Why you should buy Aids from Aud and Hearing Aid Center!
Posted by Holli Lish on Wed, Jan 26, 2011 @ 01:15 PM
Why you should buy Hearing Aids from the
Audiology and Hearing Aid Center instead of a discount store or internet site?
Hearing aids are classified as medical devices. They are NOT consumer retail items. In recent years, , via the internet or at discount stores, they are being sold entirely based on price. This makes it appear that you shop for hearing aids in the same way that you shop for a television.
The danger in this mentality is that most of what you are paying for in terms of the price is the skill of the audiologist. This is the key component to success with hearing aids in two ways:
1) You need to ensure that you get the best possible acoustical fitting to optimize your hearing. This includes:
a) Having the proper tests done by an audiologist to ensure that the devices are fit based on accurate test results
b) Having the proper hearing instruments ordered for you based on a lifestyle assessment
c) Having the fit of the hearing aids verified using live speech mapping or real ear measures (which a significant number of practitioners never do)!
2) Ensuring that the hearing aids do not further damage your hearing by adjusting volume levels of the devices accurately.
Two ways to buy cheap hearing aids have surfaced in the last few years. They are:
Internet:
1) By Pennsylvania law, hearing aids can only be dispensed by someone licensed in our state. If an aid is purchased over the Internet and it is “programmed” at the factory in another state, the entire transaction violates the law.
2) If referred to a local practitioner to receive service while still purchasing through the Internet company, you may be surprised to learn that the entire purchase may have been less costly had you purchased directly from that practitioner (follow up visits may cost more “down the road” through the Internet).
Discount Warehouses:
1) These places offer lower prices as the attraction but the product quality or service provider may be lacking! Do you really want to buy a medical device in the same aisle as the canned peas??? What are the credentials of the person selling it? How long have they been dispensing hearing aids? What is their training? What did they do before they started selling hearing aids?
2) Many times the advertisements are designed to get you in the store for a cheaper item and the salesperson tries to sell you a more expensive one.
At the Audiology and Hearing Aid Center, we offer competitive prices every day. There may be places where you could find the hearing aids are less expensive, but you are not just buying a product. YOU ARE BUYING US! We offer the following:
1) Audiologists with a doctoral degree in the hearing sciences
2) Over 40 years of combined experience in hearing aid fittings
3) Hundreds of satisfied clients
4) Complete diagnostic testing services using air, bone and speech testing
5) Counseling for you and your family to get the best possible communication
6) A kind, caring and pleasant environment where the audiologists and support staff make you feel welcome
7) Real Ear measures using Live Speech Mapping (the Gold Standard for hearing aid fittings!)
8) Flexible appointment schedules
9) Easily accessible parking and location
The bottom line is if you were getting a pacemaker and you found you could get the product cheaper if you went to a discount store, would you compromise? We think you would choose based on the confidence level you have in your audiologist. And that is why you should be glad you chose us!