Hear.com Reviews
Owned by Sivantos, Hear.com claims to bring competitive hearing aid prices to US shores, along with free consultations and personalized customer service.
About Hear.com
Hear.com is a hearing aid specialist that offers competitive pricing and a wide selection from leading manufacturers, including Oticon, Phonak, Siemens, and more.
Hear.com also offers free phone consultations with audiologists, local hearing tests and hearing aid fittings, as well as a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every hearing aid they sell. Why? Because Hear.com wants to address your hearing loss and improve your quality of life.
According to the company, the process works over 3 steps:
- A free phone consultation with one of Hear.com’s audiologists.
- Afterward, you’ll attend a fitting at one of Hear.com’s local partner providers. There, you’ll also be able to receive a hearing test based on “strict medical criteria.”
- Once you’ve received your hearing aids, Hear.com will adjust them to meet your needs until you’re 100% satisfied.
Have you ever heard of Hear.com? Probably not. But their prices seem great, so you’re here to find out if Hear.com is the real deal, or just another scam.
First, let’s take a look at exactly what kinds of prices you can expect.
Hear.com’s Hearing Aid Pricing, Quality, & Guarantee
Hear.com offers 3 different levels of hearing aids, depending on your needs and budget:
Basic: $700 - $1,600
Ideal for optimal speech comprehension in a home environment, and for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Includes digital sound processing, feedback cancellation, and up to 4 hearing programs.
Mid-Range - $1,600 - $2,200
In contrast, mid-range hearing can be used for helping you hear in a variety of daily living situations, and might be better for individuals with moderate hearing loss. This includes wireless TV and phone connections, adjustable speech recognition, speech enhancement, directional hearing, and enhanced acoustic orientation.
Premium - $2,200 - $3,000
Regardless of your level of hearing loss, premium hearing aids will provide you with the best hearing in the highest number of situations. These will also come with the widest range of styles and colors, 360-degree hearing, automatic adjustments, and more.
Depending on the price category you choose, Hear.com offers up to 3 years of warranty coverage, along with up to 5 free service appointments.
You’ll also have 45 days to get your deposit back if you change your mind.
In order to request a refund on your deposit, speak with an audiologist, or find a local partner, you can call Hear.com’s customer service at 786-574-5820
Reading through the differences between hearing aids might have caused your eyes to glaze over. But in real-world terms, what’s the difference between these levels?
Differences Between Hearing Aid Levels
You probably noticed that Hear.com calls modern hearing aids “small, high-performance computers with intuitive controls,” instead of the bulky models of yesteryear. And like any other electronic device, the more you pay for your hearing aid, the more features it will come with and the smaller it’ll be.
Whether you pick a behind-the-ear (BTE) or in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid (the Mayo Clinic website provides an excellent article on how to decide which is right for you), the goal is to help you hear your best.
However, you have to remember that your ears are complex structures, which pull in a variety of different sounds, including voices, background noises, intermediate sounds, and more.
Then, these sound signals are quickly processed by your brain to provide real-time feedback. Among other things, this whole process provides spatial awareness. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to know where different sounds are coming from or how close they are to us.
To provide this spatial awareness, hearing aids have to do a lot of different things at the same time, including:
- Processing all incoming sound
- Differentiating between voices and background sounds (while reducing feedback/reverberation and wind noise)
- Immediately recognizing different voices to “tune in” better
- Automatically adjusting when moving from one environment to another (e.g. a noisy restaurant to a quiet cab). Some lower end hearing aids include settings, but you must manually change them when going from one environment to another.
- Recognizing sharp, sudden sounds and reducing their level (known as impulse sound reduction)
- Many modern premium hearing aids also feature smartphone connectivity to make discreet adjustments, save settings, and even connect to other electronic devices!
And in general, the more features a hearing aid has, the more expensive it’ll be. Can you get by with a basic hearing aid? Sure, but you’ll also have to deal with its limitations.
Regardless of your budget, the best thing to do before ordering a hearing aid is discuss your hearing loss with your physician. Sure, Hear.com’s consultation might help, but you’ll always want to get your medical provider’s opinion first.
A Note about Your Brain & Hearing
As we mentioned above, your ears collect sound, but it’s your brain that processes them into something you can recognize. So in a very real way, we actually hear with our brains.
As our hearing deteriorates, our brain makes up for this deficiency as well as it can. And the longer you suffer from hearing loss, the more your brain compensates.
