As an American hearing aid specialist, if there is one thing we really care about, it is to make available the highest quality hearing aids at the most affordable prices without risking your quality of hearing and user experience. This forms the basis of many of our outreach campaigns into communities where people simply cannot afford expensive products from Europe with fancy labels on them.
Hearing aids are an essential item for one in every three people between the ages of 65 and 74. From the age of 75 and up, that number increases to one in every two. Hearing loss is mostly caused by aging, but there are also other contributing factors. These may include exposure to excessive noise, heredity, diseases, and certain medications. Someone may suddenly find themselves in a position where they require hearing aids – and therefor, most certainly, guidance on how much to pay for the right digital hearing aid device.
In this article, compiled by NANO hearing aids, we will have a broader discussion on the effects of hearing loss and then explore the pricing models for various hearing aid brands, showing you what the options are. Before that you may also want to read this article on "cheap hearing aids".
Hearing loss and its effects
People with hearing loss have difficulty with hearing conversations, leading to a complete withdrawal from their normal activities. In the elderly, this can affect other aspects of their health and well-being.
First, because they may not fully understand the important instructions from their doctor about certain medications that help them maintain their health. Second, they may not hear their phone, doorbell, and any reminders they have set. Thirdly, they cannot enjoy a normal social life because they cannot follow conversations or watch entertainment.
These limitations will impact their mental health, leading to frustration, embarrassment, and depression. Studies have also shown that cognitive abilities decline faster if hearing loss is left untreated increases the risk of Alzheimer’s and other neural diseases to develop.
Most importantly, if hearing loss at its early stages is left untreated, it then degenerates at a faster pace, leading to complete hearing loss. This is because when the hearing nerve does not receive sound stimulation, it gets lazier and lazier until it stops functioning.
How can I recognize hearing loss?
Recognizing hearing loss may not be all that easy and people don’t often realize that they have it. Warning signs include:
- Others appear to mumble
- Can’t understand the speech from children, women, and some men’s voices
- Background noise hinders their hearing
- Can’t hear well on the telephone
- TV needs to be turned on loud
- Conversations with two or more people are hard to follow
- Frequently need to ask people to repeat something they have just said
What is the best way to counteract hearing loss?
Hearing aids are the best way to counteract the effects of age-related hearing loss. These electronic devices amplify sounds and there are various models available that can target all levels of hearing loss from mild to profound.
There are various types of hearing devices available and these can either be worn in the ear or behind the ear. The best digital hearing aids do not only amplify sounds but may also have a whole range of features that include the reduction of background noise, feedback cancelation, directional microphone technology, and even control from a wireless app.
What type of hearing aids is best for age-related hearing loss?
Hearing aids cannot cure hearing loss, but they help by amplifying sounds allowing people with hearing loss the ability to hear their friends and love ones. They can once again partake in the activities that they enjoy, including listening to the radio, watching television, and going out for dinner or to the theatre. There are various brands of hearing aids and these include a variety of types and styles. The prices between the different brands and styles can vary greatly.
Why are people often reluctant to buy hearing aids?
One of the biggest reasons why many people with age-related hearing loss don’t buy hearing aids is because of their cost. Other factors include the cost of visiting a specialist and audiologist for a hearing test.
Most health insurance does not cover the cost of hearing aids, and because they can easily be lost or damaged if they fall, they are unaffordable to most.
Others have given up on a pair that they may have paid thousands of dollars for but never got any value from. The reasons they often give are that they couldn’t keep up with battery changes, the batteries were difficult to replace, they didn’t fit snugly, and they required frequent and expensive visits to audiologists for repeat hearing test and adjustments.
Modern digital technology has changed all this and many people with hearing loss may not realize that they now have a bigger variety to choose from and some of these newer products on the market offer ease of purchase, affordability, longer battery life, rechargeable batteries, and far more enhanced features than ever before.
How much should I pay for digital hearing aids?
The cost of hearing aids varies. There are hearing aids that can cost as much as $6,000 for one piece. There are quite a few hearing aids brands that cost between $1,600 and $4,000 for a pair.
However, several factors have led to some companies offering people on a budget hearing aids that cost under $700 a pair. These are FDA regulated hearing aids and they include all the latest digital technologies. People with hearing loss can buy them without needing to go to a specialist or audiologist and they can be bought without a prescription.
Compare hearing aid device features and pricing here: https://www.nanohearingaids.com
Nano hearing aids models that cost under $700 include the Nano X2 (battery), CIC Recharge, CIC (both these are in-the-ear types), and Nano RX2000 rechargeable. The technology of these hearing aids allows them to have a full range of advanced features that may include, depending on the model, digital sound processing, background noise reduction, feedback cancelation, and sound environment settings.
The X2 is the most advanced in this price range and the only feature it doesn’t have is wireless app control.
How can Nano keep the cost of hearing aids affordable?
When Nano hearing aids was started three years ago, the aim was to offer affordable hearing aids to everyone who needs them. The strategy followed to keep the cost of hearing aids low has been to work with the best hearing aid engineers in the U.S. and to manufacture the hearing aids locally.
Distribution of the hearing aids is where the prices usually start increasing and at Nano, the importance of cutting the middleman out was not ignored. The hearing aids are available directly from Nano and can be purchased online with an easy and secure payment system.
All the hearing devices in the range have sound environment settings and don’t need to be adjusted by an audiologist because they can easily be adjusted by the wearer.
