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I have been detected with a Hearing loss in both ears with the right side being detected with a larger loss than the left ear. I am based in Hong Kong. I am looking at RESOUND NEXIA 9 ot an OTICON INTENT. The prices are very varied with different sites. That would be a ball park figure to pay considering I already have a recent Audiologist report less than a month ago.
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I also reside in Hong Kong. Essentially, Hong Kong’s hearing centres operate as a monopoly: the vast majority exclusively sell and fit a single brand. For Phonak and Oticon, the list price is approximately US$18,000 per pair with a 15% discount, rising to perhaps 20% during promotional periods.
Major brands such as Phonak and Oticon operate through chain distributors who are the exclusive agents in Hong Kong. Even when fitted through hospitals or specialists, the devices are sourced from these agents. This arrangement means independent hearing service centres, operating independently of brands, are virtually non-existent in the Hong Kong market.
You may consider seeking fitting services in mainland China, e.g., Shenzhen. Many there also fit major brands like Phonak and Oticon, with listed prices not significantly different from Hong Kong, but they can offer 60% or higher discounts… Naturally, you’ll need to spend some time negotiating with them.
Another approach is . This forum has relevant resources for DIY enthusiasts.
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I spent some time in Shenzhen (about 15yrs ago, BYD) and I had a colleague based in HK that had aids. he told me that he got his in Shenzhen because HK was too expensive) . Interesting that @Ray6 suggested what my colleague at the time did).
USD $18K is insane !
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Yes the prices here is crazy compare to online store or other countries. But not many local people like to go to Shenzhen for fitting because of the travel time and service quality varies. So for all audiologists here: Welcome to Hong Kong and setup the business!
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For Phonak and Oticon, the list price is approximately US$18,000 per pair
USD $18K is insane !
That’s gotta be a typo!
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Costco has shopping center in Shenzhen, their service & cost same as the USA
Amazing, so Costco is getting around a bit now!
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Thanks! I had no idea Costco had a branch in Shenzhen! Does Costco offer a try-on service? Besides Philips, what other brands does Costco carry?
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Certainly， Costco offers try-on service all over the world, it means you can enjoy service variously within 180 days(inluding .) There are 3 brands totally but only Philips 9050 the same as USA now. Resound may release Vivia soon in China, so Jabra Pro 30 will appear at local Costco within 3 months.
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We all hope Costco can expand more biz in China, so far they only have shopping centers in South & South East of China (Shenzhen, Ningbo, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou & Nanjing)
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Yeah that’s good news, can you imagine how many could be sold in this market, this makes Costco the biggest wholesale seller in the world!
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To be clear : They do not have a 180 day try-on policy . What they have is a 180 return policy if you are dissatisfied.
Costco asks you if you’ve returned aids and can deny service if they suspect you’ve abused the policy. I was lectured about this when I bought aids at Costco and explicitly told the 180 period was not for trials.
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So does Costco have an actual trial period at all? I’ve never thought to ask (other then the usual walk around the store)
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No trial period, Costco policy is more or less two returns and your excluded from further purchases. That’s why I’m a little hesitant to buy aids there at this time having returned the Philips 9050’s 12 months ago. I would need to be sure that if I did, I was going to keep them.
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Yeah that seems a little harsh to exclude members on a second return, but obviously it’s not a problem for faulty goods, I’d use this as a reason for returning a second time if possible.
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i highly recommend buying your oticon intent or any hearing aid for that matter in South Korea. Utterly cheaper compared to the rest of the world
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How in the world can anyone pay $18,000 for a pair of unless they are utterly wealthy?!! It’s bad enough in the US, outside of Costco.
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It sound crazy but it is real, and occured in Hong Kong for many years. That’s what will happen in a monopoly and oligopoly market.
It is unethical IMO, especially hearing aid is kind of medical devices and a necessity for us. The exploitation is not from manufacturer, just simply due to information asymmetry caused by the fact that this is a device only needed by minority group.
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Are you sure you have converted to USD correctly? I see a few sources saying up to 50,000+ HKD but that is in the range of higher US prices compared to 18,000 USD (~144,355 HKD today). Perhaps those prices I can find are inaccurate or for something less. Here is one site with prices much below 18,000 USD Oticon Intent - Tandle 聽道9
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