Why are hearing aids so expensive?
Not because of the cost to make them
Premium hearing aids cost around $250 to make (materials, labor, machinery maintenance, etc.).
Not because of manufacturer selling price
Veterans Affairs buys over 500,000 aids each year for less than $350 each. Does anyone else buy that many aids in a year? Costco has 420 hearing aid centers with 320 of them in the United States
How much do private practices pay for their aids? Typically private practices buy from “Buyer’s Groups”. The Group negotiates prices from manufacturers based on volume sold in that group and resells premium aids to private practices for less than $1000 each. Typically private practices sell premium aids for more than $3000 each.
Not because of time spent fitting the aids
According to MarkeTrak VIII, a database formed by the Better Hearing Institute, the average number of patient visits to get hearing aids adjusted properly is 2.74. Add another 2 hours for hearing exam and consultation and we have less than 5 hours total.
Because the market bears the price under medical duress
Hearing aids cost so much because 20% of the hearing impaired cannot function without them. How much is it worth to hear, or for your child or parent to hear? When forced to make this decision, aids are purchased even when prices are very high. Because there is such a high markup, private practices do not need to sell very many in a year to make good money. A small practice can sell very few aids per month with a $4000 markup per pair. Practices push up the prices to make up for few sales. That is one reason why the average price of aids more than tripled in the last 20 years and will continue to increase as long as the market bears the price. And it is not just a one-time cost. Hearing aids last an average of 5 years. Practices depend on repeat customers.
Articles that follow in this blog discuss hearing aid issues in more detail:
New Avenues Break the Cost Barrier, an article I wrote concerning buying hearing aids on the web:
http://www.hearingloss.org/sites/default/files/docs/HLM_Belcher_SepOct2013.pdf
New Avenues Break the Cost Barrier, an article I wrote concerning buying hearing aids on the web:
http://www.hearingloss.org/sites/default/files/docs/HLM_Belcher_SepOct2013.pdf
Dispenser Sampler
An overview of various retail options for purchasing hearing aids along with their associated price and quality
Dispensing – Profit versus Quantity and Efficiency
A discussion of a hypothetical retail outlet that does very well for its employees and owners while at the same time provides excellent service and quality products to its customers at prices between 25% and 50% currently charged by private practice
Why do Hearing Aids Cost Six times more than an iPad?
The article compares the elements of manufacturing and retail costs of an iPad and Hearing Aid. The Coauthor Patrick Freuler makes the article more readable by graphics and better organization.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSomething to consider...
ReplyDeleteCustomer A: Follows all instructions from her dispenser by cleaning her hearing aids thoroughly everyday, attends regular follow ups, reports potential defects so her hearing aids can be checked by the dispenser or manufacturer at no charge to her while under warranty.
She has realistic expectations, using only 4-6 hours of her dispenser's time for the test, fit, and fine-tuning. Maybe she takes another 30-60 minutes each year after that. She ultimately gets about five years out of her hearing aids, which she paid $3000 for. Factor in that maybe she paid another $500 over the years for one or two repairs. So $3500/5 yrs is $700/yr.
Customer B: Purchases the same pair of aids from the same provider for the same cost, but rarely cleans his aids between his first few follow ups. The dispenser spends extra time at each appointment cleaning the aids and reviewing the importance of proper care with the patient. He cleans them weekly, but only the tips, thus the aids get wax buildup and corrosion, going for "free" repair to be reconditioned, or replaced, every 6 months while under a two year warranty. During year three, he spends another $500 on repairs, which could have been avoided with proper cleaning.
Having unrealistic expectations in addition to his poor hygiene, "B" ends up requiring twice as many adjustments, taking more than 12 hours of his dispenser's time. After three years, he may decide to update to a fresh pair of hearing aids, assuming that his own attitude did not play a part in his dissatisfaction, and that another model will be better/different. The $1000+/yr cycle begins again.
MY POINT: Two people (male and female not meant to imply that women take the aids more serious, just an easy differential) who get the same hearing aids, but have very different attitudes, but ultimately paid the same price. Is it fair for "A" to basically be paying for "B"s appointments and avoidable repairs? Absolutely not, but is it also fair for the dispenser to charge more to "B" when he needs a repair than he would charge "A"? Should "A" get a discount on her second set after 5 years, but "B" has to pay full price on his second set after only 3 years just because he is 'high maintenance'?
I am NOT saying that all (or any) dispensers/audiologists are fair in their pricing, but they do have to consider the cost of the hearing aid plus potential repairs, supplies that they 'give for free' over the life of the aid, warranties, labor hours, rent, utility expenses, etc. Do I think they put too high a price on their labor? YES! Do I believe they are getting all of their hearing aids for $350 and marking up to $3000? NO.
I've seen one company's invoicing... $325.00 COST for a hearing aid with a $499.99 price tag. $585.00 for $899.99, and so on. You are definitely on to something when you mention a need for more competitive pricing.
