I had a girlfriend that became a hearing aid technician. I helped her study a few weeks to pass the state exam. She made a fortune off of every person she sold a pair of hearing aids to. She never disclosed what the factory price was. I can tell you this-- "There were many days she made over $1000 per day." They are overpriced no matter how you look at it. It's a fantastic racket for anyone that has a good sales and speaking ability, and reasonable mental capacity to pass the state exam. She was a very attractive lady and I'm sure all the old gentlemen enjoyed having their hearing tested and didn't mind having their pockets picked for a few thousand dollars by this pretty lady. I heard she ended up married to the owner of the business.
really enjoyed reading your post, Tracy. I agree. This guy is just a mumbo jumbo salesman. I know too much about this industry. Reason #3 seems to be the 1 and only reason why they cost what they do. Monopolies call the shots.
Why are hearing aids so expensive? Industry GREED combined with 100% or more markup by the retailing. Even within the industry there is even more GREED. Siemens / Signia hearing aids are made in Singapore were the worker are paid less then $1 an hour. Siemens Micon, Binax Primax and NX are basically the same hearing aid. Why reinvent wheel? The 3 generations of hearing aids all use the same outer shell to save on engineering cost. The main thing that changes is the firmware. You will likely not notice any difference between the Siemens Micon, Binax Primax and NX. Like the Volkswagen Beetle the design stays the same for many years. Seek out ways to circumvent industry GREED.
It's ignorant to say the worker in Singapore were paid less than $1 an hour. Just because they are Asian doesn't mean that they are poor beggars in sweat shops like China workers. You should expand your horizon and see what Singapore is like.
Viewers this dude works for the industry. I had a car salesman once tell me that they have to up the price to keep the lights on and pay for the building. This guy is doing the same thing.
Louis - I disagree. Dr Cliff is actually providing an in-depth discussion of a myriad of hearing related topics of which expense is one. The Doc won't benefit from your purchase or non-purchase of a hearing aid, he's not offering on-line sales or service, but what he does offer is insight and information to make you a better consumer. I for one appreciate the information he is providing and was able to make a much more informed decision because his videos and discussions.
It's sad, because so many that can benefit from hearing aids simple don't, cost keeps them from getting them.... Sad all the way around... It's ridiculous when you consider a smart phone has 100 times the technology is a fraction of a cost of a hearing amplifier.....
It would be great for manufacturers to offer easy tweaking or in-app tweaking programs for customers to make their own tweaks until the sound quality is well accommodated. Avoiding many visits to clinics and thus reducing more professional expenses
I am so looking forward to Bose, Apple, Samsung and the other big tech companies get into the industry. Bluetooth earbuds sell for as little as $30 with a lithium rechargeable battery. And they work with iPhone and Android. There is no reason that Bose couldn't make something that blows away anything from Starkey or Phonak for $1200 retail.
Mate,,, incorporating a technology that is already distributed throughout the electronic device marketplace hardly warrants the need for any sort of mark up, research and development included.
Sounds like B.S. to me. My phone cost under $100 and has more R and D built into it any hearing aid on the market. Once again I call bull-shit on the research argument!
According to Fortune, the 2018 market for hearing aids was $3.19B in 2018. If the cost per aid was $3K, this would indicate that over 106.3M hearing aids were sold in the US alone.
They are medical devices. Anything and everything in the medical field is overpriced because people need them. Supply and demand. That said, hearing aids are more often than not needed by the wearer. They are not worn simply because they are wanted. They should be covered by health insurance because they are needed medical devices. I have great health insurance which will pay for policy holders to go to chiropractors when not needed at all, but refuse hearing aids. Ridiculous.
Dear Dr. Cliff, I really love your videos and keep watching them feeling absolutely enlightened about hearing aids. Everything is to the point and straightforward, Thank you! I have an important question to ask: I am about to get hearing aids for my 20 year-old son who has moderate hearing loss. He has chosen the top of the line Phonak Marvel rechargeable that can be used with his Android phone and that you pronounced the leader in 2019 market. Our audiologist (in Canada) told us that middle class Phonak Marvel will cost $4,500 (USD) and the top of the line will be approx. $6,000 USD service included. Is it a correct price or are we being overcharged? Both prices sound way over the top to me. Would be very grateful if you could give me an answer. What would be an average price for these hearing aids?
I bought 2 hearing aids for $900 from iHear (includes replacement for loss). With T-coils and digital noise reduction, but no bluetooth and I don’t think they have directional microphones. They are wonderful and greatly improve my hearing, but I’m sure I could have gotten better ones for $5000, but I was willing to make that trade off. I can program them myself at home at my own convenience, which I found very helpful. They will help you over the phone if you wish. Audiologists have a right to make a living and I’m sure their cut is not huge, but it’s just not worth it to me to get the “Mercedes” with all the bells and whistles and pampering, when my “Accord” quality aids do a very fine job. I went to a conference today in a large room which in the past I had a very difficult time hearing, but it was so clear with the new aids. I enjoy your videos and wish you the best.
Thanks Bobbie! I often say that better hearing isn't all about the hearing aids. Lower cost hearing aids can do a good job if they get you close to your prescription of amplification. If you got those programmed well that is awesome! You may have a future in Audiology!
Instead of investing in design professionals and innovations, manufacturers could partner with bluetooth technology and nanotech companies and innovate new launch products at low cost
R&D could emphasize longevity. 5 years is simply not a very long life. It's a little like a drug addiction in that once a person finds the tremendous benefits of excellent hearing it's very hard to go back to poor hearing.
