Q: My hearing aid has stopped working and it’s getting close to the holidays. Is it going to cost me a lot to get them fixed? I still have shopping to do and I’m trying to pinch every penny.
A: This is the time of year we get a lot of people calling in a bit of a panic wondering what happens if their hearing aids stop working, or, if they already have, how long it takes to get them back from the manufacturer after being repaired. The other concern is what the cost will be.
The answers depend on two very important factors: First is the style. If it is an in the ear type hearing aid, where the entire instrument sits in the ear or the ear canal, then we have to send it into the manufacturer for repair, (although sometimes a thorough cleaning will solve most of the problems). If this is the case, it can take up to two weeks to get it back, although the average is about a week. During the holiday season, however, there is a definite uptick in the average time it takes to return. My guess is that there are a lot of people who suddenly need repairs since they will be visiting family and entertaining guests and have a real need to be able to hear everything.
In this case, if the hearing aids are under their original warranty, which is generally 2-3 years, then there is no charge for the repair. Outside of the warranty, the cost would depend on what the manufacturer charges for their repairs. An average of $300-$500 per instrument would be a rough estimate, although that would depend on what was wrong. A simple receiver change or microphone change is part of that fee, however if the housing of the instrument is damaged the cost can get a lot higher. You may want to consider replacing them, rather than repairing them. This holds true for the standard behind the ear models and the slim tube styles, both of which are susceptible to moisture. Again, a good cleaning will often fix most of the problems you may be encountering, so I would start by having you bring them in for a check before making the decision to send them out for repair.
The last type, the RIC or Receiver in the Canal style is much easier to repair. Since most of the repairs required by most hearing aids are caused by moisture and earwax getting into the receiver, the easiest way to fix it is to replace the receiver. RIC’s have tubes that are very easy to replace, and we generally have them in stock. It is a very quick process to remove the old receiver tube and put on a new one. Again, if the hearing aid is under warranty, this is done at no charge, as we are reimbursed by the manufacturer. But even if it’s not under warranty, the part itself is not terribly expensive. Generally we charge $35-65 for an out of warranty receiver tube replacement when they are brought in outside of the warranty, depending on the manufacturer. This has only happened once or twice, however, since we prefer to do ongoing maintenance which will prevent these issues.
Which leads me to the final point; if you maintain the hearing aids and bring them in for regular checks, these issues tend to be less prominent. Like anything else, a little prevention can save a lot of hassles later on. This is not a guaranty, but an observation that I have made after 20 years in the industry.
The people who comprise my team here at Zabell Hearing Centre, along with myself, would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Joyous Holiday Season, no matter how you celebrate it. Remember, bring in your hearing aid for a cleaning and check before the holidays, we’ll do it at no charge for anyone who needs it.