However, an increase in DEMAND would certainly initiate some competition. Not enough folks are serious enough about getting hearing aids due to cosmetic concerns and just plain stubbornness. No one wakes up and says "I WANT hearing aids." That's crazy, and it's a huge step to admit to needing them, but if more people could get to that point, especially if they had family and friends for support, I expect that pricing would actually go down. (My flat screen TV was $1000 in 2008, but now I could buy the same brand/dimension/specs for $500-600).
I've sufficiently rambled on, and you may have stopped reading a long time ago. I am not a hearing aid professional, but I find the topic very interesting, just don't get me started on personal amplifiers and what a scam those can be!
All The Best,
Sandy
I am fascinated by this subject and on the search for a solution. Most people, especially seniors, CANNOT AFFORD $3000i each per hearing aid, so naturally, it doesn't matter how much the 'demand' is if people can't afford the product. I want to know if getting a prescription and then buying online is an OK thing to do, or is it fraught with difficulty.
ReplyDeleteBuying your hearing aids online is much more convenient and beneficial. With a bit of extra precaution and care, you are likely to get the worth for your money. Make an extra effort of checking the product and brand reviews online to make a sound decision and read the product manual which comes with the hearing aid to help you get a better understanding on the technicalities and usage of the device. To check our hearing-aid products, www.mediwala.com
ReplyDeleteI've been using hearing aids for years now, and so far I haven't had to many problems. I remember one time during a lecture at school my hearing aid went out, and I missed pretty much all the lecture. My teacher thought I was using that as an excuse to get out of homework, haha.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aplushearingcentre.com/products_and_services.html
Thanks for sharing this blog , I got lots of information about the Hearing aid companies , once again thanks.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for some hearing aids for my grandma. She is always asking me to speak up and I think the only reason she doesn't have hearing aids is because she doesn't know how much it will cost. Do people have to go in to get a specific type of hearing aid just like contacts? http://avchearing.net/products
ReplyDeleteI must thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this information. I've gain more knowledge and good information from your post thanks...this is nice website for article posting should try this Hearing Aid Specialist Salary
ReplyDeleteGreat post... I love to read and write post on some digital hearing aids because my grandparents also suffered from hearing problems so I always google to find new and effective hearing aids so that reduces the problems of my grand parents .
ReplyDeleteToday hearing aids are predominantly digital and are programmed to suit each individuals hearing loss. So whilst other aid may have sounded good, it is better to get hearing aids from an audiologist that have been prescribed for your grandparents and programmed for their hearing loss
Bedfordshire pretty much have similar products. You need to find an aid that best suits your needs and hearing loss of your grandparents. An audiologist can help you choose the best aid for them.
The vast majority of aids are digital, and there are several features to look at when considering purchasing aids. Performance is very important and you probably want aids with several programs, noise reduction circuitry and good programming capabilities. For more information visit:- http://www.bedfordshirehearinghealthcare.co.uk/
Thanks for a really informative article.HiddenHearing has over 25 years of experience helpingpeople with hearingloss in Ireland. We are the leading private provider of hearing caresolutions for adults in Ireland.hearing aids
ReplyDeleteExceptionally pleasant Blog Post, A debt of gratitude is in order for sharing this blog i have part of data know this blog. Hearing Health Care AS Our Audiologists are committed in helping one connect back to the conversation.
ReplyDeletehearing specialist in bangalore | best hearing hospital in bangalore | top hearing specialist in bangalore
Thanks for this great post! -This provides good insight.You might also be interested to know more about generating more leads and getting the right intelligence to engage prospects.pegasimediagroup implements new lead gen ideas and strategies for generating more leads and targetingthe right leads and accounts.Hearing Instrument Specialists email list
ReplyDeleteYounger adults and children think hearing protection looks silly and unpopular. Even still, you should take up for yourself and your health and make use of hearing protection each time you go to a loud event, concert, or think you will be subject to loud sounds for more than a few minutes at a time. http://www.hearingaidlabs.co.za
ReplyDeleteHave you read Resound hearing aid guide? Well, I did, and it helped knowing complete details about the gadgets that helps the hearing impaired people to listen clearly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such a wonderful piece of information. I have also came across some interesting info on Hearing Aids Online in India.
ReplyDeleteHearing Aid Batteries Tips, Hearing aids often use batteries, but the size often varies depending on the gadget. Some even have optional rechargeable batteries. When replacing hearing aid batteries, ensure that they are placed in the compartment with the flat side or plus (+) symbol facing upwards. Any other way will damage your hearing aid.
ReplyDeleteThe hearing aids costs analysis and the customer point which is really amazing and informative. Thanks a lot for the share. Hearing aid centre | speech therapy
ReplyDeleteDid you know that aspirin can cause hearing loss and that supplements can return it? Were you aware that hearing aids break down in two or three years and are considered obsolete by industry standards in five? Or that recent Doctoral studies have found out that hearing loss conclusively causes dementia? Even the number of teeth you have can determine your hearing loss. Find out more. best audiologist near me
ReplyDeleteAmazing blog it was really informative Dental Clinic Near Me
ReplyDelete