Itemization (Unbundling)
Setting our clinic apart
Hearing aids are an expensive investment. They improve audibility of speech and can help immensely in improving communication, increasing one’s job performance, and improving quality of life.
Typically hearing aid prices are “bundled,” meaning there is a set price that covers the device and follow-up appointments for a period of time (sometimes indefinitely). While this may sound attractive, especially to those on a fixed income, there are some major problems with this approach.
| Bundled | Unbundled Hearing Care at UNC HCC |
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| Hearing Aid prices | Initial price is higher, often a lot higher, than it needs to be. | Fair, transparent pricing at, or close to, single unit price. |
| Portability of services | Your contract for follow up services is with a specific clinic. | You can seek quality audiologic care wherever you are. |
| Ability to upgrade | Having paid so much for the devices, you may be reluctant to upgrade your hearing aids when technology improves. | With fair hearing aid pricing you can choose when you want to upgrade your hearing aids. |
| Cost of routine maintenance and follow up | No charge (length of no charge period depends on clinic) | You will be charged for appointments and services needed. |
| Quality recommendations | This model has to become a sales model in order to stay in business. The clinic depends on hearing aids sales to stay afloat. | With regular revenue from hearing aid care appointments, this clinic does not focus on how many hearing aids it sells. The important factor is follow up care which results in greater hearing aid satisfaction, improved quality of hearing aid performance and loyal patients. |
We have chosen to unbundle our services, and have been working towards this gradually since 2006. We believe it serves our patients better and is more beneficial in the long-run.
