Hearing aid repairs when manufacturer opts out
Ken
prefer an audiologist in the loop, the weird way aids are marketed
(with the cost of the aid inflated by the cost of the audiologist's
services) makes it possible for firms like HearSource and America
Hears to emerge. And happy users of aids bought on-line often manage
to involve an audiologist on a fee-for-service basis. Hopefully all
audiologists, one day, will be prepared to sell their services
regardless of whether the client intends to buy an aid from them. I
regard audiologists as medical specialists not hardware salesmen.
One reason for involving an audiologist recognised by HearSource is
for powerful aids needing earmolds.
Also the group has often discussed self-programming. There are many
who are attracted to this. Again, it has always been difficult for
laymen to prize programming software for hearing aids from the major
manufacturers.
But I was most interested in the fact that HearSource offer repairs to
any brand of hearing aid. When my Phonak audiozooms failed (probably
the remote control rather than the aids) Phonak refused repair citing
the usual stuff about parts getting scarce for older models. (A bit
like Microsoft ceasing support for XP to force people to buy Vista).
I suppose what all this shows is that good old competition still
delivers the goods.
Members of the group should tuck away the fact that this firm will
attempt repairs in such cases and one of the threads reports how they
successfully repaired a third party aid.
MtnTraveler
> The threads about HearSource are interesting. While I, personally,
> prefer an audiologist in the loop, the weird way aids are marketed
> (with the cost of the aid inflated by the cost of the audiologist's
> services) makes it possible for firms like HearSource and America
> Hears to emerge. And happy users of aids bought on-line often manage
> to involve an audiologist on a fee-for-service basis. Hopefully all
> audiologists, one day, will be prepared to sell their services
> regardless of whether the client intends to buy an aid from them. I
> regard audiologists as medical specialists not hardware salesmen.
It's my understanding that Hearsource 'requires' an audiogram from a
licensed audiologist before they will send you hearing aids.
> One reason for involving an audiologist recognised by HearSource is
> for powerful aids needing earmolds.
True. I had my ear impressions done by a local audiologist (and glad
that I didn't try to do it myself,) and sent them to HearSource to have
the earmolds made. I'm considering having a pair of silicon earmolds
made to try and see if I prefer them to the acrylic ones. While my
earmolds fit perfectly, I just wonder if the softer silicon might feel
more comfortable. I'm a wuss...
> Also the group has often discussed self-programming. There are many
> who are attracted to this. Again, it has always been difficult for
> laymen to prize programming software for hearing aids from the major
> manufacturers.
I think that it would be great if everyone had the option of doing
self-programming. Option. Not requirement. Having played with the
software for several days after I received it, I realized that I didn't
have the knowledge of technical terminology to understand what things
such as 'compression ratio,' 'compression threshold,' or even the
difference between an omni-directional, cardioid, or super cardioid
microphones were, yet I had the controls to switch them in my software!
I needed a good lesson in basic sound engineering (which the tech rep
gave me on the phone) to understand what the controls did and how they
affected the sounds I was hearing. The fact that I could have the
hearing aids plugged into the software and hear the changes as I made
them was fantastic! It was that 'bio-feedback' that let us dial in the
sound quality that I wanted to hear! Now that I understand what the "A,"
"B," "C," and "D" channels do, they don't frighten me any more. I can
even do 12 band graphic equalizer, me!! :o)
> But I was most interested in the fact that HearSource offer repairs to
> any brand of hearing aid.
I've now read posts from three different people who had their own brands
of hearing aids (one was a Beltone, one a Siemens, and I can't remember
the third) repaired by them, each for a flat fee of $99. That in itself
is pretty impressive. My audiologist wanted to charge more than that
just for later adjustments.
> I suppose what all this shows is that good old competition still
> delivers the goods.
The more the compitition, the better off we all are. The prices go down,
the customer service goes up, and we get the benefits of them all!