Why Hearing Aids Are So Expensive And How That's Changing
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- Опубліковано 17 чер 2024
- An estimated 37 to 48 million Americans have some form of hearing difficulty. Despite that only 14% of people with hearing loss use a hearing aid. But an FDA ruling in the fall of 2022 allowing for the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids could improve access for millions.
The new devices for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss cost as little as $199 and are sold at retailers like Best Buy, CVS and Walmart. Starkey, which got its start in 1967 and has produced tens of millions of hearing aids, said it has plans for an over-the-counter offering too.
So why are hearing aids so costly and what impact will over-the-counter devices have on people with impaired hearing?
To better understand how the devices are made CNBC got a behind the scenes look inside one of the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturers.
Watch the video to learn more.
Chapters:
0:00-2:07 Introduction
2:08-5:14 Hearing Loss
5:15-7:45 The cost of hearing aids
7:46-10:24 New technologies
10:25-13:09 Over-the-counter hearing aids
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Why Hearing Aids Are So Expensive And How That's Changing
This is an advertisement for Starkey hearing aids - it is not an investigation into the less expensive hearing aids. You can get by a lot cheaper if you just do some background research. CNBC should investigate this report to see if some money got moved under the table.
There is a reaction video to this from Dr. Cliff. Search for it.
In Denmark, we get treatment and hearing aids for free. You also get free batteries for you hearing aids for life.
Same here or almost for free, it differs a litte depending on regions. Greetings from Sweden.
So ironic…Oticon (Danish brand) makes among the most expensive hearing aids sold in the United States. Military vets make up a large portion of their consumer base because the government covers treatment for service-related loss. I used to wear Oticon but I lost one and now I can’t afford them. My hearing loss is untreated.
Good for you. How does that help us in America?
@@cfoster6804 I guess you could vote for a candidate, who support free Medicare for all.
@@cfoster6804 we dont really care just trying to enlight US citizens about universal healthcare.....The rest is up to u, help urself.
It is absolutely unforgivable hearing aids are not covered with Medicare. I had to shell out $3000 for ONE competent hearin aid. Pretty crazy
Here in Austria, my brother has one and it’s covered by health care
If it’s broken in a way, they will pay 95% of the costs
These Advantage insurance plans make over 60 billion dollars a year in profits off of the taxpayer. At these prices regular medicare could afford to pay for hearing aids if only they got rid of these advantage plans. Thats why advantage plans offer some kind of help with cheap hearing aids they can do that and still pocket billions in profits off of our tax dollars.
Hete's a tip for tinnitus sufferers....... My ears rang like hell since I was in a car crash in November 1997. Not much helped in 25 years of enduring this. A friend said that his over the ear hearing aids reduced the tinnitus for him. I spent $5000 on German over the ear hearing aids 8 months ago. It was worth every penny. The ringing is still there but I can now go for hours and ''forget'' about the sound. The audiologist said that the units fool the brain and negate much of the internal signal to the brain causing the ringing. These units improved my quality of life. They have Bluetooth and I really enjoy talking on my phone and hearing it in both ears. People think I'm talking to myself. I hope these kinds of hearing aids come down in price so everyone who needs them can get relief.
It’s not about just boosting audio gain or volume when it comes to hearing aids. It’s also about getting the frequency correct.
It’s why so often those with hearing loss including myself say “it’s not that I can’t hear you but can’t understand you”
That's just a filter, like you have in your stereo. You need to measure that frequency response of your ear and program that into the aid.
It ain't rocket science and just software.
@philware1546 exactly.
It's not too dissimilar to using an EQ setting to make up for your headphones' poor bass.
In essence they split the human hearing range into a number of bands, test the person's response to each band and then configure the hearing aid to boost the signal in a way that compensates for the measured deficiencies.
I'm convinced this is a perfectly automatable process and the diagnostic could be done in the device itself, with the help of a sound insulating helmet to remove background noise.
It's infuriating to see how some many people have absolutely NOTHING to help with their hearing loss and these profiteers act like it's unthinkable to accept solutions that are MUCH better than nothing just because they're not four-figure state of the art devices with a smorgasboard of nonessential features that exist mostly to justify a ludicrous markup targetting the wealthy.
They're prioritizing giving the wealthy the best of the best over giving everyone affordable, life-changing care, because that's the strategy that maximizes their profits. They don't WANT to provide affordable options because then they might not be able milk as much money out of the wealthy.
Most hearing aids are over the ear type and the prices on those are unjustifiably outrageous. I have been wearing hearing aids for over 10 years and the price on the first couple of sets was horrendous. I was going to an ear, nose, and throat specialist clinic and seeing an audiologist there. My current hearing aids were purchased at Costco and the price was much better and the equipment they used for testing was much newer and superior to the equipment used at the ear, nose, and throat clinic. Hearing aids have been a racket for years. Just one part of our terrible health care system. Only in the last few years have I started to see improvement and I believe the coming of OTC hearing aids and the ability to purchase hearing aids online has forced most of the change.
This video is a very slick presentation to impress us with thinking that we need audiologists to "fit" the hearing aids to each person's ear and hearing difficulty. Certainly there is the rare individual who has hearing loss so unique and severe that professional technicians are helpful, but not for your average hard-of-hearing person. A trip to Walgreens is all that most people need. And, if the affordable product isn't good enough for a certain condition, just return it for your money back, and start going to an $$$$ otolaryngologist for a cochlear implant, or whatever, at least if your insurance covers such specialties. Audiologists are just hearing aid salespersons, and the clerk at Walgreens or Best Buy will do a more honest job. Over-the-counter affordable hearing aids are a revolutionary improvement in health care.
