Lately I have been thinking about the many patients that I have come
across with hearing aids that are six, seven, eight and sometimes ten
years old that are still being used? Just today a lady came in with a
hearing aid that I had repaired for her five years ago (She bought in in
Montana). At that time, the aid was five years old and the manufactuer
was going to charge more that the standard flat rate charge and provide a
90 day warranty. We chose to use a "All-Make" lab and charge the regular
rate. She disappeared until today when she needed a Re-tube and an Ear
Hook replaced. She desprately need a new earmold and an New Hearing
Aid!! which we discussed. She told me that they were just too expensive
and that she would "Ride it till it died" with no interest in even a new
earmold? When I tried to sell her on the improvments of the newer
technology she just laughed and said, "Just Fix This One!"
I would be interested in some discussion on the newsgroup about this
topic, as I see several different ways to react. Some of my questions
center around what dispensers tell patients about the "Life" of
programables and CIC's where the patient may be paying in excess of $3000
for a binaural fitting. I know I tell patients up front what the
national averages are and sometimes that "Kills the Sale"
Hope someone has some comment and THANKS>
George Cire, FAAA
Victoria Regional Hearing Cneter
Victoria, TX
