We are proud to be an “unbundled practice.” What this means is that the price of hearing aids is considered separate from the price of our services. Since each patient has their own unique needs, goals, and hearing sensitivity, we can design our treatment plan with all of this in mind. The advantage to this model is you pay only for the services you need along your journey.
Some practices may operate under a bundled model of service which means services provided by the audiologist are included in the initial cost of the hearing aids. This can often mean that the price of the hearing aids up front is higher than it could be with the cost of an unbundled option. With an unbundled option- you pay for services you need as you go. Many practices are switching to unbundled model of service as it just makes more sense for patients to only pay for what they need and use along their hearing journey.
However, hearing aids in general can seem pricey. Some of the cost in manufacturing hearing aids is from the research needed to continue making technological advancements each year. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent by the hearing aid industry to improve how the devices perform. These investments have led to hearing aids that serve people better. Here’s another way to think about the price of hearing aids: If your hearing aids cost a total of $4,000, and they have a lifespan of four years, they will cost you approximately $1000 per year, $83 per month or $2.74 per day. In other words, while the total amount is high, the ongoing usage price is a bit more reasonable. Monthly, it is likely cheaper than what you would pay to get satellite or cable television. When you consider the communication, relationship, and health benefits you get from wearing hearing aids, most people agree that it is well worth the cost. You may also have an insurance benefit to cut the cost of your devices down significantly. We are happy to check on your insurance benefit, but you can also check directly with your insurance company to find if your plan has a benefit toward hearing aids and related services.
We hope this helps provide clarification as to how our practice operates at Washington Hearing Center. We look forward to helping you with whatever needs arise with your hearing care.
Dr. Tanya McCormack and Dr. Allison Love