<article>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#article10_03_13_1916203</id>
	<title>Why Are Digital Hearing Aids So Expensive?</title>
	<author>timothy</author>
	<datestamp>1268508600000</datestamp>
	<htmltext>sglines writes <i>"Over the last couple of years I've been slowly getting deaf. Too much loud rock and roll I suppose. After flubbing a couple of job interviews because I couldn't understand my inquisitors, I had a hearing test which confirmed what I already knew: I'm deaf. So I tried on a set of behind-the-ear hearing aids. Wow, my keyboard makes clacks as I type and my wife doesn't mumble to herself. Then I asked how much: $3,700 for the pair. Hey, I'm unemployed. The cheapest digital hearing aids they had were $1,200 each. If you look at the specs they are not very impressive. A digital hearing aid has a low-power A-to-D converter. Output consists of D-to-A conversion with volume passing through an equalizer that inversely matches your hearing loss. Most hearing loss, mine included, is frequency dependent, so an equalizer does wonders. The 'cheap' hearing aids had only four channels while the high-end one had twelve. My 1970 amplifier had more than that. I suppose they have some kind of noise reduction circuitry, too, but that's pretty much it. So my question is this: when I can get a very good netbook computer for under $400 why do I need to pay $1,200 per ear for a hearing aid? Alternatives would be welcome."</i></htmltext>
<tokenext>sglines writes " Over the last couple of years I 've been slowly getting deaf .
Too much loud rock and roll I suppose .
After flubbing a couple of job interviews because I could n't understand my inquisitors , I had a hearing test which confirmed what I already knew : I 'm deaf .
So I tried on a set of behind-the-ear hearing aids .
Wow , my keyboard makes clacks as I type and my wife does n't mumble to herself .
Then I asked how much : $ 3,700 for the pair .
Hey , I 'm unemployed .
The cheapest digital hearing aids they had were $ 1,200 each .
If you look at the specs they are not very impressive .
A digital hearing aid has a low-power A-to-D converter .
Output consists of D-to-A conversion with volume passing through an equalizer that inversely matches your hearing loss .
Most hearing loss , mine included , is frequency dependent , so an equalizer does wonders .
The 'cheap ' hearing aids had only four channels while the high-end one had twelve .
My 1970 amplifier had more than that .
I suppose they have some kind of noise reduction circuitry , too , but that 's pretty much it .
So my question is this : when I can get a very good netbook computer for under $ 400 why do I need to pay $ 1,200 per ear for a hearing aid ?
Alternatives would be welcome .
"</tokentext>
<sentencetext>sglines writes "Over the last couple of years I've been slowly getting deaf.
Too much loud rock and roll I suppose.
After flubbing a couple of job interviews because I couldn't understand my inquisitors, I had a hearing test which confirmed what I already knew: I'm deaf.
So I tried on a set of behind-the-ear hearing aids.
Wow, my keyboard makes clacks as I type and my wife doesn't mumble to herself.
Then I asked how much: $3,700 for the pair.
Hey, I'm unemployed.
The cheapest digital hearing aids they had were $1,200 each.
If you look at the specs they are not very impressive.
A digital hearing aid has a low-power A-to-D converter.
Output consists of D-to-A conversion with volume passing through an equalizer that inversely matches your hearing loss.
Most hearing loss, mine included, is frequency dependent, so an equalizer does wonders.
The 'cheap' hearing aids had only four channels while the high-end one had twelve.
My 1970 amplifier had more than that.
I suppose they have some kind of noise reduction circuitry, too, but that's pretty much it.
So my question is this: when I can get a very good netbook computer for under $400 why do I need to pay $1,200 per ear for a hearing aid?
Alternatives would be welcome.
"</sentencetext>
</article>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465924</id>
	<title>Well, you might be luckier on the price than....</title>
	<author>Robin47</author>
	<datestamp>1268512980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>... I was. It seems maybe the price has come down some. I paid $8,000 for mine 2 years ago and they are 16 channel but I have 75\% and 90\% loss and couldn't get by without them. Inherited nerve deafness. I still can't here the keyboard though.. oh, wait! never mind. I hear Bluetooth is gonna be incorporated in the next generation.</htmltext>
<tokenext>... I was .
It seems maybe the price has come down some .
I paid $ 8,000 for mine 2 years ago and they are 16 channel but I have 75 \ % and 90 \ % loss and could n't get by without them .
Inherited nerve deafness .
I still ca n't here the keyboard though.. oh , wait !
never mind .
I hear Bluetooth is gon na be incorporated in the next generation .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>... I was.
It seems maybe the price has come down some.
I paid $8,000 for mine 2 years ago and they are 16 channel but I have 75\% and 90\% loss and couldn't get by without them.
Inherited nerve deafness.
I still can't here the keyboard though.. oh, wait!
never mind.
I hear Bluetooth is gonna be incorporated in the next generation.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471596</id>
	<title>Re:Lots of reasons</title>
	<author>syousef</author>
	<datestamp>1268575380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>How the FUCK is this a troll.</p><p>Assholes.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>How the FUCK is this a troll.Assholes .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>How the FUCK is this a troll.Assholes.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465934</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469412</id>
	<title>Return on Investment</title>
	<author>lionchild</author>
	<datestamp>1268497380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>If the $4k hearing aid is designed with modern circuits, then I would imagine that it's programable as well.  Which means that if something doesn't happen to them, (like you go for a swim with them in), then they should be able to update them later as necessary.  As a result, they should last you for another 20+ years, which means that you'll be paying about $200 a year.  Unlike a car, you likely wouldn't have to replace it every 5 to 7+ years.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>If the $ 4k hearing aid is designed with modern circuits , then I would imagine that it 's programable as well .
Which means that if something does n't happen to them , ( like you go for a swim with them in ) , then they should be able to update them later as necessary .
As a result , they should last you for another 20 + years , which means that you 'll be paying about $ 200 a year .
Unlike a car , you likely would n't have to replace it every 5 to 7 + years .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If the $4k hearing aid is designed with modern circuits, then I would imagine that it's programable as well.
Which means that if something doesn't happen to them, (like you go for a swim with them in), then they should be able to update them later as necessary.
As a result, they should last you for another 20+ years, which means that you'll be paying about $200 a year.
Unlike a car, you likely wouldn't have to replace it every 5 to 7+ years.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31473906</id>
	<title>Re:Factors in the hearing aid equation.</title>
	<author>Gertlex</author>
	<datestamp>1268598240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Thank you for finally being the first non-speculative and comprehensive post on this.</p><p>Summary of my own (born hearing impaired):<br>-Low power requirement.  Extremely<br>-Digital is not the same as analog.  Digitals require programming to set each frequency's (frequency range) amplification range.  You can modify a lot more of these with digital aids than with analog.<br>-Durability (some people's sweat is more corrosive than others...)<br>-You're paying for the servicing time of the audiologist.... the audiologist is the one who does the programming.  95\% of people wouldn't be smart enough to do it themselves and could potentially do more damage to their hearing.<br>-You get one or two months of trial period with them.<br>-Compact/miniaturized electronics<br>-"Approved medical device" status probably has something to do with prices, though I haven't actually heard about this...<br>-Digitals also have multiple programs, generally.  Not going to explain the gamut of these, but they're what made using digitals worthwhile after using analog for my first 16 years with hearing aids.</p><p>And in the end, I still sort of hate hearing aids.  There's so much of life that I miss without proper hearing, and so much that hearing aids just don't do.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Thank you for finally being the first non-speculative and comprehensive post on this.Summary of my own ( born hearing impaired ) : -Low power requirement .
Extremely-Digital is not the same as analog .
Digitals require programming to set each frequency 's ( frequency range ) amplification range .
You can modify a lot more of these with digital aids than with analog.-Durability ( some people 's sweat is more corrosive than others... ) -You 're paying for the servicing time of the audiologist.... the audiologist is the one who does the programming .
95 \ % of people would n't be smart enough to do it themselves and could potentially do more damage to their hearing.-You get one or two months of trial period with them.-Compact/miniaturized electronics- " Approved medical device " status probably has something to do with prices , though I have n't actually heard about this...-Digitals also have multiple programs , generally .
Not going to explain the gamut of these , but they 're what made using digitals worthwhile after using analog for my first 16 years with hearing aids.And in the end , I still sort of hate hearing aids .
There 's so much of life that I miss without proper hearing , and so much that hearing aids just do n't do .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Thank you for finally being the first non-speculative and comprehensive post on this.Summary of my own (born hearing impaired):-Low power requirement.
Extremely-Digital is not the same as analog.
Digitals require programming to set each frequency's (frequency range) amplification range.
You can modify a lot more of these with digital aids than with analog.-Durability (some people's sweat is more corrosive than others...)-You're paying for the servicing time of the audiologist.... the audiologist is the one who does the programming.
95\% of people wouldn't be smart enough to do it themselves and could potentially do more damage to their hearing.-You get one or two months of trial period with them.-Compact/miniaturized electronics-"Approved medical device" status probably has something to do with prices, though I haven't actually heard about this...-Digitals also have multiple programs, generally.
Not going to explain the gamut of these, but they're what made using digitals worthwhile after using analog for my first 16 years with hearing aids.And in the end, I still sort of hate hearing aids.
There's so much of life that I miss without proper hearing, and so much that hearing aids just don't do.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467216</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468014</id>
	<title>Re:medical and research</title>
	<author>dragonbutt</author>
	<datestamp>1268485020000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>anything labelled medical, nuclear, or laboratory grade.</p></div><p>You forgot to add the word "safety" and then double the price.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>anything labelled medical , nuclear , or laboratory grade.You forgot to add the word " safety " and then double the price .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>anything labelled medical, nuclear, or laboratory grade.You forgot to add the word "safety" and then double the price.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465852</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471582</id>
	<title>I'm sympathetic, also unemployed...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268575260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>If I had better hearing, I could have gotten a job with homeland security, but I could not afford the $1400 hearing aid. some of the newer ones can also do frequency shifting, that is shift from an octave you can't hear down to one you can. If you had good hearing to start with I guess you could possibly hear above the normal human range.....</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>If I had better hearing , I could have gotten a job with homeland security , but I could not afford the $ 1400 hearing aid .
some of the newer ones can also do frequency shifting , that is shift from an octave you ca n't hear down to one you can .
If you had good hearing to start with I guess you could possibly hear above the normal human range.... .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If I had better hearing, I could have gotten a job with homeland security, but I could not afford the $1400 hearing aid.
some of the newer ones can also do frequency shifting, that is shift from an octave you can't hear down to one you can.
If you had good hearing to start with I guess you could possibly hear above the normal human range.....</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471260</id>
	<title>Re:Prices are actually falling fast</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268569380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I should move overseas as prices are not falling here.  I am on my umpteenth pair of hearing aids. Phonak state of the art.  In theory they do all sorts of things but in practice it certainly doesn't work for me.  They cost $7000 in Australia. They have bluetooth capabilities but when hooked up for viewing and listenting to the t.v. there is a miniscule time delay so you get a sort of echo of the sound.  It is impossible to hear without going demented.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I should move overseas as prices are not falling here .
I am on my umpteenth pair of hearing aids .
Phonak state of the art .
In theory they do all sorts of things but in practice it certainly does n't work for me .
They cost $ 7000 in Australia .
They have bluetooth capabilities but when hooked up for viewing and listenting to the t.v .
there is a miniscule time delay so you get a sort of echo of the sound .
It is impossible to hear without going demented .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I should move overseas as prices are not falling here.
I am on my umpteenth pair of hearing aids.
Phonak state of the art.
In theory they do all sorts of things but in practice it certainly doesn't work for me.
They cost $7000 in Australia.
They have bluetooth capabilities but when hooked up for viewing and listenting to the t.v.
there is a miniscule time delay so you get a sort of echo of the sound.
It is impossible to hear without going demented.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466356</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466158</id>
	<title>This is the core problem of Health Care</title>
	<author>Auckerman</author>
	<datestamp>1268471280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Everyone is always spending someone elses money, so the part of the market (the consumer) that's supposed to lower prices doesn't do it's job.</p><p>Insured people are spending the insurance companies money.  The insurance companies are spending the money coming in from premiums, which are usually paid by the company the insured person is working for.  The health care providers are spending the insurance companies money.  There is little to no market pressure to lower prices.  The only party who is interested in lowering  cost is the guy paying for the insurance, but their employees are telling them they want the best coverage known to man with price being no object.</p><p>You want to know why wages were stagnant since the dot com bust?  Companies spend somewhere around 25\% more on workers during that time, with almost every penny going to health care.</p><p>This is why every nation other than the US has centralized healthcare, do varying degrees.  The government acts as the voice in lowering prices.  They are literally hundreds of strategies they use, some more effective than others.</p><p>Why do hearing aids cost a fortune?  You can blame the rest population for NEVER looking at prices.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Everyone is always spending someone elses money , so the part of the market ( the consumer ) that 's supposed to lower prices does n't do it 's job.Insured people are spending the insurance companies money .
The insurance companies are spending the money coming in from premiums , which are usually paid by the company the insured person is working for .
The health care providers are spending the insurance companies money .
There is little to no market pressure to lower prices .
The only party who is interested in lowering cost is the guy paying for the insurance , but their employees are telling them they want the best coverage known to man with price being no object.You want to know why wages were stagnant since the dot com bust ?
Companies spend somewhere around 25 \ % more on workers during that time , with almost every penny going to health care.This is why every nation other than the US has centralized healthcare , do varying degrees .
The government acts as the voice in lowering prices .
They are literally hundreds of strategies they use , some more effective than others.Why do hearing aids cost a fortune ?
You can blame the rest population for NEVER looking at prices .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Everyone is always spending someone elses money, so the part of the market (the consumer) that's supposed to lower prices doesn't do it's job.Insured people are spending the insurance companies money.
The insurance companies are spending the money coming in from premiums, which are usually paid by the company the insured person is working for.
The health care providers are spending the insurance companies money.
There is little to no market pressure to lower prices.
The only party who is interested in lowering  cost is the guy paying for the insurance, but their employees are telling them they want the best coverage known to man with price being no object.You want to know why wages were stagnant since the dot com bust?
Companies spend somewhere around 25\% more on workers during that time, with almost every penny going to health care.This is why every nation other than the US has centralized healthcare, do varying degrees.
The government acts as the voice in lowering prices.
They are literally hundreds of strategies they use, some more effective than others.Why do hearing aids cost a fortune?
You can blame the rest population for NEVER looking at prices.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469240</id>
	<title>Lots of reasons: Vanity.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268495820000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>"It's a specialty item made in more limited production runs than a netbook. Less people can be expected to purchase decent hearing aids (ironically in part because they're expensive). Bit of a viscous cycle there - if they were cheaper more people would buy them which would make them cheaper."</p><p>To a certain degree although I do know some who will not wear a hearing aid more due to doing so acknowledges one is getting older. Yes, vanity can be one reason.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>" It 's a specialty item made in more limited production runs than a netbook .
Less people can be expected to purchase decent hearing aids ( ironically in part because they 're expensive ) .
Bit of a viscous cycle there - if they were cheaper more people would buy them which would make them cheaper .
" To a certain degree although I do know some who will not wear a hearing aid more due to doing so acknowledges one is getting older .
Yes , vanity can be one reason .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>"It's a specialty item made in more limited production runs than a netbook.
Less people can be expected to purchase decent hearing aids (ironically in part because they're expensive).
Bit of a viscous cycle there - if they were cheaper more people would buy them which would make them cheaper.
"To a certain degree although I do know some who will not wear a hearing aid more due to doing so acknowledges one is getting older.
Yes, vanity can be one reason.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465934</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465934</id>
	<title>Lots of reasons</title>
	<author>syousef</author>
	<datestamp>1268513040000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Troll</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p> It's a medical device - that means it's subject to more stringent controls and potential law suites. It can actually deafen someone if it fails in the right way. It can cause someone to not hear that car and get hit. These people can sue.</p><p>It's a specialty item made in more limited production runs than a netbook. Less people can be expected to purchase decent hearing aids (ironically in part because they're expensive). Bit of a viscous cycle there - if they were cheaper more people would buy them which would make them cheaper.</p><p>Finally our medical tech companies are greedy. The whole business is about cornering someone so that they need your product or end up with a shite quality of life and then milking them.</p><p>I'm the bread winner in my family. My wife wears 2 hearing aids. The model she uses are mid range. They cost about $3k each in Australian dollars on the Aussie market and have to be replaced roughly every 5 years. I'm still greatful she can hear me.  I do wish they were cheaper.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>It 's a medical device - that means it 's subject to more stringent controls and potential law suites .
It can actually deafen someone if it fails in the right way .
