Also, as part of that, aid sellers blame the consumer, - "for expecting too much." Equally bad, they then charge a substantial "Return Fee," when the hearing aid is returned during the trial period. And, there is no one for the consumer to turn to for fair play.
Users are seldom taught of the t coil and it's varied uses nor are these consumers educated on various low cost listening devices. Presently there are tests that help assure a better fitted hearing aid but they take the aid seller more time and are seldom used. Hard of hearing people in the USA desparately need good representation in this market place.
As it is, they only have SHHH which is a fine group but only serves as a social outlet which many such people do find of some help but has never shown a willingness to confront the industry that so poorly serves their hard of hearing members causing many to drop out. Too, because of the numbers of people dissatisfied in their wearing of hearing aids, hearing aids have a poor image. Eye glasses are a far more obvious aging related accessory but are worn without hesitation because they create satusfaction and thereby, unlike hearing aids, have a good image.
Today we have increasingly numbers of state-of-the art high cost digital aids being sold. Nearly twice as many of these are being returned by consumers vs the more basic analog models. One must ask here, why are so many digitals being sold? The answer becomes clear, they are the most profitable to the sellers. It seems clear that a change that would create more satisfaction to users would benefit every one.
