Follow
Share

My mother has been finally been diagnosed with hearing loss and the doctor recommended hearing aids at $4,000 a pair. OUCH! We've seen ads in magazines for MD Hearing Aid Air, which are touted to work great and cost less than $1,000.

We've looked online for reviews and haven't found any that aren't glowing with compliments about how great they work.

Has anyone had any experience with these hearing aids? Do they really work as well as everyone says they do?

Thanks for your help.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Beware sellers tying to pawn off PSAPs (personal sound amplifiers) as hearing aids! It's against the law to do so, but places still manage to swindle people. I can't speak for MD Hearing, as the previous comments do mention that your experience may be mixed, but definitely know the difference! saywhathearing.com/en/videos/fact-or-fiction/episode-17
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Bought the MD Airs after trying the $6000 pr Oticons for 120 days. While not as fancy, the MD hearing aids had better sound quality than the expensive ones. The plastic casing has started to crack where tubing is attached, (they are now 2and a half years old). I phoned their support number and was ready to order a replacement at full price. The lady said I could return them ( one at a time suggested) and pay $69. to get a brand new replacement. These people are life savers !!! I had a Dr. of Audiology re-test my hearing lately and he was curious about the MDs and asked if he could test them. He said they were so close to perfect for my hearing loss that it was really not possible to get much better. He sells the high end stuff and said he would consider buying these for some clients who simply cannot afford the expensive ones.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

brad, I have to side with the audiologist here. I also know my mother well enough to know that she wouldn't be able to deal with the hearing aids. She also wouldn't like them after a time or two and set them aside, saying they made things sound funny. I know her that well. I can already predict that they would be money wasted. :)
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Jessibelle,,,,,so what audiologist told you that they wouldn't help. All hearing loss is neural related, but that doesn't mean that hearing aids won't help. Implants are only for those whose auditory nerves are dead. Implants are the last resort b/c the nerves are cut from the cochlea. If your mom is asking for them, you should go get a second opinion. Now, b/c she has dementia, special care is needed with her and aids. A competent audiologist will determine if she can benefit from amplification and will provide the guidance and care your mother needs in order to benefit you and create a better quality of life for your mother.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I have a light to moderate hearing loss. Basically the MD hearing aids work reasonably well considering my problem. Perhaps someone with a more severe problem needs a more specialized approach. However for now I'll stick with the MD product even though there are some problems with them such as sticky volume control Etc.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

MD recalled my Volt hearing aids almost a month now. I have been promised 3 times that I will receive upgraded hearing aids when they receive mine back . That the return shipping label was in the mail. That's been a month now. They have my money and I can't hear my doctors or my family and friends.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Have used The MD Aire and Pro both for several years. The new Aire is ok but has what I can best describe as a "sticky volume control". With issues in the past MD has been easy to deal with. At one time their policy was to charge a $50 service fee if you sent them a defective out of warranty unit. They would replace it with a refurbished unit. They provided quick turn around service. I recommended MD to several friends who so far seem happy.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I purchased a set of MDHearing Aids, and they did help, but they were not near the quality of a pair of more expensive hearing aids I later purchased from America Hears. The MDHearing Aids came with a whole package of spare tubes, but when I tired to use one, I found they were not designed to fit the hearing aid that they came with. I would not purchase again.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

My mother (age 68), niece (age 8) and I (age 44) have hearing aids. My niece got hers from the dr, however, her father is military and so they didn't have to pay for them (they cost about $6k). I got mine from a company recommended by my health insurance company & they were covered by insurance, if I had paid for them they would have been about $2k. My mom, who had to pay for her hearing aid (she only needed 1) went to Costco, cost was under $1k including the hearing exam and adjusting it to her needs. She shopped around for who offered the best deal - and could have spent over $2k to get it from her ENT dr. I would recommend going to somewhere like Costco, as you need to have them adjusted for the person using the hearing aid. I definitely wouldn't buy something like hearing aids thru the mail, would you buy eyeglasses without an exam and having them fit to you. Hearing loss isn't just solved by turning up the volume just as sight loss can't be solved by using a magnifying glass.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

lovetoplay, I know you did go to an audiologist, so the answer wasn't directed at you.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

There is one big benefit to going to an audiologist. Many elderly people have hearing loss that cannot be corrected with hearing aids. The damage is to the nerves and would require an implant to help.

My father was almost deaf at 88. He didn't mind, but my mother wanted to try hearing aids for him. We went to the audiologist. He told us the damage was neural and probably wouldn't be helped by a hearing aid. My mother really wanted it, though, so the doctor designed him one that amplified sound. Long story short -- it didn't help at all and they were $2K poorer.

My mother has about 50-75% hearing loss at 88. We went to an ENT, who tested her hearing. He told us that her hearing was as good as it was going to get and was typical for a woman her age. Knowing hearing aids wouldn't help and that she wouldn't wear them, anyway, I say no anytime my mother mentions hearing aids now. I have to remind her why each time.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Are there any lawyers handling hearing aid lawsuits in MD?
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Adding to my earlier post:
Went to Sam's Club for a free hearing test (you don't need a membership.) Was very pleased with the comprehensive testing offered. Then I learned they were actually a hearing aid company (Liberty Hearing Aids) leasing space from Sam's.

My visit ended up with them trying to sell me a pair of their top line aids for $4,100 but I knew for my type hearing loss, typical for older adults aged 40+, my pair of MDHearing aids ($600) performed as well as their low end $2,000 pair.

The more expensive aids had more bands/channels, etc. but after trying them out I found my MDHearing Aids almost as good as their $4,100 pair. Not quite as good but certainly not worth the price difference.

