Buying A Hearing Aid
Buying a hearing aid for the first time can be a tough experience for many. So many different hearing aid styles to choose from… In-the-ear, completely-in-the-ear, behind the ear… And the list goes on and on! There a number of new companies entering the hearing aid market (such as Costco and Embrace Hearing) that are providing more competition and innovation in this space. This is good news for all!
As we said, buying the right hearing aid is not easy. Fortunately there are a number of resources to help guide you on your quest for better hearing. Our goal here at The Senior List is to bring you information that matters to you and your family. That said, we’re pleased to be able to share a video from Consumer Reports that offers advice on choosing the proper hearing aid. If you have other helpful hints that were successful for you, please pass them along.
Consumer Reports (video): Tips on buying a hearing aid
More About Buying a Hearing Aid:
Costco is challenging the current hearing aid market model
Cool videos of people hearing for the first time (with the help of a hearing device)
If you’ve been following our series on hearing aids, you know that this is a 
selling hearing aids through 
that are subsidized by the sale of hearing aids. When a customer pays $5,000 for hearing aids, he’s paying perhaps $100 for the manufacturer’s cost, $900 for the manufacturer’s profit margin, $1,000 for the audiologist’s time, and then $3,000 to cover the overhead of an inefficient, legacy brick & mortar distribution system that will ultimately be made more efficient by the spread of online distribution. It’s important to understand that audiologists are not price gouging — but given their high fixed cost structure, they literally cannot make hearing aids affordable without going out of business. But the world is changing, and patient needs – not audiologist needs – will determine how hearing aids are distributed in the future. We believe that online hearing aid retailers, like Embrace Hearing, will soon dominate the hearing aid industry, leaving audiologists able to do the medical screenings and testing they are trained to do, and not the salesperson job that they are forced into.”
The Hearing Aid Market
The market for hearing aids is already huge. The NY Times reports that 37 million people already suffer from some form of hearing loss in the United States. We believe this number will skyrocket in the coming decade. Given so many of us will be 
First; The “completely-in-the-canal” fit: This style fits all the way inside the ear canal, and is barely noticeable (if at all). They are the smallest type hearing aid which means their batteries are also very small. This usually translates into shorter battery life mind you… The completely-in-the-canal hearing aids are typically ordered after a custom mould is taken. These types are great for use with telephones (your not bumping the hearing aid on the phone) and wind noise (the blowing wind) is minimized. The completely-in-the-canal hearing aids are targeted at individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Second; The “in-the-canal” fit: The in-the-canal fit doesn’t sit as far into the ear canal as the completely-in-the-canal fit (obviously). These hearing aids are usually custom molded, and also fitted for folks with mild to moderate hearing loss. Using the in-the-canal hearing aid in conjunction with a phone (at the same ear) is not much of a problem. People with smaller ear canals can have some trouble finding a good fit with these units. This fit is barely detectable by others, and quite conspicuous.
Third; The “in-the-ear” fit: The in-the-ear fit is just how it sounds. It fits nicely in the ear, but this unit is visible to folks that approach at an angle. All of these fits are personal, but frankly we don’t think that anyone needs to keep their hearing loss a secret. There millions of folks out there that admittedly have hearing loss, and millions more that aren’t doing a darn thing about it! OK back on task… In-the-ear hearing aids are custom made to fit your ear. These aids can pick up some wind noise, and can interfere with a telephone that might be resting on it (really depends on the fit and the phone). The larger physical size means that larger batteries can be utilized for more useful-life from the instrument. In-the-ear hearing aids are typically a little less expensive than their in-the-canal cousins. Choose these types for mild to severe hearing loss.
Fourth; The “behind-the-ear” models: Behind-the-ear hearing aids are designed to hook onto the top of the ear and rest conspicuously behind the ear. These models are sold either as an “open fit” or with an “ear mold” that fits into the ear. They are versatile, and quite popular choices for people with all grades of hearing loss (and for children). Behind-the-ear hearing aids are more visible, and larger as compared with the other in-the-ear models, but there are several brands that are making streamlined versions that are smaller and more comfortable to wear.
Costco is one of our favorite members-only retail outlets. They stock everything from detergents to computers and so much more! They have buyer programs for cars and trucks, and even host a 