The comparison between an Apple IPhone and a hearing aid is apples to oranges (no pun intended). One is only used by a small portion of the population while the other can be used by the majority of the population. Secondly, the sales of hearing aids has been increasing year after year with levels starting to even out in 2017. This means that if you follow the supply vs demand model you would lower cost of the supply was high and demand was low, but the manufacturers understand that they will have a market so they only make what is needed to keep the cost high because the demand is there. Can you show me your purchase price vs that of your consumer purchase price. Because it seems that with over 360 million people in the US and only about 1% are purchasing hearing aids annually, and with the having audiologist selling them, it seems that the high cost is more because of the audiologist pay than the actual equipment. With the amount of hearing aids sold in the US that’s only 60k sold in each state, how many audiologist are in each state selling them? This is how Costco has been able to sell 12% of the market for hearing aids
According to Consumer Reports 42% of people put off buying hearing aids due to the cost. If Medicare covered hearing issues there would be an immediate jump in the demand for hearing aids. One proposal for Medicare For All includes Dental, Vision & Hearing care. Dare I say .... It's proposed by Bernie Sanders though I can think of a few other candidates who would agree with his plan. Elizabeth Warren for one.
A question I've had for a long time is why don't the manufacturers, once they have a new product on the market, drastically reduce the older models and make them available for the masses. They are already tooled up and should have recouped their costs and hopefully made a profit and they could continue to make a profit off the older models. Not everyone, including myself, has to have the latest and greatest hearing aid. Millions more people could benefit from older models and there are always those who have to have the latest ones.
You answered your own question in your last sentence. If they drastically reduced the prices of their older models, a large percentage of users would just buy the deeply discounted older models and cannibalize their profits. This would stifle innovation of new and improved products.
i know many that would buy hearing aids if thay were a reasonable cost when some hearing aids cost as much as 6 iphone 10 SIX wtf. and you say hearing aid company's jack the price up because thay dont sell as many the reason you dont sell many if it costs so much. the Chinese giant will no doubt kill the over bloated prophets from the hearing aid company's. just another way to screw senior citizens that dont know any better are on a fixed income.
demibag actually this is not true. In countries that provide hearing aids for free the number of people that are fit with hearing aids are only slightly better than in the US.
I would of skipped trying to justify the price. It sounds like you were coached to what you say and you don't sound plausible. Your last point about professional service makes sense about bundling. You have to make a living. I bought hearing aids on Amazon that have 4 settings and 5 volume controls for $125.00 a piece and they work great which if you don't have $5000.00 or need Bluetooth in your ear you just eliminated the professional services cost and paid directly for the devices. You should review a pair and see if you find fault with them. I can't...
What a wonderful video excuse. Several twists or outright falsehoods presented... 1- volume/mass market. Comparing to the iPhone is pretty much apples to oranges (no pun intended). IF hearing device makers would ramp up production, the per-device cost would fall, just like any other consumer electronic. 2- the cost to the retailer/audiologist is well below the price they charge. As Tracy Sweny posted a few months ago - the markup on these devices is insane -
Your assessment is inaccurate. #1. Decreasing costs will not increase consumer purchasing. Other countries that provide FREE hearing aids have the same market penetration. They would just have more product with no one to buy it. Not a good idea. #2. Yes the cost of a device is less to a clinic than it is to a consumer. However, this is a service business. While some places likely charge too much for the lack of service they provide, hearing aids only work their best when professionally fit and programmed. However, you are entitled to your opinion, you are just missing some pretty standard facts in your argument.
The fact that third party payers are involved is a big driver of cost. (I.e. medicare and Insurance) i am pretty sure there is a thriving black market in people scamming insurance and medicare for hearing aids they don’t need or want and then just re selling them. All you have to do is look on ebay and see hundreds of hearing aids for sale that are “new never used” ...$500 for a model that the local audiology clinic wants $3600 for. And if you buy one of these off eBay, the clinic wants to charge you $500 to “program” it ....but if you were the original purchaser of the hearing aids they only charge $50 for programming. Your industry is rife with fraud and pricing abuses.
First, medicare does not cover hearing aids so that part of your statement is clearly false. If third party payers drives cost anywhere it is down, and significantly down. I am also pretty sure that you don't have many "consumers" scamming insurance to sell a hearing aid on Ebay for only $500. The reason the local audiology clinic charges $3,600 (which is WAY above the industry standard) is because it includes the hearing aids, fitting, warranty, and all follow-up care for the patient (sometimes as long as forever). So the $50 programming comment has no basis in fact. The one thing I agree with is that there is fraud in the industry, just like there is in banking, car sales/service, other medical fields, and literally any other industry you can name. However, most of the information you stated is just patently false.
Doctor Cliff, AuD okay, enlighten me as to where all of these $500 hearing aids on eBay come from? If it isn’t consumers, then clearly the mark up over wholesale prices is outrageous. Also, the fact that Medicare doesn’t pay is irrelevant...other private health insurance does. Third party payment is the main cost driver of ALL healthcare related expenses. When the payer is disconnected from the actual user of a service, there is never any incentive to control cost. You obviously have no clue about economics or the way any rational individual acts when faced with financial decisions. This is similar to why college tuition costs have skyrocketed. When anyone with a pulse can get $100k of student loans and obtain a degree in 18th century French poetry...colleges continue to ratchet up prices. Same thing for the pharmaceutical industry....prices ratcheted up continuously as most people don’t have to pay the full freight for any prescriptions they fill....just pay the copay. Hopefully OTC hearing aids will eventually wipe out all the charlatans in your industry.
Please post links to ALL of these $500 hearing aids that are on Ebay that are of equivalent value in a clinic of $3,600. The amount of health insurances that pay 100% of hearing aids are few and far between. If anything you say may have some aspect of truth it would likely be hearing aids provided by the VA. The VA gives hearing aids FREE to virtually any veteran with even a mild hearing loss. However, there are restrictions as to the frequency which they can dispense them to an individual. Quick question: Do you even know the average wholesale cost of different hearing aid technology levels? I happen to have a good understanding of economics. Clearly a better understanding than you have of the hearing industry. If you read research by Dan Ariely and Barry Schwartz which indicate that consumers are clearly not "rational" including when it comes to financial decision making. Your point of a $100k loan for a degree in poetry actually disproves your "rational" comment in the sentence preceding . You need to start researching Managed Care which is taking over the world of insurance in order to control costs. Under Managed Care, providers fit hearing aids on patients for less money than it typically takes to cover clinic costs. All while patients are still required to pay some amount to their own care. In fact, you may be the only person in history who thinks that insurance is a big player in hearing aids. Usually people complain because they are pissed that insurance doesn't cover hearing aids. I really have no idea where you are getting your basis of information, or why I took the time to respond to your comment because you are clearly trolling. I do however also hope that OTC does wipe out all of the charlatans in the industry. So at least we can agree on something. 😜
Haha and Tron was never seen again. Lots of misinformed (or perhaps just bitter) people considering their own opinion as fact, and easily called out when substantial evidence is requested.
