How Much Do Hearing Aids Really Cost?

When it comes to hearing aids, not all of them are the same. They can differ in size, style, shape, colour and brand. Although, something not visible from their exterior, is the level of technology packed into each device. This enables hearing aids to work their magic, offering features ranging from their inconspicuousness, rechargeability, right through to their Bluetooth connections and capabilities. In addition to this, other features include better speech clarity in noise, hands free phone calls, to alerting someone should the hearing aids drop. Hearing aids are more complex than just being simple amplifiers. They are specifically designed to amplify sounds in the range of your patients individual hearing loss, whilst not amplifying any sounds where the patient does not have a hearing loss. Additionally, hearing aids have a variety of features inside of them that aim to optimise a patient’s ability to hear in complex listening situations, such as when at a cafe, club, restaurant or family gathering. These additional features help the patient to have quality conversations with the people around them, enjoy environmental sounds, music, converse easily on the phone and hear the television without fuss or distracting others. All while simultaneously blocking out other annoying sounds like whistling, cutlery clanging and loud wind while outside, to name a few! Meaning your patient can enjoy a more natural and clear listening experience. Hearing aids can connect to your phone to allow direct streaming of music or podcasts as well as displaying information such, as heart rate and step count and much more through a smartphone app. Hearing aids are also available in rechargeable versions, meaning your patient does not have to worry about changing batteries. These rechargeable hearing aids sit in a charger overnight so the hearing aids are ready for the morning, ensuring efficiently use throughout day. It is this technology and more that predominately impacts the price of a hearing aids. Hearing aids that are considered “premium” or “top of the range” often include all the latest and greatest technological features to enhance your listening experience, while hearing aids at a lower price point, may be simpler with less features and can at times be bigger or more visible. That said, there is a revolutionary, 100% invisible extended wear hearing solution available – worn 24/7 it is hassle free with no batteries to change and no daily insertion or removal required. Lyric uses the natural anatomy of the ear to amplify and give your patients a full, natural listening experience. Because Lyric is placed in the ear canal near the eardrum by a trained professional, it is a 100% invisible hearing aid. All Victorian Hearing Audiologists are trained and certified to fit Lyric. Lyric remains in the ear for months with no maintenance needed during this time. Lyric can also provide greater relief for patients with tinnitus than daily wear hearing aids.

These advancements in hearing aid technology, have taken decades of research and development to create, test and fit inside tiny hearing aids, which continue to get even smaller. Hearing aids can typically range from approximately $1,000 to $6,000 per hearing aid, and most people usually require two. Hearing aid prices can at times be ‘bundled’ to not only account for the cost of the hearing aids themselves, but also the audiological services and support appointments your patients require. When purchasing hearing aids, it is also important for your patients to investigate if they have private health insurance and determine how much their provider will rebate towards hearing aids.

If your patient is an aged-care pensioner or holds a Department of Veteran Affairs card through the Hearing Services Program (HSP), hearing aids may be fully subsidised at the entry level technology for those with a HSP voucher.

Technology level, size, audiological services, private health insurance and government subsidies are all factors that can influence the cost of your patients hearing aids. It is important for your patients to speak to an independent audiology clinic to support them in making the best decision when it comes to which hearing technology level is appropriate for them when considering hearing aids.

An audiologist at Victorian Hearing, will support and guide your patient through the process of hearing rehabilitation and hearing aid technology. Victorian Hearing has dedicated, trusted, and caring audiologists across Melbourne in 10 locations.

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