Anonymous
map-marker New Port Richey, Florida

Worst customer care and unprofessional

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
My experience was so bad at the Audibel on US19 in Port Richey that not only did they make a mistake on the type of mold I wanted, and they had the audacity to tell me that I wanted it this way, but there was no technician to serve me, so the secretary, who took my hearing aid, BROKE IT while taking the tube off the hook, insisted she didn't break it, started to accuse me of rushing her... sorry.... she was so unprofessional, discourteous, and so unladylike, I left the building. Audibel has been termed a dirty word for a reason. An apology would have sufficed, just admit that you broke it, and simply tell me that you'll fix it.
View full review
Loss:
$500
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised

Preferred solution: I wanted to be compensated for my troubles, I had to go elsewhere to get my aid fixed, the secretary should be fired.

Anonymous
map-marker Marion County, Florida

Snowbird

I bought my hearing aids in Florida but spend 4 months in Michigan. Audie was great and treated me very professionally.

Her knowledge and professionalism was wonderful. She has helped me hear my husband and the girls in the bridge club. People only post negative comments, and don't fall for the mean stuff they say. I can even go to the Michigan Audibel and they treat me just as good and with no hassle.

Only go to Audibel and see Audie, tell her marge sent you.

I have even referred my friend who has been going there for almost a year. Bravo audibel!!!!

View full review
Reason of review:
Good customer service
1 comment
Guest

I agree Audie is GREAT!!!!! I would recommend her to anyone!!! She is at the Audibel office in Ocala, Florida....well worth the drive even if you dont live close!

Anonymous
map-marker Denver, Colorado

Hearing Aids Fail Due to Planned Obsolescence

My SO bought my aids (two) as a gift for me.

Just after the 1-yr warranty (why are such expensive devices warranted for only one year?) ran out, suhprise, suhprise! The right one failed immediately.

Took it back and the vendor told me "we can just dummy-up the contract to make it look as if you bought it later, so that the warranty will still be in effect....for a hunnert bucks, cash on the barrelhead."

Ah.

The other has been steadily failing since. Two years later, I am about as deaf again as I was before the aid. The right one does not work at all. The left one is failing fast (and actually physically falling apart).

Keep in mind, folks: in relative terms, given the technology and materials involved and the cost, a "low-end" ($2200) set of aids like mine are the equivalent cost of something like a mid-sized Mercedes sedan. If you have the $5000 plus kind, you are in Maserati territory in a relative sense. By this I mean in relative terms, you are paying, pound-for-pound for something that costs about the same as an expensive sport or luxury car.

Think about how many 50 yo Mercedes you see tooling around.

Maseratis are passed on to grandchildren.

Your Audibel ("but they're made in AMERICA, folks!!!) hearing aids won't last but a year or two.

Audibel's excuse: even fine cars need repairs and service. Okay. But my SOs Mercedes is 6 years old. Everything, including oil changes, cost her NOTHING until this year. They even gave her a loaner Mercedes (or Smart Car) to drive when the thing was in the shop for those 5 years (which was rare and for things like oil, a broken headlamp--r/r no cost to her tho it was road damage, etc.).

Meanwhile, when the aids go completely belly-up within in far too short a time, their response (at the shops and at their headquarters)...well, you need to hear. So....maybe you'd just better get your credit card out again eh, fella?

Nice folks. Nice business practices.

They get away with this because we let them.

Stand up for yourselves. Stop letting them walk all over you. When you encounter these problems (with this outfit or any other in America) do what I do: sue.

For too long American consumers have been getting shafted by companies like this and they get away with it because we are too polite. We just meekly go away and let everyone from the local grocer to GM sell us shoddy merchandise that they do not stand behind.

This doesn't happen in Great Britain. It does not happen in Germany (in spades). Or France. Or most of the rest of Europe, in Canada or Aus/NZ... This kind of stuff does happen to consumers in places like Mexico, or Guatemala, or the Central African Republic.

We put up with it here because we have been carefully and very purposefully trained to be sheep by the marketing arms of American commerce starting just after WWII. They figured out that they could convince us that "all" that is available is shoddy junk and poor service and worked very hard to get that whole notion our grandparents had of getting value for a dollar spent, out of our heads. Now, we are fully trained to expect and worse, ACCEPT shoddy products and service...and all they have to say is, "but...it's made in America!" to help convince us that we must be crazy to think that about....THEM!

Wake up, folks.

Wake up, and get down to the county courthouse. It is easy to sue in this country, it will cost the company you are suing tens of thousands of dollars to fight you off and it costs you virtually nothing. Yes, you may lose. But so what? They've already taken your ability to hear from you (and thousands of dollars)...so what if they get some judgment for lawyer's fees against you? Then they have to collect. Make it cost them to do that, too. Never pay, of course, but above all else: stand up and stop being a coward when facing uncaring, corrupt companies like Audibel.

View full review
Loss:
$2200
1 comment
Guest

I am so sorry you had a bad experience. Starkey Hearing Aids and Audibel are some of the best on the market.

Not all dealers are shady deceiving. If you have issues with the individual dealer it is best to take it up with them. If you feel you have been mistreated you have every right to contact the Hearing Instrument Specialist and Audiologist licensing board in your state.

I can guarantee you , not all Audibel dealers are bad and not every product made by Starkey is bad.

Rayner Lhf
map-marker Spring Branch, Texas

Nonfunctioning from day one.

My Audibel iPhone capable hearing aids stink & from the moment I put them on, any constant sound like water running, typical car noise, or a running vacuum cleaner will cause the right ear to short out & go dead. The right ear also drains the battery in less than 24 hours instead of the typical week. Noisy restaurants are a torture chamber, the clinking silverware against plates is louder than the voice of the person sitting across from me. The iPhone streaming, while good for answering the phone is horrible for listening to music, a 15 dollar set of ear buds would sound better. The sound quality is hollow & tinny & this is after going through the lengthy computer set up process with the audiologist. I thought I was getting a Starkey Halo & ended up with these 8 THOUSAND DOLLAR Audibel cheap toys, I have a big bone to pick with the audiologist at the local Starkey hearing center for selling me a Starkey & delivering an Audibel. I sure hope the quality control is better over at Starkey, because this may be my last attempt to hear again, personally, the only hearing aids I have ever liked were the analogue ones I had over 30 years ago, yes I was very young when I lost my hearing. I thought I had bought the top of the line, but I bought an expensive headache instead. These will be returned for something better, or it's back to the sounds of silence. Good riddance, Audibel, you stink, I think you're taking advantage of mostly old people who deserve better.
View full review
Loss:
$8000
Reason of review:
Damaged or defective
1 comment
Guest

And how did you fare later?

Rayner Lhf
map-marker Spring Branch, Texas

Poor quality control.

I have had my iPhone capable Audibel only a few days, in that short time I have found: 1. It has a complete signal drop during a constant noise like water running, or a vacuum cleaner running, or the road noise while driving rendering it useless. 2. The sound quality is hollow & tinny, this is even after the lengthy computer set up with the audiologist. 3. The right ear battery drains in less that 24 hours, not the customary week. 4. Restaurants are torture chambers, distant clinking glasses, plates & silverware are louder than the person's voice just feet away. 4. The iPhone music streaming sounds worse than a cheap transistor radio, but I give props to the cell phone interface, that's the only thing that actually works as advertised. I was sold a Starkey Halo iPhone model that cost nearly 8 THOUSAND DOLLARS & received this very expensive Audibel ear plug, it is returnable, but this leaves a bad taste in my mouth & makes me suspect Audibel is taking advantage of senior citizens by either selling them seconds, or refurbished Starkeys, the other possibility is unbelievably bad quality control which doesn't bode well for the Starkey Halo I will exchange these in for. If the next pair don't work, I'm done trying to hear & will go back to the sounds of silence.
View full review
Loss:
$8000
Cons:
  • Quality control
Reason of review:
Damaged or defective

Preferred solution: Exchange for the shearing aids I tried in the audiologist's office.

4 comments
Guest

All issues with your hearing aids should be discussed with your audiologist or dispenser. Adjustments can be made, different types of hearing aids can be ordered at no additional cost to you. This can be a trial and error situation, please be patient and a good dealer will help you!

Guest

I have had an Audibel for three years. It never worked right from the start.

The channels were all the same, poor sound and they never fit. The right one has fallen out of my ear hundreds of times and been lost twice, but recovered from restaurants and lawns. Not impressed with knowledge of staff. today they tried to sell me new ones for $6000 after me spending $5000 three years ago.

I resented how they talked down to me like I was senile.

Had better experiances buying used cars. Run to CostCo.

Guest

If you're unhappy with your hearing aids you should definitely let your hearing professional know so they can fix them for you. Just to clarify, the Starkey hearing aids and Audibel hearing aids are exactly the same - just have a different brand name on them. Audibel is owned by Starkey.

Guest

$8000 for a hearing aid is ridiculous.

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Anonymous

Beware Audibel's Customer Service policy

I purchased a $5,000 + pair of Audibel hearing aids from an Austin, TX dealer and was pleased with the adjustments made for about 3 years,including a 2 year warranty extension. When I relocated to Staten Island, N.Y.

I requested that I be given my records and the necessary access code so that I could continue to receive my service in N.Y. I was then told, for the first time, that the code could not be released to me but would be to whichever Audibel dealer I chose in N.Y.

Problem is that there is one listing for an authorized Audibel dealer in Staten Island and two in Brooklyn and they all appear to be the same dealer albeit under different names. To make matters worse, their reputations as rip-off dealers is among the worst and cautionary warnings are on the internet. There are no other dealers within a 50 mile radius of my home.

Audibel' business policy is to ignore the lack of responsible service and hold onto its customers as prisoners of the company. If adequate service is unavailable, the only responsible thing to do is to release the customer's code and records, so that service can be continued elsewhere.

Beware being caught in this Catch 22 net. The code and records belong to the customer who paid for them and not a means to enforce company loyalty.

View full review
Loss:
$5000
8 comments
Guest

We understand that people move outside our service areas, though with over 1300 locations around the country this is not common. You can also have the code released to any Starkey, Nutone, MicroTech or most Audigy dealers. The nearest one can be found on the respective web site.

Peg Krq

Hi, I am currently a student at Cornell University looking into an Audibel Fraud that occurred at their Syracuse location. Would you be able to provide me with some more information about why you believe the people in the NY locations you talked about were ripping off customers?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Peg Krq

I would like to comment on Audibel Hearing aids. I, for some reason starting losing my hearing in my mid 40's.

I have been tested by specialists. No one could explain to me why I've lost my hearing. I ended up going to Audibel thinking that these would be the 'best' hearing aids. I really don't hear any different than before I started using them.

They have been adjusted countless times. The reason I bought them is because I wanted to hear what I was missing. $6,000.00 later I still cannot hear what I needed them for initially. To make matters worse, my elderly mother went to them for a hearing test.

Needless to say I could not go with her that day by my father was with her. She got talked into buying hearing aids for $7,000.00. If I were with her she would not have them right now because she hears better that I can.

She is realizing that she didn't need them and that she was talked into this and stuck with this outrageous bill! HELP!!

General Iom
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1169431

Your mother would have had 30 days to return. It is a law. She would have gotten her money back.

Guest

Audibel hearing aids need a special software that is only available to Audibel dealers. I was told this by an audiologist that does not sell Audibel, since they could not adjust the aids, even though they sell the Starkey brand which is the equivalent models made by the same company (Starkey).

