Why do hearing aids cost so much?

Q: Why do hearing aids cost so much?


A: Hearing aids, like other custom medical devices such as dentures, artificial limbs and individually manufactured wheel chair seats, are major health issues.  However, hearing aids - unlike many other devices - are typically not covered by insurance, including Medicare.  Consequently, the cost is of major concern when purchasing hearing aids.

The cost typically includes both professional services and the product. The hearing aid itself reflects the research and development needed to produce the ever improving hearing aids of today. There are regulatory costs in the manufacturing of a safe and effective medical device. There are costs to the generous repair and return privileges offered, and there is the cost of shipping impressions and the product.

Another factor in the cost of hearing aids is the number sold, or maybe we should say, the numbers not sold. There are 31 million Americans with hearing loss, but less than 20% of them wear hearing aids.  Hearing aids are this nations most underutilized medical product.

Therefore, the cost of research and development is spread out over fewer hearing aids. If we could convince the vast majority of people with hearing loss that today's hearing aids really do make a difference, the cost of hearing aids would be reduced dramatically.  The untreated hearing impaired population need to know that the cost of not treating hearing loss can be far more devastating in human emotions and relationships than in dollars.