My Audeo Paradise hearing aids are approaching their 5th anniversary in December. I’ve asked my audiologist about replacing the batteries in my current hearing aids, as they are lasting ~8-10 hours with my regular use being mostly RogerDirect streaming in person and at a computer, and they quoted $1000 but said I would have to do it before they reach 5 years old.
I’m currently doing an internship, so I don’t have any coverage for replacing them yet, and I recently graduated, so I can’t get new ones using the education thing my audiologist has. I’ve also been recommended to get some custom earpieces with those active vents, as the rubber domes have gotten stuck deep inside my ears often. If I get them now, they would only be compatible with the Lumity, and I would need to get them again if I chose to go with the Infinio (which, for some reason, is priced lower than the Lumity).
Saved myself a lot with fixing those Roger devices, and my audiologist did think it was cool. I read that thread here on the M-50R battery replacement, and that is out of my league right now.
Would like to know your opinions on this. First time I will be replacing hearing aids, so I’m unsure what the correct way to do it is.
Replacing the batteries in your aids should be covered by a standard repair charge. If it were me I’d save up for the Infinio Sphere 70’s or higher if you want to replace your devices with Phonak ones. Or wait until they release a second generation deepsonic chip with better battery life.
If you have access to a Costco, try the Sennheiser Sonite which is essentially the Phonak Lumity 90 for $1,599. I would not pay $1,000 for new batteries for the P50. If you are willing to learn how to program them yourself you can get some cheap Paradise or Lumity models on EBay. Check out the self programming area of this forum
I’ve just re-read your post. I’d suggest getting the $1,000 quote for battery replacement in writing. Is this per aid or for both devices?
I’d also suggest shopping around for this repair service. Phonak charge a standard repair charge for battery replacement which is considerably less than the amount you’re being quoted. If it’s only the batteries that need replacing the charge is excessive.
Even if the devices were swapped for service modules (essentially a refurbished device) the charge is still very high.
If the clinician is responsible for setting prices where they work I would suggest the cost is at a level which would be a breech of professional ethics.
If not and pricing is out of their control it is still worth highlighting this kind of sales tactic to consumer groups. But it means getting something in writing.
I’m in Canada, so I’m not sure if the cost is high or not. Here is part of the email they sent me last week. All I asked was about replacing the batteries and nothing about other issues:
Repairing your current hearing aids. A repair would cost $430 per ear, so $860 total. This would also provide you with 12-months of warranty. You can also do a 6-month warranty repair, but the cost is $410 per ear, so a total of $820. The only reason I would recommend a 6-month repair is if you were eligible for government funding for new hearing aids once your hearing aids are 5 years old, because they are currently 4 years 5 months old.
This was also what the audiologist said about the custom moulds. Does this pricing look fair?
There are two different types of molds we could get you.
Regular custom earpieces would cost $140 per ear, so $280 total. These would be shaped to your ears, so you shouldn’t have to keep pushing them in. Depending on the scenario you could swap between domes and the custom earpieces for when you want them to be more or less blocking. Additionally, we could try something called a ‘select-a-vent’. These are little vent plugs that may also give you the ability to decide when you want to custom earpiece to be more or less blocking.
Active Vents are custom earpieces built into the receiver itself, they cost $250 per ear, so $500 total. These would automatically change between more or less blocking depending on the environment around you, and if you are streaming or not. The downside is that if you got them for your current hearing aids, they would not be compatible with the newest line (the Infinio’s).
Not sure who sets the prices, and I’ve asked for clarification. I thought the cost was high, as it would be a substantial amount that could be put towards new hearing aids. I mostly do work on the computer and use audio streaming with Roger, so I may just keep using these hearing aids until I get clarification on whether I would be eligible for government funding or getting a job where they would cover this even partially (or until they finally break). Would you recommend I get the custom ear moulds, and which one if I do end up using these hearing aids for a few more years? I already have one of those mini charger cases I carry around all the time, so I usually charge my hearing aids 2-3 times a day, whether I am in the house or outside.
Repair costs are generally equivalent in the local currency i.e. the main cost is the labour. I’d ring around other clinics that fit Phonak hearing aids and see what they would charge. Phonak give a 3 month warranty on repairs as standard so some of the cost you’re being charged is for an extended warranty on the devices.
Repeat REMs are required for custom moulds so there is a labour charge in there as well. I’d avoid activevent receivers until you have a steady income to account for the routine repairs which are inevitable .
Yeah it’s way to much, as you can see they keep plugging away at trying to get more money from you, I mean you look at that stupid quote between 6 months or 12 months warranty and that should be enough to just walk away, the ear molds are priced pretty average, unlikely to find this cheaper, impossible to know for sure what’s better as you don’t post your audogram, but the more severe your loss the more you should look at the custom molds, with the correct sized vent you can do away with occulsion and keep feedback to a minimum.