Why do I sense that Apple and mass-produced gizmos sold on the internet will do to the hearing aid industry what they did to the camera industry? I could never afford to go to a camera store to buy a high-end Nikon for most of my life when they were the best cameras, but I always had the latest iPhone (and Airpods Pro, too). Just sayin'. Eventually, economic competition does work.
I’m reading all these nonsense below and I’d like to say something. Just so I can clarify and separate the pure stupidity of ppl reading comments here and there. I’m working at a hearing aid company and I’m literally doing everything there, optimising the sounds wanted on the device, service by either changing or fixing something, plus I’m making the silicone or acrylic resins/molds. The most important reason you ppl need to stick in your head is this, I graduate and still needed to study seminars either in hotels other companies and even pay for online knowledge libraries studying still after 8 years of graduation and working for already another 8 years to be able to keep up with all the different cases. Do you really except someone working on that kind of job doing all that for like 500$ a month or 600€? No one with actual knowledge is working at something like that for a salary smaller than 2000€ a month. Also note that in order to do that you need top notch equipment! Shouldering iron tips that’s thin as a hair and most companies do not provide these to their staff, can’t blame them. A Proper weller hearing station cost like 10k a microscope another 5 minimum, polymer UV lights, stirrer/heater. 3D PRINTERS. Are you even kidding me? You ppl spend for cars like 30k and can’t you not spend like the 1/10 years f that amount for the sensation of sound back again in your ear? Not gonna mention the free service that most technicians do on their own risk out of heart. Stay deff then and tar your money to your grave.
Really disappointed in this, it feels forced and just a bit phoney. Almost as if Dr Cliff really feels a bit uncomfortable with his scripted material. Hearing aids are clearly outrageously overpriced, and the big players must work together to keep it that way. It would be great to see a real alternative arrive to shake up this cosy cartel, or are the market opportunities too modest (or closed up) to encourage newcomers? Dr Cliff has blown his credibility with this one I think? Shame. P.S ... "Doctor" Cliff ???
Yep this sales guy pitch is totally one sided and lame. He just wants to justify his petty life. Reason number one is they have lame salesmen that make TH-cam videos that prop up their own greedy narrative
I checked out this clip with the notion that a plausible explanation as to why hearing aids are so expensive. I didn't hear an explanation that was convincing. Thankfully now we have real competition in the marketplace with direct to consumer opportunities and cutting out the middlemen who have been lining their pockets for way too long at the expense of folks with a hearing loss. Too frequently, the folks who are disadvantaged through illness or ailments and in many cases need medical aids of some form whether they be wheelchairs or bedpans and the myriad of other aids that are available - and I particularly include eyeglasses and hearing aids in this mix going to be taken advantage of. I have had several personal instances where the price of a medical aid was unjustifiably high and for no other reason than the suppliers and marketers are taking predatory advantage of those in need. Surprisingly, the audiologist in this clip made mostly commercial arguments to defend the high cost and not so much the technical discussion as I had expected. I remain convinced that the medical aid business is booming and greed and profit are the drivers of the practitioners and their suppliers. Next time you see a group of people in a photograph - mostly noticeable with teenagers and younger children - note the number that are wearing eye glasses .. what went so terribly wrong in our evolution suddenly whereby so many of us need eye glasses?
What are professional paid liar this guy is. In Canada the CBC has a show called Marketplace and they brought in an expert and he said the most expensive hearing aid ever made cost $60 in material. When he brings up Bluetooth they didn't invent Bluetooth and that's available on the smallest earbuds now and they didn't create that technology they borrowed it. This guy would never survive a court challenge.
I am 22 years old, very low paying job and I noticed today that the plastic casing on the outside of my mid-range Phonak Sky V (Left) is splintering. Medicare doesn't cover replacement and have already used the warranty. My hearing loss is moderate to severe on the left and mild to moderate in the right. I am unsure what to do as I don't have the kind of money to pay for replacement. I've had quite a few issues with the Phonak Sky V and I am wondering if I should look into a different brand. PS: I like your name
@@DrCliffAuD I actually discovered that the crack has no effect on my Hearing Aid efficiency, the diminished sound was actually that of a clogged ear mould. Blew them out and sound is clearer than ever. Just wish they sold the soaking agent in stores. 😂 My hearing aids are well loved.
Plastic is plastic they will degenerates or warp with time or heat. With the price paid for, the device should not be made from such material... that's a rip off. .
Unfortunately you created this … when people can’t afford to buy hearing aids which is essential to their life !!! My mom paid 6000 for three year warranty and free battery for two years … she saw this person twice … that to me was a rip off
I appreciate your information, however i'm in disagreement with some of your statements. Your industry is essentially been monopolized by a conglomerate who are dictating the exorbitant costs of purchasing and maintaining hearing aids. It is to the point the vast majority of those in the U.S. cannot afford hearing aids let alone be affordable to those in the rest of the world. This is creating a perfect storm for an industry disruptor to emerge and that storm has probably already hit land at least in other countries. The only thing essentially keeping cheaper products from flooding the market and taking the majority of the market is because the conglomerates stronghold over regulations. In my opinion, they are just as bad as the drug manufacturers. The smugness your industry has developed over the years from the manufacturers to the specialists working with the individuals of hearing disabilities is not going to last forever. In fact, it will be the undoing of your entire industry as it's seen today. That's probably going to happen sooner than you think.