1
All hearing aide are free in the UK
The greed of these hearing aid companies is unbelievable. With today's technology does anybody really believe hearing aids need to cost $4 to $8 thousand dollars?
And thats NOT a one-time cost either! you are forced into replacing them every few years at most, and that's a LOT of money to fok over every say 5 years!
Like many people, they don't factor in the FULL cost when complaining. Most of these companies spend millions in development, testing, etc. A good device must be properly programmed for the specific hearing loss, which takes, MORE instrumentation, knowledge, instruction, which cost more. It's like saying your phone is only worth $100 of plastic and metal it made of. BTW people don't blink an eye over hundreds or thousands for phones every yr or two or tens of thousands for cars. A good set of hearing aids is easily worth 5, 6, 8K and last for 5-6 yrs if taken care of. LOTS of audiologists offer payment plans. To hear properly is more important than a cool car or the latest phone. It's about priorities.
You're wrong. It has already been revealed (Los Angeles Times, New York Times) that the actual manufacturing cost for a hearing aid is typically under $100, rising to as much as $300 for a cutting edge, top-of-the-line, custom-fitted hearing aid. The prices being charged amount to predatory business practices which victimize the elderly, and cause over 80% of those who need help to go without. It's a despicable business that puts profits far, far ahead of people.@@kevinbaker9535
@@kevinbaker9535I understand the point your making but the price could always be lower. You bring up important information like R&D and production. But I can tell you haven't looked into any of the big companies such as Oticon, that have an annual cost solely for distribution of 10bilion dkk.
@@kevinbaker9535
Your ear frequency response can be measured and uploaded via Bluetooth to the hearing aid, which is nothing more than a microphone, DSP processor and a speaker. It's just software after that.
How do you think we can have active noise cancellation with various "environment AI" features earbuds for $50???
Hearing aids are a scam.
Hearing aids changed my life. I didn't notice my hearing getting worse until I couldn't understand what people were saying. I could hear them but couldn't make out the words. When I got my aids and wore them for the first time I couldn't believe what I had been missing. I could hear music properly and and birds singing. I could follow conversations and join in.
I live in the UK so they were supplied free by the NHS, even new batteries, although I just buy them I'm bulk myself as they are so cheap.
Should cover why the price of prescription eye glasses is so high, especially when a typical set of frames costs $7.
I think CNBC did cover eyewhere in there video essay
This has been covered. Eye glasses are expansive because one company owns almost every other business that makes and sells eye glasses. And they force smaller eye glass companies out of business.
Their expensive because they have to use expensive machines to make the lenses
@@nikolaievans2432 That's a lie.
Yes, but prescription eye glasses are in the hundreds while hearing aids are in the thousands. Big difference.
So much for CNBC’s objectivity. This is an infomercial for Starkey, no more
Here in the UK I’ve been quoted £4000 ($5700 US) for my first pair of hearing aids. For that I can buy 4 high spec iPads packed with the latest technology, cameras, microphones and brilliant software. So what technology is really in these hearing devices to merit such a high price?
How much did Starkey pay for this commercial?
And why isn't CNBC required to post the usual sponsored content disclaimer?
Probably just gave the journalists free hearing aids.
Good report. I have severe hearing loss from birth. I listened to this video with two hearing aids via Bluetooth and use of UA-cam's closed captioning feature. They cost $7,000. No simultaneous translation available yet! Fortunately, these devices have improved a lot in the past 60 years. I still have some trouble discerning speech in crowded noisy places.
Same here i feel your pain. Mine were 8k cad ( about 6 k usd ). They still need to work on sound treatment
Mine where “free” or paid by insurance technically free because I pay for one year of insurance 1000€ then I get 100€ a month to cover insurance from the government so technically I even make a slight profit
Anyway I have them since birth as well (I’m 20)
They have improved a lot in my lifetime first they amplified everything my old phonak devices then I had new phonak devices and it was better amplified I had 3 modes depending on what I wanted to hear
Then came another round of phonak devices compatible with tv and stuff but then you did have a necklace on that necklace was also on the teacher to hear him/her better it was even that went they went to the bathroom they forgot to take it off and I could hear them pee 😅ahh good times 😂
Anyway now I have the Oticon Xceed great device can play music all day can mute and is convenient to wear only downsides are that it is slightly bigger than my old devices and that if I have lectures that I’m still very tired afterwards because listening to people for extended periods of time is difficult cause it demands a lot more focus and attention from me which I might not notice right away but when I come home I sleep till dinner time so that’s not good
Just spent $6900 on a pair on behind the ear hearing aids from Phonak. Honestly don't know how or why they can demand such prices but yet i paid it and I'll be looking for overtime to get it off my credit card as fast as possible.
The teacher opened up an unexpected side effect of Covid-19, many people with gradual hearing loss learn how to read lips, and as a consequence of masking, suddenly they couldn't "hear" anymore, but what was the real problem was that they couldn't read lips, so the masking situation can reveal hearing loss that might otherwise be ignored even by the victim until it becomes obvious like it did with mandatory masking regulations in all buildings during the pandemic.
" I cannot SEE what you are saying" !
This !!! I used to be able to read lips but without being able to see the lips I lost that skill and once mask got lifted it was infinite harder to understand people . I know longer passed that ability as well as I had before covid .
im an audiologist in Malaysia and this video really helps exposed others to the technology. thank you.
I appreciate that Starkey is there for these folks. They let me down after spending $6,000. For 2 TIC (totally in the canal). Then they broke, after warrantee, 2 yrs. I have had three, $400 repairs in 3 years. Compared to my Oticon, the Starkey are just not as good. Now, I have to bring it in tomorrow, broke again.
