How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost in 2022? What You Need to Know
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Did you know that only 17% of people aged 20 to 69 who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them? Hearing aids can improve your hearing and the quality of your life. There is also evidence that wearing hearing aids can reduce the risk of dementia and age-related cognitive decline. For those with hearing problems, the most common question they need answered is how much do hearing aids cost?
Since there are no downsides to the hearing device, we can only assume that the low number of hearing aid users is due to their price. The average cost of hearing aids is higher than most people would expect. So, how much do hearing aids cost, and why do they cost so much?
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How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost?
Hearing aid prices range from $299 to up to $6,000 and depend on various factors. The average cost for one hearing aid for adults is around $2,000. Since most people usually need a pair, buying hearing aids can set you back around $4,000.
Pediatric hearing aids are significantly more affordable. Purchasing hearing aids for children is further made easier by insurance providers. They will either cover hearing aids in full or offer financial assistance with the purchase.
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What’s Included in the Price?
The high cost of hearing aids can be attributed to more than just the quality of the hearing devices. The hearing care you will receive after you buy hearing aids is also factored into the price. This is called bundled pricing, and you’ll have a chance to choose which professional services you want.
Bundled Service
The bundled service usually includes a hearing test, consultation, hearing aid fittings, any further adjustments, routine cleanings, and a warranty. Different hearing aid providers offer different warranty policies.
Usually, warranties range from one to three years, including any repairs necessary and one replacement in case you lose the hearing devices. Your hearing care provider may include a set of batteries to set your hearing aids in motion.
Unbundled Service
Some hearing care professionals choose to ‘unbundle’ these costs to bring down the hearing aid costs for their patients. The unbundled service is cheaper because you can select which hearing care services you want to keep in your package.
You may choose to forgo all of them and simply buy the devices. Or you can include some like the warranty for repairs and replacement and pay for others, like cleanings and online hearing tests, as you go.
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What Influences the Cost of Hearing Aids?
So, how much do hearing aids cost? Well, the cost of hearing aids can depend on various factors. The most important ones are:
Hearing aid style and model
Technology level
Battery type
Operational features
Support and ongoing care
Insurance benefits
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Hearing Aid Style and Model
The cost of hearing aids depends on the style and model you choose to buy. More modern and sleek in-the-ear hearing aids will cost more than bulkier behind-the-ear styles. Most hearing aid manufacturers have previous models of the same product that cost less. The differences in features can be minimal.
Technology Level
The technology level of the hearing aid devices, much like any other device, will affect the price. Premium hearing aids with cutting-edge technology, the latest connectivity features, telecoil, wireless components, and other features will cost more.
Battery Type
Hearing aid prices can drop significantly if you choose disposable batteries. While disposable batteries may be the cheaper option at the moment, a rechargeable battery can help you save more money in the long term.
Operational Features
Cheap hearing aids can lack advanced operational features. Features like noise reduction, wind noise management, tinnitus-masking, directional microphones, and artificial intelligence will come at a higher price.
Support and Ongoing Care
The cost of hearing aids can also depend on the kind of support your hearing care professional will provide. Hearing assessment, fittings, cleanings, repairs, and other services you receive at your local hearing center can ramp up the cost of hearing aids.
Insurance Benefits
Your hearing aid costs can drop significantly if your insurance can cover the cost of hearing evaluation and devices. Some private insurers can provide financial assistance when you need to purchase hearing aids.
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How Much Do the Different Styles of Hearing Aids Cost?
A vast majority of hearing aids on the market today are digital hearing aids [1]. These come in different styles when it comes to the placement in the ear, and they can address different kinds of hearing loss. How much a hearing aid costs also depends on its style.
We look at the most common types of hearing aids below.
In-the-Ear (ITE)
ITE hearing aids go completely inside the outer part of the year. All the components are in the plastic case, custom-made to suit your ear. They are best for those with mild to severe hearing loss. In-the-ear hearing aids are less visible than BTE hearing aids, and there’s more space in the plastic case for hearing aid technology.
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The cost of ITE hearing aids depends on the technology stored in its case. Two hearing aids can cost from $1,000 to $6,000.
Receiver-In-Canal (RIC)
Receiver-in-canal (RIC) aids are also called receiver-in-the-ear hearing aids. As their name suggests, their receiver or speaker goes directly into the ear canal as opposed to the ear opening. The microphone and amplifier are behind the ear, connected with a subtle plastic speaker wire.
These are best for people with mild to profound hearing loss. RIC aids are less visible than other options and allow your ear canals to stay open. They are very comfortable and light, unlike their price, which can go up to $2,500 per hearing aid.
Behind-the-Ear (BTE)
Behind-the-ear (BTE) aids were the first modern hearing aids developed by hearing aid companies and are the most popular ones to this day [2]. All the hearing aid components are in the plastic case behind your ear, which is connected to the custom-made ear mold inside the ear.
They are used to help with severe and mild hearing loss. You can get quality BTE hearing aids for about $1,000 per piece. There are also more advanced versions called open-fit hearing aids, which are smaller. They fit entirely behind the ear with a narrow tube going inside the ear canal [3]. Open fit BTE aids are usually more expensive.
In-the-Canal (ITC)
In-the-canal hearing aids are very discreet. As the name suggests, they go inside the ear canal, but there is a lightweight plastic case in the outer part of the ear. That’s where all the technology is. ITC hearing aids are best for people with mild to severe hearing loss, and can cost about $2,500 per hearing aid.
Completely-In-Canal (CIC)
Completely-in-canal or CIC hearing aids are even more discreet than ITC ones. They fit inside the ear canal and have an almost-invisible short string for you to pull them out.