But when you get a hearing aid (whether from Hear.com or elsewhere) and are able to hear appropriately again, your brain might have difficulty adjusting. In many instances, readjusting your brain might take therapy sessions through an audiologist (not one through Hear.com, obviously), which can involve patience on your part.
The short story? A hearing aid might help you hear better, but until your brain becomes reaccustomed to hearing well, you might not hear very comfortably.
What about Hear.com’s reputation? Are they a good company to do business with?
How Long Has Hear.com Been in Business?
According to a September 10, 2015 press release, Hear.com was recently founded by a company named Sivantos, who has been in business for more than 100 years and is one of the world’s top manufacturers of hearing aids. In fact, Sivantos claims to “develop and manufacture one out of every four hearing aids being used worldwide.”
Before launching Hear.com, Sivantos strategically purchased audibene.de, who is currently the number one hearing aid retailer in Europe. Now, Sivantos plans to create this same success in the US with Hear.com, by targeting a younger, first-time hearing aid user.
What’s the Bottom Line with Hear.com?
Hear.com is a very new company, so there wasn’t a lot of information available about them at the time of our research. They are backed by the merger of two very successful companies though, who is trying to recreate their European success here in the US.
When it comes down to it, Hear.com almost certainly can help you find a brand name hearing aid that provides all the features you need, within your budget. They also seem to stand behind their services with free, local consultations, and behind their products with a 45-day refund window on deposits.
Only time will tell if Hear.com is as successful as its European sister company, but they seem to be starting out on the right foot.
Have you purchased a hearing aid through Hear.com? Tell us about your experience by writing a review below!
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3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Frustrated customer feeling conned
Here's my story that you won't want to hear but I need some sort of action taken. I have hearing aids that I was conned into buying for $5,000.00 from this company. I tried to return them prior to my "45-day trial" and was talked out of it by the doctor. She told me on my last visit to give it a little longer and come back at the end of August to adjust them "yet again" which is now past my "45-day trial." It's almost like they have done this before as to "Not let it get away" and to make the deal no matter what it takes. I usually don't fall prey to cons, but the doctor was very convincing.
It's been just three months, and I have now been told I CANNOT return them, so I am now FORCED to pay $5000.00 for something that I don't use. I am so very unhappy with the hearing aids, and I NEVER wear them. I tried talking to the Hear.com rep, and she keeps saying "sorry, you've gone past the "45-day trial."
This all reminds me of a cheesy salesman bait and switch con. I cannot tell you how frustrating this is and embarrassed I am for getting taken like this. I will shout my story from the rooftops until I get action and will take this to court if I have too. All I want is to return their items I don't use and move on. I don't even want the money back that I have already paid. Just take these back and we will both move on.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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3 out 4 people found this review helpful
Friendly, understanding, and professional
My friend told me about Hear.com after she bought her hearing aids through them. Her experience was a positive one, so I decided to check them out for myself. Their website had a lot of good info that helped me get a better idea of the kind of hearing aids I would probably need. I filled out their online form and received an analysis of my hearing quality, which was quite impressive. Almost immediately a consultant followed up with me to see how they could help. They were very caring and supportive through the whole process.
I eventually went to get my hearing tested, but I ended up not buying the hearing aids their audiologist recommended. I had a family emergency I needed to worry about at the time, so I postponed my hearing aid search. Hear.com and their provider were super understanding about my decision and didn’t try to force me to buy anything. When I’m ready again, I will definitely give them another call and get my hearing aids!
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Absolutely love my hearing aids!
I saw an ad online about the "invisible hearing aid" and was curious about it. So I clicked on it and was directed to their website, which had more information about their products and services. I liked what I saw, so I decided to give them a shot. I've had such bad experiences with my last two hearing aids, but I was hopeful that their invisible product would be the answer.
I got a consultation for free but decided not to move forward until a week later, when I had more time to think about making this kind of investment again. They understood my situation and were not pushy (big plus for me!).
Once I was ready, I emailed them and got a reply back within minutes. Long story short, they scheduled my fitting appointment, and I tested their hearing aids for 45 days. They reassured me that if I didn't like the devices, I can return them and get a full refund. Thankfully, the devices worked out, and I couldn't be happier! I would highly recommend Hear.com to anyone who's tired of living with hearing loss and need a one-stop shop for hearing aids.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Good experience
My experience with Hear.com was positive, for the most part. I filled out their online form and got a call soon after that. The person that helped me was very nice. I got a lot of great info about hearing aids. I especially liked that their audiologist's office was just two blocks from my house, so it was very easy to get my hearing tested. I tried their hearing aids for 45 days but ended up returning them because I just couldn't afford them at the moment. I wish their hearing aids were cheaper, but at least Hear.com did the best they could to try to help me. Overall, I can't complain. Good service all around.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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8 out 8 people found this review helpful
Good service!
