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They are expensive due to regulation as medical devices.
by yeahitslikethat 7y ago
They are expensive due to regulation as medical devices.
- pbhjpbhj 7y agoSo you can buy them cheaply online from low-regulation countries? Or those with broad black markets?
- wrycoder 7y agoThey are expensive because of the rent-seeking cartel that adds more dubious features while gradually raising the price. Even MDHearingAid, which started under $500, with a stated policy of serving a wide market at a low price, recently added one more microphone and doubled their price. They keep sending me offers of $50 off, if I buy two. Got greedy, like the rest.
- yeahitslikethat 7y agoOh the good ol' "rent seeking cartel" meme again. Never heard that before. Even though the same rent seeking cartel produces the same non medical hearing loss grade devices at lower prices. Good call.
- wrycoder 7y agoThey preferably do not. They do defend their lower flank against the coming disruption, e.g. via Costco. MDHearingAid is not part of the group of five, they are a disruptor. Until recently, the non-medical devices have been simple amplifiers, which are technically not competitive. Rent-seeking because they successfully lobby for Federal regulation that locks out competition by providing a high barrier to market entry.
- abqader 7y agoHearing aids now have an OTC (over the counter) bill passed in the FDA. Senator Warren lobbied for the bill for Bose. I think Bose is going to attempt to break into the D2C space with hearing aids.