Even though they are close to identical and the same manufacturer they are programmed with different software so a Starkey selling audiology office cannot program Audibel and an Audibel hearing office cannot program Starkey.

So you have no other option other than to go to an Audibel dealer or change hearing aids. If I were you and there were no local dealers you liked, I'd at least call Starkey and let them know of this and see if there is any way you could exchange them for equivalent Starkey models.

Guest

First of all I am not sure of what "code" you are referring to, could it be the serial numbers on your hearing aids? If you do not have a Audibel dealer locally you are able to utilize any other hearing aid dealer in your area.

It does not have to specifically be an Audibel dealer. All dealers have computer software for all different brands of hearing aids and if they do not have the software they can order it. You may be charged an office visit fee from another dealer that depends on their office policy. You are correct, your records do belong to you and those should be given to you when you transfer or move.

I am sorry you have had this bad experience however not all Audibel dealers are bad. You say "Audibel' business policy is to ignore the lack of responsible service and hold onto its customers as prisoners of the company." I can assure you this is not true and again I am sorry you had a bad experience.

Guest

This is why you take them to court.

You can do this by "proxy" by filing a lawsuit against their authorized dealer in your area.

Understand, you may lose.

The court MAY order you to pay costs and you MAY suffer a (counter)judgment.

THIS BTW is how companies frighten consumers into not exercising their rights in such cases.

Because American consumers are such sheep, we are walked on all the time by companies like this one. Meanwhile, they do stuff like this (and build in obsolescence) and get away with it because well, It'd just be too mean to do that, or time-consuming, or whatever the other excuses are.

Me, I take them to court.

Guest

Overpriced!

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Shenelle Xhl
map-marker Timber Pines, Florida

Do not honor their Satisfaction Gaurantee disclaimer!

After several attempts to contact the Audibel main office for help, our calls were ignored and promises of return calls never recieved. Audibel is out for the almighty dollar and patients fall under deaf ears (literally). Company tends to fluctuate cost of their product by thousands of dollars due to insurance allowable rates. When the initial fee may start at $7000.00 and the insurance company allows a contracted rate of $3000.00, they modify the fee in order to make a sale. Audibel also employs so called hearing specialists who are in fact nothing more than sales clerks who know how to place their product in a patients ear canal. Additionally, the batteries for the device only last a few hours when they run out and must be replaced.
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1 comment
Guest

I apologize that you had a bad experience however I can assure you not ALL Audibel dealers are this way. It is unfortunate that a few rotten apples can spoil the entire bunch.

Audibel does make a great product and has some very wonderful staff members.

Prices do vary according to individual dealers, so not everyone is a rip off artist. Most are very skilled and knowledgeable.

Anonymous
map-marker Zephyrhills, Florida

Lost my mothers $2000 hearing aid

The Zephyrhills Florida location lost my mothers $2000 hearing aid. They have had it since April 29, 2014 and it is now June 30, 2014. They said they had to send it away to get fixed and she has not seen it since. Why would it take 2 months to fix. Apparently as I have read other reviews about Audibel they are not doing such a great job. My mother is 78 yrs old and she does not have this kind of money to just throw away. I hope this gets resolved soon so my mother can get back to her having a hearing aid that works and does not have to be sent out to get "fixed" again & maybe never come back
View full review
Loss:
$2000
2 comments
Guest

You can also call Starkey Labs and ask about the repair. That is where it is sent for repair in Eden Prairie , MI

Guest

I would contact Audibel through Audibel.com contact us page and inquire. As a hearing specialist for an Audibel center, this wouldn't be acceptable and we would get her aid replaced by the lab, unless it's the companies fault, then they would need to pay for it!

