How Much Do the Different Types of Hearing Aids Price?

Today’s audiologists provide a vast array of hearing aid options, each with specific benefits and drawbacks for different people depending on their demands related to hearing health. These hearing aids can also come in a wide range of price points.

In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids Price

People with medium to severe hearing loss are usually the best candidates for in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids. They fit entirely into the outer portion of the ear, as the name implies, and every part is protected by a sturdy plastic housing. One popular customized ITE hearing aid, the Widex Unique  ITE costs Tk 30,000.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids Price

People with mild to profound hearing loss typically use behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. Everything is housed in a plastic case behind the ear, which is attached to a custom earmold or a disposable plastic ear tip via a clear tubing that produces sound. The cost of a top BTE hearing aid, like the Widex  Enjoy or  Siemens Vibe P4, can range from Tk 20,000 to Tk 40,000.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids Price

Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids are intended for individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. They function by placing a small speaker inside the ear canal and supplying sound through a discrete speaker wire covered in plastic. An example of a well-known RIC hearing aid is the Tk 90,000 Widex moment Rechargeable & Bluetooth System.

In-the-Canal (ITC) Hearing Aids Price

In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids are designed to fit inside the ear canal and partially outside the ear to accommodate individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. All of the components are housed inside a thin, plastic shell. ITC hearing aids are available from Starkey at prices ranging from Tk 22,500 to Tk 1,00,000 above each.

Completely-in-Canal (CIC) Hearing Aids Price

Compared to in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids, completely in-canal (CIC) aids are smaller and less noticeable. They are made specifically to fit inside the ear canal. Usually, they are made to assist those who have mild to moderate hearing loss. Popular CIC hearing aids like the Widex Evoke CIC can run you anywhere from Tk 35,000 to 2,00,000 Tk above per aid, depending on the customizations and services you choose to bundle.

Invisible-in-Canal (IIC) Hearing Aids Price

Finally, the smallest available hearing aids are called invisible-in-canal (IIC) aids, which are similar to CIC aids in that they are positioned deep within the ear canal. The price of each Siemens Vibe Nano IIC hearing aid varies from Tk 40,000  based on the chosen customizations and services.

What’s Included in the Price of Hearing Aids?

Usually, professional services and hearing aids are sold together, so the sticker price includes everything. The amount you are quoted covers the retail cost of the hearing aids as well as the professional audiology services needed for fitting, programming, and maintaining the equipment for a predetermined amount of time—typically two to four years. Initial diagnostic testing may be provided at no cost or as part of a package deal.

Galatioto states that “follow-up visits are necessary when patients receive hearing aids.” With the bundled service model, you pay only for the necessary visits to the audiologist to adjust the fit and quality of your hearing aids, as well as for routine maintenance and repairs. On the other hand, a few providers have a cap on how many appointments they allow in a row.

It is possible to sell hearing aids “unbundled,” that is, without any accompanying medical services. The term “unbundling” is becoming more and more popular, particularly in light of the FDA’s proposed regulations pertaining to over-the-counter devices and the potential expansion of Medicare to cover devices and related services. In the unbundled model, you purchase the hearing aids and any associated services separately.

One or two follow-up office visits may also be included in the unbundled price; thereafter, you will be responsible for paying for each audiology office visit out of pocket. According to Galatioto, “the unbundled service model has a lower upfront cost, but it may cost as much as the bundled service model depending on the number of visits you need.”

According to Kim Cavitt, an audiologist based in Chicago and the owner of Audiology Resources, Inc., “the reality of the cost of hearing aids is that the price to the consumer is confounded by many variables: depth and breadth of the provider services provided to the consumer, the wholesale price to the provider, manufacturer clinic ownership, payer source and provider pricing, and delivery models.” For instance, the provider services make up between 30% and 40% of the total cost when a customer buys hearing aids from an unbundled independent hearing aid or audiology practice, through a third-party network, or at some Big Box retailers. The cost of provider services may represent a larger portion of the overall cost in scenarios involving the delivery of bundled hearing aids, according to the speaker.

A certified audiologist administers an audiogram, a hearing test, which is the first step in the process. Private health insurance usually covers a diagnostic audiogram (for more information, check your particular policy). It can assist in determining whether your hearing loss is age-related or the result of a medical condition that needs more monitoring and treatment.

Devices

The most expensive hearing aids, which cost about Tk 3,00,000 for all services combined, can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth. You can access Netflix, music, and other media via your hearing aids, as well as your phone, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and other conference calls. Additionally, some high-end hearing aids come equipped with artificial intelligence or machine learning, which the makers say helps deliver the cleanest, clearest sound possible in any given circumstance.

In addition, these hearing aids might be more discreet and compact than more affordable models. For example, Starkey’s Invisible (IIC) model sits deep in the second bend of your ear canal, making the hearing aid almost undetectable. Galatioto explains, “These smaller devices have to be custom made for patients to the specifications of the ear canal.” Rechargeable batteries, which can provide up to 30 hours of continuous use before needing to be recharged (usually done at night), are another feature of premium hearing aids.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, entry-level hearing aids range in price from Tk 18,000 to 1,00,000 above . With fewer channels and algorithms, these hearing aids usually have simpler technology that allows them to control and amplify sound and react to noisy environments. They may meet your listening needs and are not only less expensive but also simpler to use and learn.

Big-box stores like Vibe, on the other hand, have exceptionally low prices on hearing aids. At these stores, high-quality hearing aids can start at just Tk 20,000 Per Ear.

Fittings

The fitting, which entails physically fitting a hearing aid or component to the patient’s ear, is covered under the bundled service model. Your choice of hearing aid may require taking a physical mold of your ear.

During a fitting, the software of the device is updated with the audiogram results, allowing the hearing aid to be customized to your individual hearing level and ear characteristics. Galatioto states, “Every patient has a different ear and a different threshold for sound. Measuring the sound the hearing aid amplifies before it enters the ear canal and counting the decibels that patients hear are steps in the verification and validation process of programming hearing aids.

Galatioto adds, “And sometimes patients have to build up a tolerance for wearing a hearing aid.” “We might not fit them the same way a month later than we did the first day.”

Until you can hear well in situations like dining with friends in noisy restaurants, be ready to test your hearing aids in real life and see your audiologist multiple times. The University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Sciences’ Brian R. Earl, Ph.D., director of EARLAB, states that “sometimes it takes two or three troubleshooting follow-up appointments to get the sound right.”

Other Services

Audiologists can use vacuums and supersonic cleaners to professionally clean hearing aids that have become clogged with wax and moisture. The bundled price often includes professional maintenance checks every six months to ensure your hearing aids are functioning properly.

Warranties

The bundled price usually includes a manufacturer-specified one- to three-year warranty covering repair costs, and full replacements are usually one-time only and cost a specific amount per device. Galatioto states, “It is advised to use hearing aids during the entire waking hours, but they are machines, and they will break.”

You can choose to pay to extend the warranty coverage after it expires, but the cost may be high. You can also just pay to have something fixed if it breaks after the normal warranty expires, and the repair will come with a new warranty.

Why Should You Buy Hearing Aids?

Only one in five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America, but hearing health is a critical component of overall health and well-being. If left untreated, hearing loss can lead to an increase in cognitive decline, as well as exacerbate social isolation. Over time, both of these factors can contribute to dementia risk. Integrating hearing aids into your wellness plan is one of the easiest ways to mitigate these risks and continue living a balanced, fulfilling life.