Frequently asked questions about Hearing Aids

Q) I understand that some hearing aid manufacturers make hearing aids under the name of one manufacturer while producing the same hearing aid under another name or other names. Is this true and how does that effect the prices I pay? A) It is true. There are a few hearing aid manufacturers that manufacturer the same hearing aid under other manufacturer names. It can effect you in a positive way if you are educated in the hearing aid industry. We will be happy to talk to you about Starkey hearing aids and their franchised hearing aids that are made under other names.

Q) Do you sell franchised hearing aids? A) No we do not. However, most franchised hearing aids are sold under a label that is not franchised for hundreds of dollars less. This makes sense since you can't shop prices when it comes to franchises. Franchises do not have to lower their prices unless they are up against the same franchise but at a different location.

Q)There are websites that sell digital hearing aids directly to the consumer. They ask for a signed medical waiver before they can legaly sell the hearing aid.

A) It is NOT recommended that you waive your right to have your ear examined by an ENT, Doctor or Audiologist. The reason it is important to have your ear examined is to rule out things like tumors, that can cause hearing loss. When it comes to your hearing you should never cut corners on the important services that you will need. We cut hearing aid prices not the important services that you need!

Q)Do you offer hearing aid financing?

Yes. We offer 24, 36 and 48 month terms as well as 90 days same as cash.

Q) You have many hearing aid manufacturers and models listed on your website. Does Ahearingaid.com sell every hearing aid model and manufacturer that you have listed?

A) Yes, and many more that are not listed. We have excellent relationships with the worlds leading hearing aid manufacturers. If you are looking for a price of a hearing aid that you do not see on our website please call or write us. Chances are we do provide the hearing aids that you are looking for and at a substanial savings. We believe that when providers are trying to fit a hearing loss, the more hearing aid manufacturers and models that our professionals have to select from the better the chances that our customers hearing needs will be met.

Q) What is the difference between Ahearingaid.com and other companies? How do I know the difference between all these companies, so that I can decide which way to go?

A) As you can see there are now several companies on the Internet selling all kinds of hearing devices as well as hearing aids. The major difference between our company and almost all other companies that are selling hearing aids is the fact that we send you to a hearing care provider, in your local community. They will test your hearing, recommend the proper hearing aids and will be there to provide adjustments, counseling and to provide services right there in your local community.

Most of the other companies that you find on the Internet try a take a shortcut by selling directly to the consumer without the help of a local Audiologist. This type of practice is illegal in several states. There is a very good reason why selling directly to the consumer is illegal in most states but basically it is because you will end up with the short end of the stick. Some companies on the Internet make their own hearing aids and sell them directly to the consumer. This means there is NO one else available to help you if they go out of business, die, or something else happens to them. To be safe always buy a major brand hearing aid.

There are companies that will tell you that if you need adjustments to send the hearing aids to them via the mail. Back and forth and back and forth. We could do that and beat those prices by hundreds of dollars. But we choose to provide top of the line services. It is important to have a local hearing professional to help you when you need help. There is no such thing as a savings when you aren't happy.

Then there are those companies that are the same ones that you have seen advertising in your local newspaper for the past 30 years. They have a great advertised low price in the paper. So you make an appointment receive a hearing test and they tell you, "Oh, I'm sorry the hearing aids in our ad are not good for your hearing losss. You need the top of the line hearing aids for your loss and the cost is going to be $3,200.00 each. Then the pressure tactics start.

Ever see the advertising that says $1000 off? Did you ever ask yourself $1000 off of what? In every case I have ever seen the $1000 is off the MSRP. That still means our prices are hundreds of dollars less than their $1000 off MRSP.

Then there is the "give us your hearing aid as a trade in and we will deduct X amount fo money from the purchase price". This really upsets me and is taking full advantage of you. First of all there is no real value in a used hearing aid. It can not be resold. In our system we want you to keep your old hearing aid as back up. So if you need to send your new hearing aids in for repair you will have a back up. To help facilitate this, if you purchase your new hearing aids from us we will repair your old hearing aids for $125 and give you a one-year warranty too.

Our company handles all aspects of the hearing aid process just like your local Audiologist. There are no shortcuts! We provide you with the best hearing aids for your specific hearing loss at the best price. We believe that shortcuts that are taken by other companies serve their purposes not yours.

We have a very low return rate at about 8%. The industry average for returns is above 35%. We believe one reason that our return rate is so low is because our network providers select the hearing aids that they believe is the best hearing aids for your specific hearing loss, based on their experience. Our network professional's selection will be based on your needs and their experience. It will not be based on profit margin or contractual obligations.

The Ahearingaid.com hearing aid delivery system was founded over nine years ago to help you receive the best hearing aids and services for your specific hearing loss at the very best price. We have an excellent customer service record that you can count on.

Q) Does Ahearingaid.com prefer one manufacturer over another?

A)No we do not! There are many very good hearing aid manufacturers. In our system one of our network providers select the manufacturer and hearing aid models. Ahearingaid.com's network is designed so that no matter what hearing aid is recommended by our network professional they will make the same amount of money. In our system the network providers are paid for their services. We are able to control the cost of the hearing aids because the actual sale of the hearing aids are ordered by the providers through Ahearingaid.com.