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Anonymous
map-marker Live Oak, Florida

Non working aid from the beginning

this hearing aid is junk i have got all together about 3 to 5 months use of it /have took it back several times from the beginning/last time worked 2 days then back in the box/i have been so upset over this /it is start 4 ric (r) 1135**** it took me a long time to save for what i thought at fist was a blessing /i only make $400.00 a month /it took a lot to get money for this /like to see you try it/if this is a defective unit it should have not been put out there

View full review
Loss:
$750
1 comment
Guest

You should have been offered an application for the HEAR NOW program through Starkey. It is for people of low income.

You apply and pay $175 for each hearing aid.

You receive a very nice hearing aid that would normally cost around $1500.00 Go to Starkey.com and look into the HEAR NOW program or ask your local Audibel dealer about this. They HAVE to give you the application if you ask.

Phaedra Lsx
map-marker Englewood, Colorado

Hearing aid tester, fitter and programmer for 30 years

As a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist with a certificate in Audioprostolgy and proprietor of a "chain", I have to say a few things.

An audiology degree does not make a better fitter, in Georgia an audiologist, takes the exact same test as a hearing aid dispenser. I have been a dispenser for 3 years and am qualified to care for my patients because I’m an intelligent, caring person who cares about keeping my patients happy! I have several offices in Georgia. I work close with a couple of nose and throat doctor. The best experience is hands on, not a collage degree on the wall. I our practice we gets a lot of satisfaction from helping people, therefore we are good at what we does! Maybe some of you have seen the wrong people. The products are similar, but the service, follow up care is what is so important .You will not find a Doctor or an Audiologist who cares more for their patients or their trade than I do.

I employ both HIS and AUD level clinicians and can tell with certainty that when it comes to compassion, integrity and talent you cannot look to their education as an indicator. These are issues of character and God given ability, neither of which is bestowed by a university.

In my state, Audiologists and dispensers sit at the same table to take the same exact examination in an effort to become licensed to fit hearing aids. Audiologists fail it as often as dispensers. In terms of diagnostic know-how they are great. They are also competent at fitting hearing aids but do require the same training, once hired, as an HIS. The truth is that they are NOT taught how to fit hearing aids in school. They are taught basics and theory.

My real point here is that the degree does not make the person. There are good people out there fitting hearing aids for the right reasons with a high degree of skill who are both Audiologist and HIS. It is immature and simplistic to assume that an individual is trustworthy and professional because they have a 4 year degree.

In the last few years I have gotten a lot of new patients that have gone to an Audiologist first. I was not impressed, the patients complained of poor results and service from the Audiologist, and returned the aids purchased. After working with patience I was able to reach results the Audiologist were not able to achieve. Maybe it was a poor product there were dispensing or the Audiologist, did not really know what he/she was doing. What I have seen and heard Audiologist might know more about some details of loss, but there knowledge of fitting is very subjective. I have come across several audiologists who have a hard time fitting & adjusting aids. They may know a lot about everything else, but when it comes to the actual fit, delivery, & follow up care & programming....not so much.

Follow up care is very important with hearing aids. I have seen many comp users come into my office because they had such a hard time getting follow up care from the place they bought them, which is usually from an audiologist (not always though). Also, in most states, one has to be licensed to fit hearing instruments, not just have a high school diploma/GED. People should have the accurate facts before badmouthing franchised companies. FYI to the consumer, go somewhere where the practitioner will take care of you, their practice depends on it

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10 comments
Gene C Vsv

Audibel dealers by and large are a bunch of people who are only interested in removing money from your pockets. Suspect Audibel trains them that way.

Guest

Chains are the worst possible place to buy hearing aids. They are limited in the solutions they can offer and usually have so much marketing cost that they gouge their patients.

I have fit hearing aids for over 30 years, my family has been in the hearing aid business for over 60 years. We are the only practice in my state that has never had a complaint filed against them with the state regulators.

