With some clinics charging well over $5,000 for a hearing aid and white-label retailers claiming to offer premium branded models for well under $1,000, hearing aid prices can often be a mystery.

If you’re in the market for a hearing aid but find the choices and prices overwhelming or confusing, don’t worry — Harmony Hearing has the definitive hearing aid cost guide for Australia in 2023 and beyond. 

In this guide, we’ll look at how much a hearing aid will cost, how to determine the most suitable hearing aid prices, and how to distinguish quality branded hearing aids from white-label hearing aid models. 

 

Table of Contents

  • Average hearing aid price
  • What affects hearing aid prices?
    • Brand
    • Technology
    • Receiver type
    • Battery type
    • Additional features
    • Schemes and grants
    • Services and maintenance
  • Hearing aid buying tips for 2023
  • What are white-label hearing aids?
  • Harmony Hearing’s hearing aid prices

 

How Much Does the Average Hearing Aid Cost in Australia?

Typically, hearing aid prices will start at $1,300 at a minimum and reach as high as $6,500 for more premium models at some Australian hearing clinics. That’s a big difference between the cheapest model and the most expensive — and even models with the lowest costs are still a significant investment. 

At Harmony Hearing, we believe it’s essential for everyone to get a complete understanding of how hearing aid prices are determined to avoid misinformation — so you can receive a hearing aid that offers the most value, without breaking the bank in the process. 

 

What Affects Hearing Aid Prices?

 

1. Brand

As you’re making a significant investment in your hearing ability and overall well-being, it’s important to choose a hearing aid manufactured brand with a global reputation, such as:

At Harmony Hearing, we source the latest hearing aids from these brands and manufacturers, many of them part of the GN Hearing Group. 

While hearing aids from global brands are priced higher than no-name or white-label models, you are not just paying for a brand name — you’re investing in the latest hearing advancements and the proven reliability of renowned suppliers. 

 

2. Technology 

Many hearing aid models come in multiple tiers of technological advancement that cater to different requirements and hearing loss severity levels. At Harmony Hearing, we sell many hearing aid models in three main tiers:

Low-range (Standard): You can expect to pay between $1,300 and $2,500 for standard-tier hearing aids. 

Mid-range (Advanced): Advanced hearing aids may cost a little more than standard devices, between $2,500 and $3,000.

High-end (Premium): Finally, the most advanced, premium hearing aid models will cost the most but also provide the most value, at $3,000–$4,000. 

The different tiers feature different improvements and levels of technological features such as:

  • Noise reduction: Noise reduction settings can reduce wind noise levels and adjust for meetings, making it easier to pick up speech. 
  • Directional microphones: These allow users to pick up sounds in a chosen direction, improving speech understanding in noisy environments.
  • Remote controls: For easy access, remote control compatibility allows users to adjust settings like noise reduction, volume, frequency, etc. 
  • Bandwidth size: Higher frequency bandwidth enables you to access higher frequency speech cues (or harmonics), which, in competing noise environments, provides further separation of the speech from the noise, reducing listening effort and improving sound localisation.

It's always best to go for the best technology available within your budget, as your hearing aid will determine your hearing capability for years. The higher cost now will save you money for the future when you need to upgrade or replace your hearing aid with a better model.

Hearing Aid Costs Infographic

3. Type of Receiver

As the various types of hearing aid designs utilise different technologies due to their size, sound processes, and power sources, they also differ in price. 

BTE (Behind-The-Ear): People of all ages use BTE hearing aids for mild to profound hearing loss. They are made of a case worn behind the ear, connected to an earmold for the outer ear, which transmits the sound. BTE models are usually one of the most affordable types of hearing aids.

RIC (Receiver-in-Canal): RIC hearing aids are used by people with mild to severe hearing loss. Since the receiver goes directly into the ear canal instead of the housing, RIC models are smaller than BTE hearing aids. These models are often called ‘Bluetooth hearing aids’ or ‘receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids.

ITE (In-The-Ear): ITE hearing aids are placed inside the outer ear. They are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss. As a general rule, ITE models are more expensive than BTE.

CIC (Completely-in-Canal): CIC hearing aids are suitable for mild to moderate hearing loss due to their reduced size and power. They fit completely in the ear canal and are generally custom-fitted, making them more expensive. 

IIC (Invisible-in-the-Canal): These hearing aids are entirely hidden past the second bend of the ear canal. They are the smallest and most discreet hearing aids, suitable for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Premium IIC models tend to be the most expensive, especially since they are custom-moulded to your ear canal.

different hearing aids available

4. Battery Type

Your hearing aid will use one of two battery types: disposable or rechargeable lithium-ion. The latter is becoming more exceedingly common in newer models. 

Having rechargeable lithium-ion batteries may add an extra $399–$499 to your hearing aid’s price. However, in the long-term, this means you won’t need to pay for disposable batteries throughout the years you will use your hearing aid.

 

5. Additional Features and Accessories

With a vast array of hearing aid models to choose from, you’ll notice that some offer additional features that others don’t, such as: 

  • Bluetooth and smartphone streaming
  • Motion sensors and tap control 
  • Compatible apps, remotes, and accessories
  • Tele-audiology and remote servicing
  • Complementary accessories 
  • Water, sweat and dust proofing

Here’s where you get to really personalise your hearing aid experience. Though additional features may inflate the price of your hearing aid, it’s good practice to write up a list of features you want and those you don’t so you can find the most suitable hearing aid for the best price.

