Hearing loss is common. It affects around
Hearing aids are expensive. The average cost of hearing aids is just under $5,000. And these pricey devices are not a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.
Despite this, most health insurance plans, including original Medicare, don’t cover the cost of hearing aids.
TruHearing is trying to even the playing field economically for people with hearing loss. Here’s how.
TruHearing pros
- Hearing aids are significantly less expensive when purchased through the TruHearing website.
- Every hearing aid type, including invisible hearing aids, is available.
- There are hearing aid options suitable for severe hearing loss.
- Hearing aids come with a 60-day trial and 3-year warranty.
TruHearing cons
- Not every health insurance plan works with TruHearing. Since TruHearing doesn’t publish a list of partners, you’ll have to do the legwork to see whether your health insurance has a relationship with the company.
- If your health insurance ends its relationship with the company, your cost will increase on future purchases.
- Not every model from every manufacturer is available.
- If your current audiologist is not in-network, you’ll need to work with a new hearing professional.
TruHearing is a third-party managed care company.
TruHearing works with health insurance companies to provide full-service hearing healthcare to consumers, including lower cost hearing aids.
TruHearing partners with approximately 85 insurance companies, including:
- Humana
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Health Alliance
How TruHearing categorizes hearing aid options
The hearing aids available through TruHearing are categorized by technology level. Each level includes different types of hearing aids, such as receiver-in-ear and behind-the-ear styles. The levels are:
- Basic (least expensive): Best for mild to moderate hearing loss and those living a quiet, less active lifestyle. Features include limited noise reduction and basic feedback cancellation.
- Standard: Good for predictable environments, such as your home. Features include noise reduction, Bluetooth, and charging capabilities.
- Advanced: Good for noisier environments and for use when in motion. Features include motion sensors, rechargeability and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
- Premium (most expensive): Good for the most challenging hearing environments, like parties and restaurants. Features include extended bandwidth and echo-blocking technology.
The cost structure for your hearing aids will be determined by your health insurance. In general, there are two programs that may be available to you:
- TruHearing Choice includes hearing aids on the standard, advanced, and premium levels.
- TruHearing Select is customized by your health plan. It includes hearing aids on the premium and advanced levels.
If your health insurance doesn’t work with TruHearing, you can still purchase discounted hearing aids through the TruHearing website.
TruHearing is designed to help anyone looking for more affordable hearing aid options. While you’re unable to purchase TruHearing products or services online, you can buy discounted hearing aids through more than 6,400 brand-affiliated hearing healthcare professionals across the country.
Prices for TruHearing aids aren’t listed on the website, but some information online claims they range between around $675 to $2,250 each.
According to TruHearing, hearing aids cost 30 to 60% less than retail. The company says that’s an average savings of $3,400 per pair of hearing aids versus retail price.
Each hearing aid comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty that includes coverage for repairs. The warranty also includes one-time loss and damage replacement.
TruHearing has a free app for iOS and Android. You can use it to change your hearing programs, volume, and other settings through your smartphone. You can also use the app for virtual appointments.
TruHearing offers more than 200 hearing aids from manufacturers such as:
TruHearing also sells their own brand of hearing aids, which are manufactured by Signia.
Some hearing aids you’ll find include:
- Starkey Livio Edge AI receiver-in-canal and behind-the-ear: These are rechargeable hearing aids that make adjustments automatically.
- ReSound LiNX Quattro 9: These are available in behind-the-ear, completely-in-canal, and receiver-in-canal styles.
- Oticon CROS: These are budget-priced, rechargeable miniRITE hearing aids.
| Company | Starting price | Brands offered | Trial & warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| TruHearing | not listed, but TruHearing states customers save an average of $3,400 per pair | all major brands, including Signia, ReSound, and Phonak | 60-day trial window, 3-year warranty |
| NationsHearing | $500–$1,975 per pair | all major manufacturers, including Starkey, Phonak, and ReSound | 60-day trial window, 3-year warranty |
| Costco Hearing Aid Center | roughly $1,500 per pair | Kirkland Signature, Philips, Phonak, Jabra, Rexton | depends on hearing aid model |
Each hearing aid comes with a 60-day, risk-free trial. If you don’t like your hearing aids, you can return them for a full refund and no additional shipping costs.
Hearing aids come with a 3-year warranty. Your warranty will cover repairs if needed and provide a one-time loss or damage replacement.
After 3 years, if your hearing aids are damaged beyond repair, you will incur some level of cost to replace them. Replacement fees vary by manufacturer, but typically range between $110 and $195.
TruHearing doesn’t charge shipping for hearing aids or batteries. There’s a $5 shipping fee for hearing aid supplies, though.
TruHearing has an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating. BBB’s ratings indicate a company’s willingness to engage with customer complaints and service questions.
However, customers complain about TruHearing’s billing. On the BBB site, customers note that coordination between their insurance company and TruHearing was lacking, which affected the way billing was handled.
On Yelp, TruHearing has positive reviews for cost and quality, but there are also complaints similar to those on the BBB website.
TruHearing works with approximately 7,000 hearing professionals, including audiologists and hearing aid specialists, throughout the country.
You’re assigned a hearing professional to talk about or determine the type of hearing loss you have and the kind of hearing aids that would be best for your needs.
Your first step is to call a TruHearing consultant at 800-334-1807. The consultant will check your insurance eligibility and let you know the costs you can expect to incur. They’ll also set up an appointment for you with a hearing specialist.
You’ll then get a hearing exam and fitting at your appointment. You can discuss hearing aid options that make sense for your hearing loss level and budget. Your hearing specialist will order your hearing aids for you at that time.
TruHearing will handle the paperwork, so you won’t have to submit a bill to your insurance company.
After your hearing aids arrive, you have two additional appointments available with your hearing professional at no additional cost.
Hearing loss can occur gradually over time and is more common after age 65. If you suspect that you’re experiencing hearing loss, visit your doctor to identify potential causes and treatment options. Symptoms that may signal hearing loss include:
- hearing issues that interfere with daily activities
- hearing issues that become worse or don’t go away
- hearing loss that seems worse in one ear
- sudden hearing loss
- severe hearing loss
- ear pain accompanied by hearing issues
- headaches
- ringing in the ear
Where is TruHearing located?
TruHearing is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, but the company partners with professionals across the country.
Is Costco a TruHearing provider?
Costco isn’t currently a TruHearing provider, but the retailer does sell hearing aids.
Does Beltone work with TruHearing?
Beltone manufactures hearing aids. At this time, TruHearing doesn’t carry Beltone hearing aids.
TruHearing is a third-party company that works with insurance companies to offer lower cost hearing aids to people.
The company offers a wide selection of hearing aids for all hearing loss levels from major manufacturers. Your selection may be determined by the type of plan your health insurance has with TruHearing.
If your health insurance doesn’t work with TruHearing, you can still buy hearing aids through the TruHearing website.