Can You Put a Price On Good Hearing?

Hows $24.95 sound? Good to the pocket book. Awful to the ears. Were talking mail-order hearing aids - the amped-up noise will make you tired, youll need something extra-strength for the headache and the low-cost, mail-order TV MagniTuner will end up collecting dust in the junk drawer. And youre out $24.95 PLUS $6.95 shipping and handling.

Lets Look at the Numbers

Michigan State University researchers Professor Jerry Punch and Susanna Love Callaway recently published the results of a study comparing consumer satisfaction and hearing aid costs (a co-efficient of quality, of course). And the results werent surprising.

Buyers who went the low-ball route were much less happy with hearing aids than those who spent even a little more for better quality sound.



Hearing aids worth pocket change shown to be bad idea for your ears.

These low-cost amplifying devices can look tempting to individuals with hearing impairment because of the significant cost differences, Dr. Punch said. But our research found that the low-cost aids generally don't meet the fitting requirements to help a hearing-impaired person and could potentially damage a persons hearing.

Lets Say You Had a Vision Problem

One morning over breakfast you realize that you cant read Blondie, even when you stick your arms way out in front of you. Or, you keep missing entrance ramps because the signs are nothing but a blur as you fly past.

In either case, heres what youd do. Youd call your doctor; youd see an optometrist who would write a prescription for your specific vision needs. Then, youd take that script to an eyeglass specialist and be fit with glasses by a professional specific to your vision loss. You might even pop for those Ralph Lauren designer frames (add $200) but hey, this is your vision were talking about. Youd do the right, smart, sensible thing if you discovered a vision loss. So how is a hearing loss different?

Oh, the Cost

Its a fact. A pair of hearing aids (youll probably buy two for better sound quality) can cost more than your parents paid for their first home! These electronic gizmos are expensive if you go for the top of the line. You can easily spend $6,000 for a pair of high-end hearing aids.

But this is the extreme, top-of-the-line model with every feature available from the latest in hearing technology. Beaucoup bucks = better quality + more features. Its true whether youre buying a car, a snow blower or a hearing aid. Of course, you can cut corners. You don't need a Jaguar when a Corolla gets you from point A to point B just as efficiently. Same with hearing aids.

Low Quality Hearing Aids = More Ear Damage

The MSU research is important to consumers, Callaway said. Aside from being of extremely poor quality, very low-cost hearing aids - those under $100 - have the potential to damage your hearing because they send very loud sounds into the ear. The studys mid-range hearing aids ($100-500) were of higher quality and were not considered a safety hazard.

This makes absolute perfect sense when you think about it. These low-cost ear amps increase the volume of all sounds and its up to the user to set listening levels manually. The result? The wearer of this electronic contraption cranks up the volume to the point where s/he can hear the exact point where more damage to the sensitive middle and inner ears takes place.

So, not only do these infomercial hearing aids deliver a lower quality sound, less wearing comfort and virtually no automated convenience, they tempt buyers looking to save a little money. These buyers run the risk of further damaging their natural hearing mechanism to save a few bucks.

Why Cheap Hearing Aids and Mail Order Hearing Aids Are Dangerous

There is no one-size-fits-all-hearing-solution. Your hearing loss is different unique in fact. So, in order to get the most and best use from a hearing aid, it must be configured to address your personal needs and fit by a hearing health care professional. You don't get that with the mail order models: AS SEEN ON TV ONLY $24.95. If your hearing aid isn't properly programmed by a hearing health care professional you aint gonna be happy and that $24.95 (plus shipping and handling) unit is going to find its way to the junk drawer. Rest assured.

Any one considering the purchase of hearing aids should consider the effect improved hearing has on the quality of life

There are always places to cut corners. Enjoy a stay-cation at home instead of spending a pile of money on a family cruise. There are lots of places to cut corners; hearing quality should not be one of them. This is something that will impact your life every minute of every day for the better. Thats why you want the best hearing aids your budget will allow, and maybe put off buying that snowmobile for another winter.

When it comes to hearing aids, spend until it hurts. Heres why.

What to Look for In ANY Hearing Aid

Its a balancing act, no doubt about it. You have to weigh the pros and cons against the savings account and cookie jar. We all do it. So, here are the three things you want to consider before spending a nickel.

Hearing Comfort: Is the sound you hear natural or does it sound compressed, like its coming through a tinny speaker? Is it a sound to which you could adapt because, again, youll be wearing this device a lot. A LOT. So, when you test drive units, in any price category, ask yourself if you like the sound the unit delivers.

Any hearing health care professional can show you several models at different price points, each delivering a slightly different listening experience. Go for hearing comfort.

Wearing Comfort: Hearing aids come in a range of types: completely in the canal (CIC), in the ear (ITE) and BTE (behind the ear) units and each have pros and cons. Some deliver an invisible profile, others a discreet profile and some come with American flags on them to turn hearing aids into personal fashion statements.

Try all varieties. CICs arent typically recommended for those with significant hearing loss because they don't have the juice for the boost. Again, any qualified hearing health care professional will be able to test your hearing, determine your needs and provide the right device to suit your preferences and meet your needs.

Automated Convenience: This is important to some consumers, not so much to others.

Todays moderately-priced hearing aids are feature packed. They come standard with automatic feedback suppression so you can go throughout your day without the fear of your aid giving off screeching and howling. Some of these devices learn your preferences and adjust themselves to different listening environments perfect for the individual who doesnt want to fuss all day with a hearing aid. Theres even one unit that tells you when your next hearing aid appointment is. So, if automated convenience is important, theres a unit out there just for you.

But many consumers can cut some costly corners here. Maybe you don't need automated convenience; you just want to be able to hear the TV more clearly. Or maybe you only have a problem hearing in large spaces like an auditorium or church. Maybe you don't care if your hearing aids make a fashion statement.

You can save some money and still improve lifes quality.

How Much Should You Spend?

Obviously this is a personal decision and there is a wide range of what you can spend on a hearing aid. However, you can on average figure spending at least a minimum of $1,000 an ear. (Okay, catch your breath.)

This is for a device that can be fit by a hearing health care professional to your hearing needs. It may not have every feature, knick-knack and gee-gaw, but it does what you want it to and it delivers sound you can adapt to quickly.

Naturally, the pricier the device, the more bells, whistles, conveniences and improved hearing and wearing comfort you get. Just like any other electronics product.

Just remember, this particular electronics product is going to be with you every day and will impact the quality of your life and those closest to you. You don't need to blow the budget out the back door but stay clear of hearing aids under $100 and keep away from one-size-fits-all devices. Purchase hearing aids that are able to be tuned to your individual hearing loss by a professional face-to-face. The face-to-face relationship a hearing health care professional can provide you is priceless not only in the fitting process, but the adaptation and follow-up process.

Not only are mail order and cheap hearing aids unsatisfying according to the MSU study, they can actually do more damage to an already-damaged hearing system so spend a little extra even if it stings a bit. Your ears will thank you and the money you spend will be forgotten in a day or two.

The benefits of a higher quality hearing aid will stay with you and your loved ones everyday for years to come.