The Value Equation

Improving your hearing and adding to your quality of life is hard to put a price tag on.

While it might seem odd, it’s not really what’s inside the piece of plastic that you’re paying for—it’s how well the hearing instrument improves your quality of life. The real value is what it’s worth to be able to fully engage in your relationships, work and the activities you enjoy.

You may also want to think about what you value most in terms of a hearing instrument’s features and benefits. How important is vanity? How important is the latest technology? The equation of price will depend somewhat on your priorities—and it’s different for everyone.

Hearing instruments generally run from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, and pricing varies between hearing professionals. Typically, costs reflect the amount of research and development that has gone into the product as well as quality of the components, with the smallest, most technologically advanced instruments at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. However, you can also get hearing instruments that provide a good benefit in a modest price range.

Pricing may or may not include the services of your hearing professional, such as the testing, making of the earmold impression, fitting of the instrument and follow-up care and service. In addition, most hearing instruments come with a warranty and return guarantee. See questions to ask your hearing professional for more information.

As when making any decision of considerable importance, do some research and buy from a reputable source. Get a referral from your doctor, a friend who is satisfied with their experience, or check out the listing of hearing professionals provided in this site.

If you are unsure about the recommendations of your hearing professional, get a second opinion or seek out more information. When you’re comfortable, make the decision that feels best for you.