Q) I see on a website that the ready to wear hearing aids help about 95% of people wearing them. Is this a true statement?

A) There is nothing wrong with trying to save money if you need hearing aids. However, the statement on the website that says their product works for 95% of the people is a very strange statement. Here's why. Those ready to wear type of hearing devices have over a 65% return rate. So it does not seem like a factual statement to say they help 95% of people. There are a few reasons for this high return rate for ready to wear. One reason is that the ready to wear is not custom made to fit your ears. Another problem is that there are a lack of channels to adjust and fine tune these devices. This means that it would be pure luck if any of these ready to wear hearing aids actually can help you. You can look at it another way, do you self medicate yourself? Our advice is not to take any shortcuts when it comes to your hearing.

Q) There are ads in my newspaper for hearing aids for only $499. How are they able to sell hearing aids at those prices?

A) Here's what you may expect when you see a great price advertised in your local paper. You will see this great price. You call and make an appointment. After your hearing test you will be told that the hearing aids advertised will not meet your needs and that you need a top of the line hearing aid. You will then be told that the cost of the hearing aid you need is about $3200.00 each. We hear these stories all the time. Many times the reason why the appointment is made to go buy those $499 hearing aids is because you the consumer thinks that any hearing aid works for any hearing loss. That is NOT even close to being correct.

Q) Will a hearing aid help me hear on the telephone?

A) All hearing aids will make speech over the telephone louder. Many hearing aids will also have special "T" (telecoil) switches that are specifically designed for use with the telephone. Telephone sounds are amplified more efficiently and background noises are better eliminated with a telecoil switch. People with hearing impairment may also need a telecoil to use some of the special sound systems that are now available in many auditoriums, theaters, and other public places.

Q) Will a hearing aid eliminate all my communication problems?

A) With a hearing aid, you will hear some sounds you have never heard before, or at least haven't heard in a long time. Your own voice will sound louder. You will need to learn how to "tune out" background noises. Sometimes speech sounds will sound different than you think they should. It may take several weeks to become adjusted to your hearing aid.

Q) Are all hearing aids the same?

A) All hearing aids work similarly and have similar parts. These include:

* a microphone to pick up sound
* an amplifier to make sound louder
* a miniature loudspeaker (receiver) to deliver the sound into the ear
* batteries to power the electronic parts

Some hearing aids also have earmolds (earpieces) to control the flow of sound into the ear, enhance sound quality, and help hold the hearing aid in place.

But, hearing aids also differ in design, the amount of power, ease of handling the volume control, and availability of special features.

Q) What are the basic styles of hearing aids?

A) Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids--these aids are contained in a tiny case that fits into the ear canal. They are the smallest hearing aids available.

In-The-Ear aids (ITE)--all parts are contained in the concha and helix part of your ear (the bowl). These hearing aids are larger than canal aids.

Behind-The-Ear-aids (BTE)--all parts are contained in a small plastic case that sits behind the ear, the case is connected to an earmold by a piece of clear tubing.

Today more than three- quarters of hearing aids sold are custom made ITE's-CIC's.

Q) How expensive are hearing aids?

A) Hearing aids vary in price according to style, electronic features, and local market conditions.

Price can range from several hundred dollars for conventional hearing aids up to $3,000.00. The average price in 1997 for a digital hearing aid was $3,200.00. Through Ahearingaid.com's system you can expect to save hundreds of dollars off of these prices.

Purchase price shouldn't be the only consideration in buying a hearing aid. Having a company that you can trust is a primary consideration, also customer service is a very important part of the hearing aid process before, during, and after the sale. Product reliability can save repair costs as well as the frustration of malfunctioning hearing aids. An extended repair warranty can save you time, money, and heartache.

Q) Do I have to buy the hearing aid from the audiologist who evaluates my hearing?

A) No. As a matter of fact in Ahearingaid.com's system our professionals make the same amount of money whether they recommend a CIC, programmable or digital hearing aid. When we refer a customer to one of our professionals they make their money on the services that they provide. Ahearingaid.com will sell the hearing aid based on the professional's recommendation. Through our system you can be assured that the hearing aids that are recommended to you are based on what the hearing professional feels is the best hearing aids for your particular hearing loss and not based on profit. You can go to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation and buy your hearing aid(s) elsewhere. When it comes to selection, fitting and adjusting hearing aids a person that is knowledgeable, qualified and honest, whether or not they are an Audiologist or Hearing Aid Dispenser is the most important factor.

Q) How do I know if I have a hearing loss?

A) You may have a hearing loss if:

* you hear voices when people are talking but have to strain to understand their words. You may find that this problem occurs frequently or that it happens only with certain people or in certain situations.

* You often ask people to repeat what they say.

* You do not laugh at jokes because you miss too much of the story.

* You frequently complain that people mumble.

* You need to ask others about details of a meeting you just attended.

* You play the TV or radio too loudly. (Ask your family or friends about this)

* you can't hear the the doorbell or telephone.

* You find that looking at people when they talk to you makes what they say easier to understand.

If you have ANY of these symptoms more than occasionally, you might have a hearing loss.