And places like Southwest Hearing bombard you with junkmail offering $2,000 discounts, etc. You have to ask yourself, if they can give everyone that much discount right from the start, how much they're overcharging you.

That was my experience, yours may vary. Good luck.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Have had two sets of MD hearing aids going on five years. My first set developed intermittent interference within the first year (after the 45 day trial period) and was replaced 100% without charge. Customer service was friendly, quick and as good (or better) as you'll find anywhere.

My husband is an audio technician who researched typical adult hearing loss and discovered most older adults experience a drop off in the higher frequencies of the sound spectrum. This causes "t's and s's in conversation to not be heard and makes distinguishing certain words difficult. I went to a professional audiologist and this was confirmed in my case.

Bought the MDHearing aids and heard all I was missing as soon as I put them in.

My advice? Get your ears tested by a pro so you know what your hearing issue actually is. If it's typical adult hearing loss, save yourself several thousand dollars with the MDHearing aids. They last as long or longer than those costing two to four times more. And with a 45 day no questions asked return policy, what is there to lose?

As to their restocking charge, people here evidently don't read because it's plainly stated on their website which says they want you to try them for at least 21 days and return them within 45 if you find they're not for you. Here's the link to their return policy: mdhearingaid/assets/images/content/RecieptAddendum_0315_web.pdf
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Char77--- I am not the seller. Read what I wrote, the seller was dropped because they DO charge restocking fees and many Amazon customers did not like that.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This is a reply to pamstegma comment. This appears to have been written by the seller ("OUR customers"). I have returned a few items from Amazon. Returns were absolutely no cost to me - not even return shipping. They did not have to be unopened. NO restocking fee was charged. Why would someone mis-state Amazon's return policy?
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I paid $200 for the PRO model. At first I was somewhat satisfied, although it only worked well in very quiet environments. In a restaurant or other noisy situation it was not good. Worst of all, it failed about 6 months after I bought it, and the company sent me a form letter saying there was only a 3 month warranty. Obviously they know about how long their product will last. Avoid this company.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Thanks for the information. Do you have any problems using a telephone? Or, getting feedback when you put your hand near your ear?
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Actually, I am having a good experience with MD Airs. A little background. I have been wearing expensive prescribed hearing aids for well over 20 years now. My hearing loss is moderate to severe, and touching on profound in one ear. The place I work for has changed insurance and hearing aides are no longer covered. Not many can cough up $4,000 to $6,000, me included. I decided to take a chance on MD Airs after my husband bought a pair. For size I tried his aides for a few days and was very happy with the sound quality and performance, once I was able to insert the buds correctly. I'm use to the having custom molds. I'll honestly say, the MD aides were as good if not better than any of my prescribed aides. Also in researching why MD Air pulled out of Amazon, it reportedly was not due to MD's products or lack of CS. The amazon reviews are still up on MD's website and why MD left. If you talk to most speech therapists, audiologists, and/or some doctors you are going to hear buying online is not a good option. Its because they are in the business, and hearing aides are the one technology that increases in price on a yearly basis. Why is that I wonder? and why is it insurances won't cover readily. Research and learn. MD Airs work well for me and better than any aide I have worn in 20 plus years.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Well, you should always beware glowing online reviews that are mostly ghost-written by the company selling them. That said though, these specific aids (mdhearingaid/shop/mdhearingaid-air/) might actually have worked reasonably for me, and they are billed as "one-size-fits-most" so if and only if you have typical high frequency not-too-severe hearing loss, they could work. Read that user manual - there is a lot of honesty there. The less expensive "pro" model would not have worked for me, and would not have known that without a lot of experience and fully understanding my own audiogram.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I just posted a similar answer on another question. I believe they are junk. Go to a hunting/outdoor store and spend $400 on hearing aides there. My doctor told me they are just as good and their battery is better.

My brother in law is wearing them, somewhat successfully.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

There are a few posts here on hearing aids, used or new, and possible assistance.

Type "hearing aids" into the search box at the upper right top of this page. You might find something that's helpful.

I've also just discovered that AARP affiliates with selected hearing aid providers which allegedly offer a discount. Aids can range from $795 to $2950, but I'm sure that the audiologist who does the examination will always recommend the higher range of aids.

There's also a $1300 discount coupon available on the website. Advertising links aren't allowed, so you'll have to find this site by yourself. Google, AARP, hearing aids and follow the trail.

I've never heard of the company you mention; there is a "Hearing Help Express", or "Hearing Express", something like that, which fills orders by mail. It's not clear whether there's an exam involved or not; I didn't pursue it because I wasn't impressed with what I read.

I too am familiar with the experience of getting expensive aids just aren't worn for .... well, who knows what the reasons are??
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Here's an excellent article on buying hearing aids from Consumer Reports, an independent group that takes no advertising. Hopefully you'll find it helpful: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/hearing-aids/buying-guide.htm

My dad had $4k hearing aids that he hardly wore. They helped him, but he still didn't like them. When I'd go visit, I wouldn't talk to him until he put them in. So they only work if/when you wear them. My mom got a set of hearing aids and never wore them either. Sigh.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

hearing aids seem to be a hit or miss proposition. no experience here, but they either love them or leave them. if they love them, money well spent, if they don't, money down a black hole
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Amazon has dropped them because:
Discouraging returns and refunds unless the product is unopened (i.e., not properly trialed)
• Implementation of mandatory restocking fees for returned items
• Limit MDHearingAid's ability to communicate with our customers for support
• And most importantly, allowing a large number of imitation hearing aids to be sold under the category of "Hearing Aids" on their site.
I would not buy one.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter