Should You Buy an Extended Warranty on Hearing Aids?
Published December 28, 2015
Updated September 5, 2022
Hearing aid repairs can be costly.
Even worse, is if you lose your hearing aids and have to buy a whole new set.
You may be wondering how to protect yourself from these fees, and in this post I'll show you how.
But first, make sure you understand how hearing aid warranties work.
The video below is a good primer.
First, figure out how much an extended warranty costs
Depending on the brand of hearing aid you have, you can buy an extended warranty to cover you against repairs, or loss and damage.
If you don't know the difference, watch the video above.
Next, figure out what an out-of-warranty repair would cost
An out-of-warranty repair means a repair that would be needed once your hearing aid warranty would expire.
Many (but not all) hearing aid providers charge a flat fee for any repairs outside of the warranty period.
I know this seems weird, but they do it, because your hearing aid manufacturer charges the retailer a flat fee as well.
Ask your hearing provider what this fee will be, and if possible, get it written on your purchase agreement.
Finally, assess the difference in those fees, and your risk tolerance
Let's use some hypothetical numbers, but numbers that are actually somewhat "average" in the industry.
Let's assume that your local hearing provider charges $150 for a 1 year extended repair warranty (per hearing aid).
That number is probably close to what most retailers would charge.
Now let's also assume that the same hearing aid provider charges $350 for out-of-warranty repairs.
The fee is also pretty close to what most retailers would charge.
Using the figures above, your worse case scenario if you don't buy an extended warranty is a $350 fee to get a repair.
On the flip side, if you pay $150 for that extended warranty and nothing happens to your hearing aid within that period, that money is wasted.
A prudent approach
Neither of the above situations are ideal, but you can take a calculated risk and probably come out on top in the long run if you do it right.
Our advice is to not buy an extended warranty—just take the warranty that comes with the purchase.
Then, during your warranty period, keep track of how many (if any) repairs were needed during that period.
If your hearing aids were getting fixed every year, that pattern is probably going to continue once your warranty expires, and in that case, using the figures above, it definitely makes sense to buy an extended warranty.
On the other hand, if your hearing aids required relatively little maintenance or repair work, you're probably better off taking the risk of not buying an extended warranty.
Sure, you may get hit with that $350 fee, but you'll also (most likely), get a warranty included with the work that was performed.
What about loss and damage warranties?
What we just covered above should help you determine whether you want to buy an extended repair warranty, but what about warranty covering the hearing aid against loss, theft, or damage beyond repair?
We'll give the same advice again.
Initially, don't buy it.
Just take whatever warranty comes with the hearing aids, and see what happens during your warranty period.
What if you lose or damage your hearing aids and they can't be repaired?
First, understand that almost all hearing aids come with "catastrophic" coverage.
You don't have to ask for this, it's something hearing aid manufacturers just include when you buy their hearing aids.
This "catastrophic" coverage is referred to as "loss and damage" coverage.
This coverage kicks in if the aid is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond repair.
If you file a claim, you'll have a fee, ranging from $350-$500, that you'll have to pay to the local provider to get you a replacement device.
So again, because this coverage comes with the hearing aid, we'd recommend not buying extended loss and damage coverage.
Unless...
You already filed a loss and damage claim
If you've already been through the above, then you should probably purchase coverage to protect you against it happening again.
Because if it does happen again, and you don't have coverage, you'll have to buy a whole new hearing aid.
But you shouldn't just accept the first quote you get.
There's a few ways to find the best rate for this coverage:
- Get a quote from your local provider. This is going to be the most convenient option. When you get a price, make sure it includes the reprogramming/refitting of the replacement hearing aid(s).
- Get a quote from an internet hearing aid insurance provider. Google "hearing aid warranty" or "hearing aid insurance" and you'll see a few options out there. Again, when you look at the price they quote, add that to whatever fees you'll have to pay your local provider for the reprogramming/refitting of the hearing aid(s), as that is your true cost.
- Consider adding a "rider" to your homeowners or renters insurance policy. Just as you would add jewelry or other expensive household items, many insurance policies will allow you to add hearing aids as well. This is often very affordable and will cost much less than the above 2 options, but again, you'll likely incur additional fees from your provider for the reprogramming/refitting of the hearing aid(s).
To summarize
We don't recommend buying an extended repair warranty.
We recommend waiting and seeing if your hearing aids have any issues during the normal warranty period.
If they did, it probably makes sense to buy an extended warranty, as long as the cost to buy it is lower than what your out-of-warranty repair costs would be.
And we also don't recommend buying an extended loss and damage warranty.
We recommend waiting and first using the coverage that comes with the hearing aids, by default.
Once you've used up that coverage (if you even do), then shop for coverage from the sources mentioned above.
Dr Jack A Zeller
thank you. I was told even before I made the purchase that the Benafon hearing aid I had on trial, that I had to purchase outside insurance such as home owners. I think it was not ok to be told i needed home owner insurance even after I found a lost hearing aid inside the house ( found with a 10 dollar application downloaded to my iphone!!). I have no trouble paying in part for a lost hearing aid within a purchase warranty. I have to take responsibility. But, I am annoyed that the manufacturer policy was deleted from the conversation. I think audiologists need to be more up front especially when a patient pointedly complains of a loss (and later found hearing aid) as a severe anxiety reaction to the loss which required several hours to find. I find there is a reluctance to discuss hearing aid losses and to the contrary bragging rights that one can jog and do all kinds of very active sports. Perhaps I am too critical, but I rank this as an outright lie. I have looked for data on the percentage of hearing aids lost for one reason or another and find nothing. I would like to see risks of loss based on various constructs. I do not ask to much.
