Hearing Aid advice

[Bird]

What is the $ range of repair usually for your hearing aids? How log do you intend to keep them before you update?

My old memory failed me above. I know that many years ago, it cost me $100 every time one was sent in for repair. But I find in my old records that it cost $150 in '97. I've forgotten the name of the dealer in Waco, so I don't remember when it was costing $200 each time, but in 2010 it cost $259 for one and in 2011 it was also $259 to repair the other one. On August 30, 2012, I got my current ones new for $4,000 ($2,000 each). They supposedly came with a one year warranty while the old ones had a 2 year warranty, so I told my dealer that she'd have to include the 2 year warranty at that price, and she did. So these are almost 3 years old and have never been repaired. However, on December 15, 2014, my Beltone dealer did a new hearing test and some re-programming at no cost.

I don't know whether it's all Beltone dealers or not, but any maintenance done there in the office is supposed to be no cost for the lifetime of the hearing aids. But if one is sent in to the factory, it's one cost no matter what it takes to fix it. So I don't know whether they've gone up from the $259, but I'd suspect it's about $300 now.

 

[pacerron]

My old memory failed me above. I know that many years ago, it cost me $100 every time one was sent in for repair. But I find in my old records that it cost $150 in '97. I've forgotten the name of the dealer in Waco, so I don't remember when it was costing $200 each time, but in 2010 it cost $259 for one and in 2011 it was also $259 to repair the other one. On August 30, 2012, I got my current ones new for $4,000 ($2,000 each). They supposedly came with a one year warranty while the old ones had a 2 year warranty, so I told my dealer that she'd have to include the 2 year warranty at that price, and she did. So these are almost 3 years old and have never been repaired. However, on December 15, 2014, my Beltone dealer did a new hearing test and some re-programming at no cost.

I don't know whether it's all Beltone dealers or not, but any maintenance done there in the office is supposed to be no cost for the lifetime of the hearing aids. But if one is sent in to the factory, it's one cost no matter what it takes to fix it. So I don't know whether they've gone up from the $259, but I'd suspect it's about $300 now.

My Miracle Ears have free in office maintenance, cleaning, and repair for as long as I keep them. They are BTE with the vinyl tubes. I go in every 3 months and have the tubes replaced at no charge, since they become stiff in that time period from sweat and wax. He vacuums, cleans and checks them as well.
Hearing test once a year or more often as needed. The parts and repair warranty included with the original price was for 3 years.

I don't buy the extended warranty. Hearing, ear mold fit, and technology changes over time so I don't see paying for insurance on old technology.
My present pair are 4 years old and so far no problems requiring a send in.
Buying or not buying insurance on anything has to be a personal decision based on the possible risks you are willing to absorb.
Ron

 

[CurlyDave]

...Buying or not buying insurance on anything has to be a personal decision based on the possible risks you are willing to absorb.
Ron

In general, the companies selling the extended warranties (which aren't really insurance) make money. In fact they are very profitable items.

I do what is called "self-insuring" on these things. I nearly always decline the extended warranty and just accept that I am going to have to pay to replace a few items that don't last as long as I think they should. This usually works out pretty well.

The only exceptions are new technology and cars. The new tech example I can think of is that when Maytag first came out with front-loading washers, I got one, and bought an extended warranty, just because they were new. Well, they replaced the Maytag unit twice under the warranty, and when it failed again, they gave us a different brand, which lasted a lot better.

 

[PILOON]

I have followed closely this discussion as I was 'getting there.'

Our Canadian system required a referral from the GP to see the specialist.(2 month wait)
The specialist basically referred me to an audio technician(another 2 month wait) or for a $100. fee next week.
I opted to wait out the government tech.

The tech informed me that I had serious losses at all the higher ranges with right being the worst and that unfortunately not much could be done.
She was very honest IMHO to advise me not to invest in aids as she claimed they would simply drive me nuts as they amplify EVERYTHING and would be a waste of $$'s.
She gave me lots of advise including the use of wireless headphones for watching TV
She suggested Sennheiser brand which I did purchase. WOW, TV is now beyond lip reading and guessing.
Now that I know my left is better I position myself to take advantage of that fact. I helps.

Being government system she was not selling anything and did agree that had I gone for the $100. referred clinic they would have done the utmost to fit me with aids that I'd never have used.
She did agree that chain saws, outboard motors and snowmobiles plus all my aviation background was the probable cause of my hearing losses.
Little did we know back then.

OK, in Canada we have medicare system and yes I had a 5 month or so wait period but our system does work and I'm none the worst for waiting.
When I did need immediate care a couple of years back they sent the ambulance mid afternoon and I was operated on next day at 6 AM.

In both events my total costs were parking fees. Our Canadian medicare does work.

 

[txdon]

Do you have to be 65 to be on Canadian medicare? If so what would be the cost for a person less than the minimum age?

 

[PILOON]

Do you have to be 65 to be on Canadian medicare? If so what would be the cost for a person less than the minimum age?

No, all Canadians have medical coverage as part of our system.
Really good and efficient but frequently misunderstood.
Many get upset that they are not at front of the line while not everything is an 'emergency'.
Then there are those that constantly abuse the system taking precious time at ER's when they should be in bed with an aspirin. Anxious parents with a child that has a cold get all worried and demand immediate attention as after all it might just be pneumonia.
For that kind of reason (and others) ER are constantly overworked and that creates a bad reputation for our system.

Then there is the absolute abuse whereby sick foreigners enter Canada often illegally just for our medicare claiming 'refugee status'.
I also know of Americans with dual passports that come for childbirths or other medical procedures.
Guess nothing is perfect.

 

[txdon]

Piloon, I'm curious, which Seenheiser hearing aid did you have to wait 5 months for?

 

[jcummins]

Subscribing to this thread.

Some 25 years ago I was drugged to a hearing specialist by my family to get a hearing test. End results I was told I needed $4000 worth of hearing aids, I walked out of there and said .....NO way.

Now, at age 72, I'm having trouble carrying on conversations, and even I have come to the realization that I need to do something. We had some family over on the 4th, about 10 people...and I felt 'out of it' since I couldn't follow ANY conservation. My hearing, along with some others there with hearing problems, became the topic of discussions, since the WHAT YOU SAYS was flying fast and furious.

So following this with interest.

 

[Bird]

Now, at age 72, I'm having trouble carrying on conversations

Now I'm 75 but I've been wearing two hearing aids since 1992. And even with these 3 program, $4000, hearing aids, there are two situations in which I have a really hard time hearing and understanding. One is small children, even up to their teens, and the other is when 2 or more people are talking at the same time, I probably won't understand what either of them are saying.

 

[jcummins]

Now I'm 75 but I've been wearing two hearing aids since 1992. And even with these 3 program, $4000, hearing aids, there are two situations in which I have a really hard time hearing and understanding. One is small children, even up to their teens, and the other is when 2 or more people are talking at the same time, I probably won't understand what either of them are saying.

Arrrgggg. I'm doomed.