Most importantly, shipping is free and every hearing aid has a 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing the buyer to test them out in all different types of environments to ensure that they are suitable.
With Nano hearing aids, there is never an issue of a snug fit because all the devices are sold with various earbud sizes for a precise fit.
The rechargeable models allow those users who aren’t comfortable with battery changes to easily ensure that they always have hearing power when needed.
Before you compare prices - remember you're not alone. According to the CDC, hearing loss is an understated phenomenon in the US:
What is the cost of hearing aids from other manufacturers and suppliers?
The following companies offer high-quality hearing aids and this is a review of their prices and what they offer. Their prices are certainly lower than those people expect to pay for the very expensive models available at specialists. However, they are all above $700.
Cost review for LifeEar hearing aids
LifeEar is the most reasonably priced of the models reviewed and sells for $799 for one hearing aid. Their range only includes behind-the-ear hearing aids that are suited to hearing loss ranges between mild and moderately severe.
These hearing aids can be programmed by the user and don’t require a visit to an audiologist. However, they are not rechargeable and they use a battery that according to the company lasts up to 8 days, depending on the amount of time the device is used for.
Cost review for Widex hearing aids
Widex has quite a good reputation and the brand has been around since 1956. The models available include behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, in-the-canal, and receiver-in-the-canal. Their prices range between $750 and $3,000 per hearing aid and they are not available online.
The three main models are Evoke, Unique, and Beyond. The hearing loss that can be covered is from mild to severe. Some of the models come in a rechargeable version. Their popular models are the Widex Beyond and the Widex Evoke.
Widex hearing aids are not available directly from the company and they can only be bought from doctors, audiologists, and hearing centers. They cannot be self-programmed, and the wearer must contact the hearing center to do that, either remotely or with an appointment.
Cost review for Eargo hearing aids
Eargo hearing aids are ideal for slight to moderate hearing loss. Their price range for their invisible-in-canal and in-the-canal models is between $1,650 and $2,750 and the hearing aids are available online. Their prices include both hearing aids and they are rechargeable.
Cost review for ReSound hearing aids
ReSound hearing aids have advance features but can only be programmed by an audiologist and there are models for every level of hearing loss, from mild to profound. Their prices range between $1,200 and $3,000 for each hearing aid, and rechargeable options are more expensive than their battery-powered hearing aids. The portable recharging case can be purchased at an extra cost.
They cannot be purchased online, but their website offers information for representatives in every area. They are also available at Costco hearing aid centers and their most popular model is the ReSound LiNX Quattro.
Cost review of ListenClear hearing aids
ListenClear hearing aids can be purchased online, but one cannot view their prices online before first registering. They have both receiver-in-canal and in-the-ear devices and their prices range between $1,199.76 to $1,874.88 each.
They are effective for mild to moderate hearing loss and can be adjusted from home to avoid sending them in. None of the ListenClear models is rechargeable. Customers can organize a monthly battery delivery at an extra charge.
Cost review of Phonak hearing aids
Phonak has seven models and 20 different types of hearing aids available in multiple styles. These come with a wide range of hearing accessories. The AutoSense OS is popular among those people who require a high-quality musical listening experience.
Phonak is available through professional audiologists only, including Costco Hearing centers. The prices of their devices range between $1,500 and $3,000 and depending on the model, they can cover all types of hearing loss from mild to severe.
Their popular models include the Phonak Lyric 3, The Phonak Virto B, and the Audéo Marvel.
Cost review of Signia hearing aids
Signia hearing aids are produced by the same company that produces Widex and Miracle-Ear hearing devices. They have a variety of different models and their prices start from $1,340 per hearing aid. They are suitable for all types of hearing loss, including profound.
The hearing aids cannot be purchased online but are available at hearing centers, including Costco. They can only be programmed by audiologists, but this can be done remotely. Their popular brands include the Signia Pure Nx and the Signia Styletto Connect. Consumers ought to read up on MD hearing aid reviews too before making any decisions.
Cost review of Miracle-Ear hearing aids
Miracle-Ear hearing aids are not available online. They are suitable for mild to profound cases of hearing loss and their price starts from $1,000 to $5,000 for a single hearing aid. Their Genius 3.0 technology offers clear sound and they have a built-in power cell that is rechargeable.
Nano hearing aids: the most cost-effective high-quality hearing aids
When choosing hearing aids, certain criteria need to be met if the devices are going to meet the needs of the wearer. Quality is not linked to price and that has been proven in recent scientific research.
Nano hearing aids offer excellent quality at an affordable price and meet all the standards for high-quality hearing aids.
These include sound quality and clarity that can be self-adjusted. Digital sound processing, sound environment settings, feedback cancellation, and directional microphones all contribute to being able to hear all normal sounds.
Nano hearing aids have many useful features and sound adjustments are just one. The more advanced Nano Sigma (selling price for a pair is $997) also has Bluetooth capability and can be controlled from a smartphone app.
When it comes to the cost of hearing aids, Nano digital hearing aids offer excellent value. This allows more people to improve the quality of their lives by enhancing their hearing loss for under $700.
Nano digital hearing has shown that the cost of hearing aids can be reduced by eliminating the middleman. An excellent product and customer service ensure that Nano hearing aids are increasingly the most popular choice among those with hearing loss.
Now take a look at some some of the best digital hearing aids by NANO:
