Like many other health-related products, hearing aids are easy to find and purchase over the Internet. People looking for information on the different styles and technologies available can log on to many different websites to learn about different options.
Purchasing hearing aids online is an entirely different matter. The price of the hearing aids may seem like a bargain, but in the end may be more costly. You need to know up front what all the costs actually are. There may be an additional fee for the fitting of the devices, office visits, and repair charges.
Amplification comes in all shapes, sizes as well as strengths and is selected based on a person’s hearing loss, manual dexterity, cosmetic preference, lifestyle and cost. That is why it is important to obtain a thorough hearing evaluation and consultation by a trained audiologist, physician, or other ear specialist before purchasing a hearing aid. You should also be aware that if a hearing aid is inappropriately fit, it can be damaging to the ear or hearing.
Anyone who is considering the online purchase of a hearing aid should factor in the expense of being evaluated and fitted by a properly trained specialist. Without their expertise, you can easily select the wrong—or an ill fitting–hearing aid. If your instrument doesn’t help you hear better and is uncomfortable to wear, that’s no bargain—despite the discount.