When it comes acquiring hearing aids, it’s important to take your time and do your research to find the best device to satisfy your hearing needs. After all, a hearing aid is a complex and advanced medical device, not a temporary accessory to be picked up alongside your groceries.
Additionally, having an acute understanding of hearing aid technologies and how they correlate to your very specific and unique level of hearing loss without the assistance of a hearing specialist is near impossible.
Most individuals are tempted to turn to big box stores in search of a bargain. We can’t blame people for being bargain shoppers (we’re right there with you!) but price should not be the single deciding factor when selecting a hearing aid. We’ve all heard the old adage “You get what you pay for.”
At best, getting your hearing device from a big box store means you’re missing out on valuable services such as hearing aid programming, custom fit devices, regular maintenance, and other aftercare benefits. These services are essential to ensuring your hearing aid is properly treating your individual hearing loss. At worst, you waste your money and time on a hearing aid that will not suitably address your hearing loss or could possibly damage your hearing even further.
The Advantages of Purchasing a Hearing Aid from a Local Provider
A qualified hearing health provider is someone who has been professionally trained in the science of hearing health and is equipped with an understanding of hearing related disorders. Hearing Instrument Specialists are able to diagnose, evaluate, and treat an individual’s hearing loss with incredible success and accuracy. It is difficult to believe anyone would leave their hearing health up to the for-profit approach of a big box store.
With personalized care and attention, a local hearing healthcare provider offers…
Hearing Health Benefits Over Profits
Hearing health professionals offer their services and treatment of hearing loss for the sole goal of improving their patient’s health and wellbeing. Their livelihood and professional reputation lie in their ability to change lives for the better.
The reality of big box and retail stores is that they are without question; profit-driven. They’re able to purchase hearing devices at bulk prices and equipped with the standard basic technologies so they may sell as many devices as possible as quickly as possible.
This leaves many consumers at a huge disadvantage when they realize their hearing loss isn’t being properly treated and they have no professional support network to assist them with the many aftercare services they will eventually need. No matter where you purchase a hearing aid, it will require professional programming, cleaning, and repair at some point. Not to mention your hearing loss will change over time and investing in the right device today will save you time, money, and headaches tomorrow.
Personally Selected Hearing Aids & Technology
A local hearing health provider is instrumental in helping you understand the pros and cons of each hearing aid style, technology, feature, and accessory. This knowledge will allow you to choose the hearing aid style and level of technology that is right for you. Differences in lifestyle, dexterity, aesthetics, and of course, hearing loss severity determine which aid will be the perfect fit. A hearing provider will guide you to the best hearing aid to treat your specific level of hearing loss.
Hearing loss is a complicated issue that cannot be fixed with a one-size-fits-all approach, many areas of your life are affected by hearing loss and getting the most out of your hearing device can be life-changing. Quality personalized care makes all the difference.
Personalized Hearing Health Care
When you utilize the services of a local hearing provider, you’ll receive personally tailored services long after you take your hearing aid home. Not only will a local hearing provider make certain you have selected the correct device for your level of hearing loss but they will also custom fit, program, and teach you how to fully utilize your new device. On top of all that, they can provide cleaning and maintenance services, performance updates, and conduct annual hearing tests to help you record and monitor your hearing loss.
If ever you have a question or concern regarding your hearing aid, you can be certain a local hearing provider will be there to assist you. Try calling the customer support line at a big box store and you will soon learn they are not the qualified hearing professionals you may have thought them to be.
The Disadvantages of Purchasing a Hearing Aid from a Big Box Store
Limited Style & Technology
Big box stores often carry narrow selections of hearing aid styles that are actually limited versions of comparable models designed specifically for bulk sales with a one size fits all approach. They will not offer the latest technologies and as a consequence, may not be the best option for your specific level of hearing loss. When purchasing a hearing aid, you want to be certain you are getting the best device for your type hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget.
Lack of Post-Purchase Services
Many large retail stores do not offer any services past the point of sale. This means if your hearing aid ever requires unique maintenance, adjustment, or cleaning (and they certainly will) you will be forced to pay for these extra services out of pocket.
Even worse, if a retailer does not have a hearing health care specialist on staff, you will have to ship your hearing aids to the manufacturer for maintenance. This could leave you without your hearing devices for possibly weeks and without a loner device while you wait.
No Professional Recommendation or Fitting
Hearing aids are intricate medical devices, because of this, they need to be programmed, tuned, and adjusted to meet the needs of your specific level of hearing loss. It is not uncommon for hearing aids to require multiple adjustments over multiple appointments during your hearing aid acclimation period.
When you purchase hearing aids from a big box store, you may not be certain whether they will be suitable for your type of hearing loss, if they will fit comfortably within your ear canal, or if they can withstand the demands of your lifestyle or living environment.
Choose Personalized Patient Care & Hearing Health
The bottom line is; when you buy your hearing aids from a big box store, you really don’t know what you’re getting. A quality device? A fair price? Professional care? Probably not. But buying your hearing aids through a local hearing health care provider gives you peace of mind and professional compassionate care.
You can be certain you are getting it all; focused hearing health care, reputable hearing devices, and the services you’ll need to support your hearing for the long term.
Start your journey towards better hearing health with the help of highly trained professionals. We promise high-quality hearing aids paired with high-quality service, take charge of your hearing health today by scheduling a comprehensive hearing test with your local hearing health specialist.