thank you. I was told even before I made the purchase that the Benafon hearing aid I had on trial, that I had to purchase outside insurance such as home owners. I think it was not ok to be told i needed home owner insurance even after I found a lost hearing aid inside the house ( found with a 10 dollar application downloaded to my iphone!!). I have no trouble paying in part for a lost hearing aid within a purchase warranty. I have to take responsibility. But, I am annoyed that the manufacturer policy was deleted from the conversation. I think audiologists need to be more up front especially when a patient pointedly complains of a loss (and later found hearing aid) as a severe anxiety reaction to the loss which required several hours to find. I find there is a reluctance to discuss hearing aid losses and to the contrary bragging rights that one can jog and do all kinds of very active sports. Perhaps I am too critical, but I rank this as an outright lie. I have looked for data on the percentage of hearing aids lost for one reason or another and find nothing. I would like to see risks of loss based on various constructs. I do not ask to much.
Alina
One important factor to consider in deciding whether or not to renew the warranty is how many repairs have you had during the time you’ve owned your hearing aid? In our offices, it is $175 to renew the warranty (covering repair, loss and damage) vs $275 to repair an out of warranty hearing aid (12 mos repair coverage included, no loss and damage). When I am discussing the options for my client, we review their repair history. If the hearing aids have gone in to the lab 1x per ear per year or more often, then the warranty is a good value. If they have had fewer repairs than this, then they are better off saving the money and paying for the repair when it happens. Furthermore, as we are approaching the end of the warranty, we always send the aids in for reconditioning so that no warranty ever goes to waste, and 95% of the time the lab ends up replacing one or more parts.
The loss issue is more tricky, in my mind. No one ever plans to lose a hearing aid, but life happens. I lost my hearing aid once and I’m a hearing specialist! Under our loss policy, a deductible of $300 replaces the entire aid, however with no loss coverage, the client is faced with purchasing a brand new hearing aid that often will not match their existing hearing aid (depending on how long they have owned their set), or going without if they cannot afford the expense. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance is sometimes a good option for loss coverage, but you *must* make sure it is a “no fault” policy. I have had it happen where a client of mine opted to let his warranty go and instead put it on his homeowners. Then he lost his aid. The insurance company said that because it was *his fault* and not a fire, theft or flood type incident, that they would not cover it. So he was out the extra premium that he paid for that rider, and the insurance company left him high and dry. That has never once happened to me with the manufacturer’s warranty, which covers loss no matter who’s at fault. So make sure, if you’re going to utilize the renters/homeowner’s policy to cover your hearing aids that you are getting a “no fault” policy that will cover your aids no matter what.
Also, for the hearing aid insurance you are buying online, find out who is doing the repairs and how that is covered. I would only really trust the manufacturer to repair the hearing aid because they have all the appropriate parts and will get the job done right. I have a couple of clients that were very dissatisfied with their “cheap” hearing aid repairs done by a company they found online, and it didn’t get done right until we sent it back to the legitimate manufacturer of the device, so these poor folks had to pay for the repair twice – first for the “budget” option and second to get it done right. Of course, the ones who are happy with their “budget” repair options don’t come and tell me about it, so there is that, too!
Just wanted to put in my two cents to expand on your excellent article here. 🙂
One important factor to consider in deciding whether or not to renew the warranty is how many repairs have you had during the time you’ve owned your hearing aid? In our offices, it is $175 to renew the warranty (covering repair, loss and damage) vs $275 to repair an out of warranty hearing aid (12 mos repair coverage included, no loss and damage). When I am discussing the options for my client, we review their repair history. If the hearing aids have gone in to the lab 1x per ear per year or more often, then the warranty is a good value. If they have had fewer repairs than this, then they are better off saving the money and paying for the repair when it happens. Furthermore, as we are approaching the end of the warranty, we always send the aids in for reconditioning so that no warranty ever goes to waste, and 95% of the time the lab ends up replacing one or more parts.
The loss issue is more tricky, in my mind. No one ever plans to lose a hearing aid, but life happens. I lost my hearing aid once and I’m a hearing specialist! Under our loss policy, a deductible of $300 replaces the entire aid, however with no loss coverage, the client is faced with purchasing a brand new hearing aid that often will not match their existing hearing aid (depending on how long they have owned their set), or going without if they cannot afford the expense. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance is sometimes a good option for loss coverage, but you *must* make sure it is a “no fault” policy. I have had it happen where a client of mine opted to let his warranty go and instead put it on his homeowners. Then he lost his aid. The insurance company said that because it was *his fault* and not a fire, theft or flood type incident, that they would not cover it. So he was out the extra premium that he paid for that rider, and the insurance company left him high and dry. That has never once happened to me with the manufacturer’s warranty, which covers loss no matter who’s at fault. So make sure, if you’re going to utilize the renters/homeowner’s policy to cover your hearing aids that you are getting a “no fault” policy that will cover your aids no matter what.
Also, for the hearing aid insurance you are buying online, find out who is doing the repairs and how that is covered. I would only really trust the manufacturer to repair the hearing aid because they have all the appropriate parts and will get the job done right. I have a couple of clients that were very dissatisfied with their “cheap” hearing aid repairs done by a company they found online, and it didn’t get done right until we sent it back to the legitimate manufacturer of the device, so these poor folks had to pay for the repair twice – first for the “budget” option and second to get it done right. Of course, the ones who are happy with their “budget” repair options don’t come and tell me about it, so there is that, too!
Just wanted to put in my two cents to expand on your excellent article here. 🙂
Jeff Hall
Alina,
Thank you as always for your very well-informed comments. I am always happy to see your remarks!
Jeff
Alina,
Thank you as always for your very well-informed comments. I am always happy to see your remarks!
Jeff