Are Hearing Aids Just a Commodity?

A commodity is a product where one unit is indistinguishable from another unit. Farmers produce commodity crops such as wheat or corn that are generally indistinguishable from the crops produced by other farmers. Commodities produced by multiple farmers can be harvested separately then combined and sold together because they are all almost exactly alike.

Many people think of hearing aids as commodities, as if they are all the same and there is no difference between them. This occurs because most people have had limited interaction with hearing aids and most mass advertising is geared to “one-size-fits-all” devices. Based on their individual experience every person who hears the words “hearing aid” may picture something different in their mind. Eighteen years ago, when I first started my journey into the hearing healthcare field, what I thought when I heard “hearing aid” is completely different than what I think now.

When it comes to hearing aids, some people think of a box that fit into grandpa’s pocket and had a cord that went up to his ear. Others think of the whistling or feedback that comes from the device. Some people picture a big bulky device behind the ear. In general, most people are not aware that there are many different hearing aid “form factors” or configurations of the components and how they fit in the ear. Some styles are better than others depending on the specific hearing loss.

The term hearing aid describes many types of devices that collect sound energy with a microphone, use some form of electronics to amplify the signal, and then project the amplified sound with a receiver (or speaker) into a person’s ear. While it is true all hearing aids have certain parts in common, not all are created with the same features and functions. Many devices share the same or similar anatomy. However, even devices that look nearly identical can be very different depending on the technology found inside.

The technology found in the hearing aid, along with different form factors, make it possible to fit patients with nearly every type of hearing loss. Every device we sell can be programmed to a patient’s specific hearing loss. Today’s technology goes even farther so that with the touch of a button the hearing aid can analyze the environment and automatically reprogram how it processes sounds for that specific situation. This allows the patient to hear and understand better, regardless of whether it is background noise or a very quiet person speaking.

At Blue Ribbon Hearing & Tinnitus Center, we believe that neither patients nor hearing aids are a commodity, since every patient is unique. Therefore, we take extra time to determine exactly what a person’s hearing or tinnitus need is, and find a solution for their specific issue. With every type and style of hearing aid available, we have the ability to customize not only the programming of the device but also the fit for their specific size and shape of ear canal.