Hi Dan. I don't disagree with most of your statements. However, there are affordable options at most clinics and even FREE hearing aids through programs like Starkey Hear Now www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org/hear-now. With the internet NOTHING is keeping cheap Chinese products from flooding the market. I see them every day in my clinic. I don't think "Smugness" is the correct word, I think the word you are looking for is "Greediness".
Concerned with the "greediness" of the hearing industry? Over a $3000 set of hearing aids (that includes service, support, and warranty)? What about the $100,000 hospital bills people get for getting their appendix removed without insurance? But you're over here complaining about $3000? Ok. Are you also tired of how expensive vehicles cost? The rising cost of housing? Inflation in general? Why isn't everything free? Actually, why aren't YOU being paid for the products you want or need? Dr. Cliff respectfully presented the actual reasons for the reasonable cost of current technology, and despite any disagreement you might have regarding that information..... he's an industry professional, actively working in the industry. You're not. How on earth would you have any inkling of what is happening or what the truth is? Do you have a source "inside"? I doubt it. Which makes your comment simply conjecture.
The problem that i see is that they cant fucking seem to stay the same model. as you dont need to fix what isnt broken.... and bluetooth in hearing aid..... You dont need to do that crap. you could seriously blow out your ear drum with bluetooth asif someone decided they wanted to hack into it and decide to crank the volume up ... there goes what little hearing you had left.
Greed doctors don't even live in the same world!!! I work for a lot of them on offices and houses ! Just walk out and look at there cars in the parking lot ! Go look at were that live ! I have flown in some of there privately owned planes. Greed ,how many you-tub videos are you going to make ? Need to make more really
The reason they don't sell as much as a cellular phone is because of the price. Baby boomers are needing these devices but many can't afford the outrageous price of them. I just spent over eight thousand dollars CAD for in the canal hearing aids that don't even have bluetooth or rechargeable batteries. Sorry Cliff, they are overpriced because they can make as much selling a couple million units, than selling many more units at a lesser price. Typical corporate greed at its ugliest. So Clifford, how much did you gross last year?
Hey Dan. Thanks for the comment. Hearing aids are free in many countries, yet their hearing aid adoption rates are nearly the same as the United States. If demand was higher, costs would be lower. That being said, I won't share my gross because you didn't share yours first. However, I drive a 2009 vehicle and live in a modest rental. But if it makes you feel better, you can imagine that I drive a Range Rover and live in a mansion. 😆
Methinks he protests too much. All electronics have an R and D background and cost barely anything. Regardless of how you spin it - THEY ARE TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE. Flaxen Saxon
@@DrCliffAuD All hearing aids or whatever name you call it has to use amplifiers no matter what type still needs a type of mini speaker. it's all sales talks and lots of bull shits. worst they are using plastics whether engineering type of plastic will degenerates in time. I say again all hearing aids has mini speakers no matter what types. Rip of prices of over 3k for some brand when the real device cost a fraction to manufacture and not perfected. just wait with the tempting high price some countries will come out with cheap compatible ones to put the present manufacture to pack up just like in some motor and film industries. selling the product at very high price and no life time guarantee is really rip off. also servicing and repairing it will costs a huge sum which will enslave users to be indebted just to keep the device working.
I still believe that brain cell has it own technology to analyze if you need a hearing device that suite for u, you can try the cheap one or the Ferrari or a porch one but still its your BIG brain to figure it out,, wonder when will a toyota type hearing aide will come to d rescue to say that this hI tech hearing aide is so expensive and so so OBSOLETE xd
Bullshit coward quit making excuses for ripping of people. Drop in the bucket research and engineering - show me the numbers, yes it costs a lot but they over engineer and overcharge based on that inflated price. There are two huge markups in the loop so that alone shows there is a problem - monopolies or price gouging
Yes real con.. just a mini wireless ear phone which is not new invention but different design. research only on design and reducing it to mini size power supply and noise suppressor and cosmetic looks of the device. that's not the excuse to sell at rocket high price. some manufacturers will sure to put them out of business by coming out with dirt cheap ones and they can't sue as the devices system and parts are not new inventions. has been in the market for many years.
Hi Rose. I'm sorry you didn't like video. The info in this video is not something people typically like to hear. However, if you are looking for ways to save money on hearing treatment please check out my video about how to save money on hearing aids: th-cam.com/video/cak7mlwHPbY/w-d-xo.html
I had a girlfriend that became a hearing aid technician. I helped her study a few weeks to pass the state exam. She made a fortune off of every person she sold a pair of hearing aids to. She never disclosed what the factory price was. I can tell you this-- "There were many days she made over $1000 per day." They are overpriced no matter how you look at it. It's a fantastic racket for anyone that has a good sales and speaking ability, and reasonable mental capacity to pass the state exam. She was a very attractive lady and I'm sure all the old gentlemen enjoyed having their hearing tested and didn't mind having their pockets picked for a few thousand dollars by this pretty lady. I heard she ended up married to the owner of the business.
Mary?
really enjoyed reading your post, Tracy. I agree. This guy is just a mumbo jumbo salesman. I know too much about this industry. Reason #3 seems to be the 1 and only reason why they cost what they do. Monopolies call the shots.
what da hell
Total B.S.
Still a total rip off no matter what you say !!
Ok
Why are hearing aids so expensive? Industry GREED combined with 100% or more markup by the retailing. Even within the industry there is even more GREED. Siemens / Signia hearing aids are made in Singapore were the worker are paid less then $1 an hour. Siemens Micon, Binax Primax and NX are basically the same hearing aid. Why reinvent wheel? The 3 generations of hearing aids all use the same outer shell to save on engineering cost. The main thing that changes is the firmware. You will likely not notice any difference between the Siemens Micon, Binax Primax and NX. Like the Volkswagen Beetle the design stays the same for many years. Seek out ways to circumvent industry GREED.
