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If you think you paid too much for a hearing aid that doesn’t even fit correctly, you’re not alone. A new Consumer Reports investigation shows that consumers are paying high prices for hearing aids but are getting mediocre fittings.
The study, which appears in the July print and online issue of Consumer Reports provides a step-by-step guide to purchasing and owning a hearing aid. It’s the first such study on hearing aids that Consumer Reports has conducted since 1992. For its research, Consumer Reports followed a dozen hearing-impaired patients for six months as they shopped for and used hearing aids; lab-tested the features of 44 hearing aids; and conducted a national survey of 1,100 people who had bought a hearing aid in the last three years. The survey was conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Consumer Reports verified the wholesale price of several of the hearing aids tested, finding on average a markup of 117 percent. As part of the study, shoppers purchased two pairs of hearing aids each ranging from $1,800 to $6,800 per pair, including professional fitting and follow-up services, in the New York City metropolitan area. Consumer Reports had audiologists check to see how well providers fit shoppers’ hearing aids to their individual hearing loss. Two-thirds of the 48 aids purchased were misfit: They amplified too little or too much. However, a resounding 73 percent of hearing aid users were highly satisfied with their aids, suggesting many individuals may be so pleased with improved hearing that they do not seek out fine tuning of their aids, potentially missing out on an even better fit, the report said. The article contains a number of shopping tips including where to go to buy hearing aids, what to expect from a provider, and what product features to look for. The report also advises consumers that before leaving a retailer with their new aids, they should practice inserting and removing the battery, cleaning and storing the aid, putting it in their ear, using the switches and controls, and talking on the phone. Most of Consumer Reports’ shoppers received no telephone training or help with volume controls. In addition, the report suggests consumers should review the product manual, warranty, trial period, and return and repair policies before completing their purchases. (by stltoday.com)
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