SAN DIEGO'S DISCOUNT HEARING CENTER |
Frequently Asked Questions (Click on question below)
We focus on premium hearing aid service, not sales, and save you money in two ways: 1. Low retail mark-ups on wholesale
hearing aid prices. This plan can mean huge financial savings for you. Most people paying the traditional price for hearing aids are unaware that usually $500 - $1500 (or more) of the price of each hearing aid is the retail mark-up that the dispenser charges for performing the initial fitting and all those "free office visits for 3 years". Those "free" office visits, however, are not free - you are paying the dispenser in advance for follow-up care, whether you intend to use it or not. If you rarely come in for follow-up care, move to another city or have a falling out with the dispenser, no money is given back. If the dispenser moves or goes out of business, no money is given back. At West Coast Audiology you will not pay in advance for future follow-up care after the first year, but only for the appointments you need at $25 per visit. Since 2-3 office visits a year is typical, you can expect to pay $50-$75 a year in follow-up hearing aid service. By charging you reasonable prices, and for only the services you use, we can save you $100's to $1000's on the cost of a pair of hearing aids.
Being fitted with a hearing aid is a three step process: 1. Initial
Consultation 2. Hearing Aid Fitting
Appointment 3. Follow-Up
Appointments
A good rule of thumb is to expect your hearing aids to last at least 5 years, though perhaps with some manufacturer repairs included during that time. Hearing aid technology is constantly being updated and upgraded, and the true longevity of emerging technology is not really known. Usually after 5 years hearing aid technology has changed enough that when a repair is needed on your current hearing aids, you will consider putting the money you would spend on a repair towards the purchase of a new hearing aids that will enhance your hearing even more.
When you purchase new hearing aids, they will come with a Repair Warranty, and a Loss & Damage Warranty from the manufacturer. Most of the hearing aids we dispense in a 3 year manufacturer warranty, and additional years of manufacturer warranty can sometimes be purchased. The Repair Warranty covers any repairs and servicing that is needed during the warranty period to the internal electronics of the hearing aid. Repairs needed on the external shell casing (e.g. cracked shell) are typically covered for one year from the date of purchase. Loss and Damage warranty covers a one time replacement of the hearing aid if it is lost or damaged beyond repair, and there is a deductible that you will need to pay, typically $250 per replaced hearing aid.
If your hearing aid is still covered for Loss and Damage, a replacement hearing aid (same model and style) can be ordered from the manufacturer. You will pay a deductible of $250 for each lost hearing aid. The Loss and Damage warranty does not cover earmolds, just the hearing aid itself. If the hearing aid was custom made (in-the-ear), has a custom made receiver that sits in the ear, or uses an earmold, a new earmold impression will need to be made in our office before a replacement hearing aid can be ordered. Once the hearing aid is received from the manufacturer, it will be programmed to match the previous hearing aid settings, and you will be fitted with your replacement hearing aid. The manufacturer's Loss and Damage warranty covers a one time replacement only, so if you want to continue to have warranty coverage for loss and damage, you can obtain coverage via a third party hearing aid insurer like ESCO.
Unless the hearing aid is a very old model, we will usually be able to send it in to the manufacturer for an out-of-warranty repair for about $200. With this repair you will also receive from the manufacturer a 6 month or one-year repair warranty, and so any additional repairs needed during this additional warranty period will be covered at no additional charge. If your manufacturer repair warranty has expired, you can also get warranty coverage through a hearing aid insurance company like ESCO.
|
Testimonials
Thank you for a very thorough evaluation. I have been wearing hearing aids for over 20 years, and no one has taken the time like you did. Your explanations were very clear.