How much do professionally-fitted hearing aids cost?

This is a common question with a very complex answer. Depends if you're paying just for hearing aids or if you're also paying for your care. Imagine the dentist giving you wire and glue and telling you to put your braces on youself- doesn't seem to make much sense does it? Hearing aids and technology require different, but equal expertise.

There are two models to consider: bundled and unbundled. Most providers bundle their services with the cost of the hearing aid. This will typically increase the price that you're paying but you are getting professional care, service, testing, follow-ups, adjustments, batteries, accessories, cleaning, warranties, possibly aural rehabilitation, etc. included in that price. In this model, I've heard of people paying $1,000 to $4000 per hearing aid, $2,000-8000 per pair depending on quality of the technology and what is included in the treatment package.

The unbundled approach will reduce the initial cost that you pay but will typically only include the hearing aids, manufacturer warranties, and maybe a couple of follow-ups. You then pay as you go for appointments, cleanings, programmings, supplies, batteries, etc. In this model, I've heard of people paying $400 to $2000 per hearing aid, $800 to 4,000 per pair depending on the quality of the technology.

You are going to pay the least if you go direct-to-consumer because you just pay for hearing aids that are mailed to you- not a smart decision. I liken it to getting a pill bottle in the mail. You don't know how many pills to take, when to take the pills, what do you do if you don't feel well- is it the pills or something else?, what if you experience a side-effect is that normal?, etc. If you need more pills, you have to send the pill bottle back and wait for them to fill it, but when the pills come back they look different. Does this change what you do with the pills? Remember, you get what you pay for. 

According to a survey of our followers in 2018, the average hearing aid costs $2,372. The average price paid varied by hearing aid brand, place of purchase, and technology level purchased. In 2015, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) reported that the average hearing aid costs $2,300. According to PCAST, most "people also have to cover the costs entirely out of pocket as Medicare and most insurance do not cover hearing aids. Bundling services also drives up the costs, meaning consumers must pay for a professional evaluation and fitting, the hearing devices, and follow up appointments and adjustments all at once..." 

We published an article in 2022 detailing 7 ways you can save money on hearing aids, and highlighted a few of the most reputable online hearing aid brands.

What a great question, and as you can see from a variety of answers already submitted, there are a range of answers.  The short answer to your question is hearing aid cost range from $99 to approximately $2400 per device.

However, I am going to guess that your real question is: How much should I expect to pay to obtain a quality, well-fit, customized, personal hearing devices?  If this is the case, there are a few things that you need to know up front.  First of all, you will do best with a hearing evaluation to determine your current hearing acuity.  A comprehensive hearing (audiological) evaluation will check your outer, middle, and inner ear system (separately and together) and ensure there are no red flag warning signs of ear disease present.  Some insurances will cover the cost of the hearing evaluation; check your insurance benefits for full details.  Second, a communication needs assessment needs to be completed.  This is different from a hearing aid evaluation.  A communication needs assessment looks at your hearing abilities (hearing evaluation results), your lifestyle, your hearing needs and preferences, and other factors that will be present in your life with hearing devices.  Then, a full range of appropriate devices can be recommended: you may benefit from a simple over-the-counter personal-sound-amplifier-product (PSAP), a hearing aid, communication strategies/counseling, support groups, cochlear implants, middle ear implants, assitive listening devices (ALDs), and more!  A combination of devices may be recommended, depeneding on your hearing abilities, lifestyle, hearing needs and preferences, etc.  (This is why the intiial assessment includes more than just your hearing test outcomes.)  A few insurance companies may pay for this time of assessment, but, in reality, you should expect to pay an hourly rate to determine your best options, prior to purchasing any devices.  [In contrast, a hearing aid evaluation appointment typically consists of someone trying to sell you a hearing aid, based on your hearing test results.]  From this point, you have a variety of options about what to purchase, where to purchase, and if/how to utilize professional Audiology services.  Getting the initial groundwork, even if the expense is out-of-pocket, will save you a significant amount of time and money in the long-run.  

As mentioned, hearing aids range from $99 to approximately $2400 per device.  However, there are other alternatives, like PSAPs and even smart phone/device apps that are free, or low-cost ($1) that may be beneficial.  The communication needs assessment will identify these, if they are quality options for you.  Once a device is obtain, you choose any professional testing of the device, counseling of the features and options, programming, etc. you will likely pay out-of-pocket for the services.  The cost will vary depending on the Audiologist's rate.  Should you obtain hearing aids, middle ear implants, and/or cochlear implants, state requirements may currently require that an Audiologist be involved.  However, this may also be changing in the future....

In the UK the answer ranges from £0-£3500+. 

The National Health Service (NHS) provides Hearing Aids for free for UK citizens. However the Hearing Aids tend to be "mature technology", typically the bulkier Behind The Ear (BTE) style-thus no choice on the device provided, there is normally a waiting time and the manufacturer varies from hospital to hospital. The rehabilitation can be highly variable in quality from hospital to hospital.

Although they have a lower success rate, they are still the biggest provider of hearing care in the UK. Privately, hearing aids can range from £12 for an amplifier bought from a newspaper/internet advertisement and approximately £400-£3500+ for devices bought from the private sector providers. Typically the aftercare service is bundled into the price of the hearing devices for and customers tend to prefer this. Interest-free payment plans are also becoming increasingly popular. 

Factors affecting cost will be: quality level, there can be typically up to five per manufacturer. Which manufacturer you use, length of warranty, whether home visit services are included & whether you deal with a large National firm often owned by a manufacturer or a smaller independent operator (sometimes a little more) who is likely to have a wider range of manufacturers they represent but in independent surveys have come out top in customer satisfaction ratings. 

Every manufacturer sells products at different price points, and pricing is determined based on the level of technology of a specific hearing aid (ranging from basic to premium.  We separate our pricing into 4 different levels - level 1 (basic), level 2 (value), level 3 (advanced) and level 4 (premium) and our pricing per hearing aid ranges from around $625 to $2800 per device, depending on the level of technology. On average, most providers offer different products at different price points and some providers will cost more than others. When purchasing a hearing aid, remember you are not just paying for the device - you are also paying for the knowledge and expertise, and the service level of the provider/dispenser. In many instances, the latter is much more of a factor in how much you will benefit from a hearing aid. Programming and service is key.

Good luck in your search for solutions to your hearing needs!

They can range in price from $300 to $7000.

The cost of hearing aids can really vary from a couple hundred dollars to thousands. The cost really depends on the technology level, the patients hearing loss and other factors. There are different manufactures which also plays a role in cost. 

All depends on level of technology you choose and also the level of loss. Lifestyle etc. Also the level of care you have if thats included. You do want that because paying for each visit can get expensive. So bundling is the best practice.

Hearing aid costs vary a lot because of the level of technology and what you are wanting the hearing aid to do.   They can run as low as $400 a piece up to $4000 a piece.  Paying more than that should make you shop around a bit.   The price level you choose should fit your budget while getting the most for your needs.   Hearing aid costs can be higher in larger cities than in rural areas just because the expenses to run an office are that much higher.  Most importantly make sure that you will be happy working with the audiologist and will be getting the service and help that is needed with hearing aids.