4 Ways to Spend Less on a Hearing Aid

Savvy shopping can help you cut the cost of better hearing

By Hallie Levine

May 2, 2019

With few insurance plans fully covering hearing aids, Consumer Reports survey respondents typically spent $2,691 out of pocket for a pair. So it’s no surprise that cost was the most frequently stated reason respondents gave for putting off a purchase. “It’s a huge barrier for many people,” says Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America.

Before you buy, check your insurance policy (some plans offer more than others) and try these steps:

Be Savvy About Features
Many hearing aid features that CR survey respondents consider important—such as the ability to connect wirelessly to a smartphone—may now be found in less expensive models. When it comes to higher-end features, consider your lifestyle. For instance, it may make sense to invest in wind noise reduction if you’re an avid boater or golfer, says Deborah Culbertson, Ph.D., CCC-A, an audiologist and a clinical professor in East Carolina University’s department of communication sciences and disorders. But others might not need it.

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the June 2019 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Hallie Levine

Hallie Levine is an award-winning magazine and freelance writer who contributes to Consumer Reports on health and fitness topics. Her work has been published in Health, Prevention, Reader's Digest, and Parents, among others. She's a mom to three kids and a fat but feisty black Labrador retriever named Ivry. In her (nonexistent) spare time, she likes to read, swim, and run marathons.