It can cause someone to not hear that car and get hit .
These people can sue.It 's a specialty item made in more limited production runs than a netbook .
Less people can be expected to purchase decent hearing aids ( ironically in part because they 're expensive ) .
Bit of a viscous cycle there - if they were cheaper more people would buy them which would make them cheaper.Finally our medical tech companies are greedy .
The whole business is about cornering someone so that they need your product or end up with a shite quality of life and then milking them.I 'm the bread winner in my family .
My wife wears 2 hearing aids .
The model she uses are mid range .
They cost about $ 3k each in Australian dollars on the Aussie market and have to be replaced roughly every 5 years .
I 'm still greatful she can hear me .
I do wish they were cheaper .</tokentext>
<sentencetext> It's a medical device - that means it's subject to more stringent controls and potential law suites.
It can actually deafen someone if it fails in the right way.
It can cause someone to not hear that car and get hit.
These people can sue.It's a specialty item made in more limited production runs than a netbook.
Less people can be expected to purchase decent hearing aids (ironically in part because they're expensive).
Bit of a viscous cycle there - if they were cheaper more people would buy them which would make them cheaper.Finally our medical tech companies are greedy.
The whole business is about cornering someone so that they need your product or end up with a shite quality of life and then milking them.I'm the bread winner in my family.
My wife wears 2 hearing aids.
The model she uses are mid range.
They cost about $3k each in Australian dollars on the Aussie market and have to be replaced roughly every 5 years.
I'm still greatful she can hear me.
I do wish they were cheaper.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469108</id>
	<title>Kinda like...</title>
	<author>vtTom</author>
	<datestamp>1268494440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I think this has a lot in common with the saying "The USA spent millions developing a pen that could write in zero G for space missions; the Russions just used a pencil."</htmltext>
<tokenext>I think this has a lot in common with the saying " The USA spent millions developing a pen that could write in zero G for space missions ; the Russions just used a pencil .
"</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I think this has a lot in common with the saying "The USA spent millions developing a pen that could write in zero G for space missions; the Russions just used a pencil.
"</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470488</id>
	<title>Crazy talk!</title>
	<author>nanoakron</author>
	<datestamp>1268598180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Mod me down or whatever, but the best way to have cheaper hearing aids is to have a cheaper health system overall.</p><p>That means....Nationalised...Health...Care...</p><p>That's right - the whole nation under one banner, with bulk negotiation rates that bring down drug costs and hardware costs.</p><p>Works in the rest of the developed world, so why not try it USA?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Mod me down or whatever , but the best way to have cheaper hearing aids is to have a cheaper health system overall.That means....Nationalised...Health...Care...That 's right - the whole nation under one banner , with bulk negotiation rates that bring down drug costs and hardware costs.Works in the rest of the developed world , so why not try it USA ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Mod me down or whatever, but the best way to have cheaper hearing aids is to have a cheaper health system overall.That means....Nationalised...Health...Care...That's right - the whole nation under one banner, with bulk negotiation rates that bring down drug costs and hardware costs.Works in the rest of the developed world, so why not try it USA?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466144</id>
	<title>Re:Not to make fun of you</title>
	<author>doesnothingwell</author>
	<datestamp>1268471220000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>I have relatives going deaf with age, watching TV with them is not fun. TV volumes set at a level wear I have to wear ear protection.</p></div><p>I gave grandma an fm radio transmitter and attached it to the tv, she sits next to her own reciever and I don't get blasted anymore.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>I have relatives going deaf with age , watching TV with them is not fun .
TV volumes set at a level wear I have to wear ear protection.I gave grandma an fm radio transmitter and attached it to the tv , she sits next to her own reciever and I do n't get blasted anymore .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I have relatives going deaf with age, watching TV with them is not fun.
TV volumes set at a level wear I have to wear ear protection.I gave grandma an fm radio transmitter and attached it to the tv, she sits next to her own reciever and I don't get blasted anymore.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465904</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31473896</id>
	<title>Re:You want a magic cheap solution?</title>
	<author>BoppreH</author>
	<datestamp>1268598120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>$3700 doesn't sound so bad for something that improves your quality of life so much.</p></div><p>Doesn't <i>sounds</i>, but it is. Using a car analogy it's like saying that windscreen wipers could cost hundreds of dollars because they allow you to drive during rain, and it "improves your quality of life so much".<br> <br>Overpricing products based on their importance (not that it's the case here) is also called profiteering, or more informally, extorsion.</p><p><div class="quote"><p>Comparing the price to a laptop is so beyond what's reasonable it's pointless to even discuss why. Let's move beyond that.</p></div><p>That's stunningly silly.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>$ 3700 does n't sound so bad for something that improves your quality of life so much.Does n't sounds , but it is .
Using a car analogy it 's like saying that windscreen wipers could cost hundreds of dollars because they allow you to drive during rain , and it " improves your quality of life so much " .
Overpricing products based on their importance ( not that it 's the case here ) is also called profiteering , or more informally , extorsion.Comparing the price to a laptop is so beyond what 's reasonable it 's pointless to even discuss why .
Let 's move beyond that.That 's stunningly silly .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>$3700 doesn't sound so bad for something that improves your quality of life so much.Doesn't sounds, but it is.
Using a car analogy it's like saying that windscreen wipers could cost hundreds of dollars because they allow you to drive during rain, and it "improves your quality of life so much".
Overpricing products based on their importance (not that it's the case here) is also called profiteering, or more informally, extorsion.Comparing the price to a laptop is so beyond what's reasonable it's pointless to even discuss why.
Let's move beyond that.That's stunningly silly.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466064</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466062</id>
	<title>A possible cheaper alternative</title>
	<author>dracphelan</author>
	<datestamp>1268513880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I'm not sure if they will provide the amplification you need, but look at the electronic hearing protection offered for hunters. The in the ear models run anywhere from $30 to $400.

As to why the medically prescribed ones cost so much. That is simple. Insurance pays for them for most people.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I 'm not sure if they will provide the amplification you need , but look at the electronic hearing protection offered for hunters .
The in the ear models run anywhere from $ 30 to $ 400 .
As to why the medically prescribed ones cost so much .
That is simple .
Insurance pays for them for most people .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I'm not sure if they will provide the amplification you need, but look at the electronic hearing protection offered for hunters.
The in the ear models run anywhere from $30 to $400.
As to why the medically prescribed ones cost so much.
That is simple.
Insurance pays for them for most people.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471204</id>
	<title>Re:Factors in the hearing aid equation.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268568540000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Well summarized.  Let me additionally emphasize and expand upon this point:  "Usually the price of the hearing aids includes months or years of followup visits to the audiologist or fitter"</p><p>My wife has extreme degenerative hearing loss and has been struggling for 10 years to find a hearing aid solution.  She has progressed through long term relationships with three different audiologists (and as many short term relationships that foundered rather quickly).    She is now wearing her third pair of hearing aids (a $7,000 pair - we have invested almost $20K out of our own pockets into looking for a way to improve her hearing).  Out journey has taught me a number of things about this industry.</p><p>1)  Hearing loss is very individualized.  The interaction of the patient with the hearing aid goes beyond a physical failure of the ear and includes the size/shape of the ear canal and it's sensitivity to the presence of a foreign body, levels of ear wax generation, life style of the patient, etc.  It also involves the ability of the mind to process and extract information from what it hears, and it's ability to ability to adapt and learn as the characteristics of the data change (i.e. as different equalizer curves are used, or different background noise filtering algorithms are tried).</p><p>2) This means the proper fitting and programming can take dozens and dozens of visits to the doctor, and many trials on the doctors part to figure out what works for each patient.  We are having good success with the high end Opticon devices she now has, but it has taken a year of weekly and then bi-weekly visits to get to this point, and she still visits every few months for a cleaning and inspection, or a fine tuning of the custom mold fit as we try to get her ears comfortable with wearing aids 16 hours a day. And we have never paid a dime beyond the original purchase price, which also included insurance for the entire replacement of the hearing aids once if lost (and yes, she did lose one in the past year).</p><p>3)  And it means the doctor must have an appropriate level of training, experience, and patience to efficiently home in on a working combination of factors.  There is a huge difference among doctors in their willingness to keep pushing for a better solution, and in their ultimate effectiveness (and I use the term doctor rather loosely, as there are a number of different certification levels among the practitioners in this business, few of which are truly doctors of audiology).  Looking back on our journey, we have dealt with the entire spectrum of competency among the doctors we have worked with, but every last one charged the same high fees.  The incompetent ones were obviously just out for a quick buck.  Those in the middle range of competency probably had good luck with some percentage of their patients but really couldn't deal with the harder cases.  We were astonished when we found our current doctor and compared her knowledge, approach, concern, and willingness to find the absolute best set of conditions for my wife with the attempts of previous doctors.</p><p>4)  Our current doctor is a board certified Doctor of Audiology with 20 years of experience.  She experiences her own level of hearing loss.  My wife is currently reasonably functional when wearing her aid, and we get by pretty well.  She is able to function as secretary at one of her at one groups again after giving up any attempts to even be in a group for a long time.     .</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Well summarized .
Let me additionally emphasize and expand upon this point : " Usually the price of the hearing aids includes months or years of followup visits to the audiologist or fitter " My wife has extreme degenerative hearing loss and has been struggling for 10 years to find a hearing aid solution .
She has progressed through long term relationships with three different audiologists ( and as many short term relationships that foundered rather quickly ) .
She is now wearing her third pair of hearing aids ( a $ 7,000 pair - we have invested almost $ 20K out of our own pockets into looking for a way to improve her hearing ) .
Out journey has taught me a number of things about this industry.1 ) Hearing loss is very individualized .
The interaction of the patient with the hearing aid goes beyond a physical failure of the ear and includes the size/shape of the ear canal and it 's sensitivity to the presence of a foreign body , levels of ear wax generation , life style of the patient , etc .
It also involves the ability of the mind to process and extract information from what it hears , and it 's ability to ability to adapt and learn as the characteristics of the data change ( i.e .
as different equalizer curves are used , or different background noise filtering algorithms are tried ) .2 ) This means the proper fitting and programming can take dozens and dozens of visits to the doctor , and many trials on the doctors part to figure out what works for each patient .
We are having good success with the high end Opticon devices she now has , but it has taken a year of weekly and then bi-weekly visits to get to this point , and she still visits every few months for a cleaning and inspection , or a fine tuning of the custom mold fit as we try to get her ears comfortable with wearing aids 16 hours a day .
And we have never paid a dime beyond the original purchase price , which also included insurance for the entire replacement of the hearing aids once if lost ( and yes , she did lose one in the past year ) .3 ) And it means the doctor must have an appropriate level of training , experience , and patience to efficiently home in on a working combination of factors .
There is a huge difference among doctors in their willingness to keep pushing for a better solution , and in their ultimate effectiveness ( and I use the term doctor rather loosely , as there are a number of different certification levels among the practitioners in this business , few of which are truly doctors of audiology ) .
Looking back on our journey , we have dealt with the entire spectrum of competency among the doctors we have worked with , but every last one charged the same high fees .
The incompetent ones were obviously just out for a quick buck .
Those in the middle range of competency probably had good luck with some percentage of their patients but really could n't deal with the harder cases .
We were astonished when we found our current doctor and compared her knowledge , approach , concern , and willingness to find the absolute best set of conditions for my wife with the attempts of previous doctors.4 ) Our current doctor is a board certified Doctor of Audiology with 20 years of experience .
She experiences her own level of hearing loss .
My wife is currently reasonably functional when wearing her aid , and we get by pretty well .
She is able to function as secretary at one of her at one groups again after giving up any attempts to even be in a group for a long time .
.</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Well summarized.
Let me additionally emphasize and expand upon this point:  "Usually the price of the hearing aids includes months or years of followup visits to the audiologist or fitter"My wife has extreme degenerative hearing loss and has been struggling for 10 years to find a hearing aid solution.
She has progressed through long term relationships with three different audiologists (and as many short term relationships that foundered rather quickly).
She is now wearing her third pair of hearing aids (a $7,000 pair - we have invested almost $20K out of our own pockets into looking for a way to improve her hearing).
Out journey has taught me a number of things about this industry.1)  Hearing loss is very individualized.
The interaction of the patient with the hearing aid goes beyond a physical failure of the ear and includes the size/shape of the ear canal and it's sensitivity to the presence of a foreign body, levels of ear wax generation, life style of the patient, etc.
It also involves the ability of the mind to process and extract information from what it hears, and it's ability to ability to adapt and learn as the characteristics of the data change (i.e.
as different equalizer curves are used, or different background noise filtering algorithms are tried).2) This means the proper fitting and programming can take dozens and dozens of visits to the doctor, and many trials on the doctors part to figure out what works for each patient.
We are having good success with the high end Opticon devices she now has, but it has taken a year of weekly and then bi-weekly visits to get to this point, and she still visits every few months for a cleaning and inspection, or a fine tuning of the custom mold fit as we try to get her ears comfortable with wearing aids 16 hours a day.
And we have never paid a dime beyond the original purchase price, which also included insurance for the entire replacement of the hearing aids once if lost (and yes, she did lose one in the past year).3)  And it means the doctor must have an appropriate level of training, experience, and patience to efficiently home in on a working combination of factors.
There is a huge difference among doctors in their willingness to keep pushing for a better solution, and in their ultimate effectiveness (and I use the term doctor rather loosely, as there are a number of different certification levels among the practitioners in this business, few of which are truly doctors of audiology).
Looking back on our journey, we have dealt with the entire spectrum of competency among the doctors we have worked with, but every last one charged the same high fees.
The incompetent ones were obviously just out for a quick buck.
Those in the middle range of competency probably had good luck with some percentage of their patients but really couldn't deal with the harder cases.
We were astonished when we found our current doctor and compared her knowledge, approach, concern, and willingness to find the absolute best set of conditions for my wife with the attempts of previous doctors.4)  Our current doctor is a board certified Doctor of Audiology with 20 years of experience.
She experiences her own level of hearing loss.
My wife is currently reasonably functional when wearing her aid, and we get by pretty well.
She is able to function as secretary at one of her at one groups again after giving up any attempts to even be in a group for a long time.
.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467216</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469070</id>
	<title>Re:You want a magic cheap solution?</title>
	<author>nanospook</author>
	<datestamp>1268494140000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I can't call them, I'm deaf! Thanks for the suggestion *and the fish*<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;)</htmltext>
<tokenext>I ca n't call them , I 'm deaf !
Thanks for the suggestion * and the fish * ; )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I can't call them, I'm deaf!
Thanks for the suggestion *and the fish* ;)</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466064</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467780</id>
	<title>Just leave your backwards country</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268483340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There are plenty of countries where you will be given a hearing aid for more or less free if you need it. Just move.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There are plenty of countries where you will be given a hearing aid for more or less free if you need it .
Just move .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are plenty of countries where you will be given a hearing aid for more or less free if you need it.
Just move.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466168</id>
	<title>Medical equipment is the short answer</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268471340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Rule of thumb is add a zero to the price if it's medical equipment and two zeroes if it's surgical equipment. Why? Because they can and competition doesn't help because of a little tradition called price fixing. I can buy a surgical scalpel out of a hobby store I know for under $10, sterile and in it's packaging. Where as the same scalpel would cost 10X as much out of a medical supply house. I'm sure the company making them claims that they are selling the hobby store seconds but I'd bet money the same production line feeds two boxes one for the hobby store and one for the medical supply house. Why don't medical supply houses buy the hobby stuff? Some probably do and jack up the prices but others don't want to deal with uncertified equipment. Oh how do I get two zeroes? Check your bill for the surgery you just had. That $50 scalpel just cost you $250 because of the hospital mark up. Even worse some equipment is sterilized and reused but oddly enough you get charged full price just the same. It's a scam and it's why we pay the highest rates in the world.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Rule of thumb is add a zero to the price if it 's medical equipment and two zeroes if it 's surgical equipment .
Why ? Because they can and competition does n't help because of a little tradition called price fixing .
I can buy a surgical scalpel out of a hobby store I know for under $ 10 , sterile and in it 's packaging .
Where as the same scalpel would cost 10X as much out of a medical supply house .
I 'm sure the company making them claims that they are selling the hobby store seconds but I 'd bet money the same production line feeds two boxes one for the hobby store and one for the medical supply house .
Why do n't medical supply houses buy the hobby stuff ?
Some probably do and jack up the prices but others do n't want to deal with uncertified equipment .
Oh how do I get two zeroes ?
Check your bill for the surgery you just had .
That $ 50 scalpel just cost you $ 250 because of the hospital mark up .
Even worse some equipment is sterilized and reused but oddly enough you get charged full price just the same .