 

6. Hearing Aid Schemes and Plans

Under the Government’s Hearing Services Program, government and NDIS rebates may be available for Pension and DVA Veteran cardholders and NDIS participants. 

Additionally, depending on your health insurance provider, some policies with top-level extras may offer partial coverage for hearing aid costs. 

At Harmony Hearing, we believe hearing aids should be accessible to all who need them. We offer interest-free payment plans with Humm Finance for up to 24 months. 

 

7. Maintenance, Service, and Experience

Like a car or motorbike, your hearing aid will only perform well if it is serviced, maintained, and properly fitted by a hearing professional. The average lifetime of a hearing aid is around ten years, but after eight years, it becomes difficult to repair your device if it fails due to inadequate maintenance or misuse.

Additionally, buying your hearing aid yourself without first consulting an audiologist can result in owning the wrong model and wasting money instead of saving it. While price is important, you’re not just buying a product, but also entering into a service relationship with your audiologist. So, make sure your hearing aid provider can offer you the aftercare, maintenance, and support that you need to make your purchase worthwhile. 

 

Hearing Aid Buying Tips for 2023

There can be a significant disparity in hearing aid prices, so it pays to shop around and beware of the two extremes in the market: online stores offering low prices but providing little to no service or after-sales support, and costly corporate chains that hide their inflated prices behind marketing claims.

Then there are third party dispensers that claim to be money "savers". They'll sell you the hearing aids for an easy profit and relinquish all the essential service requirements to an another third party "partner clinic". They pay the partner clinic  a modest commission for delivering all the essential services. Once you have made the purchase you are really at their mercy as to where and who they send you to. 

If you’re researching hearing aid prices and services, finding out this information from the seller should be your top priority: 

  • The service package included and duration
  • Warranty duration, terms, and conditions
  • Included insurance for loss or damage beyond repair
  • Turn-around time for repairs
  • Are batteries, domes, wax filters and other accessories included?
  • Who will you be fitted by?
  • Do they have clinics with support staff for walk-in assistance, repairs, and maintenance?
  • Do they offer multi-brand trials and a satisfaction guarantee?
  • Are they independent, i.e. not the retail arm of a hearing aid manufacturer and therefore can offer genuine informed choice? (Look for members of Independent Audiologists Australia – IAA)

 

What Are White Label Hearing Aids? 

Private or white-labelled hearing aids are brand-name hearing aids rebranded for sale to hearing aid retailers under a special brand or label. White-label hearing aids are produced to make it difficult for the consumer to analyse them; you cannot tell which generation of technology you are being recommended or the level of technology you are receiving. 

White-label hearing aids are often offered at extremely low prices that are matched by their inherent disadvantages:

  • Cost-cutting, compromising quality and performance. 
  • Consumer confusion due to shared designs and identical models. 
  • Limited customisation may not meet hearing needs. 
  • Minimal customer support and warranty through third-party sellers.
  • Price inconsistencies and difficulty comparing prices.
  • Reduced innovation and technological capabilities. 
  • Limited product choices.
  • Exaggerated marketing claims.
what are white label hearing aids?

Harmony Hearing Hearing Aid Price Ranges

At Harmony Hearing, we offer only name-brand hearing aids from global brands — for the most affordable prices:

 

Technology Level Our Hearing Aid Prices Savings Popular Models
Premium $2,990 – $3,450 $6,000 Oticon Real 1 or Own 1
Siemens Signia Pure 7 IX
Phonak Audeo Lumity 90
Widex Moment Sheer 440
Unitron Vivante V9
Advanced $2,650 – $3,250 $4,700 Oticon Real 2 or Own 2
Siemens Signia Pure 5 IX
Phonak Audeo Lumity
Widex Moment Sheer 330
Unitron Vivante V7
Mid-Range $2,450 – $3,250 $4,000 Oticon Real 3 or Own 3
Siemens Signia Pure 3 IX
Phonak Audeo Lumity 500
Widex Moment Sheer 220
Unitron Moxi Vivante V3
Basic $1,450 – $1,950 $2,100 Oticon Zircon 1
Siemens Signia 2 IX
Phonak Audeo Lumity 30
Widex Moment Sheer 110
Unitron Stride M9
Entry $850 – $1,350 $1,200 Oticon Jet
Widex Magnify 50
Unitron Stride M7

 

How Harmony Hearing Makes Hearing Aid Prices Affordable and Accessible

With Harmony Hearing, you are empowered to acquire the best hearing aid technology within your budget and only pay for services that you need and use. Our hearing aid prices include the professional services required to fit and verify them with real ear measurements (REMs). We also thoroughly coach you in using and managing your hearing aid with confidence. 

With us, you’ll only receive the latest name-brand models for the most affordable prices. There’s no risk of these hearing aids receiving superseded or de-featured technology levels disguised through the white labelling process undertaken by large chain dispensers. 

As an independent, Australian, family-owned business, we’ve built trusting relationships with globally reputable suppliers of branded hearing aids. This enables us to provide you with hearing aid price savings on quality models while maintaining industry-leading services, support, aftercare, and long-term benefits. 

Final Thoughts

Remember, neither ‘more expensive’ nor ‘cheapest’ means that a hearing aid is better or more valuable. The only way to determine and benefit from a good hearing aid price is to do your research, weigh up your needs and preferences, and go to a professional audiologist for advice and guidance. 

At Harmony Hearing, we are transparent on both product and price, providing the latest information on hearing aid prices in Australia — as well as the latest and best hearing aids for you to browse and choose from. 

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