What to Look For in Cheaper Hearing Aids
It is not until you have to have one, in most instances, that you realize just how expensive hearing aids are, especially the most up-to-the-minute digital ones.
An illustration, for those who do not realize, is that a hearing aid usually costs more than a laptop computer.
If you want a digital deaf aid, then you could purchase two or three laptop computers for one ear piece.
It is probable that prices will go down quite dramatically as the Baby Boomers start to require them.
And Baby Boomers will have to have them because they hammered their ear drums in their youth with deafening music and they will live longer than their parents, in general.
This means a huge market for hearing aids in the future - over the next ten to thirty years.
The cheapest form of 'hearing aid' is in fact officially described as a 'listening device'.
They cost about $20 and do not carry FDA approval, because they are not considered to be sensitive enough.
In fact, most people who buy these listening devices are hunters and twitchers, who want to be able to better hear the animals that they are looking for.
If anyone endeavours to sell you one of these devices as a cheap hearing aid, turn and run: the person either does not know what they are doing or is a confidence trickster.
If you are only having trouble hearing the television and you do not care about risking $20, then you could give it a try.
Just remember that you are not getting an FDA approved hearing aid.
Some companies will want you to sign a waiver.
This is proof to them that you are cognizant of the fact that you have bought the unit without anyone giving you medical advice.
If you have already seen a doctor and you know that your loss of hearing is not due to disease, then this is OK, but you really do have to consult a doctor before getting a hearing aid.
The old adage that you get what you pay for is true with hearing devices as well.
If you buy your unit through your doctor or the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, you will get a long test period, during which you can get a virtual total reimbursement, if you return it.
You will rarely get any guarantees like this if you buy over the Internet or even the High Street.
Keep this in mind when you go looking to save money.
If you know what you want, this is not a problem.
Therefore, a good tactic is to visit your doctor, obtain as much information as possible and pick up some leaflets.
Then use those leaflets to compare prices in the Mall and on line for the best deals.
Another thing to look out for when you purchase a cheap hearing aid on line, is whether it is a 'behind the ear' (BTE) device.
The moulding of an online apparatus, will be a typical fitting, but if you buy from a doctor, you will get a personal moulding, which will be more comfortable.
Therefore, you have to factor this cost into your cheap on line costs.
An illustration, for those who do not realize, is that a hearing aid usually costs more than a laptop computer.
If you want a digital deaf aid, then you could purchase two or three laptop computers for one ear piece.
It is probable that prices will go down quite dramatically as the Baby Boomers start to require them.
And Baby Boomers will have to have them because they hammered their ear drums in their youth with deafening music and they will live longer than their parents, in general.
This means a huge market for hearing aids in the future - over the next ten to thirty years.
The cheapest form of 'hearing aid' is in fact officially described as a 'listening device'.
They cost about $20 and do not carry FDA approval, because they are not considered to be sensitive enough.
In fact, most people who buy these listening devices are hunters and twitchers, who want to be able to better hear the animals that they are looking for.
If anyone endeavours to sell you one of these devices as a cheap hearing aid, turn and run: the person either does not know what they are doing or is a confidence trickster.
If you are only having trouble hearing the television and you do not care about risking $20, then you could give it a try.
Just remember that you are not getting an FDA approved hearing aid.
Some companies will want you to sign a waiver.
This is proof to them that you are cognizant of the fact that you have bought the unit without anyone giving you medical advice.
If you have already seen a doctor and you know that your loss of hearing is not due to disease, then this is OK, but you really do have to consult a doctor before getting a hearing aid.
The old adage that you get what you pay for is true with hearing devices as well.
If you buy your unit through your doctor or the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, you will get a long test period, during which you can get a virtual total reimbursement, if you return it.
You will rarely get any guarantees like this if you buy over the Internet or even the High Street.
Keep this in mind when you go looking to save money.
If you know what you want, this is not a problem.
Therefore, a good tactic is to visit your doctor, obtain as much information as possible and pick up some leaflets.
Then use those leaflets to compare prices in the Mall and on line for the best deals.
Another thing to look out for when you purchase a cheap hearing aid on line, is whether it is a 'behind the ear' (BTE) device.
The moulding of an online apparatus, will be a typical fitting, but if you buy from a doctor, you will get a personal moulding, which will be more comfortable.
Therefore, you have to factor this cost into your cheap on line costs.
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