Readers Respond: Managing Hearing Aid Costs

Read more about hearing aids.

Online

I bought online from www.my-hearingworld.com. There's no reason to spend 6k on a set of hearing aids! I'm on a fixed budget these days and appreciate the help I received from the doctor at this website. She helped me select the right hearing aids and used my audiogram to program them. I can even have the option to change the programming myself with their program box, which I didn't buy. I spent signifcantly less than my local audiologist suggested and the ones I bought RX5 do just as well for a fraction of the cost. I suggest you call them. Joe.

—Guest ranger77

VR

I needed hearing aids and got them thru my state VR program. I have had them for nearly 10 years, and one of them stopped working, so I wanted to have it fixed and found out the Widex does not fix them if they are over 7 years old, I sent the hearing aid to Texas and got it fixed for $175.00. It is warranted for 1 year., otherwise I could not afford a new hearing aid.

—Guest Judy

In India...

I went to Center for Hearing Aids ( http://www.hearingaidsdelhi.com ), purchased my siemens hearing aids for Rs.76,800 and was reimbursed the balance of Rs.60,000 from CGHS (Guide comment: I don't know what that is in U.S. dollars.)

—Guest Mamta

Used VR

I went through my states Vocational Rehabilitation services (Indiana). They sent me to their audiologist and had some extensive hearing tests done. The tests and appointments were also paid for by their services. I was found to have profound hearing loss. Because I was employed and my test results warranted hearing aids, the state paid for mine. Most people don't even know these programs exist. My experience with this program had been very good and I'm forever grateful for them.

—Hisecho

Another FSA User

My wife and I each put away the max amount in our FSA this year (2500 each). good enough for 2 new aids Jan '11. tax free spread out over the next 52 weeks of payroll deductions.

—Guest John M

There Should Be a Law

I took advantage of a local "free" hearing test, after which we were "treated" to a long hard sell, they made sure the wife was there and pointed out she was the one being hurt by my poor hearing and comprehension.. I was then fitted with a digital behind the ear basic instrument and told to keep it, when pushed we found out we would be billed $7500 for the pair, in easy payments... I got a copy of my test and went on line... I found a top of the line aid (Siemens) with all the bells and whistles, ear 2 ear, computer remote control, re-charge batteries, programed to my chart... for $2000 the pair... after many sales calls, I also received a bill for the hearing test .. this is two years ago and everything still works great and I'm very happy... bottom line.. shop, shop, shop and you may have to take a leap of faith going internet, or mail order.... (your results may vary...)

—Guest truckdriverfritz

Used IRA

Had to cash my IRA to put a down payment on a new car that my ex-husband totaled. Some of what's left will be going towards new hearing aids in the next week or so.

—Janeeta

Paid With Savings

They are very expensive and insurance does not pick up any of it. So, I paid for both BTEs. Because of the cost, I will not upgrade or buy any more.

—Guest robabbott2002

Paid Out of Savings

My old hearing aid of 13 years up and died on me one day. I already had money set aside to begin with and paid in full for my new digital hearing aid. I set aside money for contingencies and this was one of them.

—Guest mcconnell