Thursday, October 21st
2021 Hearing Aid Reviews
MDHearingAid
- Cost: From $399.98 to $1,199.99 per pair
- 3 styles of hearing aids
- Free shipping
- Monthly payment plans available
- 45-day risk-free trial
- Lifetime support
MDHearingAid is based in the Midwest and has helped over 500,000 Americans hear better during the 10+ years the company has been in operation.
Free, basic online hearing test
Have you been wondering if you even need hearing aids? Maybe your family members have been telling you that you do, but you're still not convinced. If so, try the free online hearing test on the MdHearingAid site (you'll find the link at the top of the page). You'll need to be in a quiet environment and headphones are recommended. You'll play several tone frequencies in each ear, indicating the lowest level that you can still hear the sound. At the end, you'll get preliminary results indicating the level of impairment your answers indicated - similar to an audiogram you'd get from an in-office test.
3 styles to consider
MDHearingAid carries three over-ear styles of hearing aids: the Air, the Volt+, and the Core. All of them are FDA-registered, customizable with four environment sound settings, and provide feedback cancellation. You'll get more features with the Volt+ and the Core, though. For example, they both have dual directional microphones. The Volt+ is rechargeable and water-resistant, while the Core is smartphone-compatible and adapts your hearing aid settings automatically based on the detected sound environment.
Good range of prices, free shipping on all orders
The Air is priced at $399.98 for the pair, the Volt+ sells for $599.98, and the Core has a retail price of $1199.99. If you qualify, you could pay for your hearing aids with a payment plan ranging from $33.33 to $66.67 per month. Shipping is included at no extra charge with all equipment sold by MDHearingAid.
Misleading advertising?
At the time of this evaluation, the Better Business Bureau listing for MDHearingAid indicated that there was an alert for the company, due to some practices found to be in violation of the BBB's Code of Advertising (like misleading prices and "sales" that were really the everyday cost). That's a big reason behind the BBB's "B" rating of MDHearingAid. And, speaking of misleading advertising, the main page on the MDHearingAid store proudly proclaims that the company has an "A+" from the BBB!
Plenty of customer reviews
On the other hand, we were impressed with the thousands of verified buyer reviews featured on the MDHearingAid site. These customer comments can be sorted by rating, so we were able to see that the company didn't just offer filtered 4- and 5-star reviews. We encourage you to read through the feedback on the specific hearing aids you're considering: they will help you determine if it's the right fit for your hearing loss, give you suggestions for how to get the best use out of your equipment, and maybe even give you some hope that you can hear music, loved ones, and walking through fall leaves the way you used to.
45-day return window
There's also no reason to think that MDHearingAid won't honor their 45-day refund policy if you have any issues with your devices. Just one thing to watch out for: according to lots of customer comments, you should enter your phone number and wait for a call back to get your Return Merchandise Authorization number instead of staying on hold, because the phone system is programmed to disconnect after 20 minutes of hold time!
Not the best or the worst
MDHearingAid has a decent track record with the three styles of hearing aids they sell: they're reasonably priced, come with a good satisfaction guarantee, and they have plenty of 5-star reviews from happy customers. However, there are no in-ear-only styles to choose from, and we're not impressed with the false advertising alert issued by the BBB. MDHearingAid isn't a terrible place to get your hearing aids, but it's also not our favorite.
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Where Can You Buy the Best Hearing Aids?
If you're asking that question, chances are good that you're noticing that sounds just aren't as clear as they used to be. Maybe you've even been putting it off for a while already, not wanting to admit that conversations in crowded rooms, dialogues on your favorite TV shows, or phone calls have gotten harder to follow.
You're not alone: according to the National Institutes of Health, around 15% of Americans aged 18+ have some trouble hearing - and that skyrockets in the older age brackets (50% of people 75 and older have disabling hearing loss).
Hearing Aid FAQ
Continued from above...
Many people avoid looking for hearing aids because of the cost. They see quotes of $1,500 to $3,000 per device and think that there's no way they can afford it. And, for many of us, that's true - but it's not the end of the story. Why? There are numerous over-the-counter (so to speak) options that cost much, much less: even under $200/pair.
Of course, if you're looking for higher-end technology like smartphone-app customization or multiple sound environment settings, you'll probably pay closer to $1,000-$2,000 for the set - but it's still a more budget-friendly option than you might have expected.
Now that you're feeling encouraged about shopping for your hearing aids online, what should you look for? Here are several aspects to keep in mind that can help you figure out where to get your devices:
- Hearing Aid Style. There are two main designs: over-the-ear (with the curved battery that hangs behind your ear) and in-ear. In-ear designs are very discreet: if you don't want anyone to realize you're using a hearing aid, look for this style. On the other hand, if your manual dexterity isn't what it used to be, the over-the-ear models will probably be easier to manage, especially if the controls are on the device and not a smartphone app or if you need to swap out batteries every few days.
- Consultations and Support. Many online stores that sell hearing aids go to great lengths to help you get the right equipment for your specific needs. Look for a company that gives you plenty of support: free hearing tests, hearing aids that are customizable to your audiogram, and long-term service after your purchase are all good signs that you'll get the help you need.
- Return/Refund Policy. The best hearing aid retailers give you a generous amount of time to try out your devices - because there's definitely an adjustment period. 30 days is fairly standard, but a few go above and beyond with risk-free trials of 45 or 60 days.
- Customer Feedback. What have actual users said about the hearing aids you're considering and the company selling them? Not every model is going to have hundreds of reviews, but even a few customer comments can help you determine how they've worked in real life, not just in theory.
- Value. What will you get for what you pay? You want hearing aids that are going to last a long time: it's worth it to spend a little more once than to spend a smaller amount several times over, if you have to keep replacing them after the warranty period ends.
TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked today's top online retailers of hearing aids. We're confident that this information will help you find the best equipment for your needs, so that you can enjoy conversations, music, and just day-to-day life without any difficulties.
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