Dangers of Mail Order Hearing Aids
What Dangers? They fit my budget.– Internet and mail order hearing aids are not the bargain they pretend to be. For their proponents cannot build and market a one-size fits all hearing instrument for any less than the legitimate system does, yet they often claim they can in their marketing materials. However, the biggest difference is what is being left off: Consumer protections, professional services, and the part that is most important, an auditory rehabilitation program that helps consumers make the most of their hearing health investment. These added-value services are nothing to sniff at, and certainly, if leaving them off was a feasible method of marketing hearing aids there would be no need for the myriad regulations and well-defined protocols that were put in place to protect the consumer.
Other reasons why hearing aids obtained outside legal channels can be a detriment for the consumer are:
• Unnecessary hearing aid purchases ostensibly to correct a loss that may be a result of a medically treatable condition.
• If hearing aids were "tried" by the consumer in this manner, and found to be wanting (which is usually the case), it would serve to delay getting the needed help for one's hearing loss.
• It is virtually impossible to make and fit a proper earmold without a professionally administered ear impression, including accommodation for individual neurophysiological characteristics. Every ear is different, and being off slightly can cause discomfort, loss of natural ear canal resonance, and failure to fit.
• ANSI and FDA-required quality controls cannot be assured, making the quality of such purchases questionable at best, and substandard at worst. Under this reasoning, if one were to spend just $100 for their Internet hearing aid, they would have spent $100 too much!
• Auditory rehabilitation is a complex and customized process. It requires the guidance of those who trained and equipped to do this on a one-on-one basis. It cannot be done at a distance, as some would suppose. Below, are listed some references to help the reader get a better picture of the vast body of considerations when designing an effective counseling and rehabilitative program for the hearing instrument patient.
• This form of marketing requires no up-to-date, specialized training on the part of the merchandisers. All one needs to do is attend any of the thousands of seminars and workshops at the American Academy of Audiology, International
Dangers of Cheap Advertised Hearing Aids – Advertisements are all over the newspapers, radio and television. Beckoning you to come in for a very appealing price for a hearing aid. Stopping to read the fine print you realize that the hearing is a class A and has a limited hearing range fitting. What? Basic Class"A" Hearing Aids have a circuit that is the oldest type of hearing aid electronic circuit available. Many times you will see this circuit advertised for very low prices. We have seen this advertised for as low as $299 or $399 per aid. Basically, this advertising is just a "come on". Class "A" hearing aids amplify most sounds equally (cheap analog ciruit), poor hearing performance in the presence of background noise and understanding speech in groups usually makes this circuit a poor choice for most people with hearing loss. We consider this level of technology obsolete and recommend AGC digital hearing aids that are manufacturered by major hearing aid manufacturers.
