How Much are Hearing Aids?

Hearing aids cost a tremendous deal. There is no getting around it. Various healthcare advocacy groups feel like its time for public health agencies to take a stand and help make hearing aids more accessible to all citizens who might need them.

According to Healthcare Consumers, nearly half of the adults who are 75 and older suffer from hearing loss. A majority of those can't afford to do a thing about that, so they suffer in silence. Hearing aids costs thousands of dollars, and not covered by Medicare – though some Medicare Advantage plans do cover them – but employer-based health plans don't help.
 

What the studies say

A study conducted by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine discovered the effect of hearing loss is more important than people with normal hearing understand.

The NASEM and Healthcare Consumers pointed out that people with hearing impairment tend to become depressed, introverted and become very isolated. A recommendation in the NASEM is that the Food and Drug Administration should implement a new category for over-the-counter wearable hearing devices for mild or moderate hearing loss – this could proved a more affordable hearing-aid options.

Hearing aids vs amplifiers

Over the counter “hearing aids” are not “hearing aids,” but are more or less sound amplifiers.

Hearing aids, according to a survey published by the Hearing Review, can range in price between $4,400 and $4,500. Prices do vary depending on region. According to the same review – UCLA's Audiology Clinic has hearing aids for an average price of $4,200 and in Maryland is at $4,000.

Factors in hearing aid cost

The Hearing Review also pointed out that the average prices of hearing aids did drop some in the late early 2000s. But no matter how you look at it, hearing aids are really expensive. So, why are they expensive? Longtime wearers of hearing aids and other experts say that hearing aids are expensive because you are not just paying for the hearing aid – but you are paying for the cost of services.

Hearing aid clinics sometimes sell for about two to half times the wholesale price.

When visiting a hearing instrument specialist, one might not have to pay for the first exam or consultation. An HIS might even let you wear a hearing aid as a test for a few weeks to see what will work. During that time, he will adjust the hearing aid. That is where the cost comes in next. Batteries cost. Cases cost. Hearing aid costs. Labor costs. Insurance costs.

Once you factor all of that in, then you have an explanation of why a hearing aid costs so much. The good news is hearing aids are well worth the investment. They can improve not only your hearing, but your quality of life!