It 's a scam and it 's why we pay the highest rates in the world .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Rule of thumb is add a zero to the price if it's medical equipment and two zeroes if it's surgical equipment.
Why? Because they can and competition doesn't help because of a little tradition called price fixing.
I can buy a surgical scalpel out of a hobby store I know for under $10, sterile and in it's packaging.
Where as the same scalpel would cost 10X as much out of a medical supply house.
I'm sure the company making them claims that they are selling the hobby store seconds but I'd bet money the same production line feeds two boxes one for the hobby store and one for the medical supply house.
Why don't medical supply houses buy the hobby stuff?
Some probably do and jack up the prices but others don't want to deal with uncertified equipment.
Oh how do I get two zeroes?
Check your bill for the surgery you just had.
That $50 scalpel just cost you $250 because of the hospital mark up.
Even worse some equipment is sterilized and reused but oddly enough you get charged full price just the same.
It's a scam and it's why we pay the highest rates in the world.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466086</id>
	<title>Shop around</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268470800000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I got both ears from around 800 in the DFW area.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I got both ears from around 800 in the DFW area .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I got both ears from around 800 in the DFW area.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31485390</id>
	<title>Anonymous Coward</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268682180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>If you look up VESID = Vocational Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities you may be able you get 100\% funded hearing aids from the State you live in like I did a few weeks ago. I am wearing brand new Phonak Digital Hearing Aids that was completley paid for by VESID. So inquire. It may take a few months to get them.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>If you look up VESID = Vocational Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities you may be able you get 100 \ % funded hearing aids from the State you live in like I did a few weeks ago .
I am wearing brand new Phonak Digital Hearing Aids that was completley paid for by VESID .
So inquire .
It may take a few months to get them .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If you look up VESID = Vocational Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities you may be able you get 100\% funded hearing aids from the State you live in like I did a few weeks ago.
I am wearing brand new Phonak Digital Hearing Aids that was completley paid for by VESID.
So inquire.
It may take a few months to get them.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470516</id>
	<title>HearingChallenged</title>
	<author>gktozer</author>
	<datestamp>1268598720000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I have a similar problem to you. A few years back I purchased some siemens units at a hearing aid clinic. They cost me $5400 for the pair! About 2 months later my dad purchased the same set - from Costco. The part that got me is he paid $2400, literally for exactly the same set! By the way, batteries are about $10 for 30 at Costco as well.

Finally, at least if you are in Canada, you can claim them on your taxes as medical expenses.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I have a similar problem to you .
A few years back I purchased some siemens units at a hearing aid clinic .
They cost me $ 5400 for the pair !
About 2 months later my dad purchased the same set - from Costco .
The part that got me is he paid $ 2400 , literally for exactly the same set !
By the way , batteries are about $ 10 for 30 at Costco as well .
Finally , at least if you are in Canada , you can claim them on your taxes as medical expenses .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I have a similar problem to you.
A few years back I purchased some siemens units at a hearing aid clinic.
They cost me $5400 for the pair!
About 2 months later my dad purchased the same set - from Costco.
The part that got me is he paid $2400, literally for exactly the same set!
By the way, batteries are about $10 for 30 at Costco as well.
Finally, at least if you are in Canada, you can claim them on your taxes as medical expenses.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467400</id>
	<title>Re:Netbooks aren't DME</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268480760000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><i>the liabilities involved in selling these products significantly raises the risk, and therefore the price, in such products</i> </p><p>Don't forget the blood-sucking DME provider that has to get their pound of flesh too.  For a year's rental of a CPAP machine, my DME provider charges more than twice the retail cost to buy the machine outright and the insurance company doesn't even blink.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>the liabilities involved in selling these products significantly raises the risk , and therefore the price , in such products Do n't forget the blood-sucking DME provider that has to get their pound of flesh too .
For a year 's rental of a CPAP machine , my DME provider charges more than twice the retail cost to buy the machine outright and the insurance company does n't even blink .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>the liabilities involved in selling these products significantly raises the risk, and therefore the price, in such products Don't forget the blood-sucking DME provider that has to get their pound of flesh too.
For a year's rental of a CPAP machine, my DME provider charges more than twice the retail cost to buy the machine outright and the insurance company doesn't even blink.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465880</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465796</id>
	<title>Because they are medical devices?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I suspect if you called them "noise canceling earbuds" or added "do not use for weight loss" you could sell them much cheaper. But why would they want to do that?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I suspect if you called them " noise canceling earbuds " or added " do not use for weight loss " you could sell them much cheaper .
But why would they want to do that ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I suspect if you called them "noise canceling earbuds" or added "do not use for weight loss" you could sell them much cheaper.
But why would they want to do that?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466038</id>
	<title>Why so much?</title>
	<author>Chas</author>
	<datestamp>1268513700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Welcome to the wonderful world of medical equipment billing.</p><p>Most of the time these devices are relatively inexpensive to build.  Maybe 1-200 per if you figure in all the safety certifications.<br>But a lot of these are going to people with insurance that pays for this sort of thing.  So the suppliers are charging 'what the market will bear'.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Welcome to the wonderful world of medical equipment billing.Most of the time these devices are relatively inexpensive to build .
Maybe 1-200 per if you figure in all the safety certifications.But a lot of these are going to people with insurance that pays for this sort of thing .
So the suppliers are charging 'what the market will bear' .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Welcome to the wonderful world of medical equipment billing.Most of the time these devices are relatively inexpensive to build.
Maybe 1-200 per if you figure in all the safety certifications.But a lot of these are going to people with insurance that pays for this sort of thing.
So the suppliers are charging 'what the market will bear'.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466762</id>
	<title>Re:I am in the same boat too with these things</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268475600000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I'm going to let you in on a little secret...<br>I feign greater hearing loss than I really have so that I can ignore people without offending them. I suspect there are a lot of people like me. Though I'm not saying hearing its not important, *good* hearing is not as important to me as good sight. Might be the reason why the cost is higher... Fewer sales means more money..</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I 'm going to let you in on a little secret...I feign greater hearing loss than I really have so that I can ignore people without offending them .
I suspect there are a lot of people like me .
Though I 'm not saying hearing its not important , * good * hearing is not as important to me as good sight .
Might be the reason why the cost is higher... Fewer sales means more money. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I'm going to let you in on a little secret...I feign greater hearing loss than I really have so that I can ignore people without offending them.
I suspect there are a lot of people like me.
Though I'm not saying hearing its not important, *good* hearing is not as important to me as good sight.
Might be the reason why the cost is higher... Fewer sales means more money..</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465850</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467654</id>
	<title>Re:Hearing Aids are usually custom made</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268482440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Custom dental crowns cost $150 to $250 depending on the material used.  You can find adds for these in magazines targeting dentists.<br> <br>
Your dentist then sells the crown to you for 4x the cost, earning about $500/hour for your crown-placement visit.<br> <br>
-Todd</htmltext>
<tokenext>Custom dental crowns cost $ 150 to $ 250 depending on the material used .
You can find adds for these in magazines targeting dentists .
Your dentist then sells the crown to you for 4x the cost , earning about $ 500/hour for your crown-placement visit .
-Todd</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Custom dental crowns cost $150 to $250 depending on the material used.
You can find adds for these in magazines targeting dentists.
Your dentist then sells the crown to you for 4x the cost, earning about $500/hour for your crown-placement visit.
-Todd</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465888</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31481488</id>
	<title>Look into State Vocational Rehabilitative Services</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268665800000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I'm surprised there hasn't been more mentioned on State Rehabilitative Services.  I had to use the Texas one a couple of years ago to get new hearing aids and based on my income level, I didn't pay a dime.  There really weren't any requirements, the agency/people wanted to confirm that you were successfully placed in a job for a 3 month period and they were happy.</p><p>Did it suck that I had to swallow my pride and get state help?  Yes.  But it was so worth it.</p><p>Also, I haven't seen too many people mention that hearing aids typically need to be replaced every 5 years or so.  Or really just the ear mold part because our ears do continue to grow and THAT is the cause of the feedback nowadays.</p><p>If the OP opted for a BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aid, and got the inner ear molded every 5 years or so, you would be out the initial 2-3k for the pair but the molds should only be about $300 a piece.  Then the hearing aid should last you quite a long time, barring any other loss over time.  If your hearing is still going down, get the most powerful one you can today, and you should still be able to bank a few years with it.</p><p>And - find an Audie that doesn't charge for sittings, tests, cleanings and other crap.  I've known my audie for 15 years and he never charges for any of that.  He's a decent human being that really wants to help others.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I 'm surprised there has n't been more mentioned on State Rehabilitative Services .
I had to use the Texas one a couple of years ago to get new hearing aids and based on my income level , I did n't pay a dime .
There really were n't any requirements , the agency/people wanted to confirm that you were successfully placed in a job for a 3 month period and they were happy.Did it suck that I had to swallow my pride and get state help ?
Yes. But it was so worth it.Also , I have n't seen too many people mention that hearing aids typically need to be replaced every 5 years or so .
Or really just the ear mold part because our ears do continue to grow and THAT is the cause of the feedback nowadays.If the OP opted for a BTE ( behind-the-ear ) hearing aid , and got the inner ear molded every 5 years or so , you would be out the initial 2-3k for the pair but the molds should only be about $ 300 a piece .
Then the hearing aid should last you quite a long time , barring any other loss over time .
If your hearing is still going down , get the most powerful one you can today , and you should still be able to bank a few years with it.And - find an Audie that does n't charge for sittings , tests , cleanings and other crap .
I 've known my audie for 15 years and he never charges for any of that .
He 's a decent human being that really wants to help others .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I'm surprised there hasn't been more mentioned on State Rehabilitative Services.
I had to use the Texas one a couple of years ago to get new hearing aids and based on my income level, I didn't pay a dime.
There really weren't any requirements, the agency/people wanted to confirm that you were successfully placed in a job for a 3 month period and they were happy.Did it suck that I had to swallow my pride and get state help?
Yes.  But it was so worth it.Also, I haven't seen too many people mention that hearing aids typically need to be replaced every 5 years or so.
Or really just the ear mold part because our ears do continue to grow and THAT is the cause of the feedback nowadays.If the OP opted for a BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aid, and got the inner ear molded every 5 years or so, you would be out the initial 2-3k for the pair but the molds should only be about $300 a piece.
Then the hearing aid should last you quite a long time, barring any other loss over time.
If your hearing is still going down, get the most powerful one you can today, and you should still be able to bank a few years with it.And - find an Audie that doesn't charge for sittings, tests, cleanings and other crap.
I've known my audie for 15 years and he never charges for any of that.
He's a decent human being that really wants to help others.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466092</id>
	<title>Miniaturization</title>
	<author>nurb432</author>
	<datestamp>1268470860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p> Anyone can squeeze a microphone, an AD/DA converter, a 15 channel DSP driven parametric equalizer and amp into a box the size of a toaster oven. But not many can stick it in your ear, and have it fit properly.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Anyone can squeeze a microphone , an AD/DA converter , a 15 channel DSP driven parametric equalizer and amp into a box the size of a toaster oven .
But not many can stick it in your ear , and have it fit properly .</tokentext>
<sentencetext> Anyone can squeeze a microphone, an AD/DA converter, a 15 channel DSP driven parametric equalizer and amp into a box the size of a toaster oven.
But not many can stick it in your ear, and have it fit properly.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465966</id>
	<title>Why?</title>
	<author>YouDoNotWantToKnow</author>
	<datestamp>1268513220000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Why do I need to pay $1200 per ear for a hearing aid? <br>
<br> <br>
Because you need it.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Why do I need to pay $ 1200 per ear for a hearing aid ?
Because you need it .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Why do I need to pay $1200 per ear for a hearing aid?
Because you need it.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467980</id>
	<title>Government Help with the cost</title>
	<author>t2000kw</author>
	<datestamp>1268484840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I was able to get a pair of 6 channel hearing aid  (with 3 programs) for a lot less than I could with my insurance alone. Insurance had a maximum payout of something like $250. The hearing aids I got were over $6,000. I found out that we have a government program in our state (through the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation) which can pay for most of the cost of a hearing aid. Without lying about my income, which is nowhere near poverty level, I qualified for the coverage and we worked out a plan that my insurance would pay $250, I would pay $250, and the state would pay the rest. The amount you pay is somewhat negotiable, I found out, so I offered to pay the $500 and get $250 back from my insurance. I could have applied my part to my flexible medical spending account but I usually have no problems using it up in a year's time. See if you have such a plan in your state (I live in Ohio), and if you do, maybe they can cover some of the cost of your hearing aids.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I was able to get a pair of 6 channel hearing aid ( with 3 programs ) for a lot less than I could with my insurance alone .
Insurance had a maximum payout of something like $ 250 .
The hearing aids I got were over $ 6,000 .
I found out that we have a government program in our state ( through the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation ) which can pay for most of the cost of a hearing aid .
Without lying about my income , which is nowhere near poverty level , I qualified for the coverage and we worked out a plan that my insurance would pay $ 250 , I would pay $ 250 , and the state would pay the rest .
The amount you pay is somewhat negotiable , I found out , so I offered to pay the $ 500 and get $ 250 back from my insurance .
I could have applied my part to my flexible medical spending account but I usually have no problems using it up in a year 's time .
See if you have such a plan in your state ( I live in Ohio ) , and if you do , maybe they can cover some of the cost of your hearing aids .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I was able to get a pair of 6 channel hearing aid  (with 3 programs) for a lot less than I could with my insurance alone.
Insurance had a maximum payout of something like $250.
The hearing aids I got were over $6,000.
I found out that we have a government program in our state (through the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation) which can pay for most of the cost of a hearing aid.
Without lying about my income, which is nowhere near poverty level, I qualified for the coverage and we worked out a plan that my insurance would pay $250, I would pay $250, and the state would pay the rest.
The amount you pay is somewhat negotiable, I found out, so I offered to pay the $500 and get $250 back from my insurance.
I could have applied my part to my flexible medical spending account but I usually have no problems using it up in a year's time.
See if you have such a plan in your state (I live in Ohio), and if you do, maybe they can cover some of the cost of your hearing aids.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467348</id>
	<title>A $0.02 solution</title>
	<author>T Murphy</author>
	<datestamp>1268480340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Just put a caps lock key in your ear. It should make all text seem louder.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Just put a caps lock key in your ear .
It should make all text seem louder .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Just put a caps lock key in your ear.
It should make all text seem louder.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469020</id>
	<title>Re:Size</title>
	<author>nanospook</author>
	<datestamp>1268493600000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>On the other hand they have been at it for a long time.. the prices do not drop.. Some of the moderate loss hearing aids have become very popular as they have improved.. Having a severe hearing loss, they do not work for me. My basic design hasn't altered in 20 years. Only the technology has improved (analog to digital). While I appreciate that I have this option, when stem cell science evolves to fix hearing losses, I won't look back and the entire industry all the way down can go screw themselves. They made their profit off of me..</htmltext>
<tokenext>On the other hand they have been at it for a long time.. the prices do not drop.. Some of the moderate loss hearing aids have become very popular as they have improved.. Having a severe hearing loss , they do not work for me .
My basic design has n't altered in 20 years .
Only the technology has improved ( analog to digital ) .
While I appreciate that I have this option , when stem cell science evolves to fix hearing losses , I wo n't look back and the entire industry all the way down can go screw themselves .
They made their profit off of me. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>On the other hand they have been at it for a long time.. the prices do not drop.. Some of the moderate loss hearing aids have become very popular as they have improved.. Having a severe hearing loss, they do not work for me.
My basic design hasn't altered in 20 years.
Only the technology has improved (analog to digital).
While I appreciate that I have this option, when stem cell science evolves to fix hearing losses, I won't look back and the entire industry all the way down can go screw themselves.
They made their profit off of me..</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465808</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465870</id>
	<title>$3700? Chump change.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512740000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Try complaining about a cochlear implant, which runs from $50k to $100k.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Try complaining about a cochlear implant , which runs from $ 50k to $ 100k .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Try complaining about a cochlear implant, which runs from $50k to $100k.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465814</id>
	<title>Approval process?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I don't wear one nor do I know anything about the industry....but just a guess - do hearing aids need to have some kind of FDA approval or similar Health Dept. certification? Or is it the person (or doctor) prescribing/ calibrating the hearing aid similar to the optometrist (measuring your near/far sightedness)? After all, it's not all that trivial to figure out your prescription, but the eye doc needs to have such degree.</p><p>Again, I don't know what I'm talking about, but this is just an avenue to consider.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I do n't wear one nor do I know anything about the industry....but just a guess - do hearing aids need to have some kind of FDA approval or similar Health Dept .
certification ? Or is it the person ( or doctor ) prescribing/ calibrating the hearing aid similar to the optometrist ( measuring your near/far sightedness ) ?