I am from New York, and I saw their ad on Facebook, did some research about the company, and decided to call them. They answered my questions and were very friendly! They told me about a trial and I was skeptical about it.
Two weeks after that call I made the decision to try the trial they have offered me. I gave a deposit before starting the trial, which I was going get back if I didn't like the hearing aid.
They helped me with the appointment, and the doctor was friendly, did some fitting, tests, etc.
After the trial, I returned the hearing aid, got my money back (was happy about that!), but then decided to go with another style that they have, which I think is perfect for me. It is not invisible, but it works, and that is the most important thing, at least for me!
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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32 out 39 people found this review helpful
Beware of Free Offers
According to what I read of the research of Hear.Com, it doesn't line up with what actually happens.
My 86-year-old mom signed up for one of their free offers. After we filled in the information, we received a call from one of their sales technicians. My mother and I both spoke with her. First of all, the cost of the hearing aids doesn't line up with what was reported, unless what's being reported is for one hearing aid instead of a pair.
The cost for a Basic Pair ranges from $1,500 -$3,000, for the Mid-Range it's $3,000 - $4,500, and for Premium it's $4,500.00 - $6,000. So the prices are significantly higher than what was stated in the product description by Highya. Also, they do offer a free trial which includes a free hearing test with an ENT partner in your area, there is, however, a catch which is not mentioned on their website nor in the Highya product description.
After collecting all your information (personal and otherwise) they tell you that they require a credit card number for the appointment to be secured so that if you should be a no-show, they'll be able to charge a $50.00 fee for a no show. There is no way with all the "scams" and identity theft that's going on that I'm going to provide a credit card to anyone. This is not a way to do business. They also lost a prospective customer, and perhaps this is their policy, but I'm not impressed by the reason they gave.
The sales representative said, "I'm sorry but we've had the experience where people set appointments, and they don't show up, and the ENT is setting aside an hour for this appointment". Well, so is the prospective client. The only way my mother would miss an appointment is if she were ill or dead.
I told her to expect a review, and they should have a way to override this. Not only did they lose a customer but they reneged on their offer for a free hearing test to my mom. I think this is awful and they are wrong to punish new potential customers for those who failed to keep their promises. We should not be held accountable and punished for the poor behavior of other people.
Hear.com, even if they call back, will most likely not be able to convince my mom to come in for a free appointment, event if they beg her to do so because they insulted her integrity. We were unable to secure the appointment because a credit card was required to complete the free trial. This was not acceptable to my mom and I don't blame her, a free trail should not require a credit card to secure the appointment time (for a free audiologist test or visit to an ENT), when no charges will be incurred.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Mar 2, 2017
Hi Beatriz,
After reading your review, we completely understand your frustrations. You are correct, hear.com's policy is to have a credit card on file in the event that a customer does not show up to their scheduled appointment. We pay our audiologists for their time, and if their time is reserved for a customer, they will not see other customers during that time. It is unfair to other customers, as well as the audiologist, to have time slots reserved for a customer that does not show up to their appointment and gives no notice. We authorize a customer's credit card for $50 when scheduling an appointment, but we do not charge the card. The authorization will usually go away after 1 or 2 days. You may have experienced this type of credit card authorization when checking into a hotel, and they authorize your credit card in the event they need it for incidentals. If a customer is unable to make it to the appointment, rescheduling or canceling the appointment is welcomed without any penalties when done in advance. We only charge the credit card in the event the customer misses the appointment, and makes no attempt to cancel or reschedule.
We sympathize with your reluctance to provide sensitive financial information to a company you are not familiar with, which is why we focus on being highly accredited by the Better Business Bureau. We are also grateful to our customers how have left countless of positive reviews on Consumer Affairs and Trustpilot, both widely known and trusted consumer review sources. We have no affiliation with any Highya.com and have never written or listed a product description on their website. These descriptions have been made without our consent or collaboration. Please refer to the hear.com website for our complete terms and conditions.
Nonetheless, we are still very concerned with the nature of your review. If your expectations were not met, our standard procedure is to do everything that we can to meet or exceed your original expectations. We understand your mother's dissatisfaction with her experience so far, but all efforts at helping her have not been exhausted. Our number 1 goal has always been to help our customers achieve a better quality of life, and we will do our best to reach that goal with your mother. Please expect a call from our management team in an effort to better serve you and your mother.