I understand why hearing aids are so expensive. I understand that impressive amounts of technology, research, customization, and service goes behind the manufacturing of hearing aids. What I don't understand is how hearing aids are not covered under medical insurance, especially when they are what he called a "class II FDA approved medical device" in the video. Hearing aid customers are referred to as "patients," and my own audiologist wears scrubs. Hearing loss has been linked with social isolation and dementia. I personally was born with a severe hearing disability in both ears, and I paid $6,800 out of my own pocket for my current pair of hearing aids, and continue to pay for continued care, maintenance, and batteries.
I'm am a deaf person and to be honest I kind of appreciate this
I lost 65% of my hearing due to infections as a teenager, so at 25 I got my first hearing aid. They didn't even offer a payment plan and they're not covered by insurance, but the audiologist I went to was nice enough to let me do payments "even though we're not supposed to do this" because I literally did not have the money to pay it in full.
They only mark them up about 400-500%. So your first few payments and he got his money back and then some. But it was nice of him to work with you either way.
Did he charge interest?
No@@Landis_Grant
Hi. What kind of infections?
Hearing professionals make life more complicated for those who have hearing loss. I have a lot of experience with them. Many are greedy for money. I said all! Over the counter hearing aids hopefully will help us to be free of hearing professionals who make false promises to those who are in real need!!
They can be rude too.
I can hear the industry fighting to keep the high prices. They have got the talking points together. Hearing aids need to be like reading glasses, simple and easy to use. Most people need some amplification with fine control. That's it.
I have hearing loss. An amplifier would do little for me. Not only am I unable to hear soft sounds but I also am in pain when a band plays (too loud). At a minimum, I need custom molded earbuds so they block outside sounds, and compression to limit the volume.
once you can figure out how to make the science of psychoacoustics simple and easy, you should get right on that. "just needing some amplification" is a gross oversimplification. But you are absolutely right in that they should be more affordable, but the devices themselves are very complex.
I agree
@@loganhays826 Hearing aids are amplifiers with selective equalizers that are glorified by companies profiteering on people's disabilities. Just like insulin and many other things people need to survive. As they say, it is not a charity.
This seems more like an ad for Starkey than a news article.
If I had to guess, It's probably because either they are the only big hearing aid company planning on releasing an OTC device or they are the only ones willing to interview. There aren't many actual hearing aid companies out there. In fact, they're generally referred to as "The Big Six" - Phonak, Starkey, ReSound, Oticon, Unitron, and Widex. There are/were more (Savantos, Sonova) but they have since merged with the others and, even though they still make their own devices, are all owned by the same companies. TBH, I had no idea that Starkey was going to release an OTC device and I'm studying this field.
Yup.
Could also be because Starkey is the only hearing aid company based in the USA.
In the 60's the wonder of miniaturized electronics produced hearing aids at a very high cost. Remember when an LED digital watch couldn't be had for under $3,000 dollars? Today, many, many complex electronic devices are produced at extremely low cost, under $100 is not uncommon. Features, such as translators are not required for the average patient. The process of developing an ear mold is a simple one. Technologies, such as 3D printing have made manufacture and assembly far more cost effective. There is no justification for an average hearing device to cost more than a few hundred dollars; maybe much less.
The cost comes from the processing ability within the device, not the materials. Just like a laptop
@@loganhays826 What do you think a single processing chip in your laptop is valued at? A hearing aid contains less than 8 components. A hearing aid has no comparison to the complexity of even a notepad, which can be purchased for under $200.
what I noted is that the high price for hearing aids is part for the device and part for the service plan that goes with them. The service portion is not cheap. These costs should be broken out separately. From my experience of over a decade with hearing aids, the service provided is not worth much, and it's an obvious place to look for price reductions.
Great video. I’m very fortunate. As a veteran, I received my aids from the VA, and quite frankly, I don’t know how I survived without them. Over the counter aids sound great, but even at $899 a pair, that could price a lot of people out of the market. Here’s hoping that insurance companies take a harder look at providing some level of hearing aid coverage.
U need socialised medicine like the UK's NHS.
Great information!🙏🏻
I remember I wanted get hearing aids, but doctor told me for I need pay hearing aids $4,000. Seriously??? I don’t understand why does hearing aids is so expensive than iPhone 14, TV scream HD, PS5, and many modern things for cheap. Hearing aids expensive is a very joke 😡
It's such a racket that our ears, eyes and teeth are somehow treated differently (more expensively) in our healthcare system. At one time there was only one hearing aid company - owned by one family. Over the counter hearing aids will definitely shake up that monopoly. United Healthcare insurance has already created its own hearing aid division in the short time since this decision. 👂 👂 👂 🧏♂️
I am curious if there is anything you believe you should be personally responsible for, or should I have to pay all your bills?
UHC got in the business of selling hearing aids years before this legislation was written.
Yes. They sell hearing aids for a profit on many of their plans and call it a benefit.
@@aarongingrich3831 Wow! I Don't see where he stated the Government need to flip the bill. Just that getting more affordable hearing aids will break up the big guys over charging. My hearing aids was $3250.00 a ear without insurance back in March. Luckily for me my medicare advantage covered mine 100%, but it is very rare a insurance will pay that. I find it funny after this law goes in effect starting Jan 1 2023 my same insurance went from 100% coverage to me having to pay $400 a ear for hearing aids and $700 a ear for advanced hearing aids. Mine are advanced and will stream music and do everything mentioned plus they are rechargeable.There is Nothing wrong with the Government having to help our disabled or retired people be able to hear better. If I had to flip the $6500 I would still be asking other to repeat everything they say to me.. There really is a racket and most audiologist are rapping people on their service. Some of our senior citizens don't even get $800 a month to live on. How are they to buy a $7000 pair of hearing aids. Is it fair they suffer? If eye glasses cost $7k would you be able to see? Getting prices down is a good thing. Everyone should have the right to glasses and hearing aids.
