The Low Down on the High Price of Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are an important investment and step to hearing better. While a top quality hearing aid costs more than your favorite smartphone or laptop, have you ever considered what goes into the creation of a hearing aid? If you suffer from hearing loss and your hearing healthcare provider suggests a hearing aid, you may be left wondering how to justify the cost. So with this in mind, it helps to understand why these devices cost what they do and why they’re worth every cent.

#1: Style and Miniaturization

Modern devices have advanced significantly over the last 20 years. Not only are modern devices more stylish, comfortable and discrete, but they offer far more features and settings than ever before. Some devices have taken miniaturization to the ultimate end and actually sit within the ear canal, making them almost invisible.

But miniaturization didn’t happen by magic. It meant years of research to create smaller, but more powerful components. The ultimate goal is to produce powerful, reliable, devices that give the wearer ultimate confidence – and many years of research hours went into making that happen – which all costs.

#2: Power and Ability

When two objects look similar on the outside, it can be tempting to choose the cheaper. However, when it comes to hearing devices looks can be deceptive. From a basic level of sound processing right through to digital technology and Bluetooth connectivity, what’s inside the package can as different as white bread to chocolate cake.

When following the advice of your hearing care professional, remember that while the outer wrapper maybe similar, the inner workings can be vastly different. In practical terms this can mean longer battery life (and less inconvenience), wireless connectivity to the TV or your cellphone and more powerful amplification. So when assessing the cost, be aware it’s just about dollars but about value for money.

#3: Research and the Future

Aren’t you glad we’re not stuck with 1950s hearing devices? Were it not for research and development then hearing technology would have stagnated and be stuck in the past.

Every year hundreds of millions of dollars are spent researching ways to make hearing devices better serve the need of those with hearing loss. From rechargeable technology to waterproof devices, hearing aids are constantly evolving. But to make those advances depends on current models absorbing some of the costs for the development of new technologies, which adds to the price tag.

And finally, if the initial purchase price makes you hesitate, try breaking the cost down into ‘price per wear’. Consider that you’ll wear the device all day, every day for several years. When you do the math and work out the daily cost you’ll find it’s less than a daily coffee or newspaper – and when you think about it in those terms it seems a wise investment in your hearing health.