After all , it 's not all that trivial to figure out your prescription , but the eye doc needs to have such degree.Again , I do n't know what I 'm talking about , but this is just an avenue to consider .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I don't wear one nor do I know anything about the industry....but just a guess - do hearing aids need to have some kind of FDA approval or similar Health Dept.
certification? Or is it the person (or doctor) prescribing/ calibrating the hearing aid similar to the optometrist (measuring your near/far sightedness)?
After all, it's not all that trivial to figure out your prescription, but the eye doc needs to have such degree.Again, I don't know what I'm talking about, but this is just an avenue to consider.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471130</id>
	<title>DIy hearing aid..</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268567100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>You are completyely right, it is rediculous what you are being asked to pay. If you start from scratch you can make a hearing aid for under 100 usd.</p><p>You take two of these http://www.donberg.ie/catalogue/semiconductors/semiconductors\_b-bc/ba\_3812.html</p><p>This gives you 5 channels, but combining two can make 10 channel equalizer http://www.electronic-circuits-diagrams.com/audioimages/12.gif</p><p>Then you find a chip amplifier like this http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm158.pdf</p><p>And a noise gate  http://media.photobucket.com/image/noise\%20gate/kupervaser/230.png?t=1233685653</p><p>And you could add a microcontroller to add some controls.</p><p>It could be a small box you carry with a 9v rechargable battery or mobile phone battery..</p><p>The Earpice can be moded from silicon and simple walkman headset..</p><p>Medical devises are rediculously expensive</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>You are completyely right , it is rediculous what you are being asked to pay .
If you start from scratch you can make a hearing aid for under 100 usd.You take two of these http : //www.donberg.ie/catalogue/semiconductors/semiconductors \ _b-bc/ba \ _3812.htmlThis gives you 5 channels , but combining two can make 10 channel equalizer http : //www.electronic-circuits-diagrams.com/audioimages/12.gifThen you find a chip amplifier like this http : //focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm158.pdfAnd a noise gate http : //media.photobucket.com/image/noise \ % 20gate/kupervaser/230.png ? t = 1233685653And you could add a microcontroller to add some controls.It could be a small box you carry with a 9v rechargable battery or mobile phone battery..The Earpice can be moded from silicon and simple walkman headset..Medical devises are rediculously expensive</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You are completyely right, it is rediculous what you are being asked to pay.
If you start from scratch you can make a hearing aid for under 100 usd.You take two of these http://www.donberg.ie/catalogue/semiconductors/semiconductors\_b-bc/ba\_3812.htmlThis gives you 5 channels, but combining two can make 10 channel equalizer http://www.electronic-circuits-diagrams.com/audioimages/12.gifThen you find a chip amplifier like this http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm158.pdfAnd a noise gate  http://media.photobucket.com/image/noise\%20gate/kupervaser/230.png?t=1233685653And you could add a microcontroller to add some controls.It could be a small box you carry with a 9v rechargable battery or mobile phone battery..The Earpice can be moded from silicon and simple walkman headset..Medical devises are rediculously expensive</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470604</id>
	<title>Re:Voc Rehab</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268557500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Sounds like COMMUNISM.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Sounds like COMMUNISM .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Sounds like COMMUNISM.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465854</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468686</id>
	<title>A lot of work and tech goes into it.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268490480000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>It really depends on the line and model.<br>3700 sounds like a luxury model.</p><p>Advanced hearing aids include artificial intelligence, noise reduction, Bluetooth support.<br>The AI is so it can learn your voice so that it doesn't amplify your voice.<br>Also they can figure out who it is you're talking too to that only one voice in a crowd is amplified.<br>There's hundred of millions of dollars in research required.</p><p>If you have two hearing aids, chances are the communicate with each other wirelessly to create a better sound map of the room.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>It really depends on the line and model.3700 sounds like a luxury model.Advanced hearing aids include artificial intelligence , noise reduction , Bluetooth support.The AI is so it can learn your voice so that it does n't amplify your voice.Also they can figure out who it is you 're talking too to that only one voice in a crowd is amplified.There 's hundred of millions of dollars in research required.If you have two hearing aids , chances are the communicate with each other wirelessly to create a better sound map of the room .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>It really depends on the line and model.3700 sounds like a luxury model.Advanced hearing aids include artificial intelligence, noise reduction, Bluetooth support.The AI is so it can learn your voice so that it doesn't amplify your voice.Also they can figure out who it is you're talking too to that only one voice in a crowd is amplified.There's hundred of millions of dollars in research required.If you have two hearing aids, chances are the communicate with each other wirelessly to create a better sound map of the room.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468120</id>
	<title>Quit your bitching, hit eBay</title>
	<author>Rogerborg</author>
	<datestamp>1268485920000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>and buy the $20 Chinese items.  Job done.</htmltext>
<tokenext>and buy the $ 20 Chinese items .
Job done .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>and buy the $20 Chinese items.
Job done.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468316</id>
	<title>Hope</title>
	<author>b4upoo</author>
	<datestamp>1268487420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>       I hope your medical insurance will help you if you are insured. If you did military service they may pay as loud noise and combat or certain positions often result in hearing issues. If you can get Medicare a supplemental plan may cover your issues. You might even try for a disability check as deafness just might be a qualifier.<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I do not know your age but you are only seeing the tip of the ice berg. We need national health care. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to even consider the cost of hearing aids. This is a medical issue and everyone deserves the best care available at all times. Money should never set care limits.<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Good luck and God bless you.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I hope your medical insurance will help you if you are insured .
If you did military service they may pay as loud noise and combat or certain positions often result in hearing issues .
If you can get Medicare a supplemental plan may cover your issues .
You might even try for a disability check as deafness just might be a qualifier .
              I do not know your age but you are only seeing the tip of the ice berg .
We need national health care .
There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to even consider the cost of hearing aids .
This is a medical issue and everyone deserves the best care available at all times .
Money should never set care limits .
              Good luck and God bless you .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>       I hope your medical insurance will help you if you are insured.
If you did military service they may pay as loud noise and combat or certain positions often result in hearing issues.
If you can get Medicare a supplemental plan may cover your issues.
You might even try for a disability check as deafness just might be a qualifier.
              I do not know your age but you are only seeing the tip of the ice berg.
We need national health care.
There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to even consider the cost of hearing aids.
This is a medical issue and everyone deserves the best care available at all times.
Money should never set care limits.
              Good luck and God bless you.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468778</id>
	<title>Inexpensive</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268491380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Inexpensive hearing aids are getting into market</p><p>http://www.hearinglossweb.com/tech/ha/inexp.htm</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Inexpensive hearing aids are getting into markethttp : //www.hearinglossweb.com/tech/ha/inexp.htm</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Inexpensive hearing aids are getting into markethttp://www.hearinglossweb.com/tech/ha/inexp.htm</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466532</id>
	<title>Re:I am in the same boat too with these things</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268473740000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>A few years ago, I paid $600 for glasses.  They were very good glasses...  The best I've ever owned.</p><p>Then I found out you can buy glasses online cheap.  Now, for a pair of decent (not 'very good') glasses, I pay $40.  ($100 if I want all the fancy sun-tints and stuff, too.)</p><p>Hearing aids have the same kind of structure, but the units you get for $100 are complete crap, and the $1000+ ones are the 'decent' ones.  It's a lot harder to make a hearing aid.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>A few years ago , I paid $ 600 for glasses .
They were very good glasses... The best I 've ever owned.Then I found out you can buy glasses online cheap .
Now , for a pair of decent ( not 'very good ' ) glasses , I pay $ 40 .
( $ 100 if I want all the fancy sun-tints and stuff , too .
) Hearing aids have the same kind of structure , but the units you get for $ 100 are complete crap , and the $ 1000 + ones are the 'decent ' ones .
It 's a lot harder to make a hearing aid .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>A few years ago, I paid $600 for glasses.
They were very good glasses...  The best I've ever owned.Then I found out you can buy glasses online cheap.
Now, for a pair of decent (not 'very good') glasses, I pay $40.
($100 if I want all the fancy sun-tints and stuff, too.
)Hearing aids have the same kind of structure, but the units you get for $100 are complete crap, and the $1000+ ones are the 'decent' ones.
It's a lot harder to make a hearing aid.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466222</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469534</id>
	<title>Re:You want a magic cheap solution?</title>
	<author>evil\_aar0n</author>
	<datestamp>1268499000000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>You might also contact your local Lions Club, too.  They often provide funds for hearing and sight-handicapped folks for hearing aids and glasses, etc.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>You might also contact your local Lions Club , too .
They often provide funds for hearing and sight-handicapped folks for hearing aids and glasses , etc .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You might also contact your local Lions Club, too.
They often provide funds for hearing and sight-handicapped folks for hearing aids and glasses, etc.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466064</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465880</id>
	<title>Netbooks aren't DME</title>
	<author>TSHTF</author>
	<datestamp>1268512800000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>On a recent flight, I heard an older man talk to the woman he was sitting next to about this same issue.

</p><p>Hearing aids tend to be classified as DME (durable medical equipment). Medical equipment has a higher support cost than netbooks, and the insurance companies are happy to pay. The cost of entry in the DME market is much higher the netbook market.

</p><p>Although there is a huge market for the product, the liabilities involved in selling these products significantly raises the risk, and therefore the price, in such products.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>On a recent flight , I heard an older man talk to the woman he was sitting next to about this same issue .
Hearing aids tend to be classified as DME ( durable medical equipment ) .
Medical equipment has a higher support cost than netbooks , and the insurance companies are happy to pay .
The cost of entry in the DME market is much higher the netbook market .
Although there is a huge market for the product , the liabilities involved in selling these products significantly raises the risk , and therefore the price , in such products .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>On a recent flight, I heard an older man talk to the woman he was sitting next to about this same issue.
Hearing aids tend to be classified as DME (durable medical equipment).
Medical equipment has a higher support cost than netbooks, and the insurance companies are happy to pay.
The cost of entry in the DME market is much higher the netbook market.
Although there is a huge market for the product, the liabilities involved in selling these products significantly raises the risk, and therefore the price, in such products.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467240</id>
	<title>Many factors contribute</title>
	<author>fredrikv</author>
	<datestamp>1268479440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There are several factors<br>- Hearing aids are medical devices, regulated by FDA. This means that companies have to spend time and money to get their devices approved. Quality assurance, traceability, reliability of components etc contribute to the higher cost of medical devices.<br>- Some really clever engineering, algorithms, materials and manufacturing are required to make a modern hearing aid. Not many companies can make an original design that is competitive.<br>- Not only processing power is limited in the small size, power consumption also needs to be minimized. I wouldn't be surprised if batteries cost more than the appliance over a few years time.<br>- You also pay for a professional to personalize the hearing aid, to adapt it to your specific hearing loss<br>- The performance increase per dollar is small in the premium range. The best performing hearing aids can charge much more than the second best ones, even if performance is only slightly better in normal situations.</p><p>However, I doubt that the fact that insurance companies often pay would impact the price. They are extremely cost-aware and would demand a cheaper device providing the same performance if it were available (or limit their contribution to the cost of the cheaper competitor if it was as good).</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There are several factors- Hearing aids are medical devices , regulated by FDA .
This means that companies have to spend time and money to get their devices approved .
Quality assurance , traceability , reliability of components etc contribute to the higher cost of medical devices.- Some really clever engineering , algorithms , materials and manufacturing are required to make a modern hearing aid .
Not many companies can make an original design that is competitive.- Not only processing power is limited in the small size , power consumption also needs to be minimized .
I would n't be surprised if batteries cost more than the appliance over a few years time.- You also pay for a professional to personalize the hearing aid , to adapt it to your specific hearing loss- The performance increase per dollar is small in the premium range .
The best performing hearing aids can charge much more than the second best ones , even if performance is only slightly better in normal situations.However , I doubt that the fact that insurance companies often pay would impact the price .
They are extremely cost-aware and would demand a cheaper device providing the same performance if it were available ( or limit their contribution to the cost of the cheaper competitor if it was as good ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are several factors- Hearing aids are medical devices, regulated by FDA.
This means that companies have to spend time and money to get their devices approved.
Quality assurance, traceability, reliability of components etc contribute to the higher cost of medical devices.- Some really clever engineering, algorithms, materials and manufacturing are required to make a modern hearing aid.
Not many companies can make an original design that is competitive.- Not only processing power is limited in the small size, power consumption also needs to be minimized.
I wouldn't be surprised if batteries cost more than the appliance over a few years time.- You also pay for a professional to personalize the hearing aid, to adapt it to your specific hearing loss- The performance increase per dollar is small in the premium range.
The best performing hearing aids can charge much more than the second best ones, even if performance is only slightly better in normal situations.However, I doubt that the fact that insurance companies often pay would impact the price.
They are extremely cost-aware and would demand a cheaper device providing the same performance if it were available (or limit their contribution to the cost of the cheaper competitor if it was as good).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468144</id>
	<title>Dogs eat hearing aids - seriously!</title>
	<author>mnmlst</author>
	<datestamp>1268486100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>When Grandpa left his hearing aid (only 1 of his 2) on the window sill in our spare bedroom, our dog chewed it up.  Our USAA homeowners insurance policy covered the entire cost of the replacement hearing aid.  When I spoke with the claims representative at USAA, they said this happens all the time as dogs are drawn to the high pitched sounds emitted by hearing aids.  Grandpa was disappointed as the new hearing aid was much better than the remaining old one the dog didn't chew up.  I have had USAA for 22 years now and they have been great in every claim we have had.  Note that membership is now open to ALL veterans of the US military whereas until recently it was only senior soldiers and officers and their immediate descendants.  KEEP OUT OF REACH OF DOG.</htmltext>
<tokenext>When Grandpa left his hearing aid ( only 1 of his 2 ) on the window sill in our spare bedroom , our dog chewed it up .
Our USAA homeowners insurance policy covered the entire cost of the replacement hearing aid .
When I spoke with the claims representative at USAA , they said this happens all the time as dogs are drawn to the high pitched sounds emitted by hearing aids .
Grandpa was disappointed as the new hearing aid was much better than the remaining old one the dog did n't chew up .
I have had USAA for 22 years now and they have been great in every claim we have had .
Note that membership is now open to ALL veterans of the US military whereas until recently it was only senior soldiers and officers and their immediate descendants .
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF DOG .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>When Grandpa left his hearing aid (only 1 of his 2) on the window sill in our spare bedroom, our dog chewed it up.
Our USAA homeowners insurance policy covered the entire cost of the replacement hearing aid.
When I spoke with the claims representative at USAA, they said this happens all the time as dogs are drawn to the high pitched sounds emitted by hearing aids.
Grandpa was disappointed as the new hearing aid was much better than the remaining old one the dog didn't chew up.
I have had USAA for 22 years now and they have been great in every claim we have had.
Note that membership is now open to ALL veterans of the US military whereas until recently it was only senior soldiers and officers and their immediate descendants.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF DOG.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466056</id>
	<title>Guess that depends on where you live</title>
	<author>broothal</author>
	<datestamp>1268513820000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><em>why do I need to pay $1200 per ear for a hearing aid? </em> In my country, you would get a $1200 hearing aid for free. If you want a more expensive model, the government pays the first $1200 and your insurance pays the rest.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>why do I need to pay $ 1200 per ear for a hearing aid ?
In my country , you would get a $ 1200 hearing aid for free .
If you want a more expensive model , the government pays the first $ 1200 and your insurance pays the rest .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>why do I need to pay $1200 per ear for a hearing aid?
In my country, you would get a $1200 hearing aid for free.
If you want a more expensive model, the government pays the first $1200 and your insurance pays the rest.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467092</id>
	<title>Public sector product, not private</title>
	<author>gig</author>
	<datestamp>1268478120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There's no market for these like netbooks. The government should be paying, not a private individual. These are public sector items. If you were a government worker buying 20,000 of these you could get a reasonable price. Most of the price you're being asked to pay is going to fund the act of selling them to you, not the items themselves. It's expensive to procur funding on a case-by-case basis. The fact that you're comparing them to private sector purchases yet finding them curiously different shows this is a different kind of item. You don't want a hearing aid, you have been prescribed a hearing aid. It's not like shopping for rugs.</p><p>The government (everyone) should be paying for these. The cost per year to fund all medicine is less than the cost to fund all defense. There is no benefit to people going without hearing aids, but a large measurable benefit to people having them. It's the same as preventing houses from burning down. The fact that this is hurting your chances of getting a job makes this very immediately obvious in your case. Some will say you should get funds from a charity but health care, like cops and firefighters and defense, is not charity. These are non-market-driven human endeavors that create conditions in which market-driven private sector interests flourish.</p><p>So what to do? I don't know. If you are in the US there is very little hope. I have a friend who needs medicine also and we don't know what to do about him either. By 2012 we'll be in the same place as Dickensian England if current trends hold. You're just one of many Tiny Tims if you are in the US. Some ghosts have to visit a rich guy before you get cured.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There 's no market for these like netbooks .