Do NOT buy hearing aids from Miracle Ear, Audibel, Beltone, Home Town Hearing, Connex or any other mulit-store location.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-882387

This is not a true statement in any regards! How completely unprofessional and immature. You should be ashamed!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-882387

I take care of all my patients just as well as you do if not better its not the hearing aid that's the difficulty it'd the fitter

Guest

I agree, the issue is to be sure and get a great audiologist that is capable of making necessary repairs and cares about the patient rather than the almighty dollar. Have had Audibel 4 years, I have dropped them, broke them in half, went into shower with them, knocked chips out of them, and every time, exc.

one time, my audiologist has made repairs in office. He sent them back to the co.

and I had them back in one week. the audiologist and the company he has to work for has to CARE about you.

Guest

You spend 40% of your commentary here saying that "collage" (education) is not the most important issue, then close by telling people to "get educated" before complaining about a "franchise" outfit.

Ummm.......

Look, I fully agree that a college education does not make you something special. Some of the most ignorant, *** people I've ever met have MBAs.

You are talking apples/oranges here. People are complaining about the devices and/or service on those devices and the sales practices of the vultures out there who understand all-to-well how desperate people are to hear, and not the education/training levels of the practitioners.

In any field there is good and bad and in-between. A field such as this is riven with charlatans and unethical thieves due to the desperate nature of the clientele.

They (you) take advantage of that and many of you say, "well, it's okay...it's not like they are little kids," and such to justify it to yourselves (and probably to your God when you pray on Sunday...good luck with that 'un!).

The fact of the matter is, this is a complaint board about a SPECIFIC company" Audibel and its vendors, whether they are franchisees or not. The company sucks. It's that simple.

Regardless of whether it is an audiologies or a "fitter." The company's view is: you bought it, we got our money, not our problem any more.

That needs to stop.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-853319

Again it's not the company, they don't own the dispenser. There are more private owners in this business that ones owned by any company.

Plus what hard to get some user to understand is any hearing aid is limited to helping that patient with only the ability their brain has in receiving speech with the damage they have in their inner ear.

Remember what someone had a birth, but has been damaged through the years, can only respond to speech with what THEIR BRAIN has the ability to receive. Hearing aids are not always the problem, there are a lot of personal human factors involved with any and all brands of hearing aids.

Guest

Please people with all your stated degrees LEARN to SPELL. It is very difficult to understand when basic English grammar is not followed.

I must say I do not know what an Au.D degree requires but when one acquires a masters degree or a doctorate be it a Ph.D.

or a non academic doctorate such as a Psy.D, Ed.D etc practice is part of the curriculum.

'

Guest

"People should have the accurate facts before badmouthing". I agree.

You are wrong when you say "The truth is that they are NOT taught how to fit hearing aids in school."

I learned how to fit hearing aids in my Audiology Master's degree program, way back in 1980. Since 1993, hearing aids coursework has been required. Current training in hearing aids is quite extensive in the Doctoral programs. Many states have recognized this and no longer require audiologists to have separate hearing aid dispenser licenses.

Understanding the science behind hearing aid programming means I'm not dependent on the software's suggestions to fine-tune hearing aids.

Audiologists have extensive training in counseling as well. What we don't get training in is sales.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-693134

What I did not relay was that just like hearing aid dispenser skills are learned from fitting hearing aid to patients. Books and college can't home in these skills it has to be done one on one

View more comments (9)
Anonymous
map-marker Las Vegas, Nevada

Rip off

I got a card in the mail for a free test an try for 30 days if unhappy they would refund 100% of your money...I went to tobin hearing in las vegas nv.. after 2 days they had to replace both of them... the other ones they gave me. was so load. I could not use them.. I gave them back... Was then was tould that it would cost $300 to re stock them..tobin hearing in las vegas is A rip off... most of the people are old..... do not go tobin.... read every thing you sign..very close
View full review
Loss:
$300
Anonymous
map-marker Tampa, Florida

Unhappy consumer.