@@aarongingrich3831 Indeed: my "co-pay" on the United Healthcare plan was a "mere" $4,150 and I had to use their recommended provider, HealthUSA, a terrible company in itself.
I trust that Starkey guy as far as I can throw him.
I started wearing hearing aids at like 29..I was told when I was in my early 20s I had moderate to severe hearing loss I ignored it until I literally couldn't hear people lol.. now I purchased my second pair at 35.
If people didn't laugh out loud, you couldn't hear them?
Obviously, hearing aids are expensive because the FDA wouldn’t let anyone buy one without a doctors appointment. Why are they being applauded for undoing a mistake they made in the first place. Should be held accountable for over regulating, so this doesn’t happen again.
If only people would connect the same dots on how the FDA is making all healthcare expensive.
The real villain here is the hearing aid lobby. The hearing aid industry has exploited their monopoly for years, while lobbying the FDA to keep OTC hearing aids illegal. Finally the FDA decided to make OTC aid legal, but the hearing aid lobby still influenced them to severely limit the capabilities of these OTC aids so they can't compete properly with the prescription aids.
@@claughlin I don't believe you are correct the hearing aid lobby is the villain. They were doing what is best for their business. Additionally lobbying is a constitutional right. No matter what the FDA and politicians are to blame. They put the policies in place and create an environment for the monopolies to even exist.
@@agisler87 so they're both villains?
True
Am I the only one that turned down the volume on my earphones while watching this?
Over the counter hearing aides is expensive at $199 but from audiologists direct they are $2,000 -8,000 that is shocking and should outlawed in the USA. Here in the UK that is England to Americans its £80 on the NHS. That is if you lose two hearing aides you have to pay. It is free no matter your income to get an hearing aide in the UK. Also batteries and ear hearing aide inner tube and cleaning pipes are free. It was good of the company to give the teacher free hearing aides.
I do have moderate hearing loss in one ear mostly the higher frequency and in the other ear, I have tinnitus. I went to a hearing studio to do my hearing test then we tested Unitron hearing aids that give you the possibility to test all models from low to the highest because basically, it is related to more advanced software such us more microphone, automatic adjustments, etc. However, they recommended I not need the most expensive hearing aid. Unitron is unique as they have the Flex option which means you can upgrade at a later stage if needed and pay only the difference as mentioned before the upgrade is on more advanced software. For all other companies, you have to pay for a new model if you have to upgrade. Today's models can calculate your ear measurements and usually, they set the units to 65% capacity to give the units time to learn from your use of the hearing aids. After 5 to 6 weeks you check in with the hearing clinic and they adjust the unit to 100%.In many hearing clinics, they push for the top models that can cost up to 8000 US and are not needed in many cases because it depends on what and how much hearing loss you have.
This is good 🙂👌
The largest private hearing aid provider is Costco, which provides testing and fitting for far less money using a high quality name brand hearing aid
Free Hearing test and Kirkland hearings coming back . Also option for OTC Over The Counter hearing aids without prescription .
Yes, but watch out. If you get Kirkland hearing aids they are likely locked, so a licensed audiologist or anyone else cannot program them. They do sell off the shelf brands though that are not locked.
@@RobFrohne got Philips brand and they work for me.
It is a mistake to purchase a device that no one knows you are wearing. I have over the ear aides. I noticed that when I wear them people make an effort to speak more clearly and look directly at me as they are speaking. I have worn hearing aides for 60 years.
My father said the same thing when the smaller products came out. "I want everyone who see's me to know that I have a hearing loss"
Is this a Starkey Sponsored video? Hearing device cost per unit ranges from $600 to $3500. Service of the clinician may be bundled or unbundled. Evolv device is $3500 for their premium product for single device.
In the UK, most of us use behind ear devices which are FREE. But even if you bought them privately you'd not get anywhere near that $8000 tag - more like £2,000 max!
If I loose or damage one, it will only cost me £80 to replace it.
UK and other taxpayers pay for hearing aids and audiologist services, they are not "free" but you can bet that governments don't pay "retail".
I worked for a high end hearing aid company in 1991. The company sold them to the doctor for $100. The doctors sold them for $3000! So why are so expensive? Only because of the doctors.
Absolute SCAM.
My dad explained to me the difference between a custom handmade guitar costing $10,000.00 and hearing aid pair. costing $10,000.00 too…one is a want, a wish list, the other is a necessity, the hearing aid industry is committing a crime in not making these little gadgets affordable Ans accessible to all who have a need. When you hear how hearing aids is connected to mental well being and balance health, it’s a crime that the industry does to people in need.
The greed of people and this industry…such a crime to humanity in need.
Even in Australia, hearing aids are extremely expensive. If you are lucky you can get subsidised ones but they just amplify all sound. So for a younger person in work all day its a nightmare trying to work. I am learning sign language now because I CANT afford better hearing aids. So no social contact no going out. Only work with extreme difficulty and crash when i get home.
Yes. It's totally messed up in Australia. The government subsidizes Hearing Australia to provide free HAs to people under 26, but only with Phonak (why?), only their lowest technology level, with Roger activated in only one ear, and only one Roger mic. After 26 people are basically on their own. How's the average person meant to afford a $7000 set of hearing aids, plus $1000 mics, plus, plus, plus.... The hearing aid industry is such a rort.