The government should be paying , not a private individual .
These are public sector items .
If you were a government worker buying 20,000 of these you could get a reasonable price .
Most of the price you 're being asked to pay is going to fund the act of selling them to you , not the items themselves .
It 's expensive to procur funding on a case-by-case basis .
The fact that you 're comparing them to private sector purchases yet finding them curiously different shows this is a different kind of item .
You do n't want a hearing aid , you have been prescribed a hearing aid .
It 's not like shopping for rugs.The government ( everyone ) should be paying for these .
The cost per year to fund all medicine is less than the cost to fund all defense .
There is no benefit to people going without hearing aids , but a large measurable benefit to people having them .
It 's the same as preventing houses from burning down .
The fact that this is hurting your chances of getting a job makes this very immediately obvious in your case .
Some will say you should get funds from a charity but health care , like cops and firefighters and defense , is not charity .
These are non-market-driven human endeavors that create conditions in which market-driven private sector interests flourish.So what to do ?
I do n't know .
If you are in the US there is very little hope .
I have a friend who needs medicine also and we do n't know what to do about him either .
By 2012 we 'll be in the same place as Dickensian England if current trends hold .
You 're just one of many Tiny Tims if you are in the US .
Some ghosts have to visit a rich guy before you get cured .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There's no market for these like netbooks.
The government should be paying, not a private individual.
These are public sector items.
If you were a government worker buying 20,000 of these you could get a reasonable price.
Most of the price you're being asked to pay is going to fund the act of selling them to you, not the items themselves.
It's expensive to procur funding on a case-by-case basis.
The fact that you're comparing them to private sector purchases yet finding them curiously different shows this is a different kind of item.
You don't want a hearing aid, you have been prescribed a hearing aid.
It's not like shopping for rugs.The government (everyone) should be paying for these.
The cost per year to fund all medicine is less than the cost to fund all defense.
There is no benefit to people going without hearing aids, but a large measurable benefit to people having them.
It's the same as preventing houses from burning down.
The fact that this is hurting your chances of getting a job makes this very immediately obvious in your case.
Some will say you should get funds from a charity but health care, like cops and firefighters and defense, is not charity.
These are non-market-driven human endeavors that create conditions in which market-driven private sector interests flourish.So what to do?
I don't know.
If you are in the US there is very little hope.
I have a friend who needs medicine also and we don't know what to do about him either.
By 2012 we'll be in the same place as Dickensian England if current trends hold.
You're just one of many Tiny Tims if you are in the US.
Some ghosts have to visit a rich guy before you get cured.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471654</id>
	<title>Hear Hear</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268575800000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I will pay $3000 to the first person to provide me with an open-source hearing aid design that I can build from a kit, which meets the following specs:</p><p>1) full open source firmware/programming/interfaces<br>2) secure protocol for updates<br>3) fab-able in a fablab/hackerspace environment<br>4) spam filter.. I hate commercials. identify and zero-volume any advertisements<br>5) control of spamfilter/volume/frequency shifting via bluetooth from smartphone<br>6) acts as bluetooth headset/microphone</p><p>I don't *need* hearing aids, but I have some hearing loss. And I'm not going to pay a whole bunch of money for something which only does half of what I want.</p><p>I was going to go ahead and register a domain for this, but I really have other stuff I need to do today.  -- hozer at hozed dot org</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I will pay $ 3000 to the first person to provide me with an open-source hearing aid design that I can build from a kit , which meets the following specs : 1 ) full open source firmware/programming/interfaces2 ) secure protocol for updates3 ) fab-able in a fablab/hackerspace environment4 ) spam filter.. I hate commercials .
identify and zero-volume any advertisements5 ) control of spamfilter/volume/frequency shifting via bluetooth from smartphone6 ) acts as bluetooth headset/microphoneI do n't * need * hearing aids , but I have some hearing loss .
And I 'm not going to pay a whole bunch of money for something which only does half of what I want.I was going to go ahead and register a domain for this , but I really have other stuff I need to do today .
-- hozer at hozed dot org</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I will pay $3000 to the first person to provide me with an open-source hearing aid design that I can build from a kit, which meets the following specs:1) full open source firmware/programming/interfaces2) secure protocol for updates3) fab-able in a fablab/hackerspace environment4) spam filter.. I hate commercials.
identify and zero-volume any advertisements5) control of spamfilter/volume/frequency shifting via bluetooth from smartphone6) acts as bluetooth headset/microphoneI don't *need* hearing aids, but I have some hearing loss.
And I'm not going to pay a whole bunch of money for something which only does half of what I want.I was going to go ahead and register a domain for this, but I really have other stuff I need to do today.
-- hozer at hozed dot org</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466002</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471402</id>
	<title>Re:Factors in the hearing aid equation.</title>
	<author>EnglishDude</author>
	<datestamp>1268572140000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>As a Brit, I am shocked and appalled at the situation in the US.  Hearing aids never worked for me and I was forced to wear them until I was 13 - cost wasn't an issue.  I see so much hearing aid abuse - I've seen them flushed down toilets, dunked in coke, stomped on - and I never gave that a second thought.  Very few people took proper care of them as they knew that if it got broken, they'd get free replacements.  Now after reading your post and looking back, I'm ashamed of what I saw.  I never abused my aids, but never took good care of them.  Yes, fair enough that hearing aids were forced on those people who abused them and they really did not want them, but still.  Us deafies are pretty fortunate in the UK for getting free hearing aids, upgrades, care, etc, no matter what our socioeconomic status is, aren't we!</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>As a Brit , I am shocked and appalled at the situation in the US .
Hearing aids never worked for me and I was forced to wear them until I was 13 - cost was n't an issue .
I see so much hearing aid abuse - I 've seen them flushed down toilets , dunked in coke , stomped on - and I never gave that a second thought .
Very few people took proper care of them as they knew that if it got broken , they 'd get free replacements .
Now after reading your post and looking back , I 'm ashamed of what I saw .
I never abused my aids , but never took good care of them .
Yes , fair enough that hearing aids were forced on those people who abused them and they really did not want them , but still .
Us deafies are pretty fortunate in the UK for getting free hearing aids , upgrades , care , etc , no matter what our socioeconomic status is , are n't we !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>As a Brit, I am shocked and appalled at the situation in the US.
Hearing aids never worked for me and I was forced to wear them until I was 13 - cost wasn't an issue.
I see so much hearing aid abuse - I've seen them flushed down toilets, dunked in coke, stomped on - and I never gave that a second thought.
Very few people took proper care of them as they knew that if it got broken, they'd get free replacements.
Now after reading your post and looking back, I'm ashamed of what I saw.
I never abused my aids, but never took good care of them.
Yes, fair enough that hearing aids were forced on those people who abused them and they really did not want them, but still.
Us deafies are pretty fortunate in the UK for getting free hearing aids, upgrades, care, etc, no matter what our socioeconomic status is, aren't we!</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467216</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471174</id>
	<title>Buy it online!</title>
	<author>flyingfsck</author>
	<datestamp>1268567880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>You can buy reading glasses and hearing aids online for a fraction of the over the counter cost:<br><a href="http://perfecthearingaids.com/" title="perfecthearingaids.com">http://perfecthearingaids.com/</a> [perfecthearingaids.com]</p><p>If you did not think to use Google for this, then you need to have your Geek license revoked...</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>You can buy reading glasses and hearing aids online for a fraction of the over the counter cost : http : //perfecthearingaids.com/ [ perfecthearingaids.com ] If you did not think to use Google for this , then you need to have your Geek license revoked.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You can buy reading glasses and hearing aids online for a fraction of the over the counter cost:http://perfecthearingaids.com/ [perfecthearingaids.com]If you did not think to use Google for this, then you need to have your Geek license revoked...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468496</id>
	<title>Because you're buying service, not just hardware..</title>
	<author>n6gn</author>
	<datestamp>1268488860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>We hear with our brains as much as with our ears. Simply buying hardware to compensate for the roll-off is NOT the solution. Hearing is tremendously adaptive and interactive. When you buy HAs from a reputable source you are actually buying a lot of visits for measurement/modification to allow you to adapt to the augmentation as well as possible. This is unique to each individual. This easily adds up to MANY (10-20/year) office visits over the life of the device(s).
  I too used to think that simply measuring the roll-off and applying compensation was a solution. It emphatically is NOT.
Before you all attribute the cost of the hardware to greed, take a look at the service and also look around and find evidence of overly-fat audiologists. I don't find them around where I live...
n6gn</htmltext>
<tokenext>We hear with our brains as much as with our ears .
Simply buying hardware to compensate for the roll-off is NOT the solution .
Hearing is tremendously adaptive and interactive .
When you buy HAs from a reputable source you are actually buying a lot of visits for measurement/modification to allow you to adapt to the augmentation as well as possible .
This is unique to each individual .
This easily adds up to MANY ( 10-20/year ) office visits over the life of the device ( s ) .
I too used to think that simply measuring the roll-off and applying compensation was a solution .
It emphatically is NOT .
Before you all attribute the cost of the hardware to greed , take a look at the service and also look around and find evidence of overly-fat audiologists .
I do n't find them around where I live.. . n6gn</tokentext>
<sentencetext>We hear with our brains as much as with our ears.
Simply buying hardware to compensate for the roll-off is NOT the solution.
Hearing is tremendously adaptive and interactive.
When you buy HAs from a reputable source you are actually buying a lot of visits for measurement/modification to allow you to adapt to the augmentation as well as possible.
This is unique to each individual.
This easily adds up to MANY (10-20/year) office visits over the life of the device(s).
I too used to think that simply measuring the roll-off and applying compensation was a solution.
It emphatically is NOT.
Before you all attribute the cost of the hardware to greed, take a look at the service and also look around and find evidence of overly-fat audiologists.
I don't find them around where I live...
n6gn</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467064</id>
	<title>Re:One word: insurance</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268477940000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Most hearing aids are bought by older people on medicare, and medicare doesn't cover hearing aids except in extreme circumstances.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Most hearing aids are bought by older people on medicare , and medicare does n't cover hearing aids except in extreme circumstances .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Most hearing aids are bought by older people on medicare, and medicare doesn't cover hearing aids except in extreme circumstances.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465840</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466464</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268473260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Does your laptop with all that processing power runs on a \_TINY\_ battery like the hearing aid and last that long?</p><p>It is the processing/mW ratio and integration that the hardware was designed in mind that few would fit the solution.<br>And then there is all those labor involved in custom fitting the device to your ear canals, tuning etc. which cost $$$.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Does your laptop with all that processing power runs on a \ _TINY \ _ battery like the hearing aid and last that long ? It is the processing/mW ratio and integration that the hardware was designed in mind that few would fit the solution.And then there is all those labor involved in custom fitting the device to your ear canals , tuning etc .
which cost $ $ $ .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Does your laptop with all that processing power runs on a \_TINY\_ battery like the hearing aid and last that long?It is the processing/mW ratio and integration that the hardware was designed in mind that few would fit the solution.And then there is all those labor involved in custom fitting the device to your ear canals, tuning etc.
which cost $$$.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467074</id>
	<title>What's it worth to be able to hear again?</title>
	<author>swb</author>
	<datestamp>1268478000000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>My guess is they could triple the price and still sell a lot.  People want to hear.</p><p>The price is probably at some maximum level that insurance companies will pay and people can actually scrape the money together for.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>My guess is they could triple the price and still sell a lot .
People want to hear.The price is probably at some maximum level that insurance companies will pay and people can actually scrape the money together for .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>My guess is they could triple the price and still sell a lot.
People want to hear.The price is probably at some maximum level that insurance companies will pay and people can actually scrape the money together for.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466720</id>
	<title>leverage the iPhone platform?</title>
	<author>brindle</author>
	<datestamp>1268475240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Interestin</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Perhaps someone could leverage the iPhone platform to develop a hearing aid? Everything required is there... I think. =)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Perhaps someone could leverage the iPhone platform to develop a hearing aid ?
Everything required is there... I think .
= )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Perhaps someone could leverage the iPhone platform to develop a hearing aid?
Everything required is there... I think.
=)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31502760</id>
	<title>Re:Prices are actually falling fast</title>
	<author>Buelldozer</author>
	<datestamp>1268741160000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><a href="http://www.songbirdhearing.com/products/flexfit-hearing-aids.html" title="songbirdhearing.com">http://www.songbirdhearing.com/products/flexfit-hearing-aids.html</a> [songbirdhearing.com]</p><p><a href="http://hearingdirect.com/" title="hearingdirect.com">http://hearingdirect.com/</a> [hearingdirect.com]</p><p>All Digital and the most expensive one is around $500.</p><p>They're somewhat less difficult to make than you'd imagine.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>http : //www.songbirdhearing.com/products/flexfit-hearing-aids.html [ songbirdhearing.com ] http : //hearingdirect.com/ [ hearingdirect.com ] All Digital and the most expensive one is around $ 500.They 're somewhat less difficult to make than you 'd imagine .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>http://www.songbirdhearing.com/products/flexfit-hearing-aids.html [songbirdhearing.com]http://hearingdirect.com/ [hearingdirect.com]All Digital and the most expensive one is around $500.They're somewhat less difficult to make than you'd imagine.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466356</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466666</id>
	<title>Disgusting</title>
	<author>saadmubeen</author>
	<datestamp>1268474820000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I agree If the hearing aid is such a small device and it has definitely a very low circuitry as compared to the notebook than why the hell a hearing aid is more expensive than a notebook !!!

Regards
<a href="http://www.saadstore.com/" title="saadstore.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.saadstore.com/</a> [saadstore.com]</htmltext>
<tokenext>I agree If the hearing aid is such a small device and it has definitely a very low circuitry as compared to the notebook than why the hell a hearing aid is more expensive than a notebook ! ! !
Regards http : //www.saadstore.com/ [ saadstore.com ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I agree If the hearing aid is such a small device and it has definitely a very low circuitry as compared to the notebook than why the hell a hearing aid is more expensive than a notebook !!!
Regards
http://www.saadstore.com/ [saadstore.com]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468436</id>
	<title>Nice product</title>
	<author>emt377</author>
	<datestamp>1268488440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>The price reflects an extreme niche market.  First, it's a therapeutic device, which similar to a drug has to be proven it works better than a placebo before you can sell it as such.  Which means you need to fund a study to demonstrate its efficacy.  Second, it takes people with certain experience to build devices that integrate well with diagnostic procedures.  Third, the medical and drug market isn't very open to newcomers.  Fourth, and most important, the prices are all bogus.  If you walk in off the street to a hospital, uninsured, and ask for a cholesterol test they will quote you about $750.  This is the price the provider always begins their negotiations at; an insurance company negotiates a discount based on that (or if it's medicare they simply state what they're willing to pay, take it or leave it).  An insurance company might pay $125 but you will pay $750 because the hospital isn't going to negotiate their prices with you.  Same with a $4000 hearing aid.  An insurance company might pay $800 for it (which is a reasonable price for such a niche product) and you have some deductible, say $250.  The purpose of the ridiculous pricing scheme is to make you feel you're getting a $4000 device for $250, while the insurance company ends up paying $550.  If you were told you got an $800 device for $250 you might wonder why you're paying for insurance.  And this is the same reason you can't walk in and buy the device for $800 yourself - because helping the insurance companies sell insurance helps the hospital stay open.</div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>The price reflects an extreme niche market .
First , it 's a therapeutic device , which similar to a drug has to be proven it works better than a placebo before you can sell it as such .
Which means you need to fund a study to demonstrate its efficacy .
Second , it takes people with certain experience to build devices that integrate well with diagnostic procedures .
Third , the medical and drug market is n't very open to newcomers .
Fourth , and most important , the prices are all bogus .
If you walk in off the street to a hospital , uninsured , and ask for a cholesterol test they will quote you about $ 750 .
This is the price the provider always begins their negotiations at ; an insurance company negotiates a discount based on that ( or if it 's medicare they simply state what they 're willing to pay , take it or leave it ) .
An insurance company might pay $ 125 but you will pay $ 750 because the hospital is n't going to negotiate their prices with you .
Same with a $ 4000 hearing aid .
An insurance company might pay $ 800 for it ( which is a reasonable price for such a niche product ) and you have some deductible , say $ 250 .