When I purchased my hearing aid, I was told as soon as I signed that it would cost me two hundred seventy four dollars if I changed my mind. I didn't understand why the fee,when the contract could have been voided,this is not a custom in the ear hearing aid and the order had not been placed. It was so convenient to inform me of this after I signed.The disclosure is on the back of the page and it is not posted any place in the office where the customer can see it.If there is nothing to hide,let the customer know the policy up front.
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3 comments
Guest

I have purchased hearing aids from other places and paid less with little satisfaction. I went to audible and the level of service and willingness to meet my needs was incredible. Worth every penny.

Guest

The state of Florida determines the dispensing fee when a consumer purchases and decides to cancel an order. It is always explained to the consumer/patient very clearly when the paperwork our contract/order form is being filled out the patient is never obligated to dispensing fee if they have not even left the office!!

This sounds like a person looking for a free lunch!

Audibel has fit several of my family members all quite satisfied.

I know that they help thousands of people every year to hear better clearly they do a good job at it.

Clearly this is just an angry person who probably spends a great deal of time posting things of this nature. If you would post something like that about Audibel I can only imagine what they say about companies that truly are unethical

Guest

Audibel located in South Pasadena Florida sold me two hearing aids in the amount of $7,200.00. I gave them a $500.00 down payment.

The next day I found equivalent hearing aids elsewhere of the same brand for $4,000.00. I called them and cancelled the order. Now they refuse to return the deposit. They did not have to order a special set of hearing aids.

They never told me that they don't refund deposits.

These people are crooks and pray on the elderly.

View more comments (2)
Anonymous

Hearing aid couldn't be programed, been almost 2 months

purchased a set of the inner ear, they told me i had a trial to see if they would work for me,well they didn't.. yesterday i called them up and was told i had an attitude.and was told not to come in unless i get rid of the new york thing. so if any of you new yorkers need a hearing aid,you know where not to go. note.my new york thing was o k when they sold me.. i will be returning them today,without the new york attitude. will keep you informed about the outcome of these nasty people and their service..
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1 comment
Nava Kxk

update,,,i just came back from office in nampa idaho. this time manager was in office.he took me in the back room and we talked over problem.

he was very sorry to hear the problem i had with his people and

said if i still wanted to return the aids he will do it with a full

refund...

i wanted refund,told him i wish to have nothing to do with his

people.

he was very pleasant and seemed like a good person.i was sorry to

put this complaint which wasn't about him,but to his hired help..

Anonymous
map-marker Post Falls, Idaho

Audibel Hearing Aids

got a pair of in the ear Audibel hearing aid 2 years ago.Considering that I basicly could hear almost nothing they seemed to help.I have had maybe 10 adjustments and I was getting a little frustrated.About 3 months ago I list about 70% in my good ear.I am now a cantidate for an implant.But in the mean time,I went to get another adjustment to get me thru and I can't understand anybody.I am 62,was looking for a part time job to suplement my medicare and now can't even do that.$5000 and now are completely useless.Since they are inthe ear,I couldn't even sell them.What a racket!
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8 comments
Guest

I got my hearing aids in June this year. I traded in a pair that went behind the ear as my glasses were snug and my ears are closely pinned to my head and they wouldn't stay in so the Hearing Center at Lafayette allowed me a $1000 on the new ones that went into the ear canal.

Well I can't stand them as moisture builds up in my ears and I don't want to risk anymore ear infections. So now I am stuck with a pair that I don't wear. My husband and I both have aids from Audibel and we have spent over $13,000 on hearing aid. I do think for Sr.

adults that is a lot of money. I am still paying monthly on mine. I would like to try another company as I feel there is something better to wear that aren't so hard to wear. Just saying I am not crazy about these hearing aids.

It isn't the gal at the Lafayette Hearing that is the problem, I feel people are being ripped off on the prices and once you have them you are stuck.

Thought I would get this off my chest. I got my aids in Lafayette, Indiana.

Guest

A racket cannot get the help I need what can I do ?

Guest

It is a racket!!!!

