Did you know hearing aids cost $5,000?

[leftyladyfrommo]

I need hearing aids. I was thinking they would be about $500 - somewhere in there. The ones that would suit me best are $5,000 and that is with the Humana discount. The next best are $3,200.00.

They due have a payment plan that is no interest for 1 year. That's a car payment.

No wonder so may old people don't bother with hearing aids.

[redwitch]

1. It is astonishing isn't it?

My sister in law desperately needs them, you can see her zoning out in conversation because she is missing most of it unless we all shout at her. She can't afford them.

[Autumn]

2. And sometimes more, not to mention the ear molds

My daughter has worn them since she was three. Medicaid has never paid for any of it and they usually run over $80.00, Neither did our BCBS insurance.

[GP6971]

3. Is that for a single aid

or for a pair? If there is a Costco near you, try them.......they have them from about $800 to $1,900 each depending on the type.

[sarin]

4. Mine cost $6000

I've had them for about 7 years, and they've provided me with many opportunities I'd otherwise not have been able to do, such as being a teacher, playing in band, running and winning an elected office and many other things. It's a sad state of affairs that insurance companies do not cover the cost of hearing aids. It's a medical condition, and I'm not sure of the justification to not do so.

Humana covered about 80% of my first set of hearing aids, but I've had to switch to blue cross/blue shield, and they cover nothing. I'd like to get a new set of hearing aids, but I'm not willing to put myself into that much debt at this time. At least my current pair only needed about $400 in maintenance and repairs to get to working like new, but I worry for those who can't even afford that.

As I move forward in my career, should I reach a level of actual authority, I'll attempt to raise awareness on this issue and see if we cannot find a remedy.

[Shrike47]

5. Yep. My medical insurance covered part of the cost but I spent a couple thousand out of pocket.

They do make life a lot better, though.

The batteries aren't free, either. The only reason I go to Walmart, a couple of times a year, is to buy hearing aid batteries. It's not just the cost issue; for some reason, probably freshness due to turnover, each battery lasts 1 to 2 days longer than when I get them elsewhere.

[earthside]

6. Some options.

Check out this article:

Why Do Hearing Aids Cost More Than Laptops? - June 06, 2013
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-06-06/why-do-hearing-aids-cost-more-than-laptops


The two 'affordable' companies mentioned are:
http://audicus.com
http://www.embracehearing.com

My wife is hearing impaired, so I know a little about this subject. Part of the problem is that there may be too much technology, too many "bells and whistles" sold as necessities now -- when basic amplification may be all that a lot of folks need. Of course, there isn't as much profit in that.

[hedgehog]

17. Top that off - compare the price of a hearing aid to the most expensive set of earphones & Bluetooth

The cost may depend on people's willingness to be seen wearing a hearing aid.

[oldandhappy]

7. Please go to Costco!!

Excellent evaluation and excellent hearing aids for half that.

[Warpy]

11. Good to know

When I did lighting for rock concerts, I did wear the same sort of headsets they use guiding jetliners into the landing bays at airports. Still, it was loud and I'm surprised my hearing is still good. It won't last forever, though, so I hope Costco stays in business.

[Trillo]

8. At that price, I'm sure I'd prefer silence.

If someone wants me to know something, they can write it out instead.

[ChazInAz]

9. I wear aids

The manufacturer pulled a cynical trick on me, though. After I'd had them for a few years, they reminded me that the warranty was near expiration, and that I needed to send them to the factory to be checked out. When I got them back, even with the volume cranked all the way up, I could hear no better than I could without them. And, of course, there's no longer a warranty on them.

[Warpy]

10. Good ones do. You can get cheaper ones that will do the job

but they won't be fit to your ear canal and they won't do the job for long.

[Celebration]

12. the cheapest alternative is at sporting goods stores

Just a basic amplifier--

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10832755

Many people on a budget use something like this because they are certainly affordable. I have no personal experience with them, so I cannot vouch for their efficacy.

[cbayer]

13. It is utterly ridiculous.

They aren't that complicated, really.

My husband would benefit greatly from the, but the cost i not reachable.

What a scam.

[leftyladyfrommo]

14. Kind of like having to pay $1500 to get one tooth fixed.

Prices of this kind of stuff are just way too high for the product they are selling.

[cbayer]

15. Yep. The things that aren't covered by insurance

are priced at what the market will bear.

Many people go to Mexico for dental care, and for good reason. The care is excellent and the prices are generally ⅓ or less of those in the US.

I wonder if the same is true for hearing aids?

[Celebration]

16. try the sporting goods store

You can get an uncomplicated one there for under twenty bucks. They apparently work well for some folks.