It's ignorant to say the worker in Singapore were paid less than $1 an hour. Just because they are Asian doesn't mean that they are poor beggars in sweat shops like China workers. You should expand your horizon and see what Singapore is like.
Have you been out of where you are? Singapore workers paid less than $1 ??
Viewers this dude works for the industry. I had a car salesman once tell me that they have to up the price to keep the lights on and pay for the building. This guy is doing the same thing.
What do you do for a career Louis?
Louis - I disagree. Dr Cliff is actually providing an in-depth discussion of a myriad of hearing related topics of which expense is one. The Doc won't benefit from your purchase or non-purchase of a hearing aid, he's not offering on-line sales or service, but what he does offer is insight and information to make you a better consumer. I for one appreciate the information he is providing and was able to make a much more informed decision because his videos and discussions.
It's sad, because so many that can benefit from hearing aids simple don't, cost keeps them from getting them.... Sad all the way around... It's ridiculous when you consider a smart phone has 100 times the technology is a fraction of a cost of a hearing amplifier.....
It would be great for manufacturers to offer easy tweaking or in-app tweaking programs for customers to make their own tweaks until the sound quality is well accommodated.
Avoiding many visits to clinics and thus reducing more professional expenses
I am so looking forward to Bose, Apple, Samsung and the other big tech companies get into the industry. Bluetooth earbuds sell for as little as $30 with a lithium rechargeable battery. And they work with iPhone and Android. There is no reason that Bose couldn't make something that blows away anything from Starkey or Phonak for $1200 retail.
Not sure they would or could make something that blows away Starkey or Phonak, but they probably will make a product that is $1,200 or less.
The ones of us that have good sense, knows why they are so expensive and it's called GREED!!!!
🙄
Spoken like someone who makes a living selling hearing aids for a great profit
Mate,,, incorporating a technology that is already distributed throughout the electronic device marketplace hardly warrants the need for any sort of mark up, research and development included.
Sounds like B.S. to me. My phone cost under $100 and has more R and D built into it any hearing aid on the market. Once again I call bull-shit on the research argument!
According to Fortune, the 2018 market for hearing aids was $3.19B in 2018. If the cost per aid was $3K, this would indicate that over 106.3M hearing aids were sold in the US alone.
They are medical devices. Anything and everything in the medical field is overpriced because people need them. Supply and demand. That said, hearing aids are more often than not needed by the wearer. They are not worn simply because they are wanted. They should be covered by health insurance because they are needed medical devices. I have great health insurance which will pay for policy holders to go to chiropractors when not needed at all, but refuse hearing aids. Ridiculous.
Dear Dr. Cliff, I really love your videos and keep watching them feeling absolutely enlightened about hearing aids. Everything is to the point and straightforward, Thank you!
I have an important question to ask: I am about to get hearing aids for my 20 year-old son who has moderate hearing loss. He has chosen the top of the line Phonak Marvel rechargeable that can be used with his Android phone and that you pronounced the leader in 2019 market. Our audiologist (in Canada) told us that middle class Phonak Marvel will cost $4,500 (USD) and the top of the line will be approx. $6,000 USD service included. Is it a correct price or are we being overcharged? Both prices sound way over the top to me. Would be very grateful if you could give me an answer. What would be an average price for these hearing aids?
This guy is a snake oil salesman. His entire video are lame excuses You are right they are over priced!!!
Notice that after 3 years, he hasn't answered a direct question about cost. I've lost a lot respect for this pandering by Dr. Cliff.
I bought 2 hearing aids for $900 from iHear (includes replacement for loss). With T-coils and digital noise reduction, but no bluetooth and I don’t think they have directional microphones. They are wonderful and greatly improve my hearing, but I’m sure I could have gotten better ones for $5000, but I was willing to make that trade off. I can program them myself at home at my own convenience, which I found very helpful. They will help you over the phone if you wish. Audiologists have a right to make a living and I’m sure their cut is not huge, but it’s just not worth it to me to get the “Mercedes” with all the bells and whistles and pampering, when my “Accord” quality aids do a very fine job. I went to a conference today in a large room which in the past I had a very difficult time hearing, but it was so clear with the new aids. I enjoy your videos and wish you the best.
Thanks Bobbie! I often say that better hearing isn't all about the hearing aids. Lower cost hearing aids can do a good job if they get you close to your prescription of amplification. If you got those programmed well that is awesome! You may have a future in Audiology!
It's all about money in this World..So depressing..
Instead of investing in design professionals and innovations, manufacturers could partner with bluetooth technology and nanotech companies and innovate new launch products at low cost
I call B.S.
R&D could emphasize longevity. 5 years is simply not a very long life. It's a little like a drug addiction in that once a person finds the tremendous benefits of excellent hearing it's very hard to go back to poor hearing.
I have patients in hearing aids that are over 12 years old and are still working well.
The comparison between an Apple IPhone and a hearing aid is apples to oranges (no pun intended). One is only used by a small portion of the population while the other can be used by the majority of the population. Secondly, the sales of hearing aids has been increasing year after year with levels starting to even out in 2017. This means that if you follow the supply vs demand model you would lower cost of the supply was high and demand was low, but the manufacturers understand that they will have a market so they only make what is needed to keep the cost high because the demand is there.
Can you show me your purchase price vs that of your consumer purchase price. Because it seems that with over 360 million people in the US and only about 1% are purchasing hearing aids annually, and with the having audiologist selling them, it seems that the high cost is more because of the audiologist pay than the actual equipment. With the amount of hearing aids sold in the US that’s only 60k sold in each state, how many audiologist are in each state selling them?
This is how Costco has been able to sell 12% of the market for hearing aids
According to Consumer Reports 42% of people put off buying hearing aids due to the cost. If Medicare covered hearing issues there would be an immediate jump in the demand for hearing aids. One proposal for Medicare For All includes Dental, Vision & Hearing care. Dare I say .... It's proposed by Bernie Sanders though I can think of a few other candidates who would agree with his plan. Elizabeth Warren for one.
