I have a new patient. He came to me after purchasing hearing aids from a “Big Box Store”. He got the store brand hearing aids and has not done very well with them.
I have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to get their health care where they buy toilet paper.
I think it is because they think that they are getting a bargain. When it comes to hearing aids and hearing healthcare, this is not true.
Store brand hearing aids are often manufactured by second-rate hearing aid companies. Today’s hearing aids are miniature computers that require years of research and development before they come to market. This requires a lot of capital. Small manufacturers just can’t compete. As a result, the computer chips that they are able to get are often from much older technology. My new patient’s hearing aids looked like hearing aids I fit 15 years ago.
After learning what this gentleman paid for his hearing aids, I discovered that the price was no bargain. I could have fit him with the latest technology for the same price. Additionally, the person helping my new patient was a hearing instrument specialist with six months of training.
So, just because you can get your toilet paper at a big box store for less, it doesn’t mean that you will get the same quality hearing aids or hearing healthcare there.
Susan E. Terry, Au.D.
P.S. We are here to help, if you have any questions about your hearing feel free to give us a call at 727-323-2471.