> Can't help but insert one last comment! My father taught me to abhor the
> thought of letting an "all makes repair" substitute used junk for the real
> thing. We never send a hearing aid for repair to anyone except the company
> that made it! I've often wondered why the Federal Trade Commission even
> allows it to be done without the consumer being informed, "Your hearing aid
> may have been repaired with used parts."
> Paul Woodard
> Des Moines IA
The reason why our aids are sent to all make repair labs it that with
some manufactuers, after an aid is so many years old, the company will
not repair them, I just finished an audiology intership with Starkey Labs
in MN and many times when a manuf. stops servicing an aid they will sell all
of thier surplus parts to Starkey or Starkey will go and buy out
a bunch of thier parts. Most of thier repair technicians had an avg.
of 10-15 years with specific brands of aids and it was warrantied for a
full year after repair.
So,
I agree that it would be a good idea to put on a disclaimer that
an aid has been repaired with used parts,
but,
it may not have, and the repair being done by someone with 15 years
of experience and a year warranty,
and,
this is the only option fo the patient (pt. doesnt want new aids &
org. mauf. doesnt do repair on aid, pt cant afford new aids, etc)
I think that all make repairs are a pretty good deal and you are giving
good hearing health care service to the patient. I dont think
that you are giving "junk" to anyone. :)
Thank you for your support,
Paul
Callier Center for Communication Disorders
Post script: Also if an aid has been repair or reconditioned and
then sold to someone the aids are marked "reconditioned".