@@claughlin Yes, it's mostly a rip-off. I went to several hearing aid places and tried a couple, then did some research on the Internet. I ended up buying a pair of Phonak behind the ear ones. Top of the line but I wasn't going to pay what they were asking so I haggled with them. Got them for a much better price and they also provide free servicing and adjustments to the programming. They are Bluetooth to my iPhone and I can adjust the sound to whatever I like and also make and receive phone calls through them if I want. The bottom line is, don't pay what they are asking, beat them down to a better price until you're happy.
@@fredfarnackle5455this is where you'll hear (pun intended) - Should have gone to Specsavers!
This is a game changer. I remember when I first got my hearing aids at 6 years old in 2007, right after I came out of the hospital after battling brain Cancer.
I felt for her so much when I watched this, I almost cried. I remember how my whole world just opened up when I started hearing normally.
technology has come so far 🥹 when I had cancer in 2005 technology for the type of cancer I had, was at the tipping point to becoming to a higher odds of survival.
I had friends that I shares hospital rooms, and seeing them die like right in front of me.
I'm so happy for this teacher!!!!!
Three shameful America realities here, low teacher pay, an ineffective healthcare system, and criminally expensive hearing aid cost. I am a retired teacher and I wear hearing aids. My Signia aids were $6000.00, not covered by insurance, for the pair and they only marginally improve my hearing. A waste of money! The microphone and speakers are sub par, especially when compared to my Jabra music buds, which were under $200. I now live in Portugal and hearing aids are under $100.
We have to stop thinking of eating, seeing and hearing as OPTIONAL and not related to our health. These are things that determine our ability to live in society, to interact, maintain safety and wellness, and function in basic ways. We must fold these needs into all forms of healthcare to be covered by all forms of provision of healthcare.
I have hearing loss from my work environment. I have hearing aids but, for me, over the counter hearing aids are not good. Digital hearing aids can be set to only amplify the frequencies that you have loss in. My hearing aids do not really bring up the volume but they clarify the sound. I tried wearing analog hearing aids once and it was like standing beside a large speaker with a microphone turned on. I only wore them when I was in a meeting because they were painful. I hope a way to customize your OTC hearing aids will be found but I don't see that happening soon.
Here's my two cents as an audiologist... I think hearing aids are over priced and that the industry as a whole is trying to generate as much profit as possible. It sort of makes me sick and I struggle with doing my job every day. I'm thinking about throwing in 6 years of university and retraining.
Go to work for the Veterans Administration who is the largest providor of hearing aids in the world. You will then be providing state of the art equipment at very low cost.
@@mrsmith1339 Is that in the states? I live in NZ and studied here my degree is not recognised in the states
your not buying a hearing aid, your buying the service of an audiologist. ok then why is the service of this audiologist so freaking expensive? doctors extremely overcharge just because they can and you have no choice when you need something related to your health. for some reason the argument is always that they had to study for years, well you know because for example engineers or humanities or others are just waltzing through university while the doctors are the only ones studying...
Exactly. These Starkey execs are trying to pull the wool over our eyes.
Good points! If these tech companies can come out with hearing aids at way more affordable prices then the hearing aid companies could've done the same a long time ago. It's a freaking racket. I'm going to try the Bose or Sony ones.
I'm surprised there seems to be no mention of the countless folks such as myself who have paid the thousands for devices that sit in a drawer because they simply don't help.
Value of a product or service is determined by the buyer....difficulty there?
Here is why this isn't a good idea. The first is this discourages people from having their hearing tested by a licensed audiologist. This is essential as not all losses are perminent or could be a symptom of a larger medical issue. Second, they aren't fit to specific hearing losses. They don't determine if you have high-, mid-, or low-frequency hearing loss and are just standardized to the "average" loss. Third, and the absolute biggest issue is things that are over-the-counter are NOT covered by insurance. Audiologist have been fighting for hearing aids to be covered by insurance, especially as hearing aids are considered medical devices under law. So now, access is completely out-of-pocket. And what is stopping legislation now from preventing kids from getting amplification due to OTC devices? (Also, tinnitus does NOT cause hearing loss so that is completely wrong.) There are programs in place to help with cost. School clinics often offer sliding scale payments based on income or at-cost pricing. Tech level also varies from basic to premium, which helps with cost. I agree these devices cost way too much, but OTC isn't the answer.
OTC isn't the answer? Try telling that to someone who nearly got hit by a car because they couldn't afford 6 grand for a pair.
They DO have on-line hearing tests, not the best of course but reasonably good enough to be able to get some basic guidlines on what's missing.
Even IF insurance were to help cover hearing aids, there's a deductable and limitations, the insurance isnt going to pay for $4,000 hearing aids, your out of pocket costs might be what the OTC aids cost anyway.
I tried the MD hearing OTC aids, I returned them only because the behind the ear models wouldnt STAY put and kept falling off, and the in the canal model I exchanged them for didnt want to stay put, especially if I bent over, and the right ear aid kept slipping out, and trying to seat it in better caused discomfort, so I returned them for a full refund, I'll do without until somehting better comes along.
Nice video
What is the benefit of interviewing the executives of hearing aid manufacturers? What do you expect them to say, the super high prices are not justified?
