist and they were not as good as the Cotsco one.

[Brenda]

Check with your Medicare supplement insurance. My BCBS supplement covered them.

[Becca]

Check with your state’s department of health and human services. Maybe the Coucil on Aging in your area can point you in the right direction.

And see if there is a program for seniors to get setup with a hearing aid.

My Daddy had one “loaned” to him and then 5 years later he owned that one and qualified for a second one.

[Breth]

Sam’s club or Costco. Both are much cheaper. Had the Costco pair for six years with excellent customer service.

On the second year’s with the Sam’s.

[Kelly]

Sams Club. Took my mom there. Free hearing test. Various hearing aides. She choose one close to the top of the line. $5,000.

They finance via Synchrony. Not sure what the monthly payment is.

But, there are options. Belive Costo does the same.

And you do not need a membership to go to the hearing place.

[Helen]

My husband has worn hearing aides for decades. His last pair was purchased at Sam’s; he’s never had a pair that fit him as well; seems previous pairs needed some adjustment; he bought the middle of the line hearing aides; he’s pleased and I’m certain if/when he needs a new pair, he’ll return to Sam’s.

Their customer service has been excellent.

[Karrin]

Get seen by an audiologist and get recommendations from there. They will know what is best for you and your hearing loss.

Big box stores usually don’t have enough equipment or the right equipment to do the best for your individual hearing loss.

Your best bet is to pay a little more up front and do regular checks on the devices for long term use.

You will hear better for longer that way.

[Beckie]

We used Costco. The hearing technician did over an hour hearing test. My hearing aids were about $1500 for the pair.

Costco will clean them for free, and if you have any problems with them will send them back for repair or replacement for 3 years, I think.

[Sherry]

Costco. Many stores have an audiologist that can do a hearing test in the store and can then recommend the types of hearing aids you need

[Lesley]

While your budget is important, finding ones that work for you is even more important.

I went the route of audiologist, then week trial-both free, followed by analysis of my needs and life style.

Good Luck.

[Victoria]

Miracle ear is a waste of money. A lot of companies have payment plans. Talk to friends.

Try to find a company that will let you trial different aids to see what works for you.

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