Hearing instruments are custom products.  Picture the astronomical prices we would be paying for automobiles if they were custom made for each individual… custom paint, and upholstery, each seat molded for each individual, the stereo tuned for each person’s ears, the windshield corrected for each driver’s vision, etc. 

The cost of a hearing aid is burdened by its cost to manufacture it.  From the time an impression enters the lab until it is shipped over 25 people are working on it. 

Most companies hire technical support personnel to answer questions professionals have about fitting their products.  The Ph.D. and master’s level professionals who research and support new products cannot be found for minimum wages.

Many audiologists and hearing instrument specialists bundle a number of office visits and professional services into the price of the instrument.  If these prices were unbundled, the consumer would pay much more to maintain their hearing aid. Many professionals service the hearing aid under warranty at little or no charge so that the consumer can feel easy about calling for help when there are problems.  I can’t even get a plumber to come to my home to diagnose a problem, let alone repair it for less than $65.