it works because the expense is up front in R and D, whereas manufacturing costs are minor. And so: rather than pay someone to replace a battery, it may be cheaper to send out a new aid, or anyway place the entire unit in hand inside the old shell and ship it out. Moreover: HA companies don’t like having to deal with repairs. That’s also expensive and bad for their reputation. Better to send out a new unit and be done with it. my guess is that components of an aid, and assembly, come in at less than $250.00.
Meanwhile, the latest and greatest aids are being advertised. Many people will pay up front once again for these. That’s how it works.
I paid a thousand bucks less than Tenkan’s lowest exaggerated price from my private provider. I was able to pay this off over a year at no interest through a program they provide. Yes, Costco might have cost less but as I’ve described countless times, for me, the expertise and convenience of a close by provider who knows me is worth the cost.
Edit: allow me to say: When I send out my under warranty aids for new batteries, if the aids they send back don’t function, and Signia says, “tought luck! They’re now no longer under warranty…” I’ll be pissed. And will scream loud and hard on this forum. BUT: I don’t think things will work this way. It’s a competitive world and brands need to keep their reputations, and anyway, my aids have been trouble free for a year and a half. I take care of them!