We greatly appreciate your feedback, and we look forward to the opportunity to leaving you feeling satisfied.
Sincerely,
hear.com Customer Care Team
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Mar 10, 2017
Please understand that almost any hearing specialist will do free hearing exams at any time, with no deposit or the need for a credit card before an examination. Hear.com is nothing more than a referral service, in most cases, they never even see you face to face.
They are a company that is taking advantage of people who do not realize that they are not the ones who will service them. They only help you set up an appointment with an entirely different provider.
The chosen provider will be the one taking care of you, and Hear.com pays them a small percentage of what you pay. Save yourself the hassle and call your local hearing specialist, and make your own appointment.
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Mar 29, 2017
I recently tried Hear.com. The audiologist bumbled through a set of inferior (at best) hearing aids. I rejected them well within the 45 days and I have been promised a refund on my credit card several times. As of yet, I'm only getting the runaround. I would highly recommend you using a different company.
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Apr 24, 2017
We appreciate your comment, Chasity.
At Hear.com, we partner with board-certified hearing specialists and audiologists to help people find a suitable hearing loss solution. When a hear.com customer visits the office of one of our partners, they are guaranteed a comprehensive hearing evaluation along with a hearing aid fitting. In most cases, the partners do charge an evaluation fee for their services, which we subtract from the final price of the hearing aids if the customer decides to purchase. Throughout the entire process, we are open and transparent about everything. Our hearing experts provide free phone consultations to help anyone who is interested in hearing aids learn more about the latest technology, sizes, pricing, financing, and more. We also offer a 45-day risk-free trial of any of our hearing aids. If the devices are not a good fit, they can be returned for a full refund, no questions asked.
If you have any doubts or questions about our services, you are more than welcome to contact us directly at 786-574-3799. You can also visit our website, Hear.com, to read more about us.
Sincerely,
Hear.com Customer Care Team
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Apr 24, 2017
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with the hearing aids our partner audiologist recommended. This is why we give all of our customers 45 days to test the devices. If they are not right for you, simply return them and we can either exchange them for a different model or issue you a full refund.
Our records indicate that you did receive a full refund for your hearing aids on the 17th of March. If you do not see the refund reflected on your account, please contact us as soon as possible at 786-574-3799.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help you find a hearing loss solution. Feel free to reach out to us again should you need further assistance.
Sincerely,
Hear.com Customer Care Team
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17 out 21 people found this review helpful
Waiting for a refund
I would never recommend buying hearing aids from Hear.com.
The aids they sold to me were defective, even after being sent back to the company for repairs on my first visit to accept them. My aids were supposed to have a T-coil, but an audiologist called the company and was told that the model I was sold does not come with a T-coil.
I have been waiting two months for a complete refund, but no one will return my calls. I paid for premium aids but was presented with cheaper aids. I feel I have been scammed.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Mar 2, 2017
Hi Marjorie,
After speaking with you over the phone, we came to the conclusion that you had in fact been refunded as requested. We would greatly appreciate if you could update your review to reflect this. If there is anything else we can do to help you, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your feedback,
hear.com Customer Care Team
(786) 574-5820
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Jun 26, 2017
Absolute horrible experience with Hear.com. No returned calls. No responses to emails. The satisfaction guarantee was not honored. They sold me a pair of dysfunctional hearing aids and charged me $2950.00. The provider has not remedied the issues after six office visits. Hear.com is a scam. Do not do business with them.
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24 out 31 people found this review helpful
Experience
It was so nice to be able to talk to someone prior to my appointment and also to know I was going to reputable Audiologist. I was quite worried about getting hearing aids because I didn't know anything about them and have friends that have not been satisfied. My hear.com consultant was knowledgeable and helped me every step of the way. I am so glad that I did not put off better hearing any longer. Now I am so happy to be able to fully participate in conversations with family and friends.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Alex , Online Marketing Manager
Hello Mr. Graff,
We offer a 45-day money-back guarantee to anyone who gets hearing devices from us. This 45-day period is meant for anyone to try out the device risk-free. After adjusting the devices, and you’re not completely satisfied, we will find you a new device or refund you entirely without question. We empathize with your situation, Mr. Graff, but your request for the return occurred well after the 45-day period as you stated. We encourage anyone not completely satisfied with their hearing solution, at or before the 45-day mark to contact us so that we may help find an optimal solution.
Kind regards,
Hear.com