How good are miracle ear hearing aids?

My grandmother is thinking about spending $2300 for a hearing aid. Miracle Ear is the brand that she is looking at. Is there a website that has evaluations on hearing aids on other information?

She has already been to an audiologist and I know that Miracle Ear only sells their own brand. So in order for anyone to help me, I need to know if anyone has had any experience with Miracle Ear and if it was a good or bad experience, why.

Hi, I'm an Audiologist.

Miracle Ear is a company that manufactures hearing aids and has a chain of franchise dispensaries that deal with their product exclusively.

As far as the technology of their devices goes, they are fairly compatible with other brands. However, they tend to charge more, as they need to recoup the money for their advertising.

I've had several patients that have had bad experiences with Miracle Ear products and Dispensers. But then again, if they were happy, they wouldn't be coming to see us. Still, it is an important investment she is making, and she needs to not only consider the cost and convenience, but also the service and professional support she will receive.

I strongly recommend that she consult a few Audiologists rather than Hearing Aid Dispensers in the area, to shop around for the product and service. Especially if she has never worn hearing aids before, it is important that she fully understand the options available to her; and to have someone that will explain to her what to expect, how to adapt to hearing all the sounds she's been missing, and how to get the most from her investment. For example, if both of her ears hear about equally, she would do much better if she had amplification for both ears.

No matter where she purchases, she should get a trial period that is AT LEAST 30 days long, during which she has the option to return the aid(s) with no questions asked (most places do have some portion of the cost that is not refunded). Make sure she goes in for at least one follow-up visit during that trial period and that she gets all her questions answered promptly and professionally.

If at all possible, have someone accompany her to these visits -- it's a lot of information, and the some of my patients can seem intimidated by the process. Unfortunately, some seniors can be easily influenced or will simply just want to keep it simple and just stay with the first person they talk to. She's spending a lot of money and these devices need to help her for the next five years or so -- it's better not to make a hasty decision.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to click on my name/avatar and the on Contact hearkat and send me a note.

what was that? you're gonna have to speak up!

A bad Miracle Ear hearing aid is "unheard" of.

im deaf myself,she has to go to hearing specialist to determined the percentage of hearing.if within the percentage,she can get one but over the top she has to get a powerful aid.miracle ear only work for who lose some hearing.

Honestly, Miracle Ear is my least favorite brand of hearing aid.

I have worked as a hearing instrument specialist for 12 years now. I am qualified in the United Kingdom and also in America, where I live now. I have dispensed almost every major brand of aid out there. For six years I worked for independent companies that really didn't care what brand I dispensed.

In my experience Miracle Ear is one step up from the kind of junk you can order online or by mail order. They use cheap imported parts, and their technology is lagging far behind the better hearing aids.

For me I am a big fan of Starkey and Audibel. They make quality American hearing aids. Their latest nFusion technology is the most advanced out there. I also like Oticon and ReSound if you don't mind non-American companies. I think Siemens is a shade overrated and expensive.

Whatever you buy check that they have a good follow up program. Make sure you can listen to a real hearing system before you buy; any good hearing center will have BTE digital test aids you can listen to. Make sure you get a trial period of at least 30 days. Make sure you trust and believe in the hearing professional you are dealing with. Do not be afraid to ask for references. Good hearing professionals keep a list of patients who don't mind being contacted.

Avoid buying on price alone. A good hearing aid will cost over $2,500. Once you have settled on a price try and push for a longer factory warranty at no extra price. You may or may not get it, but it is worth having.

Good luck.

I am an audiologist. I would encourage your grandmother to seek some opinions outside of Miracle Ear. Miracle Ear does have a good product. If it were my grandmother I would make sure that she will have top notch professionals dealing with her to assure that she has proper counseling and adjustment of the product. In many cases you can get a comparable product cheaper than Miracle Ear. Other hearing aid manufacturers do no franchise and advertise which does add costs on to the end product that they sell.

I would advise you to check out AARP. Often they will publish consumer comparisons of products. They have no hearing aid manufacturers interest, only the interest of the elderly reader. They have published the Consumer Guide to Hearing Aids that you should check out.

Good Luck!