The purpose of the ridiculous pricing scheme is to make you feel you 're getting a $ 4000 device for $ 250 , while the insurance company ends up paying $ 550 .
If you were told you got an $ 800 device for $ 250 you might wonder why you 're paying for insurance .
And this is the same reason you ca n't walk in and buy the device for $ 800 yourself - because helping the insurance companies sell insurance helps the hospital stay open .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The price reflects an extreme niche market.
First, it's a therapeutic device, which similar to a drug has to be proven it works better than a placebo before you can sell it as such.
Which means you need to fund a study to demonstrate its efficacy.
Second, it takes people with certain experience to build devices that integrate well with diagnostic procedures.
Third, the medical and drug market isn't very open to newcomers.
Fourth, and most important, the prices are all bogus.
If you walk in off the street to a hospital, uninsured, and ask for a cholesterol test they will quote you about $750.
This is the price the provider always begins their negotiations at; an insurance company negotiates a discount based on that (or if it's medicare they simply state what they're willing to pay, take it or leave it).
An insurance company might pay $125 but you will pay $750 because the hospital isn't going to negotiate their prices with you.
Same with a $4000 hearing aid.
An insurance company might pay $800 for it (which is a reasonable price for such a niche product) and you have some deductible, say $250.
The purpose of the ridiculous pricing scheme is to make you feel you're getting a $4000 device for $250, while the insurance company ends up paying $550.
If you were told you got an $800 device for $250 you might wonder why you're paying for insurance.
And this is the same reason you can't walk in and buy the device for $800 yourself - because helping the insurance companies sell insurance helps the hospital stay open.
	</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465832</id>
	<title>Used</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512560000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There are companies which refurbish hearing aids. You can find them on the web. They take the old hearing aid, sterilize it, and put it into an earpiece which is suitable for you ear. Google and you should find them.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There are companies which refurbish hearing aids .
You can find them on the web .
They take the old hearing aid , sterilize it , and put it into an earpiece which is suitable for you ear .
Google and you should find them .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are companies which refurbish hearing aids.
You can find them on the web.
They take the old hearing aid, sterilize it, and put it into an earpiece which is suitable for you ear.
Google and you should find them.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31478028</id>
	<title>Prices in India</title>
	<author>Argon</author>
	<datestamp>1268586180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>This is what I could find after a few minutes of googling.</p><p><a href="http://www.widexindia.com/Products/Widex\%20hearing\%20aids/Price\%20lists.aspx" title="widexindia.com">http://www.widexindia.com/Products/Widex\%20hearing\%20aids/Price\%20lists.aspx</a> [widexindia.com]</p><p>For US$ conversion, divide by 50. So approx $200 for the cheapest one but only two channels. The most expensive ones run to $3000.</p><p>Ganesan</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>This is what I could find after a few minutes of googling.http : //www.widexindia.com/Products/Widex \ % 20hearing \ % 20aids/Price \ % 20lists.aspx [ widexindia.com ] For US $ conversion , divide by 50 .
So approx $ 200 for the cheapest one but only two channels .
The most expensive ones run to $ 3000.Ganesan</tokentext>
<sentencetext>This is what I could find after a few minutes of googling.http://www.widexindia.com/Products/Widex\%20hearing\%20aids/Price\%20lists.aspx [widexindia.com]For US$ conversion, divide by 50.
So approx $200 for the cheapest one but only two channels.
The most expensive ones run to $3000.Ganesan</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467272</id>
	<title>agreed on price tag</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268479740000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>i'm in australia and paid $3900 for a SINGLE hearing aid - all out of my own pocket.  it's quite clever how it constantly does noise suppression and only amplifies the needed ranges, but it was darn expensive.   what's annoying in australia, it's only $1200 to have a cochlea implant do and medicare covers the rest, whereas a hearing aid is not covered at all.   even private health will only give you 1k towards a set and only every 5 years.</p><p>having said that what price do you put on hearing?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>i 'm in australia and paid $ 3900 for a SINGLE hearing aid - all out of my own pocket .
it 's quite clever how it constantly does noise suppression and only amplifies the needed ranges , but it was darn expensive .
what 's annoying in australia , it 's only $ 1200 to have a cochlea implant do and medicare covers the rest , whereas a hearing aid is not covered at all .
even private health will only give you 1k towards a set and only every 5 years.having said that what price do you put on hearing ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>i'm in australia and paid $3900 for a SINGLE hearing aid - all out of my own pocket.
it's quite clever how it constantly does noise suppression and only amplifies the needed ranges, but it was darn expensive.
what's annoying in australia, it's only $1200 to have a cochlea implant do and medicare covers the rest, whereas a hearing aid is not covered at all.
even private health will only give you 1k towards a set and only every 5 years.having said that what price do you put on hearing?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466848</id>
	<title>Re:It's a medical device, not a consumer item!</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268476260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Oh yeah, can you explain why people have to send the things back because they break down?  I have two deaf friends who have bought different models from different suppliers...  Because I work with them, I have seen this reliability "first hand".</p><p>To respond to previous comments<br>- Small?  Hard to manufacture?  Seriously - is this a geek site or what?<br>- Custom?  Think glasses - they're custom too.</p><p>I call BS on the reliability factor, manufacturing factor and customization factor.</p><p>AC<br>PS They are overpriced because it's an oligopoly.  I'll say it again "O-l-i-g-o-p-o-l-y"</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Oh yeah , can you explain why people have to send the things back because they break down ?
I have two deaf friends who have bought different models from different suppliers... Because I work with them , I have seen this reliability " first hand " .To respond to previous comments- Small ?
Hard to manufacture ?
Seriously - is this a geek site or what ? - Custom ?
Think glasses - they 're custom too.I call BS on the reliability factor , manufacturing factor and customization factor.ACPS They are overpriced because it 's an oligopoly .
I 'll say it again " O-l-i-g-o-p-o-l-y "</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Oh yeah, can you explain why people have to send the things back because they break down?
I have two deaf friends who have bought different models from different suppliers...  Because I work with them, I have seen this reliability "first hand".To respond to previous comments- Small?
Hard to manufacture?
Seriously - is this a geek site or what?- Custom?
Think glasses - they're custom too.I call BS on the reliability factor, manufacturing factor and customization factor.ACPS They are overpriced because it's an oligopoly.
I'll say it again "O-l-i-g-o-p-o-l-y"</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465926</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468266</id>
	<title>Re:Alternative</title>
	<author>exasperation</author>
	<datestamp>1268487120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There's not really anything as "registered deaf" in Canada (nor as far as I know, the United States) since there's no organization or government body to... register with.  And while yes, having a hearing loss or being deaf is something they legally cannot discriminate against and must make reasonable accommodations for, making it known drops your chances of getting employed by something like 90\%, and even if they do hire you, they won't care enough to do anything for you... especially if it is a severe loss or total deafness.  I speak from personal experience.</p><p>A few years ago, in my first year of college I applied for a job at a small pet store, part time.  Retail, though I wouldn't be interacting with the customers very much, if ever, since I was to be unloading stock in the back and putting it on carts and maybe occasionally stocking shelves.</p><p>I got through the brief interview and so on well enough without telling my manager about the hearing loss (some residual hearing, a quiet environment, in-the-canal hearing aids and lip-reading sometimes make me able to pass as a hearing person).  On the first day of the job next week, I tell my manager about the hearing loss, out of a mixture of concern for safety (though it wasn't a risky working environment) and simple practicality.</p><p>I was promptly "unhired".  Company "image" and "difficulty for the customers" and "safety" concerns.</p><p>Not much avenue to follow up with it, being naive about working at the time I never got a copy of my employment contract.  I never got paid for the day I did work, either.</p><p>I finally, through a friend, got another retail job, and while the store owner was understanding, both the night shift managers were not.  I would get called over the PA and if one of my co-workers didn't point it out to me, about 20 minutes later the manager would come storming up to me, yelling at me "why didn't you...".</p><p>So yeah.  Unless you're profoundly deaf, just fudge it.  If they're not total assholes, they'll just forget so it won't actually help you, and if they are assholes you will get burned for it.  Never give them anything; they will just use it against you.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There 's not really anything as " registered deaf " in Canada ( nor as far as I know , the United States ) since there 's no organization or government body to... register with .
And while yes , having a hearing loss or being deaf is something they legally can not discriminate against and must make reasonable accommodations for , making it known drops your chances of getting employed by something like 90 \ % , and even if they do hire you , they wo n't care enough to do anything for you... especially if it is a severe loss or total deafness .
I speak from personal experience.A few years ago , in my first year of college I applied for a job at a small pet store , part time .
Retail , though I would n't be interacting with the customers very much , if ever , since I was to be unloading stock in the back and putting it on carts and maybe occasionally stocking shelves.I got through the brief interview and so on well enough without telling my manager about the hearing loss ( some residual hearing , a quiet environment , in-the-canal hearing aids and lip-reading sometimes make me able to pass as a hearing person ) .
On the first day of the job next week , I tell my manager about the hearing loss , out of a mixture of concern for safety ( though it was n't a risky working environment ) and simple practicality.I was promptly " unhired " .
Company " image " and " difficulty for the customers " and " safety " concerns.Not much avenue to follow up with it , being naive about working at the time I never got a copy of my employment contract .
I never got paid for the day I did work , either.I finally , through a friend , got another retail job , and while the store owner was understanding , both the night shift managers were not .
I would get called over the PA and if one of my co-workers did n't point it out to me , about 20 minutes later the manager would come storming up to me , yelling at me " why did n't you... " .So yeah .
Unless you 're profoundly deaf , just fudge it .
If they 're not total assholes , they 'll just forget so it wo n't actually help you , and if they are assholes you will get burned for it .
Never give them anything ; they will just use it against you .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There's not really anything as "registered deaf" in Canada (nor as far as I know, the United States) since there's no organization or government body to... register with.
And while yes, having a hearing loss or being deaf is something they legally cannot discriminate against and must make reasonable accommodations for, making it known drops your chances of getting employed by something like 90\%, and even if they do hire you, they won't care enough to do anything for you... especially if it is a severe loss or total deafness.
I speak from personal experience.A few years ago, in my first year of college I applied for a job at a small pet store, part time.
Retail, though I wouldn't be interacting with the customers very much, if ever, since I was to be unloading stock in the back and putting it on carts and maybe occasionally stocking shelves.I got through the brief interview and so on well enough without telling my manager about the hearing loss (some residual hearing, a quiet environment, in-the-canal hearing aids and lip-reading sometimes make me able to pass as a hearing person).
On the first day of the job next week, I tell my manager about the hearing loss, out of a mixture of concern for safety (though it wasn't a risky working environment) and simple practicality.I was promptly "unhired".
Company "image" and "difficulty for the customers" and "safety" concerns.Not much avenue to follow up with it, being naive about working at the time I never got a copy of my employment contract.
I never got paid for the day I did work, either.I finally, through a friend, got another retail job, and while the store owner was understanding, both the night shift managers were not.
I would get called over the PA and if one of my co-workers didn't point it out to me, about 20 minutes later the manager would come storming up to me, yelling at me "why didn't you...".So yeah.
Unless you're profoundly deaf, just fudge it.
If they're not total assholes, they'll just forget so it won't actually help you, and if they are assholes you will get burned for it.
Never give them anything; they will just use it against you.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465848</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467704</id>
	<title>Because they're digital</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268482740000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>And most of this is a complete waste of digital circuitry. The microphones on most hearing aids are *crap*. And part of the big expense is a fancy "automatic gain control", a rather expensive analog chip that turns the gain down quickly for "plosive" sounds, like the "p" and "t" sound, to try and teduce those sounds into your effective hearing range, but increase the gain more slowly to accomodate longer, quieter, like schwas. The result is, unfortunately, an amazing amount of distortion, strangely frequency associated phase delays, and temporal smearing of what were crisp sounds into the equivalent of playing the sound through speakers being swung past your head in time to speech. It's horrible, and what's amazing is that the way around it was shown by a guy called Lickliter in the 1930's: simply give the person a gain control to turn up volume and especially soft sounds enough to be noticeable, and a separate control to set clipping to occur at their maximum comfort level. Even one-bit clipped information is plenty to understand more than 90\% of speech, as long as that "one-bit" has all the actual timing information because it's not sampled, it's simply a +/- signal set by amplifying the original waveform and clipping it.</p><p>Unfortunately, most digital designs sample the actual waveform so infrequently that they've eliminated most temporal information, like the difference between "ts" and "st", and spend expensive amounts of microprocessor power to try and invent information out of nothingness to justify new patents, and distort the hell out of it to jam it into the reduced range between too soft to hear and too loud to tolerate that deaf people have. (There are other reasons for that as well, involving loss of the reflexes that reduce the sensitivity of your hearing as people go deaf, which is why people who are only slightly deaf get quite bothered by loud noise.)</p><p>The result is a $10,000 piece of what is effectively solid gold plated, digital, patent encumbered crashing monkey cymbals. It has exciting advertisements and bouncy, healthy, friendly sales reps with body parts that bulge in whatever way the audiologists happen to find exciting, but the poor sampling frequencies and poor analog pre-processing stages have already eliminated much of the important data. And the art of fitting them well is just that: it's an art, it's not well taught, and at most facilities new staff who just graduated from late-night commercial subscribed "medical technologist" diploma mills are used instead of experienced personnel because the experienced people take longer to do a much more thorough job, and that doesn't look good on cost analysis by bureaucratic paper pushers.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>And most of this is a complete waste of digital circuitry .
The microphones on most hearing aids are * crap * .
And part of the big expense is a fancy " automatic gain control " , a rather expensive analog chip that turns the gain down quickly for " plosive " sounds , like the " p " and " t " sound , to try and teduce those sounds into your effective hearing range , but increase the gain more slowly to accomodate longer , quieter , like schwas .
The result is , unfortunately , an amazing amount of distortion , strangely frequency associated phase delays , and temporal smearing of what were crisp sounds into the equivalent of playing the sound through speakers being swung past your head in time to speech .
It 's horrible , and what 's amazing is that the way around it was shown by a guy called Lickliter in the 1930 's : simply give the person a gain control to turn up volume and especially soft sounds enough to be noticeable , and a separate control to set clipping to occur at their maximum comfort level .
Even one-bit clipped information is plenty to understand more than 90 \ % of speech , as long as that " one-bit " has all the actual timing information because it 's not sampled , it 's simply a + /- signal set by amplifying the original waveform and clipping it.Unfortunately , most digital designs sample the actual waveform so infrequently that they 've eliminated most temporal information , like the difference between " ts " and " st " , and spend expensive amounts of microprocessor power to try and invent information out of nothingness to justify new patents , and distort the hell out of it to jam it into the reduced range between too soft to hear and too loud to tolerate that deaf people have .
( There are other reasons for that as well , involving loss of the reflexes that reduce the sensitivity of your hearing as people go deaf , which is why people who are only slightly deaf get quite bothered by loud noise .
) The result is a $ 10,000 piece of what is effectively solid gold plated , digital , patent encumbered crashing monkey cymbals .
It has exciting advertisements and bouncy , healthy , friendly sales reps with body parts that bulge in whatever way the audiologists happen to find exciting , but the poor sampling frequencies and poor analog pre-processing stages have already eliminated much of the important data .
And the art of fitting them well is just that : it 's an art , it 's not well taught , and at most facilities new staff who just graduated from late-night commercial subscribed " medical technologist " diploma mills are used instead of experienced personnel because the experienced people take longer to do a much more thorough job , and that does n't look good on cost analysis by bureaucratic paper pushers .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>And most of this is a complete waste of digital circuitry.
The microphones on most hearing aids are *crap*.
And part of the big expense is a fancy "automatic gain control", a rather expensive analog chip that turns the gain down quickly for "plosive" sounds, like the "p" and "t" sound, to try and teduce those sounds into your effective hearing range, but increase the gain more slowly to accomodate longer, quieter, like schwas.
The result is, unfortunately, an amazing amount of distortion, strangely frequency associated phase delays, and temporal smearing of what were crisp sounds into the equivalent of playing the sound through speakers being swung past your head in time to speech.
It's horrible, and what's amazing is that the way around it was shown by a guy called Lickliter in the 1930's: simply give the person a gain control to turn up volume and especially soft sounds enough to be noticeable, and a separate control to set clipping to occur at their maximum comfort level.
Even one-bit clipped information is plenty to understand more than 90\% of speech, as long as that "one-bit" has all the actual timing information because it's not sampled, it's simply a +/- signal set by amplifying the original waveform and clipping it.Unfortunately, most digital designs sample the actual waveform so infrequently that they've eliminated most temporal information, like the difference between "ts" and "st", and spend expensive amounts of microprocessor power to try and invent information out of nothingness to justify new patents, and distort the hell out of it to jam it into the reduced range between too soft to hear and too loud to tolerate that deaf people have.
