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Online exclusive, Fall 2003, posted 10/21/03
By Donna L. Schillinger
Purchasing a hearing aid over the Internet offers
access and convenience for consumers in remote areas
plus the method is gaining popularity as a money-saving
tool. Be aware, though, that online purchasing may save
you money on a hearing aid but if you have to pay for
adjustments in fit, programming and amplification, those
savings can quickly dwindle. To truly compare apples
to apples, make sure you factor in the potential cost
of post-purchase services, including the value of orientation
or counseling that many dispensers provide but is rare
for Internet purchases. Finally, compare return policies
and warranties and the costs associated with them for
an accurate value comparison.
Here are the profiles of four Internet hearing aid
vendors. We offer these as examples of the gamut of
online purchasing options, their terms and how they
work. This information is in no way intended to endorse
or recommend any particular company or to be used as
a substitute for your own careful research. To find
a plethora of companies selling online, try a Google
search, www.google.com.
To narrow your search, you may want to enter the type
of aid you want (e.g., "behind the ear hearing
aids" or "digital hearing aids," etc.)
versus the generic term "hearing aids."
Hearing Planet, www.hearingplanet.com,
800.432.7669
Process: You call the toll-free number or send an email
inquiry to schedule an appointment with the network's
nearest dispenser or audiologist. After your hearing
exam, the hearing healthcare provider makes a recommendation,
trying to accommodate your preferences, and the aids
are ordered from Hearing Planet. You return to the network
provider for a fitting when aids arrive in seven to
10 days. Optional rush service of four to five days
for an additional charge.
Products: Conventional, programmable and digital aids
and behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal
(ITC) and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) models from
Audina, Authorized Hearing Systems, Bernafone, General
Hearing Instruments, Hearing Services International,
Micro-Tech, Omni Hearing Systems, Oticon, Phonak, Qualitone,
Resound, Rexton, Siemens, Sonic Innovations, Starkey,
United Hearing Systems, Unitron and Widex
Price Range: Conventional $607-$1295, programmable $995-$1945,
digital $1495-$2395. Financing available.
Services: Hearing Planet markets batteries, assistive
devices and hearing aids. Quotes for hearing aids include
hearing evaluation, earmold impressions, fitting, one
year of follow-up service and adjustments typically
with a cap of four to six visits.
Trial Period/Warranty: 45-day trial period begins the
day of fitting with your instrument(s). If aids are
returned during the trial period, restocking fees will
apply as per regulations in the state of your dispenser.
One-year warranty for conventional and programmable
aids, two years for digitals and optional three-year
warranty also offered.
Better Business Bureau (BBB): "Based on BBB files,
this company has a satisfactory record with the Bureau.
The Bureau has processed no customer complaints on this
company in its three-year reporting period."
NaturEar, www.naturear.com,
866.807.7931
Process: Add hearing aid(s) to your cart and checkout.
No hearing test or other exam required.
Products: Only one aid is available at this site,
the NaturEar, an ITE digital with a gel soft silicone
earmold.
Price Range: $329 per aid is current sale price, regularly
$779.
Services: Aid is digitally pre-programmed to accommodate
middle and upper frequency hearing losses. NaturEar
also sells batteries, assistive devices and hearing
aid drying supplies.
Trial Period/Warranty: 30-day trial from the date
of purchase with a non-refundable handling fee of $29.70.
Six-month warranty. After 45 days, a $19.95 handling
fee applies for repair or replacement. The warranty
can be renewed for the lifetime of the aid for $49.95
per year.
BBB: "Based on BBB files, this company has a
satisfactory record with the Bureau. Any complaints
processed by the Bureau in its three-year reporting
period have been resolved. The number and type of complaints
are not unusual for a company in this industry."
New Century,
www.newcenturyhearing.com, 760.294.2052
Process: Pop-up order form to click and buy. To complete
order on programmable aids, fax a copy of your most
recent audiogram to New Century.
Products: BTE non-programmable by Electone, ITC non-programmable
by Precision Ear and silicone soft bodies and flexible
tip digitals by Simply Soft and Sierra
Price Range: BTE from $275, ITC from $269, digital BTE
$649, digital ITC $799
Services: New Century repairs aids not over seven
years old. Fees as follows: $99 for non-programmable
aids, $149 for programmable aids with six-month warranty
on repair. Add $90 for digital aids. Add $25 for a 12-month
warranty on repair, $25 for a loaner and $50 for cracked
or broken cases. The site also sells batteries.
Trial Period/Warranty: 21-day trial from the date
of receipt, 10 percent restocking fee applies plus $25
cleaning fee if necessary and $75 service charge if
hearing aid is not in working condition (e.g., broken
battery door, jammed battery, cracked casing, etc).
Six-month to one-year factory warranty (depending on
aid) against defects in material and workmanship. There
is a $24.95 service charge for warranty repairs on the
Simply Soft canal aid only.
BBB: "New Century Hearing Aids has had no complaints."
High Tech Hearing Aids, www.hightechhearingaids.com,
800.499.3599
Process: Click "OK, I'm ready," check off
on a waiver of medical examination, mail or fax an audiogram
no more than 12 months old, complete a pre-fitting questionnaire
and order the aid(s) of your choice. If High Tech's
audiologists agree with your selection, based on your
audiogram and pre-fitting questionnaire, you will receive
a confirmation of your order and your instrument(s)
will be shipped. High Tech will also send a post-fitting
questionnaire.
Products: Digital BTE and mini-canal aids by Siemens
and Sonic Innovations. "Ready-to-wear" non-programmable
aids come with Comply(tm) Soft Wrap and Snap Tip earpieces.
Price Range: Ready-to-wear digitals from $495 to $995,
programmable digitals from $999 to $1745
Services: Programmable aids come with free initial
and two additional programming sessions. Subsequent
programming costs $49 per aid. Post-purchase consultation
by email is available at no charge within the warranty
period with the purchase of ready-to-wear aids. High
Tech recommends seeking local service for custom earmolds
and other aftercare services on programmable aids.
Trial Period/Warranty: 45 days from the time of receipt.
Returns accepted during this period but incur $49 non-refundable
deposit and $39.95 shipping and handling fees. No charge
for upgrades or changes in style but there are shipping
fees on new aids. Original 45-day trial period still
applies on upgrades or style changes. Aids come with
manufacturer's warranty of one year or more (for higher
tech aids).
BBB: The BBB has no information on hightechhearingaids.com.
Related article:
What to Know
Before You Buy Any Hearing Aid
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