Price of Hearing Aids

Nearly everyone we see starts out by asking us how much hearing aids cost? And there is nothing wrong with that. Hearing aids are a major investment in you.  But, when you consider how much happier you (and your family) are likely to be you’ll know the investment is a sound one.

The range of hearing aid prices in NZ has stayed pretty stable over the past ten years. 

• What is interesting is that NZ is considered to be cheaper for hearing aids than most other countries. 

We’ve had people visiting NZ on holiday from the UK or USA who have bought hearing aids whilst here and the cost of their holiday and the hearing aids combined equalled what they would have spent on hearing aids alone back home.

The price of hearing aids depends mostly on the level of technology and/or number of features the aids contain.  Generally speaking the more features and more advanced an aid is, the more it will cost – the old you pay for what you get scenario.  Hearing aid prices range from approximately $3000 to $9000 per pair, i.e. for two hearing aids.

Fortunately the NZ Government provides a subsidy for everyone via the Ministry of Health.  Everyone is eligible for the subsidy every six years and the current subsidy value is $500 (+GST) per aid.  Considering most people need two hearing aids, the government will provide $1000 (+GST) with no questions asked.  There are a few other hearing aid funding options that some people will be eligible for. 

• The first is ACC – ACC will pay a contribution towards the cost of hearing aids proportional to the amount of hearing loss caused by noise exposure at work. 
• The second is War Pensions – Veteran’s Affairs will cover the entire cost of hearing aids for returned servicemen. 
• The third is for people who are working or studying full-time, or seeking full-time employment AND hold a community services card.  If you meet the eligibility criteria the funding covers approximately half to two thirds of the cost of hearing aids. 
• Lastly is the government funding for children who need hearing aids. At Clarity Hearing we will go through the different funding options available in NZ as part of your hearing assessment and hearing needs assessment so you will know how much the government will contribute.

We understand that the cost of hearing aids is very important to most people.  But, we also know that choosing to buy the cheapest hearing aids without considering how the hearing aids work, and whether they will suit the situations you want them for is risky.  We know from years of experience that it is this sort of decision-making that leads to people leaving their hearing aids in a drawer where they’re no use at all and the money spent was wasted. We don’t’ want you to waste your money.  We want you to spend it wisely so that the hearing aids you buy help to make you and those people close to you happier.

Book an appointment to see us and we can go through the different funding options

• Click here to read more about hearing aid funding options