Starkey and Nuear vs other brands

I just visited a local audiologist who deals the Starkey Nuear brand.

I got an ad in the mail last week inviting me in for a free visit, audiogram, etc.

I asked on this board before deciding to accept their invitation whether or not they’re a reliable mfg. I got one msg here saying Starkey is a “quality brand” and that was helpful in making me decide to answer the mail ad I got inviting me to my visit today.

I am glad I went. I was very impressed with the entire experience, esp compared with my visit to the only other audiologist I’ve visited so far. This chap spent nearly 2 hours with me. He went over the entire audiogram, explaining the charts, the numbers, how they related to the medical kind of hearing loss I have, and why hearing aids are likely to be a big help for me. His discussion of the kind of ongoing help and service I’d get from them impressed me very much, although I have no way of knowing if any other local firm also would give me free every-3-month checkups forever, like this one would.

When I asked him why Starkey is good, his first answer was “Starkey is the biggest mfg in the country”. To which I immediately replied, “yeah, and Chevy sells more cars than Rolls Royce, too. Being biggest counts for something but not a lot, IMO!”

So ARE they a good brand? I know that being comfortable with who I buy from and esp who I go back to regularly for help, recalibration, repairs, replacements, etc., is worth way more than first price, etc. My first reaction is that I’ll be very satisfied with this firm in this regard. But they certainly aren’t the only game in town! How many more should I check out? And which ones? :eek:

@tomseeley said:

OK but how do I try out multiple brands? The 1st audiol didn’t offer to let me try one, but the 2nd (nuear) did. r u saying I should keep visiting places to see if more of them will let me put one of their devices in my ears for a few minutes, like the nuear guy did? Again, not to pick a fight, but trying it for a few minutes isn’t the same as trying it for 30 days, but the latter seems only to be an option AFTER I commit to the $several thou any dealer insists on!

Starkey is the largest hearing aid manufacturer in the US. Most of the large manufacturers are overseas, like Siemens, Oticon, Resound, Phonak, Widex. All good brands.

It sounds like you went to a sales-oriented dealer. An independent audiologist would normally not be so sales oriented.

Some states have a mandatory trial period but a trial period where you can return the aids for a refund is the norm. Also, most audiologists and dealers bundle the adjustment services and supplies into the price, so most places will make adjustments for a number of years. It keeps you coming back and eventually they will recommend a new pair.

You can also check out Costco if there is one in your area.

The term you used, a medical kind of hearing loss, would be a red flag for me. There are different types of hearing loss, but not medical versus non-medical. It sounds like salesmanship to call it medical, implying it is health related and you have to take their recommendations.