Hearing aid price comparison

Buying hearing aids is an important investment in not just your hearing health, but your quality of life, relationships, and even career. A hearing aid price comparison shows that the cost of hearing aids can range from anywhere between $1,000 to $4,000 per hearing aid. The cost is largely dependent on the style, the level of technology included and whether you need to wear one or two hearing aids.

More expensive hearing aids generally offer more features than lower-priced hearing devices. Personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) are often the more affordable hearing device option. However, these have the least amount of benefits for someone with hearing loss. The overall price for one single hearing aid is $2,372 on average.

While the cost of hearing aids can seem expensive, quality hearing aids can last for several years and can often be paid for in instalments. The price of a hearing aid can also include a hearing evaluation and consultation with a hearing care professional, fitting, and follow-up appointments for adjustments. This ensures the hearing aids purchased are customized to your unique hearing needs. The cost may also include batteries, routine cleanings and your warranty, which can range from between one to three years. Hearing aid warranties usually cover hearing aid repair, loss and damage, while service plans cover cleaning, reprogramming and batteries.

• The prices of hearing aids can vary depending on whether they have been purchased from a branded store, physician's office or hearing care professional. In each case, the average price for hearing aids can be just over $2,500.
• The price of hearing aids can be lower when purchased from university and hospital clinics, costing $2,432 on average.
• Hearing aids purchased from a discount retailer can drop again to around $1,200.
• Internet sales of hearing aids see prices come in at around $1,054 per hearing aid. Online hearing aids usually don’t come with any in-person professional service. Internet hearing aid purchases that include a professional fitting average around $1,533, with purchases without a professional fitting costing in the region of $704.

Higher-end hearing aids containing more sophisticated technology cost more on average. High-technology hearing aids cost on average $2,651 per hearing aid, while hearing aids at the low end of the market come in at around $1,604 per device. Mid-range hearing aids can cost $2,063 on average per device.

Brands producing hearing aids at the top end of the price bracket for hearing aids, coming in at around $2,600 for a single device, include:

• Starkey
• Widex
• Beltone 
• Oticon
• Phonak
• Miracle-Ear
• Signia
• GN ReSound

Most other brands price their hearing aids between $2,300 and $2,500 per hearing aid. However, there are brands that can come in closer to $1,000 per single hearing aid.

Many people with hearing loss and looking to purchase a hearing aid, naturally query why mainstream brands of hearing aid such as ReSound and Phonak can be purchased at a much lower price at discount stores. Some of the reasons for this include:

• Hearing aid manufacturers selling devices at discount retailer may either sell products that are one generation behind their latest models or are stripped of certain features
• Discount stores do not sell specific niche hearing aid products such as CROS hearing aids

While hearing aids may seem expensive, the expertise, research and development, technology and professional services that go into developing today’s hearing aids contribute to the price you pay. However, there are a few simple ways you can save money on purchasing hearing aids. For instance:

1. Shop around to do your own hearing aid price comparison
2. Check for benefits and programs available in your state
3. Call your insurance company and check your coverage for hearing aids
4. Look for any employer-sponsored benefits
5. Check the Veterans Administration for benefits you may be entitled to
6. Don’t upgrade your hearing aids; get them reprogrammed if possible.
7. Opt for hearing aids with fewer features
8. Finance your hearing aids and spread the cost
9. Choose a hearing aid center that will separate the cost of devices from professional services

With all the associated risks of untreated hearing loss, the health of your hearing cannot afford for you to let your hearing loss continue without seeking treatment. That’s why for many people, the benefits of wearing a hearing aid make them worth the cost. It is possible to find affordable hearing aids to fit your budget. Just make sure you seek advice from a hearing care professional to ensure you choose the best hearing aids for you.