(There are other reasons for that as well, involving loss of the reflexes that reduce the sensitivity of your hearing as people go deaf, which is why people who are only slightly deaf get quite bothered by loud noise.
)The result is a $10,000 piece of what is effectively solid gold plated, digital, patent encumbered crashing monkey cymbals.
It has exciting advertisements and bouncy, healthy, friendly sales reps with body parts that bulge in whatever way the audiologists happen to find exciting, but the poor sampling frequencies and poor analog pre-processing stages have already eliminated much of the important data.
And the art of fitting them well is just that: it's an art, it's not well taught, and at most facilities new staff who just graduated from late-night commercial subscribed "medical technologist" diploma mills are used instead of experienced personnel because the experienced people take longer to do a much more thorough job, and that doesn't look good on cost analysis by bureaucratic paper pushers.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</id>
	<title>$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Well, if you have software on your $400 laptop that can do the digital to analog / analog to digital just like you say, the solution is clear: hold one laptop up to each ear.</p><p>That's still going to be $800, but that's a lil' cheaper than the $1200 pair you were looking at.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Well , if you have software on your $ 400 laptop that can do the digital to analog / analog to digital just like you say , the solution is clear : hold one laptop up to each ear.That 's still going to be $ 800 , but that 's a lil ' cheaper than the $ 1200 pair you were looking at .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Well, if you have software on your $400 laptop that can do the digital to analog / analog to digital just like you say, the solution is clear: hold one laptop up to each ear.That's still going to be $800, but that's a lil' cheaper than the $1200 pair you were looking at.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467224</id>
	<title>hearing aids..</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268479320000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I have worn hearing aids for about 20 years. the first ones i had were analog in the ear type. i that type until this december when i got some behind the ear digital phonak's.  sure they were expensive. $1500 for main one, $800 for the other side that just sends the signal to the other aid (im totally deaf in one ear and half in the other). But man they are amazing! the sound quality is just amazing. i really can't tell that i have them on.</p><p>Also i can get blu-tooth addons to connect to my phone and MP3 player! heh</p><p>I don't complain about the cost at all. i think it was well worth it.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I have worn hearing aids for about 20 years .
the first ones i had were analog in the ear type .
i that type until this december when i got some behind the ear digital phonak 's .
sure they were expensive .
$ 1500 for main one , $ 800 for the other side that just sends the signal to the other aid ( im totally deaf in one ear and half in the other ) .
But man they are amazing !
the sound quality is just amazing .
i really ca n't tell that i have them on.Also i can get blu-tooth addons to connect to my phone and MP3 player !
hehI do n't complain about the cost at all .
i think it was well worth it .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I have worn hearing aids for about 20 years.
the first ones i had were analog in the ear type.
i that type until this december when i got some behind the ear digital phonak's.
sure they were expensive.
$1500 for main one, $800 for the other side that just sends the signal to the other aid (im totally deaf in one ear and half in the other).
But man they are amazing!
the sound quality is just amazing.
i really can't tell that i have them on.Also i can get blu-tooth addons to connect to my phone and MP3 player!
hehI don't complain about the cost at all.
i think it was well worth it.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469608</id>
	<title>Lots of reasons they cost a lot</title>
	<author>sjbe</author>
	<datestamp>1268499780000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>when I can get a very good netbook computer for under $400 why do I need to pay $1,200 per ear for a hearing aid?</p> </div><p>Bunch of reasons.  Here are just a few:</p><ul> <li> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economies\_of\_scale" title="wikipedia.org">Economies of Scale</a> [wikipedia.org].  Netbooks are produced in far larger numbers for a far larger pool of consumers.  The hearing aid market is plenty large but the netbook market is bigger.</li><li>Liability.  A hearing aid is a medical device so there immediately is a cost for malpractice and liability built into the cost.</li><li>Rapidly advancing state of the art.  Hearing aids are getting more sophisticated, smaller and better all the time.  There are some pretty significant development costs to be recouped.</li><li>Someone else pays.  Hearing aids are frequently (though not always) paid for by insurance.  When someone else is footing the bill, there is less incentive to control costs.</li><li>Inefficient supply chain.  You don't buy a hearing aid at Best Buy (thank $diety).  Instead you buy it through a network of doctors and relatively small distributors with little scale to demand significant discounts.</li></ul></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>when I can get a very good netbook computer for under $ 400 why do I need to pay $ 1,200 per ear for a hearing aid ?
Bunch of reasons .
Here are just a few : Economies of Scale [ wikipedia.org ] .
Netbooks are produced in far larger numbers for a far larger pool of consumers .
The hearing aid market is plenty large but the netbook market is bigger.Liability .
A hearing aid is a medical device so there immediately is a cost for malpractice and liability built into the cost.Rapidly advancing state of the art .
Hearing aids are getting more sophisticated , smaller and better all the time .
There are some pretty significant development costs to be recouped.Someone else pays .
Hearing aids are frequently ( though not always ) paid for by insurance .
When someone else is footing the bill , there is less incentive to control costs.Inefficient supply chain .
You do n't buy a hearing aid at Best Buy ( thank $ diety ) .
Instead you buy it through a network of doctors and relatively small distributors with little scale to demand significant discounts .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>when I can get a very good netbook computer for under $400 why do I need to pay $1,200 per ear for a hearing aid?
Bunch of reasons.
Here are just a few:  Economies of Scale [wikipedia.org].
Netbooks are produced in far larger numbers for a far larger pool of consumers.
The hearing aid market is plenty large but the netbook market is bigger.Liability.
A hearing aid is a medical device so there immediately is a cost for malpractice and liability built into the cost.Rapidly advancing state of the art.
Hearing aids are getting more sophisticated, smaller and better all the time.
There are some pretty significant development costs to be recouped.Someone else pays.
Hearing aids are frequently (though not always) paid for by insurance.
When someone else is footing the bill, there is less incentive to control costs.Inefficient supply chain.
You don't buy a hearing aid at Best Buy (thank $diety).
Instead you buy it through a network of doctors and relatively small distributors with little scale to demand significant discounts.
	</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468170</id>
	<title>if you had public healthcare</title>
	<author>notthemessiah</author>
	<datestamp>1268486340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>they would be FREE!!

In Australia and all the other first world countries that have national public healthcare, if the doctor says you need hearing aids - guess what - you get hearing aids for absolutely nothing.</htmltext>
<tokenext>they would be FREE ! !
In Australia and all the other first world countries that have national public healthcare , if the doctor says you need hearing aids - guess what - you get hearing aids for absolutely nothing .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>they would be FREE!!
In Australia and all the other first world countries that have national public healthcare, if the doctor says you need hearing aids - guess what - you get hearing aids for absolutely nothing.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467646</id>
	<title>Two Words</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268482260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Ear Trumpet</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Ear Trumpet</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Ear Trumpet</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31472938</id>
	<title>Who pays?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268590080000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Pretty certain you don't actually pay that yourself. You likely have a non-profit organization which can help you. I live in a small town in Illinois which has one that helps people in this area. You probably have something similar near you. Here's a link to give you an idea of what to look for:</p><p>http://www.optionscil.com/</p><p>Just a note: The people at this organization and similar ones do not directly provide funding to my knowledge. They provide expertise in navigating all the available options. Being a person with a newly diagnosed disability I would be amazed if you already knew of all the different types of funding available to you.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Pretty certain you do n't actually pay that yourself .
You likely have a non-profit organization which can help you .
I live in a small town in Illinois which has one that helps people in this area .
You probably have something similar near you .
Here 's a link to give you an idea of what to look for : http : //www.optionscil.com/Just a note : The people at this organization and similar ones do not directly provide funding to my knowledge .
They provide expertise in navigating all the available options .
Being a person with a newly diagnosed disability I would be amazed if you already knew of all the different types of funding available to you .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Pretty certain you don't actually pay that yourself.
You likely have a non-profit organization which can help you.
I live in a small town in Illinois which has one that helps people in this area.
You probably have something similar near you.
Here's a link to give you an idea of what to look for:http://www.optionscil.com/Just a note: The people at this organization and similar ones do not directly provide funding to my knowledge.
They provide expertise in navigating all the available options.
Being a person with a newly diagnosed disability I would be amazed if you already knew of all the different types of funding available to you.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469832</id>
	<title>Possible reason</title>
	<author>gringer</author>
	<datestamp>1268502420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>My wife says one possible reason for why hearing aids are so expensive is because the queen of Transylvania has decreed it.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>My wife says one possible reason for why hearing aids are so expensive is because the queen of Transylvania has decreed it .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>My wife says one possible reason for why hearing aids are so expensive is because the queen of Transylvania has decreed it.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470460</id>
	<title>Insurance</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268597820000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Insurance may help in some countries.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Insurance may help in some countries .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Insurance may help in some countries.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466842</id>
	<title>Hearing aids and further hearing loss.</title>
	<author>FriendlyPrimate</author>
	<datestamp>1268476200000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>This is somewhat off-topic, but I've always assumed that hearing aids would lead to further hearing loss.  After all, aren't you just amplifying sound and blasting it into your ear, which is what caused the hearing loss in the first place?  <br> <br>
Does anyone know this is the case?</htmltext>
<tokenext>This is somewhat off-topic , but I 've always assumed that hearing aids would lead to further hearing loss .
After all , are n't you just amplifying sound and blasting it into your ear , which is what caused the hearing loss in the first place ?
Does anyone know this is the case ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>This is somewhat off-topic, but I've always assumed that hearing aids would lead to further hearing loss.
After all, aren't you just amplifying sound and blasting it into your ear, which is what caused the hearing loss in the first place?
Does anyone know this is the case?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465862</id>
	<title>Why?  Let me count the ways...</title>
	<author>geekmux</author>
	<datestamp>1268512680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Flamebait</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>"...why do I need to pay $1200 per ear for a hearing aid?</p></div><p>The answer to your question?  Where do I start.  Greed.  Politics.  Corruption.  Lawyers.  Lawsuits.  Pick one.  Pick all of them.  They all are the reasons we pay so damn much for anything related to health care.  (And for the record, NO, I do NOT believe that Obama-care is the fucking answer here.)</p><p>It's very sad, but also very true, and unfortunately, since you've already broken down the science behind the $183 worth of parts that make up your average $2000 hearing aid, a "cheaper" alternative I don't really have for you outside of the DIY realm.  Although the thought of an open-source hearing aide is interesting, which something along those lines to offer some REAL competition is the only thing that is going to drive prices down where they should be.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>" ...why do I need to pay $ 1200 per ear for a hearing aid ? The answer to your question ?
Where do I start .
Greed. Politics .
Corruption. Lawyers .
Lawsuits. Pick one .
Pick all of them .
They all are the reasons we pay so damn much for anything related to health care .
( And for the record , NO , I do NOT believe that Obama-care is the fucking answer here .
) It 's very sad , but also very true , and unfortunately , since you 've already broken down the science behind the $ 183 worth of parts that make up your average $ 2000 hearing aid , a " cheaper " alternative I do n't really have for you outside of the DIY realm .
Although the thought of an open-source hearing aide is interesting , which something along those lines to offer some REAL competition is the only thing that is going to drive prices down where they should be .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>"...why do I need to pay $1200 per ear for a hearing aid?The answer to your question?
Where do I start.
Greed.  Politics.
Corruption.  Lawyers.
Lawsuits.  Pick one.
Pick all of them.
They all are the reasons we pay so damn much for anything related to health care.
(And for the record, NO, I do NOT believe that Obama-care is the fucking answer here.
)It's very sad, but also very true, and unfortunately, since you've already broken down the science behind the $183 worth of parts that make up your average $2000 hearing aid, a "cheaper" alternative I don't really have for you outside of the DIY realm.
Although the thought of an open-source hearing aide is interesting, which something along those lines to offer some REAL competition is the only thing that is going to drive prices down where they should be.
	</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468550</id>
	<title>Why isn't there an app for this?</title>
	<author>I don't want to spen</author>
	<datestamp>1268489400000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I may be being simplistic, but isn't most of the hardware required in phones and MP3 player these days? If you could have a bluetooth earpiece connected to a pocketsized device that does the processing for you most of the miniaturization issues are solved. It may be a step back from an all-in-one device, but most people have pockets full of gadgets these days anyway. So imagine a lapel mike, an iPod nano sized processor and a wireless earpiece - now it's a software problem. (Any programmers on Slashdot these days?)<p>

Even if the software needed a professional set-up to calibrate for the individual surely this would drive the price down.</p><p>

And think of the PR - all those people claiming MP3 players make you deaf - what if you made one that helped the deaf to hear?</p><p>

Please, no jokes about the iEar or Google Cyborg.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I may be being simplistic , but is n't most of the hardware required in phones and MP3 player these days ?
If you could have a bluetooth earpiece connected to a pocketsized device that does the processing for you most of the miniaturization issues are solved .
It may be a step back from an all-in-one device , but most people have pockets full of gadgets these days anyway .
So imagine a lapel mike , an iPod nano sized processor and a wireless earpiece - now it 's a software problem .
( Any programmers on Slashdot these days ?
) Even if the software needed a professional set-up to calibrate for the individual surely this would drive the price down .
And think of the PR - all those people claiming MP3 players make you deaf - what if you made one that helped the deaf to hear ?
Please , no jokes about the iEar or Google Cyborg .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I may be being simplistic, but isn't most of the hardware required in phones and MP3 player these days?
If you could have a bluetooth earpiece connected to a pocketsized device that does the processing for you most of the miniaturization issues are solved.
It may be a step back from an all-in-one device, but most people have pockets full of gadgets these days anyway.
So imagine a lapel mike, an iPod nano sized processor and a wireless earpiece - now it's a software problem.
(Any programmers on Slashdot these days?
)

Even if the software needed a professional set-up to calibrate for the individual surely this would drive the price down.
And think of the PR - all those people claiming MP3 players make you deaf - what if you made one that helped the deaf to hear?
Please, no jokes about the iEar or Google Cyborg.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465930</id>
	<title>Business opportunity</title>
	<author>Bob-o-Matic!</author>
	<datestamp>1268513040000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Offtopic</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Well, it seems like you have found an opportunity for a new business.  Good luck with finding free engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution services.  Maybe you need to benefit from economy of scale.  You may be able to expand your market by promoting free rock concerts at crowded subway stations.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Well , it seems like you have found an opportunity for a new business .
Good luck with finding free engineering , manufacturing , marketing , and distribution services .
Maybe you need to benefit from economy of scale .
You may be able to expand your market by promoting free rock concerts at crowded subway stations .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Well, it seems like you have found an opportunity for a new business.
Good luck with finding free engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution services.
Maybe you need to benefit from economy of scale.
You may be able to expand your market by promoting free rock concerts at crowded subway stations.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31472040</id>
	<title>Re:Prices are actually falling fast</title>
	<author>moonbender</author>
	<datestamp>1268581080000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I can't imagine the output power being a problem. Regular in-ear headphones are already incredibly (painfully) loud when used in normal PMPs, so it's not like it's difficult to get the volume. And somehow I doubt the "sound quality" of hearing aids is any different from a normal set of $100 in ear headphones. The selective sound shaping is pretty cool, though.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I ca n't imagine the output power being a problem .
Regular in-ear headphones are already incredibly ( painfully ) loud when used in normal PMPs , so it 's not like it 's difficult to get the volume .
And somehow I doubt the " sound quality " of hearing aids is any different from a normal set of $ 100 in ear headphones .
The selective sound shaping is pretty cool , though .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I can't imagine the output power being a problem.
Regular in-ear headphones are already incredibly (painfully) loud when used in normal PMPs, so it's not like it's difficult to get the volume.
And somehow I doubt the "sound quality" of hearing aids is any different from a normal set of $100 in ear headphones.
The selective sound shaping is pretty cool, though.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466356</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466524</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>WhatDoIKnow</author>
	<datestamp>1268473740000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>That's funny, but there is a practical solution using the previously mentioned bluetooth transceivers. Carry your laptop with a microphone, run general purpose equalizer software set up to compensate for your particular hearing frequency deficiencies, and send the output to an over-the-ear bluetooth headset. Of course battery life may be a problem but it should last long enough for a job interview.</htmltext>
<tokenext>That 's funny , but there is a practical solution using the previously mentioned bluetooth transceivers .
Carry your laptop with a microphone , run general purpose equalizer software set up to compensate for your particular hearing frequency deficiencies , and send the output to an over-the-ear bluetooth headset .
