In this article, I’ll take a close look at iHEAR Medical: a convenient and affordable option for ordering your hearing aids online. I’ve recently researched the pricing and process of buying hearing aids from iHEAR Medical to get an idea of what you can expect before your first purchase.
What to Know Before Buying Hearing Aids at iHEAR Medical
iHEAR Medical is an online hearing aid store that allows customers to test their hearing at home and then order hearing aids online. By eliminating overhead costs and offering hearing aids directly to the consumer, iHEAR Medical is able to sell its devices for a significantly lower cost.
Of course, buying a hearing aid online is a completely different process than buying one from a hearing aid center. Before you place an order, here are five things to know:
Below, you’ll find detailed information including the types of hearing aids you can expect to find, how much you can expect to pay and how to figure out which device you should order.
What Hearing Aids Are Available at iHEAR Medical?
iHEAR Medical currently offers four different hearing aid models: Eva by iHEAR, iHEARhd, iHEARmax and iHEAR EON.
You can click on each model below to see information about what to expect when you get the device including available upgrade options and computer and software requirements in order to program your hearing aid at home.
Eva by iHEAR
This hearing aid currently has a five-star rating on iHEAR Medical’s website and a 4.7 rating on HearingTracker. It’s a programmable mini behind-the-ear device that was designed for women with moderate to severe hearing impairment. A few of its key features are four sound profiles with volume control, adaptive feedback cancellation, digital ambient noise suppression and moisture protection. It also comes with a two-month supply of batteries and a one-month supply of assorted ear tips.
iHEARhd
The iHEARhd hearing aid currently has a four-star rating on iHEAR Medical’s website and 3.9 stars on HearingTracker. This device is intended for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. This in-the-ear hearing aid is designed to be as discreet as possible. It’s made with durable materials for everyday wear, features four sound profiles and it’s water-resistant. With this purchase, you’ll also receive a one-month. supply of batteries and a one-month supply of assorted tip sizes.
iHEARmax
According to iHEAR Medical, the iHEARmax is a medical-grade programmable behind-the-ear hearing aid that was made for adults with mild to severe hearing loss. It currently has an average rating of just over four stars on iHEAR’s website, 3.6 stars on Amazon and 4.3 stars on HearingTracker. This hearing aid features a one-button operation, four sound profiles with volume control, a low battery indicator and moisture protection. It comes with a two-month supply of batteries and a one-month supply of assorted ear tips.
iHEAR EON
The iHEAR EON is the newest device available from iHEAR Medical. Instead of just a hearing aid, you’ll receive a whole system with this purchase. It’s designed for anyone with mild to severe hearing loss who may want to control their device(s) through a mobile app.
Instead of batteries, this system is rechargeable. It’s compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and it comes with a one-month supply of assorted ear tips.
In addition to hearing aids, iHEAR Medical also sells hearing amplifiers and accessories.
How Much Do Hearing Aids at iHEAR Medical Cost?
Compared to brick-and-mortar hearing aid centers, you’ll find that iHEAR Medical offers some of the lowest prices available. And unlike many competitors, you’ll find all of iHEAR Medical’s prices listed online.
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay $499 for a hearing aid at iHEAR Medical. This is the cost for the Eva by iHEAR hearing aid, the iHEARmax hearing aid and the iHEARhd hearing aid. The iHEAR EON hearing aid system is available for $999 per pair with a charger included.
You may also be able to score lower prices throughout the year. At the time of writing, iHEAR Medical was having a holiday sale and offering 30% off. That brought the cost of most devices to $349 each with the iHEAR EON system on sale for $699.
To put this into perspective, Costco's hearing aids start at $749 per device while Miracle-Ear hearing aids range from $1,000 to $4,000. That means you'll be getting a great price at iHEAR Medical.
"Knowing where to shop is so important," says money expert Clark Howard on hearing aids. "You're not going to get a worse hearing aid; you're only going to get the difference in price."
In addition to the cost of hearing aids, you may need to pay an additional fee in order to have your hearing tested. You can buy an iHEARtest to keep for $69, or you can get a free @Home iHEARtest and send it back within 30 days. The latter option costs just $9 to cover shipping and handling both ways.