A question I've had for a long time is why don't the manufacturers, once they have a new product on the market, drastically reduce the older models and make them available for the masses. They are already tooled up and should have recouped their costs and hopefully made a profit and they could continue to make a profit off the older models. Not everyone, including myself, has to have the latest and greatest hearing aid. Millions more people could benefit from older models and there are always those who have to have the latest ones.
You answered your own question in your last sentence. If they drastically reduced the prices of their older models, a large percentage of users would just buy the deeply discounted older models and cannibalize their profits. This would stifle innovation of new and improved products.
If they are marked up to begin with is this not still a good thing for the consumer?
i know many that would buy hearing aids if thay were a reasonable cost when some hearing aids cost as much as 6 iphone 10 SIX wtf. and you say hearing aid company's jack the price up because thay dont sell as many the reason you dont sell many if it costs so much. the Chinese giant will no doubt kill the over bloated prophets from the hearing aid company's. just another way to screw senior citizens that dont know any better are on a fixed income.
demibag actually this is not true. In countries that provide hearing aids for free the number of people that are fit with hearing aids are only slightly better than in the US.
I would of skipped trying to justify the price. It sounds like you were coached to what you say and you don't sound plausible. Your last point about professional service makes sense about bundling. You have to make a living. I bought hearing aids on Amazon that have 4 settings and 5 volume controls for $125.00 a piece and they work great which if you don't have $5000.00 or need Bluetooth in your ear you just eliminated the professional services cost and paid directly for the devices. You should review a pair and see if you find fault with them. I can't...
What a wonderful video excuse. Several twists or outright falsehoods presented... 1- volume/mass market. Comparing to the iPhone is pretty much apples to oranges (no pun intended). IF hearing device makers would ramp up production, the per-device cost would fall, just like any other consumer electronic. 2- the cost to the retailer/audiologist is well below the price they charge. As Tracy Sweny posted a few months ago - the markup on these devices is insane -
Your assessment is inaccurate. #1. Decreasing costs will not increase consumer purchasing. Other countries that provide FREE hearing aids have the same market penetration. They would just have more product with no one to buy it. Not a good idea. #2. Yes the cost of a device is less to a clinic than it is to a consumer. However, this is a service business. While some places likely charge too much for the lack of service they provide, hearing aids only work their best when professionally fit and programmed. However, you are entitled to your opinion, you are just missing some pretty standard facts in your argument.
@@DrCliffAuD Interesting, as much of my opinion is based on discussions with some folks in the industry...
@@DrCliffAuD Educating those who would benefit would have to be part of the bargain. Which countries are providing free hearing aids?
Hearing aids should not be the 3rd biggest purchase of most folks
The fact that third party payers are involved is a big driver of cost. (I.e. medicare and Insurance) i am pretty sure there is a thriving black market in people scamming insurance and medicare for hearing aids they don’t need or want and then just re selling them. All you have to do is look on ebay and see hundreds of hearing aids for sale that are “new never used” ...$500 for a model that the local audiology clinic wants $3600 for. And if you buy one of these off eBay, the clinic wants to charge you $500 to “program” it ....but if you were the original purchaser of the hearing aids they only charge $50 for programming. Your industry is rife with fraud and pricing abuses.
First, medicare does not cover hearing aids so that part of your statement is clearly false. If third party payers drives cost anywhere it is down, and significantly down. I am also pretty sure that you don't have many "consumers" scamming insurance to sell a hearing aid on Ebay for only $500. The reason the local audiology clinic charges $3,600 (which is WAY above the industry standard) is because it includes the hearing aids, fitting, warranty, and all follow-up care for the patient (sometimes as long as forever). So the $50 programming comment has no basis in fact. The one thing I agree with is that there is fraud in the industry, just like there is in banking, car sales/service, other medical fields, and literally any other industry you can name. However, most of the information you stated is just patently false.
Doctor Cliff, AuD okay, enlighten me as to where all of these $500 hearing aids on eBay come from? If it isn’t consumers, then clearly the mark up over wholesale prices is outrageous. Also, the fact that Medicare doesn’t pay is irrelevant...other private health insurance does. Third party payment is the main cost driver of ALL healthcare related expenses. When the payer is disconnected from the actual user of a service, there is never any incentive to control cost. You obviously have no clue about economics or the way any rational individual acts when faced with financial decisions. This is similar to why college tuition costs have skyrocketed. When anyone with a pulse can get $100k of student loans and obtain a degree in 18th century French poetry...colleges continue to ratchet up prices. Same thing for the pharmaceutical industry....prices ratcheted up continuously as most people don’t have to pay the full freight for any prescriptions they fill....just pay the copay. Hopefully OTC hearing aids will eventually wipe out all the charlatans in your industry.
Please post links to ALL of these $500 hearing aids that are on Ebay that are of equivalent value in a clinic of $3,600. The amount of health insurances that pay 100% of hearing aids are few and far between. If anything you say may have some aspect of truth it would likely be hearing aids provided by the VA. The VA gives hearing aids FREE to virtually any veteran with even a mild hearing loss. However, there are restrictions as to the frequency which they can dispense them to an individual. Quick question: Do you even know the average wholesale cost of different hearing aid technology levels?
I happen to have a good understanding of economics. Clearly a better understanding than you have of the hearing industry. If you read research by Dan Ariely and Barry Schwartz which indicate that consumers are clearly not "rational" including when it comes to financial decision making. Your point of a $100k loan for a degree in poetry actually disproves your "rational" comment in the sentence preceding . You need to start researching Managed Care which is taking over the world of insurance in order to control costs. Under Managed Care, providers fit hearing aids on patients for less money than it typically takes to cover clinic costs. All while patients are still required to pay some amount to their own care. In fact, you may be the only person in history who thinks that insurance is a big player in hearing aids. Usually people complain because they are pissed that insurance doesn't cover hearing aids.
