My mother has been finally been diagnosed with hearing loss and the doctor recommended hearing aids at $4,000 a pair. OUCH! We've seen ads in magazines for MD Hearing Aid Air, which are touted to work great and cost less than $1,000.
We've looked online for reviews and haven't found any that aren't glowing with compliments about how great they work.
Has anyone had any experience with these hearing aids? Do they really work as well as everyone says they do?
Thanks for your help.
My father was almost deaf at 88. He didn't mind, but my mother wanted to try hearing aids for him. We went to the audiologist. He told us the damage was neural and probably wouldn't be helped by a hearing aid. My mother really wanted it, though, so the doctor designed him one that amplified sound. Long story short -- it didn't help at all and they were $2K poorer.
My mother has about 50-75% hearing loss at 88. We went to an ENT, who tested her hearing. He told us that her hearing was as good as it was going to get and was typical for a woman her age. Knowing hearing aids wouldn't help and that she wouldn't wear them, anyway, I say no anytime my mother mentions hearing aids now. I have to remind her why each time.
Went to Sam's Club for a free hearing test (you don't need a membership.) Was very pleased with the comprehensive testing offered. Then I learned they were actually a hearing aid company (Liberty Hearing Aids) leasing space from Sam's.
My visit ended up with them trying to sell me a pair of their top line aids for $4,100 but I knew for my type hearing loss, typical for older adults aged 40+, my pair of MDHearing aids ($600) performed as well as their low end $2,000 pair.
The more expensive aids had more bands/channels, etc. but after trying them out I found my MDHearing Aids almost as good as their $4,100 pair. Not quite as good but certainly not worth the price difference.
And places like Southwest Hearing bombard you with junkmail offering $2,000 discounts, etc. You have to ask yourself, if they can give everyone that much discount right from the start, how much they're overcharging you.
That was my experience, yours may vary. Good luck.
My husband is an audio technician who researched typical adult hearing loss and discovered most older adults experience a drop off in the higher frequencies of the sound spectrum. This causes "t's and s's in conversation to not be heard and makes distinguishing certain words difficult. I went to a professional audiologist and this was confirmed in my case.
Bought the MDHearing aids and heard all I was missing as soon as I put them in.
My advice? Get your ears tested by a pro so you know what your hearing issue actually is. If it's typical adult hearing loss, save yourself several thousand dollars with the MDHearing aids. They last as long or longer than those costing two to four times more. And with a 45 day no questions asked return policy, what is there to lose?
As to their restocking charge, people here evidently don't read because it's plainly stated on their website which says they want you to try them for at least 21 days and return them within 45 if you find they're not for you. Here's the link to their return policy: mdhearingaid/assets/images/content/RecieptAddendum_0315_web.pdf
My brother in law is wearing them, somewhat successfully.
Type "hearing aids" into the search box at the upper right top of this page. You might find something that's helpful.
I've also just discovered that AARP affiliates with selected hearing aid providers which allegedly offer a discount. Aids can range from $795 to $2950, but I'm sure that the audiologist who does the examination will always recommend the higher range of aids.
There's also a $1300 discount coupon available on the website. Advertising links aren't allowed, so you'll have to find this site by yourself. Google, AARP, hearing aids and follow the trail.
I've never heard of the company you mention; there is a "Hearing Help Express", or "Hearing Express", something like that, which fills orders by mail. It's not clear whether there's an exam involved or not; I didn't pursue it because I wasn't impressed with what I read.
I too am familiar with the experience of getting expensive aids just aren't worn for .... well, who knows what the reasons are??
My dad had $4k hearing aids that he hardly wore. They helped him, but he still didn't like them. When I'd go visit, I wouldn't talk to him until he put them in. So they only work if/when you wear them. My mom got a set of hearing aids and never wore them either. Sigh.
Discouraging returns and refunds unless the product is unopened (i.e., not properly trialed)
• Implementation of mandatory restocking fees for returned items
• Limit MDHearingAid's ability to communicate with our customers for support
• And most importantly, allowing a large number of imitation hearing aids to be sold under the category of "Hearing Aids" on their site.
I would not buy one.