How the Process Works
Because the process is completely online, buying hearing aids from iHEAR Medical is a little different from shopping at a hearing aid center.
If you need to have your hearing tested before buying a hearing aid, iHEAR Medical allows you to do this at home for as little as $9. For this price, you can cover the shipping and handling for an @Home iHEARtest, follow the instructions to complete your hearing test at home and send the device back within 30 days. You may also choose to purchase an iHEARtest for $69. This lets you continue to test your hearing on a regular basis.
If you use an iHEARtest, you'll need to have a computer that runs Windows or macOS. Unfortunately, the hearing test isn't supported by tablets or smartphones. You can follow the included instructions or watch these how-to videos to get your "Hearing Number."
A Hearing Number isn't required to purchase hearing aids from iHEAR Medical. If you've had your hearing professionally tested recently and received an audiogram from your doctor, you can submit those results to have your device professionally programmed at iHEAR Medical for free.
Next, it's time to choose which device you're going to order. Take the time to read about each of the hearing aids available at iHEAR Medical. Fortunately, all of the hearing aids have the same per-device cost, which means you're completely free to choose which features work best for you. Of course, if you want to add upgraded features you may be looking at an additional charge.
Once you’ve decided which device you’d like to purchase, you’ll need to enter some information before adding the hearing aid to your shopping cart. This will include which ear you’re ordering the device for (or both), the color you’d like, the wire length, and a programming option.
You can choose to program the device yourself at home, which requires an iHEARtest and a programming cable. The programming cable costs $80. Or you can have the devices professionally programmed by submitting your iHEARtest results or an audiogram from a recent hearing test. Finally, you can choose to have the device sent to you with the pre-set sound profiles.
Once you’ve added the device to your shopping cart, you can create an account or check out as a guest. After you’ve entered your payment and shipping information, you’ll be ready to submit your order.
When you receive your hearing aid in the mail, it may be ready to use right away! You’ll either be able to program it yourself or begin using it right out of the box depending on which programming option you selected during checkout.
If you need help setting up your device, you can check out the how-to videos online or contact iHEAR Medical for support. With any hearing aid purchase you make at iHEAR Medical, you'll also get 45 days of professional support for free.
Return Policy and Warranty Information
If you receive a device that you aren't happy with, you'll have 45 days to return it for a refund. Additionally, a one-year limited warranty comes with every device.
The warranty covers defects in the device's material or workmanship for one year from the date of shipment. If you notice problems with your hearing aid, iHEAR Medical will either repair or replace it. (You will have to cover all shipping and handling costs for this.)
The warranty does not cover breakage or damage that occurs from misuse, improper maintenance, excessive wax build-up, accidents, liquid exposure or modification.
Beyond the first year, there aren’t any free services, repairs or extended warranties available. While the prices are hard to beat, this is worth keeping in mind when deciding where to make your purchase.
Pros and Cons of Buying Hearing Aids at iHEAR Medical
Overall, iHEAR Medical could be a great place to order hearing aids. You’ll find some of the lowest prices available, and you won’t have to make an appointment or visit a hearing aid center to get your hearing tested.
Based on my research, here are a few major pros and cons of buying hearing aids at iHEAR Medical.
Pros:
- Pricing: You can expect to pay around $499 per device, which is very affordable compared to brick-and-mortar hearing aid centers.
- Payment: You can set up a monthly payment schedule for your hearing aid(s) when you check out.
- Home Hearing Test: For $9, you can have a hearing test sent to your door, use it with your computer and send it back within 30 days.
Cons:
- Selection: iHEAR Medical currently offers only four different hearing aid models including in-the-ear, behind-the-ear and rechargeable models.
- Service: If you order your hearing aid online, you won't be visiting a qualified medical professional in-person to discuss the best options for you. If this is important to you, visiting a brick-and-mortar hearing aid center may be a better choice.
- Free Services: While you will have unlimited technical support, you won't find free repairs, cleanings, follow-ups or hearing tests at this online store.
While you’ll be making some sacrifices ordering your hearing aids online, you’ll also be saving money.
But if free services and in-person professional help are at the top of your priority list, you may be happier making your purchase from a hearing aid center like Costco.
Have you ever purchased hearing aids from iHEAR Medical? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
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