CIC hearing aids are lightweight and weigh about the same as a paper clip. The only shortcoming is that they can’t help with severe hearing loss. They are best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss and can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
Invisible-In-Canal (IIC)
Finally, invisible-in-canal or IIC are the most inconspicuous hearing aids available. They are custom-made to your ear size and fit entirely inside your ear canal, making them almost invisible to others.
IIC hearing aids are also very light. Like CIC, they are designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. They can cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per hearing aid, depending on the customization and bundle package you choose.
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Why Do Hearing Aids Cost So Much?
There are many reasons why high-quality hearing aids are expensive, and the answer isn’t that straightforward. Here are the most notable factors that go into hearing aid pricing.
Research and development: A big reason why hearing aids are costly is due to millions of dollars invested annually into research and development. Companies are trying to make hearing aids more discreet, powerful, and innovative. That’s the reason why we have high-quality hearing aids that are almost invisible today.
A small market: Hearing aid sales increased by 36.6% in 2021, with 4.7 million units sold [4]. That may sound like a lot, but it amounts to less than 1% of Americans, which is a very small market. Developing any product for such a small market is challenging, and prices are bound to be high.
Customization: Many high-quality hearing aids need to be custom-made to fit your ear or ear canal. Customization requires time, skill, and effort, making the product more expensive.
Professional services attached: To make sure your hearing aid benefits you the most, you should purchase it from a hearing care professional. They will need to test your hearing ability first, perform evaluations, fittings, customization, and ongoing care, which all factor into the hearing aid cost.
Warranties and return policies: Warranties and return policies are another reason why hearing aids are costly. They make it possible for you to return the device for a full or partial refund if you aren’t satisfied with it. If your device malfunctions, you can also get it repaired for free. Some warranties also make it possible for you to get a replacement if you lose your hearing aids.
Does Insurance Cover Hearing Aids?
Private health insurance usually doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids unless you are on a hearing, vision, and dental plan. On the other hand, Medicaid sometimes pays for hearing aids for adults, depending on your state. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of hearing aids for children when necessary, though.
Check with your insurance provider before you buy hearing aids. Sometimes, even if they don’t cover the cost of the device, they can provide financial assistance with testing, evaluation, and fittings.
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Hearing Aid Price List
Here are some of the most popular hearing aid devices with their prices, listed from the most expensive to the cheapest. The prices are for a pair.
Phonak Bolero M M70 - $2,810
Audeo Paradise P50 - $2,585
Eargo 5 - $2,450
Phonak Audeo Marvel M30 - $1,931
Oticon Siya 2 - $1,808
Unitron Moxi Blu 3 - $1,648
ReSound Key 2 - $1,514
Eargo Max - $1,450
Eargo Neo HiFi - $1,350
MDHearingaid Volt Max - $699.98
MDHearingaid Volt - $299.98
MDHearingaid Air - $299.98
Hearing Aids Cost FAQ
Below, we answer some of the most common questions about hearing health and how much hearing aids cost.
What Is the Actual Cost of a Hearing Aid?
Hearing aid prices vary from $300 to $6,000 for a pair. If this wide range seems confusing, you should remember that it includes the price to purchase hearing aids online. On average, high-quality hearing aids can cost about $2,000 per pair.
What Is the Best Hearing Aid at a Reasonable Price?
If you are not opposed to purchasing hearing aids online, MD Hearing Aid offers the best value for money. They sell hearing aids of different styles at a reasonable price. The prices range from $299.98 to $699.98 per pair.
Do Medicare Pay For Hearing Aids?
In most states, Medicare won’t cover the cost of hearing aids, nor will it offer financial assistance for tests and fittings. You will have to cover 100% of the price yourself. Medicare Advantage plans like Plan C might provide some financial assistance, so you should contact your provider to check [5].
Is It Worth Getting Hearing Aids?
Absolutely. It’s the best way to correct hearing loss and make it possible for you to hear the beautiful sounds of children laughing, birds chirping, and many more. Hearing aids can significantly improve the quality of your life and make you feel more present. There are no downsides to hearing devices, only upsides.
Final Thoughts
It’s no secret that hearing aids are costly. The average price for one hearing aid is around $2,000, though online brands have made them much more affordable. Hearing aids are expensive because they come with bundled services like tests, fittings, repairs, checkups, and possible replacements.
That being said, the value they bring to their users is immeasurable. Not only do they fix your hearing loss issues, but also they will improve your overall quality of life. Research also shows that wearing hearing aids can reduce the risk of dementia [6]. If you can afford them, it’s a no-brainer.
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Related articles:
References:
IEEE Pulse. “Hearing Aid History: From Ear Trumpets to Digital Technology.” IEEE Pulse, IEEE Pulse, 4 Mar. 2022, https://www.embs.org/pulse/articles/hearing-aid-history-from-ear-trumpets-to-digital-technology/.
“Timeline of Hearing Devices and Early Deaf Education.” Hearing Device Timeline, http://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/did/timeline/.
“Hearing Aids.” National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids.
Karl. “Hearing Aid Sales Increase by 37% in 2021.” The Hearing Review, 26 Jan. 2022, https://hearingreview.com/practice-building/marketing/surveys-statistics/hearing-aid-sales-increase-by-37-in-2021-and-by-12-over-2019#:~:text=The%20US%20hearing%20aid%20market%20rebounded%20from%20a%20net%20unit,above%20pre%2Dpandemic%202019%20levels.
“Hearing Aids.” Hearing Aid Coverage, https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hearing-aids.
Bucholc M;McClean PL;Bauermeister S;Todd S;Ding X;Ye Q;Wang D;Huang W;Maguire LP; “Association of the Use of Hearing Aids with the Conversion from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia and Progression of Dementia: A Longitudinal Retrospective Study.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia (New York, N. Y.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33614893/.
