How to buy hearing aids

Prices for hearing aids range widely. A basic pair of aids usually starts at about $450 while a top-of-the-line model can cost more than $8000.

The higher the price, the more bells and whistles. But don’t assume you need all the extras. The type of aid that’s best for you depends on your level of hearing and your day-to-day life (see “Types of hearing aid”).

If you’re often out and about talking to lots of people in noisy venues, some aids are so sophisticated they attempt to separate speech and ease background noise. These aids will be pricier than ones that simply amplify sound in quiet situations.

If you’re a homebody and generally attend small social gatherings, a basic model may be all you need.

Regardless of the type of aid, you can get a subsidy to help with costs. Kiwis and permanent residents 16 years and over are eligible for a subsidy of $511.11 (per aid). You can apply for this subsidy every six years to purchase new aids.

Other financial support is available if you’re on a low income or have high needs (see “Funding available”).

Other costs: As well as the cost of the aids, you’ll usually need to pay for a hearing test.

Clinics may offer a free hearing check. However, you’ll pay for a diagnostic hearing test to assess your level of hearing loss (see our Table). Prices at the six hearing clinics we reviewed ranged from $59 (Specsavers) to $120 (Dilworth Hearing).

Other costs you may need to factor in are fitting fees. Hearing clinics may include these fees in the price of the hearing aid or charge separately.

Fitting fees cover the device being fitted and programmed. You’ll also be shown how to use the aid and how to maintain it.

If your hearing aid uses disposable batteries, that’s another cost to consider.

Modern hearing aids are a far cry from the bulky aids of old. What will suit you depends on your hearing loss, the size of your ear canal and how fiddly the aids are to look after.

If you have limited dexterity in your hands or poor vision, an aid with a rechargeable battery may be easier than one that uses replaceable batteries.

Behind the ear (BTE) with earmould for mild to severe hearing loss

Pros:

• Fits widest range of hearing loss
  
• Earmould fits snugly while the rest of the aid sits behind the ear
  
• Most versatile and reliable type of hearing aid.
  

Cons:

• Most visible type of hearing aid
• Ear might feel plugged-up but vents in mould can relieve this and are fitted when appropriate
• Can be vulnerable to sweat.
  

Behind the ear (BTE) open-fit for mild to moderate hearing loss

Pros:

• Has a small, soft earpiece at the tip of the tubing instead of an earmould, which will make you feel less plugged-up
  
• Comfortable, not too heavy on the ear and less visible than an earmould
  
• It can give you a very natural sound.
  

Cons:

• Needs to be inserted correctly otherwise can become loose
  
• It can also be susceptible to feedback.
  

Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) digital aids for mild to severe hearing loss

Pros:

• All the benefits of an open-fit hearing aid but can be fitted with more amplification
  
• Often smaller than BTE aids because some parts sit inside the ear.
  

Cons:

• Vulnerable to wax and sweat, which can affect the sound in the receiver.
  

In-the-canal (ITC) and in-the-ear (ITE) digital aids for mild to some severe hearing loss

Pros:

• Both have working parts in the earmould, or a small compartment clipped to it, so the whole aid fits in the ear
  
• ITC aids are less visible than ITEs but neither has parts behind the ear.
  

Cons:

• Tend to need repairing more often than behind-the-ear aids.
  

Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) or “invisible” hearings aids for mild to moderate hearing loss

Pros:

• Smallest type of hearing aid
  
• Almost invisible as working parts are in the earmould
  
• It fits further into the ear canal than ITE/ITC aids.
  

Cons:

• Unlikely to be suitable if you have discharges from your ears
  
• Ear might feel plugged-up unless aid is vented
  
• Are particularly vulnerable to becoming plugged with sweat and wax, which may cause temporary malfunction
  
• Can be tricky to use if you can’t manage small switches or buttons
  
• How hidden it is will depend on the shape of your ear canal
  
• Unlikely to include Bluetooth or streaming technology, and may be more prone to feedback.
  

Hearing clinics need to be upfront with you about costs.

If you’re applying for the subsidy, before you trial or buy a hearing aid the clinic must give you:

• the retail cost of the hearing aid

• the amount of the subsidy

• an itemised list of charges you have to pay

• a quote for the total amount payable

• a copy of the Ministry of Health’s Guide to Getting Hearing Aids.

You’re also entitled to a copy of your test results so you can shop around.

If you want to keep costs down, make this clear to the clinic. Ask to be shown cheaper options if you think the aid recommended is too pricey or has features you don’t need.

You should be given a trial period so you can find out if the hearing aid is suitable for you.

The ministry recommends trial periods of six to eight weeks. Three clinics we surveyed offered 60 days (Bay Audiology, Dilworth Hearing and Triton Hearing). Specsavers offered 90 days.

Audika and New Zealand Hearing clinics offered just 30 days, although may extend this time depending on the person’s needs.

Subsidised hearing aids must be on the ministry’s list of approved aids. There are currently more than 1800 aids on the list. However, most clinics prescribe aids from just a couple of manufacturers. Of the 34,810 subsidised aids dispensed last year, the most common were GN Hearing brands (10,688) followed by Oticon (9910) and Bernafon (4026).

If the hearing aids don’t work for you during the trial period, they may need to be adjusted by the clinic. However, if you’re not happy with the aids during the trial, you can return them for a refund (fitting fees may not be refundable).

Hearing aids normally have a manufacturer’s warranty. However, they’re also covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. So if your aid is faulty, and you haven’t caused the problem, the clinic must put things right.

Some clinics offer after-sales perks, such as free batteries and cleaning.

When you’re shopping, ask the clinic what after-sales service it provides.

Most hearing aid clinics are part of international chains.

Bay Audiology is the largest player with 115 stores. It’s owned by Italian hearing aid retailer Amplifon, which also owns Dilworth Hearing.

Triton Hearing, owned by hearing aid manufacturer Sonova, has 70 stores. Audika is the third largest, with 30 stores. It’s owned by manufacturer Demant.

Specsavers, known for its cut-price glasses, entered the hearing aid market in 2019 and has eight clinics. Specsavers has its own brand of aids called Advance, although sells other brands. Other audiologists can’t adjust Advance aids without getting software from Specsavers.

Outside the overseas-owned chains, there are smaller audiology clinics. New Zealand Hearing, included in our survey, are owner-operated clinics.

Some smaller retailers belong to the Independent Audiologists of New Zealand Association. It currently has about 10 members.

If you just want to get your hearing checked, free tests are available from Life Unlimited. It’s a publicly funded service that provides hearing evaluations for people 16 years and over.

Life Unlimited doesn’t sell hearing aids but its hearing therapists can advise on living with hearing loss and whether an aid will help. They can also give guidance on using hearing aids and other hearing technology, such as portable microphones.

To make an appointment, go to lifeunlimited.net.nz or call 0800 008 011.

If you live in Auckland or Canterbury you can also visit the university hearing clinics run as part of the audiology teaching programme.