Lie 1: “Hearings Aids purchased in a foreign country where they cost less cannot be programmed in the United States”
(My audiologist said that when I found the same hearing aids she was trying to sell me in a foreign country for less than 1/10 the price.)
Lie 2: “Programming your own hearing aids will damage your ears”
(My audiologist told me this when she saw me writing down the name of the interface and studying cable and connections).
Lie 3: The Chinese bootleg Hi-Pro or Mini-Pro cannot be used to program hearing aids correctly. FACT: It’s exactly the same interface.
(Optometrics published a bulletin about them not working correctly. It’s a complete lie)
Lie 4: If it’s too good to be true, don’t buy it. FACT: If you know where to look, a new pair of Siemens / Signia HA can be found for under $1K.
(I’ve actually bought a new pair of Siemens Pure 7 PX for $550. - 100% functional and 100% genuine no US warranty. At this price you don’t need a warranty)
Lie 5: Hearing aids are delicate and require professional maintenance. FACT: If a HA isn’t working its most always wax stuck in the receiver. Learn how to change the wax guard.
Lie 6:
Another trick is the audiologist offers a free hearing test. After the hearing test the audiologist says that the audio-gram has changed. Without asking the audiologist makes a few programming changes and then asks you if it sounds better. Next you are lead to the receptionist where they attempt to bill you for programming the hearing aids. Remind them that you came in for the free hearing test and not to have your hearing aids programmed. The audiologist may say that we can’t put your old setting back in and that you owe them $150. Still politely insist that you came in for the free hearing test only and because it was free you didn’t bring your credit card and you don’t have enough cash. Still insist that you never agreed to have the hearing aids programmed. After a little back and forth the audiologist will say, “Ok, today’s visit is free”. You say “Thank you” and leave.
Lie 7: The top of the line model works better than the lesser grades. Fact: Signia Pure 3nx, 5nx and the 7nx all do the same thing. You will not notice any difference. Get the one that cost less.
Lie 8: You need the newest technology. Fact: The Siemens Micron, BX, PX and NX all sound about the same. The later models have a few more options that you probably wouldn’t use anyway.
Lie 9: Never buy 2nd hand hearing aids they probably won’t work right and you could get an ear infection. Fact: Hearing aids are very durable and 2nd hand pair typically sell for about 1/10 of retail. The outer shell can be carefully removed and sanitized in alcohol. The receivers are a replaceable part. Ebay is a great place to shop for a new receiver.
Lie 10: You need to buy a bunch of peripheral devices (EasyTek, PocketTek, MiniTek…ect) to get the most of your hearing aids. Fact: Most people quickly decide they prefer not to carry this stuff with them. The EasyTek, PocketTek, MiniTek…ect stays in a desk draw and is seldom if ever used.
Lie 11: Free maintenance and free batteries bundled together with Hearing aids is worth $7,000 OR MORE. Fact: Batteries are dirt cheap and easy to find on Amazon. FACT: HEARING LOSS IS A LIFETIME CONDITION. YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO KNOW HOW TO BUY HEARING AIDS INEXPENSIVELY, CALIBRATE AND MAINTAIN THEM. THE INDUSTRY WANTS YOU TO SPEND $1,000 OR MORE A YEAR ON YOUR HEARING LOSS. EVERYTHING YOU NEED CAN BE FOUND ON EBAY AND AMAZON. YOU NOW HAVE A NEW HOBBY.