If you have any specific questions concerning hearing aids please contact us by email or our toll free number
Q)How does your system work if I need my hearing aid adjusted after my three years of free adjustments?
A)In our system you go back to our provider, they are the ones who have been annualy testing you and found your hearing loss had changed, they will charge you for a hearing aid adjustment. That's what? $45-$75 vs $600-$1000 for up front retail cost.
Bottom line there is no reason to overpay for something that you just will not use enough of to warrant paying that much more money.
Q) Is there such a thing as a "Consumer Report" on hearing aids?
A) Consumer Reports does NOT have a rating system for hearing aids.
Consumer Reports® did publish an article in November 1992 "How to Buy a Hearing Aid". But much of the material is now out of date. It was written prior to the commericalization of the Internet and years before the introduction of digital hearing aids. Consumer Reports has since published an article on hearing aids in CONSUMER REPORTS ON HEALTH®, another of their publications. This was published in May 2002. If you are interested in reading these articles you may contact www.ConsumerReports.org. They do not allow for any Internet company to have their publications listed on a website other than www.consumerreports.org
Q) How can you sell the same hearing aids as my local Audiologist for so much less?
A) The main reason that our prices are much lower than your local hearing aid office is because we sell nationwide. We are not in the city of Las Cruces selling only to the population of Las Cruces. The "normal" size hearing aid offices sell between 10-16 hearing aids in an entire month. We sell many times that amount. Bottom line is we can afford to sell hearing aids for less because we sell so many more hearing aid than "normal" retail offices.
Q) Do I have to give you my name, address and telephone number to receive a quote or to find out where I can receive help or how your system works?
A) No, all we need is the city and state where you live and we can send you information of our local Audiologist in your area as well as our policies. We are NOT information collectors. We are here to help you save money and to help you with the process of getting the right hearing aid for your specific hearing loss. Your privacy is important to us too. We are governed by Federal Regulations (HIPPA) to protect your privacy. We do not sell or give your information to anyone.
Q) How long have you been in business?
A) Ahearingaid.com's system was founded over 10 years ago. And in those 10 years Ahearingaid.com has had NO consumer complaints as recorded by the a national reporting agency. A customer service record that you can count on.
Q) Does Ahearingaid.com prefer one manufacturer over another?
A) There are many very good manufacturers and hearing aid models available. Our Audiologists and Dispensers select the manufacturer and hearing aid models based on your life style and needs. If you desire a specific hearing aid model please let us know and we will make sure that the office we send you to has the software and experience to handle your request.
Ahearingaid.com network is designed so that if you purchase a digital hearing aid, a programmable hearing aid or a CIC style hearing aid our network professionals make the same amount of money. In our system the Audiologists are paid for services only. There service fee is already included in our pricing. We are able to control the cost of the hearing aids because the actual sale of the hearing aids, based on the Audiologist's recommendation, are through our company. With our system you do not have to worry or wonder if you are being sold a hearing aid based on profit or quotas because the person that recommends the hearing aids have NO financial interest in the selection.
Are all hearing aids the same?
A) All hearing aids work similarly and have similar parts. These include:
* a microphone to pick up sound
* an amplifier to make sound louder
* a miniature loudspeaker (receiver) to deliver the sound into the ear
* batteries to power the electronic parts
Some hearing aids also have earmolds (earpieces) to control the flow of sound into the ear, enhance sound quality, and help hold the hearing aid in place.
But, hearing aids also differ in design, the amount of power, ease of handling the volume control, and availability of special features.
Q) What are the basic styles of hearing aids?
A) Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids--these aids are contained in a tiny case that fits into the ear canal. They are the smallest hearing aids available.
In-The-Ear aids (ITE)--all parts are contained in the concha and helix part of your ear (the bowl). These hearing aids are larger than canal aids.
Behind-The-Ear-aids (BTE)--all parts are contained in a small plastic case that sits behind the ear, the case is connected to an earmold by a piece of clear tubing.
Today more than three- quarters of hearing aids sold are custom made ITE's-CIC's.
Q) How expensive are hearing aids?
A) Hearing aids vary in price according to style, electronic features, and local market conditions.
"Normal" retail prices can range from several hundred dollars for conventional hearing aids and up to $4,000.00 for digital hearing aids, depending on where you live.
The purchase price shouldn't be the only consideration in buying a hearing aid. Having a company that you can trust is a primary consideration, also customer service is a very important part of the hearing aid process before, during, and after the sale. Product reliability can save repair costs as well as the frustration of malfunctioning hearing aids. An extended repair warranty can save you time, money, and heartache.
Q) Do I have to buy the hearing aid from the same audiologist who evaluates my hearing?
A) No. As a matter of fact with Ahearingaid.com's system our network professionals make their money on the services that they provide. That service fee is ALREADY reflected in our prices that you find on our website. Our network Audiologists order your hearing aid through Ahearingaid.com. Ahearingaid.com will provide the hearing aid based on the professional's recommendation. Through our system you can be assured that the hearing aids that are recommended to you are based on what the hearing professional feels is the best hearing aids for your particular hearing loss and not based on profit. You can go to an audiologist for a hearing evaluation and buy your hearing aid(s) elsewhere. When it comes to selection, fitting and adjusting hearing aids a person that is knowledgeable, qualified and honest, whether or not they are an Audiologist or Hearing Aid Dispenser is the most important factor.
Q) How do I know if I have a hearing loss?
A) You may have a hearing loss if:
* you hear voices when people are talking but have to strain to understand their words. You may find that this problem occurs frequently or that it happens only with certain people or in certain situations.
* You often ask people to repeat what they say.
* You do not laugh at jokes because you miss too much of the story.
* You frequently complain that people mumble.
* You need to ask others about details of a meeting you just attended.
* You play the TV or radio too loudly. (Ask your family or friends about this)
* you can't hear the the doorbell or telephone.
* You find that looking at people when they talk to you makes what they say easier to understand.
If you have ANY of these symptoms more than occasionally, you might have a hearing loss.
If you have any further questions regarding hearing aid devices or services not covered here please contact us or call us toll free 1 800 468-9298.
