If you survey hearing aid wearers a year after they purchase devices, more than 80% are happy they took the plunge. There's little doubt that hearing aids are one of the most meaningful health investments you can make.
My hearing aids impact my social engagement, mental sharpness, and confidence in challenging listening environments.
Hearing aids also give me sticker shock.
I started wearing hearing aids at 30, which means that at average retail prices, I'll spend around $80K on hearing devices over my lifetime.
Fortunately for me (and maybe you), there are several legitimate ways to get a deal on quality hearing aids.
In this guide, I'll break down the options that don’t involve rolling the dice on Amazon.
First, a little background.
Hearing aid pricing is elusive. That's because each local practice sets its price and markup independently. The system is similar to car dealerships which purchase from the manufacturer and manage the final price.
This is where most deal seekers get stuck. Without good information it's hard to figure out if you are getting a deal or paying top-dollar.
The national average for a pair of prescription hearing aids is around $5,000, but there are many variables, including form factor, technology level and follow up care packages.
So how should you go about hearing aid deal shopping? I recommend three possible paths.
On The Hunt for Hearing Aid Discounts? Read This First.
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Option #1 - Go OTC
Until late 2022 you had to get a prescription to purchase hearing aids. That all changed with the FDA's new OTC hearing aid ruling.
You can now buy a decent pair of hearing aids online or at a drugstore for $700 - $1,300. I have in-depth reviews of most OTC options on this blog.
Some of my favorites include Bose ($799), Sony ($999), Jabra Enhance Plus ($799), and AirPods Pro 2 (not officially a hearing aid but a good starter).
The drawback to this approach: OTC hearing aids don't have all the latest technology, and they require some tech-savvy to program at home (no doctor involved).
Option #2 - Opt for Telehealth Instead of Local Care
Jabra Enhance Select and Audicus are two respected companies that sell prescription-level devices with care from a hearing professional all online. The remote care model makes them more efficient, and they pass those savings on to the customer with around 50% lower prices on similar technology.
How it works: Take an online hearing test or submit an existing test, and these Telehealth providers will program and ship hearing aids to your door. Telehealth hearing aids range from $1,000 to $3,000 per pair and come with complementary remote follow-up care.
The drawback: You'll work with a professional through video and phone calls and won't have hands-on support for fittings and ear exams.
Option #3 - Get Local Hearing Aid Discounts and Deals
If you aren't excited about OTC or Telehealth, you still have some deal-seeking options.
As discussed above, most local clinics set their own prices, making it difficult to find out what anyone is charging until halfway through your appointment. Yes Hearing and ZipHearing offer a way around this problem.
Both companies represent a large group of clinics or professionals across the country and work with that group to set fair, pre-negotiated prices. That's great for anyone looking for hearing aid deals because you can compare prices and plan your budget before you walk into the office. Typically Yes Hearing and ZipHearing come in around 30% below local clinic pricing due to their negotiating power.
The drawback: You'll need to work with one of Yes Hearing or ZipHearing's existing providers (both groups allow you to switch individuals if needed).
You can use this tool to compare local deals by brand.
Bonus Option - Big Box Retail
Hearing aid deal seekers might also check out Sam's Club and Costco for lower hearing aid prices. There are some drawbacks to working with a big box retailer, but many Americans find good value at these big box locations. Costco and Sam’s Club prices range from $1,500 - $2,500 per pair.
Read my full Costco review here and Sam's Club review here.
Final Thoughts
I know from experience that hearing aids are worth the investment. I also know that getting a fair deal is an important part of the process. I hope you've found this guide helpful as you look for a solution that works for you and your budget.
Got some handy hearing aid discount tips? Send me a note at hello@soundly.com.
