Cost of Hearing Aids

On a google search, a user may find that the total cost for a new hearing aid may vary between $500 and $5000+... The hearing aids sold in our practice are medical grade hearing aids which are more expensive then the over-the-counter hearing aids sold in drugstores and Costco. The table below provides a general idea of how the cost may vary between different makes and models of hearing aids.

We also sell pre-owned medical grade hearing aids for 70% off the original price! Such pre-owned medical grade hearing aids can be had for the price of an OTC hearing aid, but supplies fluctuate and are limited due to high demand.

Fauquier ENT Hearing Aids, LLC who contracts with Hearing Health, LLC for hearing aid staffing and services operates under a fee-for-service model.


Hearing Loss Level	Mild to Moderate	Mild to Severe	Mild to Severe	Mild to Severe
Cost	"Cheap"	Mildly Expensive	Moderately Expensive	Expensive
Appropriate Lifestyle	Good hearing and speech clarity for someone with a relaxed lifestyle who is primarily in calm and low noise listening environments.	Great hearing and speech clarity for someone with an active lifestyle who is in an average variety of listening environments from calm to moderate background noise.	Exceptional hearing and speech clarity for someone with a very active lifestyle who is in an above average variety of listening environments from calm to background noise. Excellent sound processing in quiet, noise, TV and music.	Optimal hearing and speech clarity for someone with an extremely active lifestyle who is in an ever changing variety of listening environments throughout the day. Ultimate sound processing in quiet, noise, car, phone, wind, TV and music.
Optional Features for Additional Cost	Hearing aids can connect to home and cell phones, TV, computers, music, loop systems in churches, schools, airports and much more.	Hearing aids can connect to home and cell phones, TV, computers, music, loop systems in churches, schools, airports and much more.	Hearing aids can connect to home and cell phones, TV, computers, music, loop systems in churches, schools, airports and much more.	Hearing aids can connect to home and cell phones, TV, computers, music, loop systems in churches, schools, airports and much more.
Styles Available	BTE, ITE, ITC, HS, RITE, Open, CIC	BTE, ITE, ITC, HS, RITE, Open, CIC	BTE, ITE, ITC, HS, RITE, Open, CIC	BTE, ITE, ITC, HS, RITE, Open, CIC

Hearing aids differ in cost based upon the style, size, and level of technology. In general, the cost for the hearing aid increases as the size of the hearing aid decreases. In addition, the cost for the hearing aid increases as the level of technology increases.

That said, when comparing between models, there are 11 main features you should take into consideration when trying to decide what to buy.

Hearing Aid Style: This is basically what the hearing aid looks like and what most people take into consideration first when selecting a hearing aid. However, most patients unfortunately immediately choose the ones that are "invisible" which may not necessarily be the best. For example, the ITC (or in-the-canal) models are inserted completely into the ear canal. As such, these models are VERY small and if the patient is 90 years old with poor hand-eye coordination, not easy to use, change the battery, are under-powered given their small size, etc. More info on hearing aid styles here.
Amplification: Amplification power of a given hearing aid must be taken into consideration relative to how much hearing loss is present. As mentioned above, tiny hearing aids are completely under-powered if a patient has severe hearing loss.
Color: Either you don't care, you want them to be fashionable (like colorful earrings or eyeglasses), or you want them to be invisible (matched to skin or hair color).
Telecoil: Telecoils are amazing wireless technology that can connect to looped facilities like Churches and Theaters. Such looped facilities will display a blue symbol as shown to the right. They can also help a patient hear better on a phone that is Telecoil ready. If a patient has a substantial hearing loss, you would be silly to overlook the telecoil.
IP Rating: An IP68 is the highest rating you can get. The first number indicates dust and particulate resistance (6). The second number is the moisture resistance (8). If a patient spends much time in moist or dirty environments, or have a tendency to perspire, this should be an important consideration.
Batteries: Basically disposable or rechargeable. If rechargeable, mainly are lithium-ion (Li-ion) or nickle-metal-hydride (NiMH). Disposable and NiMH batteries can be replaced by the user whereas Li-ion hearing aids typically have to be sent back to the manufacturer to have the battery exchanged. Just something to keep in mind!
Battery Size: If a hearing aid uses disposable batteries, there are a variety of sizes to choose from. The smaller the battery, the shorter the battery life. However, smaller batteries usually means a smaller hearing aid if that's important to you. Also, if you have poor hand-eye coordination, changing a tiny battery in a tiny hearing aid may be difficult to perform.
Phone connectivity: Some hearing aids have the capability to directly connect to your smartphone to allow the phone's audio to directly stream sound into the hearing aid.
Tinnitus Relief Program: If a patient also suffers from tinnitus, make sure the hearing aid has this feature which may help reduce if not eliminiate this annoying sound.

Push Button Availability: Most hearing aids have push button availability but a patient may want more than just a push button for program changes. For example, a patient may want a volume control. To allow for these additional features, the hearing aid needs to be correspondingly larger. Today, most hearing aids also allow the user to make program and/or volume changes using their smartphone.
Accessories: Different hearing aids have access to different accessories. Make sure you consider which accessories you may need or want and select a hearing aid that has access to these accessories.

The following features are not significant enough for most hearing aid users to worry over or obsess about.

Channels: Beyond a certain point, more channels does not equal better performance. Even a professional musician will not be able to tell the difference between a 38 channel and 48 channel hearing aid.
Feedback Cancelers: All major hearing aid brands have good feedback cancellation. The biggest factor that will determine how much feedback you experience will be the physical fit of the devices and that is largely the responsibility of your hearing aid dispenser.
Noise Reduction: Like channels above, noise reduction capabilities between different models and manufacturers are not distinguishable for most hearing aid users and should not be an important factor when selecting a hearing aid.
Any Trademarked Features: All manufacturers name their features differently, but they all basically do the same thing. A catchy name does not equal better performance, just better marketing.

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Cost of Hearing Aids

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