Expert: Dave Walker, A.C.A. (Audioprosthologist) - 12/7/2006

Question
Could you tell me if there are "Honda" or "Toyota" hearing aid
brands out there?  I noticed that the hearing aid brand my
audiologist is having me try were ranked 30th out of 31 companies.
I know that in the arena of autos and many other appliances or
goods, I would not likely choose a company that ranked that far
down in its field. The company, by the way, is Magnatone, but
the question is more than about them.  Is there any type of
independent organization that rates or reviews heariing aids?

Thank you for any help you can provide.
rb

Answer
Rodger:  Yes there are "Honda" and"Toyota" type hearing aid companies out there. And just like the "autos" the prices are reflected in the brands. I think what your audiologist has given you is perhaps the ranking of the company in comparison with some of the "big boys". It is not a large company as opposed to some like Siemens, Starkey, GN- Resound, Phonak and others.

I happen to also dispense and fit Magnatone hearing aids and find them to be very reliable and one of the few companies that offer extended warranties on their products at a reasonable cost. Magnatone is one of the smaller companies and is family owned.

The only independent organization that rates hearing aids that I know of is Consumers Union which rates all types of products on all kinds of criteria.