I am currently in Miami, Florida dealing with business and having some fun before I start work soon. I noticed that the tube from my behind-the-ear hearing aid needed to be changed. It was stiffening and hurting my ear. I stopped at a hearing aid/audiologist center in a shopping center. I simply wanted some tubes so that I can replace the old tube myself. They had them there of course, but they told me that they have to replace the tube. The service is required and that it was going to cost ten dollars. What?! But, I let them do it for me and I paid for the service. I did not know where else to go.
Typically, I change my tube every two-three months. Usually, I will go to my local hearing aid dispenser place and they will change it for me for free or give me a bunch of tubes for a couple of dollars. I know that going somewhere where they are required to do it for you for a ridiculously expensive price should not be the only the option. Shop around, ask other hearing aid users who they go to. Do not get ripped off!! Educate yourself. It bothers me that someone could be paying up to 60 dollars a year just for changing the tube. A few years ago, when my hearing aid was bothering me, I was told by one hearing center in a hospital that I should change my ear mold and tube and that it would cost up to a few hundred dollars (for the services and materials). Luckily, the audiologist was really nice and told me to go somewhere else where they would not charge so much. I went somewhere else where they said that only the tube needed to be replaced and they did it for me for free.
So be careful. You should not have to pay more than you should pay.
Also, you can learn how to replace the tube yourself, if possible. It is a fairly simple thing to do, if you have good fine motor control. Here is a link to my page describing how I change the tube on most BTE hearing aids:
http://www.ehwhathuh.com/2010/10/how-to-change-tube-of-bte-hearing-aid.html
The point is, learn as much as you can about your hearing aid and how to care for it. Be wary of some places charging high prices for certain services. A lot of the things professionals do for you, you can do yourself.
(e
Typically, I change my tube every two-three months. Usually, I will go to my local hearing aid dispenser place and they will change it for me for free or give me a bunch of tubes for a couple of dollars. I know that going somewhere where they are required to do it for you for a ridiculously expensive price should not be the only the option. Shop around, ask other hearing aid users who they go to. Do not get ripped off!! Educate yourself. It bothers me that someone could be paying up to 60 dollars a year just for changing the tube. A few years ago, when my hearing aid was bothering me, I was told by one hearing center in a hospital that I should change my ear mold and tube and that it would cost up to a few hundred dollars (for the services and materials). Luckily, the audiologist was really nice and told me to go somewhere else where they would not charge so much. I went somewhere else where they said that only the tube needed to be replaced and they did it for me for free.
So be careful. You should not have to pay more than you should pay.
Also, you can learn how to replace the tube yourself, if possible. It is a fairly simple thing to do, if you have good fine motor control. Here is a link to my page describing how I change the tube on most BTE hearing aids:
http://www.ehwhathuh.com/2010/10/how-to-change-tube-of-bte-hearing-aid.html
The point is, learn as much as you can about your hearing aid and how to care for it. Be wary of some places charging high prices for certain services. A lot of the things professionals do for you, you can do yourself.
(e
Yea...when I moved, my hearing aid dispenser wasn't close by so I went to another one in town and was surprised that he didn't charge me for changing the tube! I kind of expected maybe a couple of bucks. Good thing, I didn't get taken, but this is a good reminder..tubes should be free.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my neighborhood (kind of). Miami is very expensive, and its all about service and charge for it. That is why my boyfriend (who is hearing impaired) is having a hard time finding reasonable places. Good to know there is some hope out there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteOops, really ?
ReplyDeleteEven in Greece which is the place to JACK up prices , I always had my tubes replaced for free! I always got some pre cut in the appropriate length ( they were prebeded ) and I was replacing them myself since I was 11 or so! ( now I've got CI , I don't need tubes or an earmold anymore )
I never had to pay for any service on my aid , even the yearly service fee - even when it went out of warranty , I had this aid for 10 years!
I found your blog thru a link. You are partially hearing(mid and high frequency loss) with unilateral deafness. Even your bad ear is better than both my ears while your good ear unaided hears way better than what I hear aided!
ReplyDeleteYou may have *cochlear dead zones* at 1500Hz and above. I have audiograms in my blog and talk about getting stem cells for myself to hear better.
Nice link and looking forward to your video.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to open a can of worms here but some Audiologist/Dealers may unbundle their services and charge for little things like tubes and cleanings for non-current clients.
It's a good reminder for them to have a clear 'menu' posted or available for walk-ins. Good business practice ensures consumers of all kinds make good, informed choices.
Hi (e,
ReplyDeleteMy audiologist never charges for tube changes. Mine are a bit different than yours as they are open fit, but they tend to break off at the tip after 3-4 months. I keep expecting there to be a charge for the replacement, but there never has been. I've had my hearing aids almost 4 years now.
Sarah
my audie's office will change tubings free of charge, since it is part of the hearing aid/earmold maintenance service.
ReplyDelete