I have a hearing aid but seldom use it. The world is too noisy. My car has a lot of squeaks and rattles that simply go away if I remove my hearing aid. Saves me a lot of money on repairs. 😄
Getting used to hearing aids takes some effort. The problem is that with gradual hearing loss the brain compensates and you get used to hearing less. So then if you suddenly try hearing aids and hear everything you've been missing it is overwhelming. Flushing the toilet sounds like a tornado; passing cars sound like fighter jets; clinking silverware on a plate sounds like a chalkboard being scratched in your brain... When I got my first pair the audiologist made sure I kept the volume very low for the first week or so. It was still really loud but I gradually got used to it. Before long I was using them at proper volume and hearing all the stuff I had gradually lost over 30 years. Now I hate not having them in and on. It sounds like someone stuffed mashed potatoes in my ears. Still sometimes I'll turn them off if I'm on a long drive with the windows open and I'm alone. Other than that, and when I'm bathing and sleeping, they are always in my ears and turned on.
@@revdocjim2002 That's what they keep telling me. But I'm stubborn. And I do like quiet. I'm not one of those people who always have the TV or radio on. Even when I'm driving. No radio. I like the quiet.
@@paparoysworkshop Fair enough! In my case the ringing in my ears gets deafeningly loud when I don't have the hearing aids on, so there really isn't a "quiet" option available.
@@revdocjim2002 Sorry to hear about the ringing in your ears. I don't have any ringing so I guess I'm lucky there. I have heard from others who suffer a constant ringing that they find very annoying.
that's fantastic...... having fits understanding speech not withstanding.
I am 71 yo. Suffred from otitis media ie infection of middle ear on both sides since childhood. Underwent surgeries in my twenties. Didn't need hearing aid till I was 40. Now I cant function without it. Only one side. Programed to my audiogram. Its wonderful. European made costed me circa 3k USD
about 30 yrs ago I knocked together a kids microphone and headset for my grandfather to use as he was suffering hearing loss, could never understand why hearing aids were/are so expensive.
I feel like more people would be understanding of the price if insurance covered the damn things. I wear a widex aid in my left ear due to a damaged ear drum and my dr told me that my insurance usually would cover it but I guess not for me they wouldn't. (I don't know the reason) I kinda wish that I had fought the insurance to cover it but oh well. I love my aid and similar to the teacher, I could not believe how long I went without being able to hear clearly. my hearing was very muffled and quiet before but now it's loud and clear.
I’m noticing some hearing loss as I age(63) but watching my friends get hearing aids(some unnecessarily I think) I notice their hearing seems to degenerate more quickly once they got them. The cost for me is ridiculously expensive and I would rather not subscribe to the ripoff, at least for as long as possible. It is obviously a rort as are spectacles. (there is absolutely no reason for them to cost as much as they do.) My writing this of course will not change a thing.😂
Lies again? Marketplace Teachers
From my observations, I would disagree with you when it comes to people not needing hearing aids getting them. I have noticed just the opposite. I see many people avoiding them for several reasons: cost, concerns about what others would think and concerns about concerns about issues with noise or them feeling strange. All of these are legitimate concerns, but many of these folks become socially isolated because they can’t here what is going on. This isolation can and often does contribute to cognitive decline . Hopefully changing laws will at least make hearing aids accessible to more due to the availability of lower cost alternatives. For many, who are often older and less technically savvy, professional care will still be the way to go. Also they should not be treating their hearing loss without at least checking with their physician first since some reduced on hearing is actually attributed to blockage of one’s auditory canal.
@@toothrestorer6588 I was told 12 years ago at 52 that I needed hearing aids after tests arranged as some kind of bonus program by my employer(probably a bulk deal by the hearing aid suppliers). They said I had 40% loss in my right ear. At $5000 at the time I declined due to not really having any hearing issues in life. I have since gained my pilots licence and still no hearing issues other than creeping selective deafness. 😁 The medical industry is concerned only with your wallet….in my opinion.
For sure. I lost 70% of my hearing when i was 15. Got fitted with hearing aids and within 1 year wearing those daily i lost whatever of my hearing ability was left. Now im completely deaf without HA. Now at age 45 i am starting wearing those less and less cuz for some reason i get irritated with all the noise around
@@romanlanda6501 Yeah I hear ya…..well… a little bit.🤣
Just like Pharmaceuticals. I'm unfortunately (fortunate) being a disabled Veteran eligible for aids. I'm told my aids are $6500.00, full retail price. That's outrageous, particularly considering our tax dollars have financed the majority of the technologies involved with the medical equipment and pharmaceutical industries.
Most of the over the counter hearing aids just make things louder. For many people, that won't help them.
Not correct. All OTC hearing aids are FDA approved hearing devices aids which are far more than just amplifiers. They are surprisingly good at a fraction of the price. Remember, even the top prescription hearing aids cost under $50 to manufacture.
If possible, could you find out for us if the Airpod Pro 2 (or any other make/brand) can also prevent the onset of Dementia? More specifically, if we use the Airpod Pro 2 as a hearing aid device AND if the hearing gets improved tremendously (to the extent of able to effectively socialize and interact with friends like any normal people), will that be similar (of course, not exactly the same) to a prescribed hearing aid in terms of minimizing dementia? Thanks.
Thank you for producing this important video. When hearing loss is discernible to the patient, it is usually quite progressed. My instincts tell me I would benefit first, from an evaluation from a licensed hearing professional to tell me exactly what deficits might exist and how best to address the hearing loss. Perhaps the self diagnosed route isn’t the best approach, although I can see where that might be the only option for some who are severely compromised by financial restrictions.
