Ask your audiologist… Beware of the 'trade in' gimmicks!

I would hope that the intelligent consumers in North Idaho would not fall for these common practices. I recommend that any hearing impaired person keep a working pair or spare hearing aid. Anything can happen at any time. If one loses a hearing aid they would need a spare until a new one was ordered. If one damages a hearing aid (I have had a rash of dogs eating my patients hearing aids lately) you would have your spare to rely on until your aid was replaced. Please keep your aids where your dogs can't get a hold of them.

I have had many patients over the years realize how important it is to have a spare aid. I feel sorry for those patients that come in for a hearing aid repair and I ask them if they have a spare aid they can wear until their aid comes back and they sheepishly tell me they traded their working spare in for money off their current aid. Even if you wear extended wear hearing aids it is good to have a reliable spare. It is also good to have a spare if you are traveling or on vacation. Not being able to hear can ruin an otherwise good time.

Why would a dispensing office offer a trade in discount? The reasons are many but don't sit well with me.

Here are a few of these common sales tactics:

1. Money off? A mark up has most likely been built into the price of the hearing aid to be able to offer this. Be assertive and try asking for the same discount without trading in your spares!

2. Inability to compare your new aid to your previous aid. You should want a marked improvement with a new aid. How can you tell if you traded your old one in?

3. To sell you an upgrade or new technology before it is needed. A quality hearing aid should give you five years of service. Some offices have a three year upgrade agenda to make more money.

I won't take spare aids from people when they offer them to me when they get new ones because I truly believe they need to keep a working pair or spare. Certainly donate older aids only if you have a working pair or spare. Donated aids can be used to help the needy in our community.

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Dr. Tia Flynn is a certified audiologist and has been in business for more than 17 years. Every Tuesday morning from 9 a.m. to noon, Dr. Flynn provides free hearing screenings at 1601 Third St. in Coeur d’Alene. (208) 664-2767. Visit our newly updated website www.affordablehearinginc.com for an online hearing test and watch helpful videos.