I really have no idea where you are getting your basis of information, or why I took the time to respond to your comment because you are clearly trolling.
I do however also hope that OTC does wipe out all of the charlatans in the industry. So at least we can agree on something. 😜
Haha and Tron was never seen again.
Lots of misinformed (or perhaps just bitter) people considering their own opinion as fact, and easily called out when substantial evidence is requested.
Why do I sense that Apple and mass-produced gizmos sold on the internet will do to the hearing aid industry what they did to the camera industry? I could never afford to go to a camera store to buy a high-end Nikon for most of my life when they were the best cameras, but I always had the latest iPhone (and Airpods Pro, too). Just sayin'. Eventually, economic competition does work.
I’m reading all these nonsense below and I’d like to say something. Just so I can clarify and separate the pure stupidity of ppl reading comments here and there.
I’m working at a hearing aid company and I’m literally doing everything there, optimising the sounds wanted on the device, service by either changing or fixing something, plus I’m making the silicone or acrylic resins/molds.
The most important reason you ppl need to stick in your head is this, I graduate and still needed to study seminars either in hotels other companies and even pay for online knowledge libraries studying still after 8 years of graduation and working for already another 8 years to be able to keep up with all the different cases.
Do you really except someone working on that kind of job doing all that for like 500$ a month or 600€?
No one with actual knowledge is working at something like that for a salary smaller than 2000€ a month.
Also note that in order to do that you need top notch equipment! Shouldering iron tips that’s thin as a hair and most companies do not provide these to their staff, can’t blame them.
A Proper weller hearing station cost like 10k a microscope another 5 minimum, polymer UV lights, stirrer/heater. 3D PRINTERS. Are you even kidding me? You ppl spend for cars like 30k and can’t you not spend like the 1/10 years f that amount for the sensation of sound back again in your ear? Not gonna mention the free service that most technicians do on their own risk out of heart.
Stay deff then and tar your money to your grave.
Big mad when ur boss keeps profits for himself. Lol
Sir please tell me
If I start use hearing aid then should I wear hearing aid my whole life or it's possible to stop using aid after some years
Whole life until a cure is discovered.
Really disappointed in this, it feels forced and just a bit phoney. Almost as if Dr Cliff really feels a bit uncomfortable with his scripted material. Hearing aids are clearly outrageously overpriced, and the big players must work together to keep it that way. It would be great to see a real alternative arrive to shake up this cosy cartel, or are the market opportunities too modest (or closed up) to encourage newcomers? Dr Cliff has blown his credibility with this one I think? Shame.
P.S ... "Doctor" Cliff ???
Yep this sales guy pitch is totally one sided and lame. He just wants to justify his petty life. Reason number one is they have lame salesmen that make TH-cam videos that prop up their own greedy narrative
I checked out this clip with the notion that a plausible explanation as to why hearing aids are so expensive. I didn't hear an explanation that was convincing. Thankfully now we have real competition in the marketplace with direct to consumer opportunities and cutting out the middlemen who have been lining their pockets for way too long at the expense of folks with a hearing loss. Too frequently, the folks who are disadvantaged through illness or ailments and in many cases need medical aids of some form whether they be wheelchairs or bedpans and the myriad of other aids that are available - and I particularly include eyeglasses and hearing aids in this mix going to be taken advantage of. I have had several personal instances where the price of a medical aid was unjustifiably high and for no other reason than the suppliers and marketers are taking predatory advantage of those in need. Surprisingly, the audiologist in this clip made mostly commercial arguments to defend the high cost and not so much the technical discussion as I had expected. I remain convinced that the medical aid business is booming and greed and profit are the drivers of the practitioners and their suppliers. Next time you see a group of people in a photograph - mostly noticeable with teenagers and younger children - note the number that are wearing eye glasses .. what went so terribly wrong in our evolution suddenly whereby so many of us need eye glasses?
The market ie. "the consumer" ultimately decides the cost of hearing aids. So at the end of the day, trying to identify the variables is pointless.
What are professional paid liar this guy is. In Canada the CBC has a show called Marketplace and they brought in an expert and he said the most expensive hearing aid ever made cost $60 in material. When he brings up Bluetooth they didn't invent Bluetooth and that's available on the smallest earbuds now and they didn't create that technology they borrowed it. This guy would never survive a court challenge.
Your comment confuses me. Please manufacturer a hearing aid for $60 and send it to me so I can review it.
@@DrCliffAuD go and buy one made in china
I am 22 years old, very low paying job and I noticed today that the plastic casing on the outside of my mid-range Phonak Sky V (Left) is splintering. Medicare doesn't cover replacement and have already used the warranty. My hearing loss is moderate to severe on the left and mild to moderate in the right. I am unsure what to do as I don't have the kind of money to pay for replacement. I've had quite a few issues with the Phonak Sky V and I am wondering if I should look into a different brand.
PS: I like your name
Hi Cliff, I'm not sure I would have another recommendation if you couldn't afford a new hearing aid anyway.
@@DrCliffAuD I actually discovered that the crack has no effect on my Hearing Aid efficiency, the diminished sound was actually that of a clogged ear mould. Blew them out and sound is clearer than ever. Just wish they sold the soaking agent in stores. 😂 My hearing aids are well loved.
Plastic is plastic they will degenerates or warp with time or heat. With the price paid for, the device should not be made from such material... that's a rip off. .
Unfortunately you created this … when people can’t afford to buy hearing aids which is essential to their life !!! My mom paid 6000 for three year warranty and free battery for two years … she saw this person twice … that to me was a rip off
Because other people needs to stomp on their patients to get their money and finance their lifestyle.
Not sure I follow what you are saying.
somebody hear about ACOSOUND hearing devices???
Looks like they may be self-programmable devices. I may need to order a set to review.
