Starkey Hearing Aids...High Priced Junk???

We purchased a pair of starkey (in the ear) digital hearing aids for my husband from this place. We were told these were "TOP OF THE LINE" hearing aids. (Should have been made of gold really, since each of them cost us $3,000.00)

During the first year, my husband had to take them back several times because they weren't working right.

Two months after the warranty runs out, we had to take them back again, because they weren't working. New Age sends them off for repair (no clue as to who they sent them to), we get them back...and we get a bill for 234.97. I actually got 2 bills in the mail together. Both had the exact same amount, so I thought they had mistakenly sent me a duplicate bill.

Well, I was upset at the 234.97 bill, since I thought this was extremely high. The bill said "Receiver Replacement" on one side and Hearing Aid Repair $129.99, Digital $89.99, Drop Ship Fee 0.00, Round Trip Shp/Hndlg $14.99

Microphone Protector N/C Sub Total $234.97

I guess it's suppose to make us feel better that were weren't charged for a drop ship fee and we weren't charged for a microphone protector.

It sure didn't make me feel better that after I sent in a check for 234.97, I get a statement showing I owed 295.03. This statement showed a previous balance of 530.00.

I was confused, so I had my husband call. Well, the second invoice wasn't a duplicate, but yet another bill for the other hearing aid. Keep in mind, these are suppose to be TOP OF THE LINE hearing aids, which we had paid $6,000.00 for. Also, evidently they can't add because the previous balance should have been $469.94. They said that was their error and they would correct that. I wonder how many older people would catch that?

When we asked why would these hearing aids stop working in such a short time, we were told it was because of "moisture". Can you imagine that? Who would have thought you would find "moisture" in ears??? (yes, I'm being sarcastic because everyone knows your ears have moisture)

Why on earth would a $6,000.00 pair of hearing aids not be protected against this?

Does Starkey think it's ok to sell a product, that is designed to go in your ear, which has moisture, which stops working after awhile due to moisture?

Does this Hearing Aid Center feel good about itself, selling a product like this?

Do they think that since we were able to finance 6,000.00 we should be able to pay $469.94 everytime the hearing aids stop working because of moisture? (Which I'm guessing will happen at least once a year)

I find this whole situation outrageous. It's sad that people find it neccessary to take advantage of people with disabilities.

I was so excited about having my husband hear me and everything else around him again, I didn't take the time to research these hearing aids or the prices. I was foolish enough to think that a "Doctor" would be truthful and would not sell a defective product.

I have since checked on the internet, and have seen the same hearing aids for $2,300.00, and with a 2 year warranty. (and that was a quick search) Which just goes to show the mark up (greed) on something so important to hearing impaired people.

I have also found a repair site that charges $120.00 to repair hearing aids (digital included, shipping included). Again, another sad example of greed.

Needless to say, I won't be taking these "GOLD" hearing aids back to New Age Hearing Aid Center.

A warning to others...don't believe the hype they tell you about a product they are selling. They are there to make a buck...or several thousand of them, at your expense.

Don't buy Starkey hearing aids!

Comment On This

Audibel is owned by Starkey and has removed a good bit of money from my pockets over the years. I got luckey (I guess) when I found that the distributor I was using had tampered with my BTEs in order to try and sell me their latest model. I have filed every thing that I know of (and could afford) on these people but to no avail.

Good luck.........