About half of all seniors over the age of 75 have experienced hearing loss to the extent that it is recommended that they obtain a hearing aid. These implants can help an older person’s ears to receive sound correctly. While hearing aids can certainly do their job by aiding your hearing, there is also times that they do not work like they are supposed to. “Hearing aid horror stories” scare people away from getting their hearing implants every single year. Most of the times, hearing aids are suggested in the form of a sales pitch. These expensive implants are often marketed by doctors who need some extra cash. If you aren’t careful, you may end up paying too much for a low-quality hearing aid that could damage your hearing even more.

According to a hearing aid professional, the largest issue with hearing aids is overpricing. Some doctors take advantage of senior patients by telling them that they are getting a good deal on an overly high-priced product. While some shrewd customers may be able to identify a scam, others believe that their doctor wouldn’t be deceptive with them, and agree to the price that he sets. If you are considering hearing aids, tell your doctor that you want to think about the aids before signing over for them. Shop around and look for the best deal on hearing aids. Also, look at information such as the warrants involved, the return privileges, and whether or not there are return fees, loss fees or damage fees. You may also want to check on whether or not the company requires servicing fees. If you are specific as to what you want, then you can better shop for the right hearing aid at an appropriate price.

Also, when trying to choose a hearing aid, make sure you don’t get an item that is more than you need. Sometimes expensive and advanced hearing aid technology sounds impressive, but the functions are more than you need for day to day hearing. Make sure to talk with your doctor about the needs that you have in regards to your hearing, and make sure that you are not being sold an item that you don’t need. You may not want to purchase a top of the line hearing aid when something a few steps down would be just as suitable for your needs and better for your pocket book. At the same time, don’t settle for less than you need because of a lack of money. You don’t want to damage your ears with a low-quality aid.

Avoid gimmicks when choosing your hearing aid. Some doctors in the past have advertised that they can do a hearing aid trade-in or a factory-authorized sale. In reality, they may be gipping you off while lying to you at the same time. Make sure that you are shrewd whenever you deal with a doctor who is selling these aids. In the past, hearing aids have hurt more than just the patient’s bank accounts. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a young girl’s tympanic membrane was ruptured when the metal parts of her hearing aid ear mold punctured the membrane during installation.

In another horror story, a patient that had hearing aids installed ended up with an inflammation of the outer auditory channel that ended his ability to hear. If you have been afflicted with a hearing deficiency or an ear injury because of your hearing aids, then you need to notify your doctor right away. If you believe that a medical team or a manufacturer is at fault for your hearing loss, then talk to a medical malpractice attorney to seek damages for your injury!