Where to Buy Hearing Aids
Figuring out where to get the best deal on hearing aids can be challenging. In fact, money expert Clark Howard says that buying hearing aids is the hardest it's ever been in the United States.
Unfortunately, hearing aid prices in the U.S. are also some of the highest. Clark says that while they may cost as little as $200 per pair elsewhere in the world, we've had a completely different system here that led to our unbelievably high prices— around $2,691 per pair on average. Thankfully, the costs are starting to go down.
"It's a gradual thing though, so that's why knowing where to shop is so important, says Clark. "The price differences of places that are following the market down are so much better than places that are holding to the traditional pricing."
Warehouse clubs and online retailers are two great places to shop for hearing aids that seem to be following the market trend with lower average prices. In this article, I'll take a close look at both types of retailers as well as a few traditional hearing centers that may be worth considering.
6 of the Best Places to Buy Hearing Aids
There's no shortage of options when it comes to choosing where you'll purchase your hearing aid(s). Based on cost, convenience, follow-up care and customer experience, some of the best places to buy hearing aids include Costco, iHEAR Medical and Connect Hearing among others. However, since the prices aren't the same across the board, it's important to make sure you're getting the best overall deal.
"We have an industry where you can go in one place and pay $1,400 for a pair of hearing aids, then go into another one and pay $6,000 for the equivalent hearing aids," says Clark. "The difference between the two of them is the money, not anything about the quality of the hearing aids."
After researching the pricing and process of visiting several popular retailers, I've determined that these are six of the best places to buy hearing aids:
| Average Hearing Aid Cost (Per Pair) | Cost of Hearing Evaluation | Selection | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | $1,500-$2,500 | Free for members | 5 brands including Kirkland Signature | Overall customer experience |
| iHEAR Medical | $998 | $9 at-home evaluation | 4 different iHEAR models | Buying hearing aids online |
| Connect Hearing | $998 to $6,000 | Free | 4 brands including 16 different models | Free hearing aid batteries |
| Sam's Club | $1,250-$3,850 | Free for members | 15 different Liberty Hearing Aid models | Follow-up services |
| HearUSA | $2,400 to $8,000 | Free | 250+ models available to order | AARP members |
| Miracle-Ear | $2,000 to $8,000 | Free | 4 different Miracle-Ear models | Financial aid |
Costco
Best For: Overall customer experience
Hearing Evaluation Cost: Free for members
Average Hearing Aid Cost: $1,500-$2,500 per pair
Costco is a great place to buy your next hearing aid. Members have access to free hearing tests, free hearing aid cleanings and great prices on quality devices. Plus, Consumer Reports ranks Costco as its top choice for where to buy hearing aids. CR members can view the full survey online.
While you will have to be a Costco member to purchase a device from the warehouse, the $60 annual membership fee will pay for itself. In fact, Clark says: "If you are required to be a member to buy hearing aids at a warehouse club price, it is well worth the membership fee to do so."
To learn more about buying a hearing aid from Costco, check out these five things to know.
iHEAR Medical
Best For: Buying hearing aids online
Hearing Evaluation Cost: Free at-home test
Average Hearing Aid Cost: $998 per pair
iHEAR Medical is another great place to purchase your next hearing aid. One thing to note is that this retailer is completely online.
iHEAR Medical offers four different models that generally cost $499 per device. But you can find sales and discounts on the company's website throughout the year. That means you can get some of the lowest prices available on hearing aids at iHEAR Medical.
If you're looking for an affordable hearing aid that you can order from home, check out these five things to know about iHEAR Medical.
Connect Hearing
Best For: Free hearing aid batteries
Hearing Evaluation Cost: Free
Average Hearing Aid Cost: $998 to $6,000 per pair
Connect Hearing, a division of Sonova, is another great place to buy hearing aids. Here, you'll find 16 different models by Phonak, Unitron, NovaSense and Audionova that range from $499 to $3,000 per device.
Consumer Reports ranks Connect Hearing second, following Costco, compared to other hearing aid retailers. In 2018, survey respondents gave Connect Hearing above-average scores in a variety of categories including evaluation, courtesy and price transparency. Consumer Reports members can view the full survey online.
In addition to budget-friendly devices and a great selection, the company also offers free in-person hearing exams, free two-week hearing aid trials and three years of free batteries with your hearing aid purchase. All hearing aids come with a three-year manufacturer repair warranty as well as three years of loss and damage coverage.
If you're thinking about having your hearing evaluated or buying a hearing aid at Connect Hearing, be sure to check out these five things to know before your first visit.
Sam’s Club
Best For: Follow-up services
Hearing Evaluation Cost: Free for members
Average Hearing Aid Cost: $1,250-$3,850 per pair
Like Costco, you will have to be a member to buy a hearing aid from this retailer, but the savings can definitely be worth it. "The warehouse clubs have been at the leading edge along with some online sellers in the new price points," says Clark.
Sam's Club carries Liberty Hearing Aids in several different models including behind-the-ear, in-the-canal and custom-fit devices. You can check out the entire available selection online before visiting the store. This is a great way to get an idea of pricing. The cheapest price I saw for a hearing aid was $625, which is one of the lowest prices I've seen.
Before you decide where to buy your next device, be sure to check out these five things to know about buying hearing aids at Sam's Club.
HearUSA
Best For: AARP members
Hearing Evaluation Cost: Free
Average Hearing Aid Cost: $2,400 to $8,000 per pair
Whether you're an AARP member or not, you'll still find the biggest selection with more than 250 hearing aid models available to order. Of those models, the cost typically falls between $1,200 and $4,000 per ear. Plus, you may be able to find discounts and offers online available to anyone. At the time of writing, HearUSA was offering a $25 gift card when you take a free hearing screening, which is a great deal!
Additionally, HearUSA is ranked third by Consumer Reports with 5/5 ratings from survey respondents in both courtesy and follow-up service.
To learn more about buying hearing aids from HearUSA, be sure to read these five things to know.
Miracle-Ear
Best For: Financial aid
Hearing Evaluation Cost: Free
Average Hearing Aid Cost: $2,000 to $8,000 per pair
Miracle-Ear is one of the most popular hearing aid retailers in the industry with good reason. It has more than 1,500 hearing aid centers throughout the country, and in 2018, Consumer Reports survey respondents gave the company 5/5 stars in courtesy and follow-up service categories.
The retailer offers four different exclusive hearing aid models including completely-in-the-canal, receiver-in-canal and behind-the-ear styles. Generally, the cost ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 per device. The total price includes a free hearing evaluation, hearing aid fitting and lifetime aftercare.
If you're thinking about buying your next hearing aid at Miracle-Ear, take the time to check out these five things to know.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for our recommendation, Costco is a win-win. Your membership fee will pay for itself with the money you'll save after your first hearing aid purchase, and if you choose to keep your membership, you'll have access to great free services.
If you're thinking about trying out a hearing aid for the first time, iHEAR Medical may be a good option for you. Since the prices average around $499 per device, you won't be out thousands of dollars if you end up not wearing them.
Finally, if you don't have insurance and can't pay out-of-pocket, you may be eligible for financial aid to cover the costs of your hearing care. Check to see if you're eligible for assistance from the Miracle-Ear Foundation.
Where have you had the best experience with buying hearing aids? Let us know in the comments below!
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