I cost millions an millions to figure out how to put bluetooth into a hearing aid? I'm skeptical.
I appreciate your information, however i'm in disagreement with some of your statements.
Your industry is essentially been monopolized by a conglomerate who are dictating the exorbitant costs of purchasing and maintaining hearing aids. It is to the point the vast majority of those in the U.S. cannot afford hearing aids let alone be affordable to those in the rest of the world. This is creating a perfect storm for an industry disruptor to emerge and that storm has probably already hit land at least in other countries.
The only thing essentially keeping cheaper products from flooding the market and taking the majority of the market is because the conglomerates stronghold over regulations. In my opinion, they are just as bad as the drug manufacturers.
The smugness your industry has developed over the years from the manufacturers to the specialists working with the individuals of hearing disabilities is not going to last forever. In fact, it will be the undoing of your entire industry as it's seen today. That's probably going to happen sooner than you think.
Hi Dan. I don't disagree with most of your statements. However, there are affordable options at most clinics and even FREE hearing aids through programs like Starkey Hear Now www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org/hear-now. With the internet NOTHING is keeping cheap Chinese products from flooding the market. I see them every day in my clinic. I don't think "Smugness" is the correct word, I think the word you are looking for is "Greediness".
Concerned with the "greediness" of the hearing industry? Over a $3000 set of hearing aids (that includes service, support, and warranty)? What about the $100,000 hospital bills people get for getting their appendix removed without insurance? But you're over here complaining about $3000? Ok.
Are you also tired of how expensive vehicles cost? The rising cost of housing? Inflation in general? Why isn't everything free? Actually, why aren't YOU being paid for the products you want or need?
Dr. Cliff respectfully presented the actual reasons for the reasonable cost of current technology, and despite any disagreement you might have regarding that information..... he's an industry professional, actively working in the industry. You're not. How on earth would you have any inkling of what is happening or what the truth is? Do you have a source "inside"? I doubt it.
Which makes your comment simply conjecture.
The problem that i see is that they cant fucking seem to stay the same model. as you dont need to fix what isnt broken.... and bluetooth in hearing aid..... You dont need to do that crap. you could seriously blow out your ear drum with bluetooth asif someone decided they wanted to hack into it and decide to crank the volume up ... there goes what little hearing you had left.
That's a pretty wild conspiracy theory.
all i know is that my mom is poor and she hasnt gotten a hearing aid and she has medicaid
Greed doctors don't even live in the same world!!! I work for a lot of them on offices and houses ! Just walk out and look at there cars in the parking lot ! Go look at were that live ! I have flown in some of there privately owned planes. Greed ,how many you-tub videos are you going to make ? Need to make more really
$3000-$4000??? What about $5000-$8000???
The reason they don't sell as much as a cellular phone is because of the price. Baby boomers are needing these devices but many can't afford the outrageous price of them. I just spent over eight thousand dollars CAD for in the canal hearing aids that don't even have bluetooth or rechargeable batteries. Sorry Cliff, they are overpriced because they can make as much selling a couple million units, than selling many more units at a lesser price. Typical corporate greed at its ugliest. So Clifford, how much did you gross last year?
Hey Dan. Thanks for the comment. Hearing aids are free in many countries, yet their hearing aid adoption rates are nearly the same as the United States. If demand was higher, costs would be lower. That being said, I won't share my gross because you didn't share yours first. However, I drive a 2009 vehicle and live in a modest rental. But if it makes you feel better, you can imagine that I drive a Range Rover and live in a mansion. 😆
People don't have the money anymore
i cannot afford hearing aids
Methinks he protests too much. All electronics have an R and D background and cost barely anything. Regardless of how you spin it - THEY ARE TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE. Flaxen Saxon
My health insurance company gives me a referral to get me a 60% discount!
why hearing aids on aliexpress cost 20$ then? ??
They are just amplifiers not hearing aids. Piece of junk amplifiers too! You can go ahead and try them if you want. 😉
@@DrCliffAuD ok whats the differences? is hearing aid a smart device or something?
@@DrCliffAuD All hearing aids or whatever name you call it has to use amplifiers no matter what type still needs a type of mini speaker. it's all sales talks and lots of bull shits. worst they are using plastics whether engineering type of plastic will degenerates in time. I say again all hearing aids has mini speakers no matter what types. Rip of prices of over 3k for some brand when the real device cost a fraction to manufacture and not perfected. just wait with the tempting high price some countries will come out with cheap compatible ones to put the present manufacture to pack up just like in some motor and film industries. selling the product at very high price and no life time guarantee is really rip off. also servicing and repairing it will costs a huge sum which will enslave users to be indebted just to keep the device working.
I still believe that brain cell has it own technology to analyze if you need a hearing device that suite for u, you can try the cheap one or the Ferrari or a porch one but still its your BIG brain to figure it out,, wonder when will a toyota type hearing aide will come to d rescue to say that this hI tech hearing aide is so expensive and so so OBSOLETE xd
GREED
Explain
hearing aid shill. They are only this expensive where gov allows these companies to rip you of, Go check the prices in Europe.
Bullshit coward quit making excuses for ripping of people. Drop in the bucket research and engineering - show me the numbers, yes it costs a lot but they over engineer and overcharge based on that inflated price. There are two huge markups in the loop so that alone shows there is a problem - monopolies or price gouging
Yes real con.. just a mini wireless ear phone which is not new invention but different design. research only on design and reducing it to mini size power supply and noise suppressor and cosmetic looks of the device. that's not the excuse to sell at rocket high price. some manufacturers will sure to put them out of business by coming out with dirt cheap ones and they can't sue as the devices system and parts are not new inventions. has been in the market for many years.
Blah blah blah.
Hi Rose. I'm sorry you didn't like video. The info in this video is not something people typically like to hear. However, if you are looking for ways to save money on hearing treatment please check out my video about how to save money on hearing aids: th-cam.com/video/cak7mlwHPbY/w-d-xo.html