Identifying the appropriate hearing healthcare provider and hearing aid can be a daunting task. Current advertisements, online articles, and newspaper promotions often serve to further confound the pressing issues. Patients seeking the best value for their hearing healthcare frequently question the range in pricing and available stores for hearing aids.
There are a few important distinctions that need to be made when making your selection:
(1) Basic amplifiers offer an overall boost for all sounds without regard to your hearing level at any specific pitch for either ear. They are generally sold in consumer retail centers or through mail order.
(2) Private label hearing aids come from reputable manufacturers, but the instruments are relabeled and possess a proprietary computer chip which only allows it to be utilized by a specific franchise.
They are typically sold by hearing instrument specialists (HIS) or dispensers under labels such as Kirkland’s Brand, Miracle Ear, Beltone, Audibel, Audigy, Zounds and Liberty to name a few. Buying a private label hearing aid means the devices may only be purchased, programmed and repaired by the private offices that sell them. A patient becomes tied to the franchise for the life of the hearing aid, because any adjustments must be performed by the proprietary software which is only released to the private franchise. Consequently, the patient is also unable to freely select the servicer of their hearing instruments when traveling, or relocating, or displeased with their care.
