CONTACT US AT (803)926-2220

            Hearing Aid Buyer's Guide

When purchasing a hearing aid it is important to educate yourself in order to ensure that you make a well informed decision on what type of purchase is right for you.  I have had many people come into my office only to find that they payed way too much for the technology that they actually got.  In fact, in many cases I have seen where patients payed a high end price but only received a mid level product, or they payed a mid level price but only received a low end product.  I also have had cases where people have bought hearing aids online only to find out that they now can't find someone local to follow up with them without paying significant fitting and follow up fees.  Many online companies do not make the patient aware that they are only purchasing the product not follow-up services.  This lack of information has really cost patients financially in the long run.  Even the online companies that are contracted with local hearing aid centers to fit the patient's hearing aids only provide either 6 or 12 months worth of follow up, not to exceed 6 or 12 visits in most cases.  This policy varies with the different online companies.  Regardless, this also ends up costing the patinet more in the long run.  These companies will tell you that you won't use that many follow-up in a year just to sell the hearing aid.  The truth is that follow-up is a large key to success with hearing aids and many people require at least their minimum amount of follow-up visits during the adjustment process to be successful.  And finally, I have seen many people spend MORE money online than they would have spent in my office and get less follow-up included in the purchase price of the hearing aid.

Here are a few must ask questions when buying hearing aids:

0. Are you an audiologist?  Audiologists have at minimum a masters degree and some have their docorate.  Hearing aid specialists do not have a college degree in audiology and are still dispensing hearing aids.  Make sure you see an audiologist!
0. How much follow-up does this hearing aid purchase entitle me to?  Don't assume that your purchase covers you for follow-up.  
0. How many channels does this hearing aid have?  High end-16 channels      Mid level-8 channels     Entry level-4 channels                     *The amount of channel may vary slightly from above but that is a good rule of thumb.
0.  Is there a adjustment period and money back guarantie?  Also, how much is the return fee?
0. Does this hearing aid have directional microphones?

Finally, if you want to ensure that you make a well informed decision with your hearing aid purchase, give me a call at Carolina Ear Care and Hearing Aid Center.  I will be happy to tell you exactly how a competitor’s products compares to my own.  Honest information, so you can compare products and make a well informed decision about what hearing aid is best for you.  A hearing screening and hearing aid consultation is FREE.  Call us at (803)926-2220.