I can confirm what you are saying from my own experience. Years ago I purchased Costco hearing aids with minimal skilled support and struggled for the 5 years unnecessarily. Then I went to a truly qualified audiologist aid purchased high end Oticon hearing aids and honestly my life changed that day. Few fully realize how hearing loss effects N ot only quality of life, but all cognitive skills, and persistent depression
I tried a pair of the OTC hearing aids, but they actually made things worse. Went to an audiologist, got a thorough exam, and expensive hearing aids. They’re among the best money I’ve ever spent. A good ear doc takes the time to have you come back every 2-4 weeks for a few months, and tweaks things a bit at a time. That’s part of the high cost. But, the amount of technology in a tiny hearing aid is staggering - surround sound, Bluetooth, noise reduction, pre-set levels for various environments, on and on. At this time, you get what you pay for. Still, in a few years, the OTC ones will likely be a lot better, and more reasonable.
My single hearing aid was a little over $5000 to buy, and about $550 in fitting fees. I don’t understand why this is so much more expensive than a single AirPod. Mine doesn’t translate languages, but nor would I expect it to. I want to buy help hearing; I’ll do the understanding.
Yup. They're ripping us off for everything they can.
The sales volume is lower than AirPods and the engineering is much more optimized for low power and more advanced signal processing.
buy hearing only, I'll understand: so simple, so wrong.....
my best hearing aid is a button I wear which says, "hearing impaired."
Audiologists dispense hearing aids for a reason-it’s a medical device that needs to be built and fitted to your individual needs. And I can tell you from experience that this is necessary.
As a teen, when I first started experiencing hearing loss, a well-meaning family member handed down a used hearing aid to me. And while it did help me hear a little better, it just sounded strange, as the hearing aid was tuned to that person’s specific loss and just sounded…odd. Where as today, I am wearing top of the range hearing aids that have been tuned to my ears, not only allowing me to hear again, but to ENJOY sound. In fact, I’m watching/listening to this as we speak via Bluetooth and wireless hearing aids, thanks to Lambton Audiology and my wonderful audiologist/friend Kim Eskeritt. Having these custom-tuned hearing aids allows me to enjoy sounds like birds chirping, which I haven’t heard in decades. And I also enjoy fullness of sound range in movies and music -bass and midrange and treble. And while a $200 pair of ‘over the counter’ hearing aids might help me hear a little better in general, they won’t touch the quality of sound I hear via the personal settings and touch I receive via my audiologist.
"... built and fitted to your individual needs..."? Only the patients is able to decide on those needs, not the so-called high-tech or AI gadgets. Only the audiograms might be useful.
I'm afraid you're wrong. Modern hearing aids are programmable, and therefore ready to customize for your particular needs. No-one is building and fitting the circuitry just for you. All hearing aids in every price range use off-the-shelf electronics. Nothing is custom-built, only the molded body in some styles.
Digital hearing aids have a programmable equaliser, accessed via Bluetooth. The audiologist programs the amplification / equalisation to match your hearing loss. The problems is, everyone could in theory program the hearing aid by themselves, but the audiologists don't give away the software nor the password necessary to program YOUR hearing aid. They sell you something that you can't use in full, to maximise their bottom line.
Because of this, buy an analogue (non-programmable) hearing aid - it is $50 each - and live with that. Freedom is everything...
I tried the MD hearing behind the ear model, it kept falling off, at work it fell off twice before lunch, landing on the concrete floor, so I returned them and tried their in the ear model, but they just didnt fell like they wanted to stay IN, one caused pain trying to get it inserted better, and the volume button on them were too easy to press just trying to insert the aids, I wound up returning those as well.
Also, the hearing aids do not last long. A good pair lasts an average between 3 to 5 years. Then you have to spend another 3 to 8 thousand again. It's like over time, you'd spend as much as a new car.
......many believe the ability to understand speech is far more valuable
Manufacturers should provide stronger and replaceable connecting wires for easy removal of hearing aids. Custom ear molds are often necessary, rubber domes are not secure and often uncomfortable. "Canal locks" need to be more securely bonded to ear molds to prevent breaking off, glue doesn't hold over time. Warranties should cover repairs.
I get my hearing aids through the Veterans Administration. They are the largest supplier of hearing aids in the world. You can apply to get into the VA medical system on line. Once in you are entitled to free hearing exams and no cost or low cost hearing aids. (Depends on your MOS)
The VA provides state of the art high tech hearing aids. I have my second set of Phonak Audeo P90's with a civilian retail cost of $7500 plus.
The VA supplies free batteries (get rechargeable) domes and wax guards, plus repair and replacement.
Now do a video on Luxottica's monopoly of the glasses industry.
Big scam, should be criminal.
Less government involved in hearing aids and prices come down…. Imagine that…
I'm a hearing aid user since my early 30's due to otoschlerosis. I appreciate the segment, but I hate that even the people designing/selling need to say that "people can't even see you are wearing it." It *doesn't matter. And shouldn't. We don't wear contacts to hide the fact that we *need* glasses, right? Usually just for comfort/ease/look, but not b/c we are ashamed of our eyes needing help. So when these people say this, they are feeding into the stigma that *IS ONE OF THE BARRIERS* that keeps people from getting a tool they can use in their life. It's silly. I get WHY they tout that, but it's silly.
neat stuff. However kids need to be taught to stop having earphones in all the time especially in noisy environments where they're induced to turn them up higher., better noise laws and enforcement everywhere would help out the kids.
A bit pro-industry in the reporting. No mention of Costco and Audicus, that offer great products at a bargain price. I’ve used both and in Australia, with a health fund rebate of AUD400, brings the price down to $1500 or circa USD1000 including test and 2 fittings.
how? they will also function as air pods to connect computers and phones
I cannot compare to $2000, $4000, $8000 hearing aids, but I have mild (low frequency) to moderate (higher frequency) hearing loss and picked up a pair of the Apple Airpod Pro 2 ear buds to just see if maybe hearing aids would be useful. I imported my personal audiogram. Wow, I was missing all sorts of sounds! $200. Now I just have to teach my wife to stop yelling.
