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NewsletterFebruary 2006 |
Hello, everyone! |
We hope this new year started off well for you. This past month has been busy for us, but fun and interesting. As always, we enjoy meeting new folks and helping people with their hearing challenges. It's so rewarding when someone's face lights up because they can hear sounds they haven't heard in a long time. Jim's patient, caring attitude goes a long way in boosting people's confidence and reassuring them that they can adjust to life with hearing instruments!
We really look forward to what new changes and opportunities we have in store for 2006. As always, we will inform you of the latest in new technology and products we have available. We strive to stay current with all that neat stuff so that we may better serve you. |
 A question we get from time to time---especially from people just starting out to research hearing help---is, "Why are hearing aids so expensive?" I'll attempt to address this issue in this month's Newsletter:
Everything is a matter of perspective. Even the price of hearing aids. An article by Dr. Jay McSpaden, (an audiologist and Board-certified hearing instrument specialist) that appeared in The Hearing Review, Vol. 12, No.10, pp. 30-34, 85 expounds on this. When comparing technologies and styles, it becomes evident that hearing aids actually haven't gone up in cost over the years. In fact, when you take into account inflation, the cost for operating an analog hearing aid is less today than it was 25 years ago. Hearing aids have gone up in price only when you include the digital products available within the last ten years. But, today, there are so many different products, styles, and options available that there is a very wide range of pricing. Today, we have options that didn't exist years ago. These are factors that affect prices, making it difficult to compare "apples to apples" when trying to determine price changes. But, even so, we have seen a reduction in digital costs in recent years, so that we are able to offer very good digital technology at better prices than we were able to offer for analog aids five years ago!
Admittedly, hearing aids are not inexpensive. It's important to keep in mind that when one purchases hearing instruments, one is paying for the technology, the research that goes into the technology, the end product, and the services---programming, adjustments, fittings---that are involved. Consider some other medical fields that require a good amount of treatment time from the healthcare professional, such as optometry or dentistry. The final selling price is largely affected by the costs of the services involved.
In 1976, E. Robert Libby did a study, comparing how instrument service charges related to other healthcare services. He found that all the fields were similar, with hearing aids generally not having as high service charges as other fields. Mr. Libby concluded that the professional services were the largest portion of the cost of the product, be they dentures, eyeglasses, or hearing instruments.
Today, this is still true. Hearing aids are costly to produce, fit, dispense, and service. The equipment and software alone that are required in a dispensing office are very expensive investments.
Some helpful things to keep in mind when purchasing hearing instruments:
- Don't focus on the bottom price.
As with anything else, you get what you pay for. You don't want your hearing intruments to become just another statistic---worn only by your dresser drawer! The price should be reasonable for the market, but "cheaper" doesn't necessarily translate to getting a "good deal"
- Check into the background of the dispenser.
A good hearing aid dispenser could be a board-certified hearing instrument specialist or a licenced/certified audiologist. Find out how long they've been in practice, what brand or brands they provide and service. Check to see if they've had complaints filed; check with friends and associates for their recommendations.
Some audiologists prefer to concentrate on the diagnostic end of things and leave the hearing aid sciences to the hearing aid dispensers; others do a good job of both. A good hearing aid dispenser will perform excellent hearing testing, fittings, programmings and adjustments. If there are any unusual indicators evident in the initial exam, they will refer to an Ear/Nose/Throat Dr. and/or audiologist for further testing and examination.
Either way, it is important to find out if the specialist is comfortable with dispensing the latest technology. Can they explain the various differences in technology between different kinds of digital instruments? Are they always available during office hours, or do they close down and leave the office whenever things slow down? Do they provide more than one brand of hearing aid? Every brand of hearing aid focuses on different needs, so it is especially helpful if the dispenser provides more than one company's solutions.
- Find out what services are provided, and the charges involved.
Ask about the cost for a hearing exam. Oftentimes, audiologists do charge a fee; Hearing aid dispensers usually do not.
Ask if there is a charge for cleanings, battery doors, test updates.
Ask about warranties.....for how long and if loss and damage is included.
Ask if there is a charge for adjustments, reprogrammings and the like. If not, will there be a charge after the warranty has expired?
Remember that you are paying for service, for continued care, not just for the instruments themselves.
There is so much for a dispenser to keep abreast of these days with the constantly changing technology! If a dispenser is not motivated and interested enough to stay informed and practiced in the newest technology, his customers/patients will be at a disadvantage. There are different techniques for dealing with occlusion or feedback problems, for instance. But there are dispensers who are not always as skilled as they could be in dealing with some of these issues.
There are offices who employ a whole cadre of salespeople. They know how to sell a hearing aid, but they are limited in knowledge and expertise when it comes to dealing with individual needs. So, it's important that one realize that they are not just purchasing a product.....they are investing in a relationship with the specialist who will be taking care of their hearing needs, providing vital services for better hearing!
We see people from time to time who opted for the least expensive price when it came time to purchase hearing instruments, only to find that the dispenser's knowledge was limited and/or they purchased old technology. Needless to say, they are not happy with their experience. They come to us seeking help with feedback or occlusion, clarity problems, or any number of issues. They paid the other company to take care of these issues....but cannot get satisfaction. That is so unfortunate.
In our office, we provide unlimited, lifetime adjustments and programmings at no additional cost for the lifetime of the hearing aid when an individual purchases a hearing instrument from us. Some offices extend these services without charge to the customer only for the duration of the warranty, and then charge for these services once the warranty has expired. It's important to compare! All too often people will opt to purchase hearing aids from an office that offers a lesser price....but may not be available and up-to-date with fitting protocols to provide excellent, consistent service. Service is vitally important! We cannot stress this enough. Without it, a hearing aid wearer will not realize good satisfaction from their investment.
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Getting Old
An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that improved the gentleman's hearing significantly.
The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is great. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again."
The gentleman replied, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!"
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Interesting Fact:
Did you know that 76 million baby boomers are moving into their 60's and 70's! |
As always, your questions and comments are welcome.
Beth Bell |
Quote of the Month
"A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour."
Author unknown |
Reminders |
| If you last had your hearing instruments cleaned in September, it is time to get them cleaned this month! |
Assistive Listening Devices |
| For Assistive Listening Devices, please visit our online store. We offer many products, including TV Ears, at competitive prices and shipped directly to your door. Satisfaction guaranteed. |
Referrals |
If you know someone who has been thinking about getting some new hearing aids and benefiting from newer technology, please send them our way. If they purchase a set of premium digital instruments, we will gladly supply you with 2 free boxes of batteries. If they purchase a set of basic or advanced digital hearing instruments, we will supply you with 1 free box of batteries.
We appreciate your referrals! As you know, we do not use telemarketing to acquire new customers. We rely upon word-of-mouth and media advertising. Not only will they receive the best care, but we can save them money, too! |
Questions? Comments? |
| Do you have a question, comment, or concern? Do you have a testimonial that you would like us to include in a future newsletter? Please don't hesitate to contact Jim or contact me. |
How to receive our newsletter |
| If you have friends or loved ones who would like to receive our newsletter via email, we will be happy to add them to our email list. All you need to do is have them contact me to provide me with their name and email address. We also have copies of the newsletter in our office if you would like to pick them up here. |
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How to contact us
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Office Hours
Monday thru Friday 9-5
Saturday by appointment only
Address and Phone
816 Beltline Rd
Springfield, OR 97477
Telephone: 541-746-7671
Toll Free: 800-230-1953
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