The title is straightforward, you have no doubt seen the blossoming of the internet hearing aid audiologist offering hearing aids at prices really lower than what you find in general at major brand. We let’s talk about price difference on hearing aids in the range of -25 to -40% depending on brands and models of devices. How are these players in the hearing market to offer such prices? How can we justify such differences between their devices and that of competitors much more expensive? Here are some answers …
THE HEARING AIDS OF MAJOR BRANDS REMAIN HEARING AIDS OF MAJOR BRANDS!
It’s a simple fact and as much to say it all: York Sound or phonak branded hearing aid that you buy at -30 or -40% from an audiologist called discount as the home of the hearing aid, unisson laboratories, Idela audition or others is exactly the same product that you buy from a big name hearing devices.
It is an adulterated idea to believe the opposite. The suppliers are the same, the qualities of the product too and there is no technical difference either. It is therefore not the hearing aid model, since the devices are the same, which crystallizes the price differences but the way in which this prosthesis is sold and by what means.
LESS MARGIN TO OFFER A LESS EXPENSIVE HEARING AID AND MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE PRICES
The cause of major price difference between hearing amplification devices is so simple that one might not believe it. But no need to turn a deaf ear, discounters actually trim their own margin to offer a inexpensive hearing aids and maintain competitive prices.
These are usually smaller shops that do not have the reputation of big names, nor the proximity and the extent of their networks. Their strengths therefore lie in very attractive hearing aids that will move the patient may be a little further than the hearing care guru of the next street.
However, this should not hide another reality in the world of hearing: for years, large hearing aid shops have benefited from a juicy and uncompetitive market, selling hearing aids at exorbitant prices, and taking patients for milking cows. The new hearing care professional has simply rebalanced prices by lowering the plump margins to work so far. More and more patients are amazed …
EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES, REMAIN NUANCED
One last important point . When buying a prosthesis, there is product price and service included in this price. This is generally what the big brands boast “Our hearing aids are more expensive but the services that come with your hearing aid are very interesting and already included in the price” . Far be it from us to say that this is false or to judge its benefits.
We will not enter this debate. Just know that some discounters offer the same services ex: free trial for 15 days, payment in installments, settings etc.already included in the price, others will offer flexible formulas with a small additional price but ultimately, it is the expertise of the hearing care professional and his experience of the profession that will give any value and dimension to this quality on duty. But as good as it is, can it alone justify price differences of the order +30 to + 40%? We do not think so.