Yes, "real" hearing aids might be better, but these are pretty darn good. And did I mention the price? Great also for podcasts, music, phone calls, whatever.
The background music in this video is very distracting.
This ad is brought to you by Starsky Inc.
Noise induced hearing loss requires eithe an explosion or long exposure to lound sound. I spent 5 years with an undiagnosed metabolic syndrome (at the time called syndrome x) because the first doctor (throat-nose-ear doctor) got in his head it was accoustic trauma. After visiting a specialist in hearing loss the correct diagnostic was made. So, two recommendation from someone with bilateral tinnitus:
1) Ask your doctor if he's sure it's noise induced hearing loss.
2) The MOST IMPORTANT: Always start using your earphones/headphones from volume zero and increase it slowly - there's no need to get too loud. Also, if your earphones/headphones sound better with louder sound then they are crappy. A decent good headphone/earphone is not expensve and some are quite affordable - and a lot less expensive then hearing aids. Go for traditional brands like Sennheiser, AKG, JBL, Audio Technica and Sony. The ones supplied by Apple, LG and Samsung are also good.
Im not buying half of what that CEO says. Him and five other other companies had a strangle hold on the industry and thats how they're able to keep prices higher then needed to be. Its no different then any industry thats takes advantage of the people who cant afford it, but need it just as much as someone who has the ability to pay for it.
Yes. This is a Starkey propaganda video. CNBC should be ashamed.
What about Bone-conduction technology?
of course the representatives of big companies are not going to recommend the cheap hearing aids. I bought a 50 dollar hearing aid and it works like a charm and I customize it by using the volume dial.
Good information here, but don't be confused: this is an ad.
The beauty of modern medicine
I'm gonna wait until these hit the market and check them out. $900.00 sounds better then 5 or 6 times that.
Always great to see starkey taking a stand on OTC options
Starkey fought tooth and nail to block OTC. This video is a hearing aid manufacturer propaganda video
Hearing aids are overpriced and overrated. I have two cochlear implants.
What isn't given enough attention here is that proper fitting of hearing aids includes tuning to suit your particular hearing loss. Because OTC aids don't include proper testing and setup, they'll amplify all sound, including sound that you hear just fine, which will be incredibly irritating. Oh, I suppose they'll make them so that they amplify the frequency losses that statistically occur the most, but they'll never do the job properly. To muddy things even further, they'll use an ear bung, not a custom mould.
Another byproduct of this foolishness is that people will believe that this is as good as it gets, after all, the FDA approved them :rollseyes:
These executives are talking about technology as if they are cutting edge, but the same features would be consider the bare minumum you would expect from every-day earphones. They are trying everything they can to justify the absurdly high prices of these essential hearing aids that many HOF folks can't live without
You forgot to mention that the market penetration in the US does not vary from other countries where they have socialized medicine and get them at no cost. So, really, cost is not the problem. It is the stigma associated with the product. Also, a. Marketing company worked with one of those major manufacturers and found that people had very negative views of hearing aids. Cutting out the service is not the answer.
No, cost is very much the problem.
....psychology is not at fault, but the economic barrier is
It's not like they are about to be replaced by an app. Lol there business model relies on a monopoly.
It sure does.
They also sod up any music, especially if you are the musician. Too many bells and whistles result in noisy, tremolo sound. These devices are designed for speech, which can stand all sorts of processing, and nothing else. Not hearing music properly is no less isolating than not hearing speech. ....and that feedback.
This industry is rooted firmly in the past. They try to pack everything in the ear. This is not necessary today. Microphones can be moved, facing forward at shoulder or neck width. Processing could be done more powerfully in your pocket. Advances in processing are thus limited in fuction unnecessarily.
Just a Starkey ad!
While the current range of available hearing devices are excellent for speech, they are terrible at handling classical music (at any cost price). They simply cannot handle long sustained tones and the associated harmonics, and the reproduction is horribly distorted. In particular, as an organist, I can confirm that the sound reproduction using any of the built in programmes is terrible, and my Phonak hearing devices are unusable for listening or playing! My audiologist confirms what I say. He says there is nothing on the market that can be used for classical music. Why don't the manufacturers do something to remedy this situation? I'm am sure it is not difficult to do.
06:15 "We need a HUMAN to assemble those final components" How should we interpret this now? 🤔
What is disappointing is that in 2024 $6 ear buds outperform some $2K medical heating aids when it comes to Bluetooth connectivity. Just read the reviews of for example the latest Philips Hearlink hearing aids.
It seems less like hearing aids are too expensive and more that we allow insurance companies to weasel out of providing coverage. Why?
Great questions! Premiums keep going up yet not an ounce of coverage.
The 675 ones too?? I doubt it. Always over 1 grand.
Where can u buy if u live in South Africa
Maybe some can use OTC hearing aids, but without testing how would anyone know what frequencies the patient has lost. OTC can amplify everything, but is that causing other damage?
About to see if Starkey is better than these OTC hearing aids. Insurance only covers $5k and requires me to pay 20% out of pocket at minimum. So I get to pay $1k for these things.
I wish they offered hearing aids that also provide hearing protection for those of use in industrial jobs.
I'm pretty sure most hearing aids can be configured to provide hearing protection. A fully occluding earmold should reduce direct (not passing through the aid's circuitry) sounds by about 20dB. After that, it is just a matter of setting the amplifier limits so the aid itself doesn't produce damaging sound levels.