Gene C Vsv

Understand your frustration, unfortunately you are out of luck trying to get help from Audibel dealters. The only thing they help is themselves to your money.........

Gene C Vsv

Todd, Audibel distributors need to be put on a leash. They do nothing but take advantage of the HOH and elderly with their high pressure sales pitches and tampering with your HAs to get more money out of you. I speak from experience...........

Guest

I got a pair went back after 2 years for an adjustment.They told me they could not adjust ay more I would need to get a new pair . I told them to forget it .I got a pair of Seimens 100 times better and cheaper . Audible is a RIP OFF

Jairo Htx

always consult at least 2, best is 3 different providers. The device is only 30%.

Care and expertise for 5 years other 70%.

Make sure free trial terms in writing.

Guest

Hi, we are sorry to hear about your need for adjustments to the hearing aids as a part of the changes in your hearing loss. Can you please tell us the office in which you purchased the hearing aids and we will gladly work with them and you to help find a beneficial solution.

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Letoya Pww
map-marker New Orleans, Louisiana

Not sure if Audible is the place to purchase your hearing aids.

Updated by user Jun 20, 2013

Audible decided to repair my hearing aid at no cost, but stated that there would be no warranty on it. I have been using it for a couple of weeks now and it seems to be working ok.

They retested my hearing and reset both aids. I appreciate their support.

Original review May 20, 2013
My in the ear Audibles cost approximately $5000 and I thought that this company would be safer to deal with than all the quick pitch companies. I think I was wrong. After several adjustments, I became frustrated with settings and stopped wearing them. After several months I decided to give them another try. The right ear aid no longer worked. I then opted to have it repaired. After a few weeks the repaired aid was ready for pickup and I was told that the repair would cost $295 and I started to wonder if Audible was the best place to purchase my hearing aids and I decided to try and get by with the left ear only. The local Audible dealer tried to contact me about picking up the repaired device but I didn't like the idea of paying another $295, so I let them keep it. After 2 years of frustration, I knew that I needed the aid. So I went to pick up my hearing aid. I paid the $295 and went to my vehicle with the right hearing aid. I put it in my ear and it did work. They decided they would contact Audible's repair division and see if they would repair it again. I am waiting for their reply but was told that if Audible would charge me for another repair, that I would have to pay again. This is not what I expected and it was not in my possession but in theirs. There is no proof how long after the repair was made that it again failed, but I honestly believe that it was long before the 2 year mark. I was told that even though the hearing aid was inside a zip lock bag with no battery in it, that it could go bad from not being used. To this, I say B&*l S&^t. The left ear aid has worked the entire 5 years without a problem, but the right ear aid is defective and needs to be replaced. Not sure if Audible is going to take care of this or not, but I am hoping that they will do the right thing. I will update when I hear what their solution will be.
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2 comments
Guest

Electronics are made with the intentions of electricity flowing through them on a regular basis. When hearing aids are not used regularly, components can fail causing repairs.

Especially when they are not used for months or years at a time. I have been wearing hearing aids for two years now and have not had to repair either aid and can`t imagine being without them now. I am sorry to hear some of the complaints from some of you that have had a bad experience but I would say blame the individuals associated with the office in particular and not the company that built the aids. All of these offices are owned independently and represent themselves, not Audibel.

If they are misrepresenting or mistreating people then shame on them but I know of several reputable dealers for hearing aids and hope some of you don`t give up. I wish all of you happy hearing...!!!

Guest

Ok, to be fair, the dealership had to pay the manufacturer for the repair, although they added a BIG handling fee. They got stuck with the bill for two years until you picked up the hearing aid.

They probably paid for a 6 or 12 month warranty, which had expired when you picked it up. And yes, electronics can corrode sitting around from absorbing moisture, and it's hard on some controls when they never get used.

It happens, not BS. But they should have told you the price before the repair (and if they were smart, should have asked you to pay in advance--I would have!) Glad they got it fixed for you.

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