Of course battery life may be a problem but it should last long enough for a job interview .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>That's funny, but there is a practical solution using the previously mentioned bluetooth transceivers.
Carry your laptop with a microphone, run general purpose equalizer software set up to compensate for your particular hearing frequency deficiencies, and send the output to an over-the-ear bluetooth headset.
Of course battery life may be a problem but it should last long enough for a job interview.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465886</id>
	<title>Perfect Solution</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Stick your laptop in your ear.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Stick your laptop in your ear .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Stick your laptop in your ear.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469490</id>
	<title>Re:Alternative</title>
	<author>evil\_aar0n</author>
	<datestamp>1268498400000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Can I ask what good this will do?  Seriously.  I'm completely deaf without my cochlear implant, but even before I got that, I don't know what good it would have done to tell a potential employer about my lack of hearing.  Is there some law of which I'm unaware that somehow favors deaf people in employment situations?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Can I ask what good this will do ?
Seriously. I 'm completely deaf without my cochlear implant , but even before I got that , I do n't know what good it would have done to tell a potential employer about my lack of hearing .
Is there some law of which I 'm unaware that somehow favors deaf people in employment situations ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Can I ask what good this will do?
Seriously.  I'm completely deaf without my cochlear implant, but even before I got that, I don't know what good it would have done to tell a potential employer about my lack of hearing.
Is there some law of which I'm unaware that somehow favors deaf people in employment situations?</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465848</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466178</id>
	<title>Cuba weekend trip? :)</title>
	<author>dragisha</author>
	<datestamp>1268471400000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Or some other backwards location<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Or some other backwards location : )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Or some other backwards location :)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467508</id>
	<title>SLASHDOT is to blame!</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268481480000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>SLASHDOT blocks postings that are in ALL CAPS. If they allowed ALL CAPS in postings, this guy may be able to hear us without a HEARING AID.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>SLASHDOT blocks postings that are in ALL CAPS .
If they allowed ALL CAPS in postings , this guy may be able to hear us without a HEARING AID .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>SLASHDOT blocks postings that are in ALL CAPS.
If they allowed ALL CAPS in postings, this guy may be able to hear us without a HEARING AID.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466024</id>
	<title>Medical Devices and Like Hotel Rooms</title>
	<author>BlueBoxSW.com</author>
	<datestamp>1268513640000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>If you pay the rack rate listed, you're getting screwed.</p><p>An insurance company is going to have an agreement with the company, and will probably pay half of the sticker price.</p><p>The trick will be talking to the right person who can give you a discount in exchange for paying cash.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>If you pay the rack rate listed , you 're getting screwed.An insurance company is going to have an agreement with the company , and will probably pay half of the sticker price.The trick will be talking to the right person who can give you a discount in exchange for paying cash .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If you pay the rack rate listed, you're getting screwed.An insurance company is going to have an agreement with the company, and will probably pay half of the sticker price.The trick will be talking to the right person who can give you a discount in exchange for paying cash.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31588176</id>
	<title>why...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1269376440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I've been slowly losing my hearing for a number of years, and now have an added medical challenge that causes my hearing to fluctuate. I feel your pain....</p><p>Keep in mind what goes into the cost when you are pricing hearing aids:<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -I can go back to the audiologist at any time and get them cleaned, adjusted, tuned or repaired.<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -They came with a total replacement warranty if they ever totally die.<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -The lawyers are everywhere.<br>
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -It's not really a mass market.</p><p>mine are of the $1500.00 variety (each).  When giving them a test drive, the audiologist asked if I wanted 'more features'.... It seems that these are the Chevette's of hearing aids.  the Cadillac's are $5000.00 per ear.</p><p>After 18 months of use I say they are worth every penny.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I 've been slowly losing my hearing for a number of years , and now have an added medical challenge that causes my hearing to fluctuate .
I feel your pain....Keep in mind what goes into the cost when you are pricing hearing aids :         -I can go back to the audiologist at any time and get them cleaned , adjusted , tuned or repaired .
        -They came with a total replacement warranty if they ever totally die .
        -The lawyers are everywhere .
        -It 's not really a mass market.mine are of the $ 1500.00 variety ( each ) .
When giving them a test drive , the audiologist asked if I wanted 'more features'.... It seems that these are the Chevette 's of hearing aids .
the Cadillac 's are $ 5000.00 per ear.After 18 months of use I say they are worth every penny .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I've been slowly losing my hearing for a number of years, and now have an added medical challenge that causes my hearing to fluctuate.
I feel your pain....Keep in mind what goes into the cost when you are pricing hearing aids:
        -I can go back to the audiologist at any time and get them cleaned, adjusted, tuned or repaired.
        -They came with a total replacement warranty if they ever totally die.
        -The lawyers are everywhere.
        -It's not really a mass market.mine are of the $1500.00 variety (each).
When giving them a test drive, the audiologist asked if I wanted 'more features'.... It seems that these are the Chevette's of hearing aids.
the Cadillac's are $5000.00 per ear.After 18 months of use I say they are worth every penny.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465792</id>
	<title>Medical device</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512320000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Are these thing require FDA approval?</htmltext>
<tokenext>Are these thing require FDA approval ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Are these thing require FDA approval?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469044</id>
	<title>Re:Voc Rehab</title>
	<author>nanospook</author>
	<datestamp>1268493840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>How well does that work? My audiologist always said that having one cochlear implant plus a hearing aid was not a good thing to do?</htmltext>
<tokenext>How well does that work ?
My audiologist always said that having one cochlear implant plus a hearing aid was not a good thing to do ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>How well does that work?
My audiologist always said that having one cochlear implant plus a hearing aid was not a good thing to do?</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465854</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468008</id>
	<title>Oblig.</title>
	<author>Patch86</author>
	<datestamp>1268484960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>NHS, free, blah blah.</p><p>I mean seriously, people pay for medical equipment? Crazy stuff.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>NHS , free , blah blah.I mean seriously , people pay for medical equipment ?
Crazy stuff .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>NHS, free, blah blah.I mean seriously, people pay for medical equipment?
Crazy stuff.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466704</id>
	<title>Re:I'm not an expert, but...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268475060000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>if by basic rules of economics and capitalism you mean inconsistent government regulation, impossible barriers to entry, and absurd infrastructure challenges, then I suppose I agree. Even exchanges do not operate as free markets; therefore it seems patently absurd that you could assign economic orthodoxy to markets as screwed up as medical devices and health care. IMO, one of the failures of our education system is the failure to put real markets and governments in the context in which they live. I'm afraid real markets and governments do not work as presented by theory and evidently most people lack the analytical education to discover this. On the right this ignorance is perverted into a gross support for disinterested entities that do not exist. On the left, this ignorance is perverted to fight malevolent entities that do not exist.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>if by basic rules of economics and capitalism you mean inconsistent government regulation , impossible barriers to entry , and absurd infrastructure challenges , then I suppose I agree .
Even exchanges do not operate as free markets ; therefore it seems patently absurd that you could assign economic orthodoxy to markets as screwed up as medical devices and health care .
IMO , one of the failures of our education system is the failure to put real markets and governments in the context in which they live .
I 'm afraid real markets and governments do not work as presented by theory and evidently most people lack the analytical education to discover this .
On the right this ignorance is perverted into a gross support for disinterested entities that do not exist .
On the left , this ignorance is perverted to fight malevolent entities that do not exist .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>if by basic rules of economics and capitalism you mean inconsistent government regulation, impossible barriers to entry, and absurd infrastructure challenges, then I suppose I agree.
Even exchanges do not operate as free markets; therefore it seems patently absurd that you could assign economic orthodoxy to markets as screwed up as medical devices and health care.
IMO, one of the failures of our education system is the failure to put real markets and governments in the context in which they live.
I'm afraid real markets and governments do not work as presented by theory and evidently most people lack the analytical education to discover this.
On the right this ignorance is perverted into a gross support for disinterested entities that do not exist.
On the left, this ignorance is perverted to fight malevolent entities that do not exist.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465872</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469374</id>
	<title>There's a huge market</title>
	<author>thethibs</author>
	<datestamp>1268497020000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>The argument that the hearing aid market is too small for mass manufacturing doesn't hold water.</p><p>There are around 30 million americans with total hearing loss and only 25\% of them have hearing aids (www.hearingcentral.com/HearingAidOpportunities.ppt). </p><p>The causes indicated are:
</p><ul> <li>&ldquo;Mom and Pop&rdquo; distribution system (9000+/- Audiologists, 3000+/- Dispensers)</li>
<li>Stigma of wearing a hearing aid(will change as more people age and need a hearing aid)</li>
<li>High Cost ($1500 - $3000 ea.)</li>
<li>Most are not covered by private insurance</li>
<li>No Medicare/ Medicaid Coverage (VA does)</li>
<li>Barriers to entry</li>
</ul><p>In any case, market size does not justify the premium prices.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>The argument that the hearing aid market is too small for mass manufacturing does n't hold water.There are around 30 million americans with total hearing loss and only 25 \ % of them have hearing aids ( www.hearingcentral.com/HearingAidOpportunities.ppt ) .
The causes indicated are :    Mom and Pop    distribution system ( 9000 + /- Audiologists , 3000 + /- Dispensers ) Stigma of wearing a hearing aid ( will change as more people age and need a hearing aid ) High Cost ( $ 1500 - $ 3000 ea .
) Most are not covered by private insurance No Medicare/ Medicaid Coverage ( VA does ) Barriers to entry In any case , market size does not justify the premium prices .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The argument that the hearing aid market is too small for mass manufacturing doesn't hold water.There are around 30 million americans with total hearing loss and only 25\% of them have hearing aids (www.hearingcentral.com/HearingAidOpportunities.ppt).
The causes indicated are:
 “Mom and Pop” distribution system (9000+/- Audiologists, 3000+/- Dispensers)
Stigma of wearing a hearing aid(will change as more people age and need a hearing aid)
High Cost ($1500 - $3000 ea.
)
Most are not covered by private insurance
No Medicare/ Medicaid Coverage (VA does)
Barriers to entry
In any case, market size does not justify the premium prices.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467162</id>
	<title>There are hearing aids starting at 200$</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268478660000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>http://earmall.com/theoriginalihear-b.htm?gclid=CL2e8LfetqACFSFy5QodmRXCTw</p><p>I don't know what its worth and if it suits you but my opinion is that your practician is trying to rip you off</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>http : //earmall.com/theoriginalihear-b.htm ? gclid = CL2e8LfetqACFSFy5QodmRXCTwI do n't know what its worth and if it suits you but my opinion is that your practician is trying to rip you off</tokentext>
<sentencetext>http://earmall.com/theoriginalihear-b.htm?gclid=CL2e8LfetqACFSFy5QodmRXCTwI don't know what its worth and if it suits you but my opinion is that your practician is trying to rip you off</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465962</id>
	<title>Something</title>
	<author>Derosian</author>
	<datestamp>1268513220000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Probably along the same lines as to why it costs $120-300 for a pair of prescription glasses at a store, but you can get similar quality for only 40 dollars online.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Probably along the same lines as to why it costs $ 120-300 for a pair of prescription glasses at a store , but you can get similar quality for only 40 dollars online .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Probably along the same lines as to why it costs $120-300 for a pair of prescription glasses at a store, but you can get similar quality for only 40 dollars online.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466274</id>
	<title>Earphones</title>
	<author>HalAtWork</author>
	<datestamp>1268472060000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>This is why when selecting earphones, I have always purchased the ones that block outside noise, so I can actually hear my music and still play it at a reasonable level so as not to damage my hearing.  I get headaches when things are loud anyway, what's the sense of putting up the volume to match ambient noise?</htmltext>
<tokenext>This is why when selecting earphones , I have always purchased the ones that block outside noise , so I can actually hear my music and still play it at a reasonable level so as not to damage my hearing .
I get headaches when things are loud anyway , what 's the sense of putting up the volume to match ambient noise ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>This is why when selecting earphones, I have always purchased the ones that block outside noise, so I can actually hear my music and still play it at a reasonable level so as not to damage my hearing.
I get headaches when things are loud anyway, what's the sense of putting up the volume to match ambient noise?</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465904</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31481082</id>
	<title>Have you ever tried....</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268663400000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Go ahead, cram that notebook in your ear.  I double dog dare ya...</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Go ahead , cram that notebook in your ear .
I double dog dare ya.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Go ahead, cram that notebook in your ear.
I double dog dare ya...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466556</id>
	<title>Re:Hearing Aids are usually custom made</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268473980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Many "hard of hearing" can only hear sounds in certain frequencies, my son can hear only low and high frequency sound... what's in the middle is missing.  Digital hearing aids can be adjusted to shift those mid sound frequencies to frequencies the user can hear.  That is why these aids have to be adjusted to the user (based usually on the audiogram).  It is not simply a matter of amplifying existing sound, its the ability to shift the frequencies that sets the digital hearing aids apart, and adds to their cost.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Many " hard of hearing " can only hear sounds in certain frequencies , my son can hear only low and high frequency sound... what 's in the middle is missing .
Digital hearing aids can be adjusted to shift those mid sound frequencies to frequencies the user can hear .
That is why these aids have to be adjusted to the user ( based usually on the audiogram ) .
It is not simply a matter of amplifying existing sound , its the ability to shift the frequencies that sets the digital hearing aids apart , and adds to their cost .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Many "hard of hearing" can only hear sounds in certain frequencies, my son can hear only low and high frequency sound... what's in the middle is missing.
Digital hearing aids can be adjusted to shift those mid sound frequencies to frequencies the user can hear.
That is why these aids have to be adjusted to the user (based usually on the audiogram).
It is not simply a matter of amplifying existing sound, its the ability to shift the frequencies that sets the digital hearing aids apart, and adds to their cost.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465888</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466262</id>
	<title>Re:I am in the same boat too with these things</title>
	<author>jvanber</author>
	<datestamp>1268471940000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>I too have to wear one and it's ungodly expensive. My argument is the fact I need them to have a normal life and work.  So if people can get glasses for fairly low price and it's a item that people need then why can't insurance companies provide coverage too?  Reason for that it's very specialized market and expensive.</p><p>Don't get one of those cheapie $49.95 hearing aids from the ads as they do not provide the proper specs to the type of hearing loss you have.  In fact it'll make your hearing worse.  It'll be like listening to iPod all day long.</p><p>See if they can offer a payment plan.</p><p>Good luck.</p></div><p>I can easily spend at least $500 on a pair of glasses every year or two, and that's without the uber-special designer frames or the candy-lens coatings.  They can top $1000 pretty quickly if you go all-out.</p><p>I'd say that a lot more people wear glasses than hearing-aids, and the technology isn't exactly new.  Still expensive, and most people don't have ocular insurance.</p><p>So yeah, you can get a $50 hearing aid that doesn't work very well, and I can get $200 eyeglasses from Walmart that I hate.  By comparison, however, I'd say the pricing isn't all that far off.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>I too have to wear one and it 's ungodly expensive .
My argument is the fact I need them to have a normal life and work .
So if people can get glasses for fairly low price and it 's a item that people need then why ca n't insurance companies provide coverage too ?
Reason for that it 's very specialized market and expensive.Do n't get one of those cheapie $ 49.95 hearing aids from the ads as they do not provide the proper specs to the type of hearing loss you have .
In fact it 'll make your hearing worse .
It 'll be like listening to iPod all day long.See if they can offer a payment plan.Good luck.I can easily spend at least $ 500 on a pair of glasses every year or two , and that 's without the uber-special designer frames or the candy-lens coatings .
They can top $ 1000 pretty quickly if you go all-out.I 'd say that a lot more people wear glasses than hearing-aids , and the technology is n't exactly new .
Still expensive , and most people do n't have ocular insurance.So yeah , you can get a $ 50 hearing aid that does n't work very well , and I can get $ 200 eyeglasses from Walmart that I hate .
By comparison , however , I 'd say the pricing is n't all that far off .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I too have to wear one and it's ungodly expensive.
My argument is the fact I need them to have a normal life and work.
So if people can get glasses for fairly low price and it's a item that people need then why can't insurance companies provide coverage too?
Reason for that it's very specialized market and expensive.Don't get one of those cheapie $49.95 hearing aids from the ads as they do not provide the proper specs to the type of hearing loss you have.
In fact it'll make your hearing worse.
It'll be like listening to iPod all day long.See if they can offer a payment plan.Good luck.I can easily spend at least $500 on a pair of glasses every year or two, and that's without the uber-special designer frames or the candy-lens coatings.
They can top $1000 pretty quickly if you go all-out.I'd say that a lot more people wear glasses than hearing-aids, and the technology isn't exactly new.
Still expensive, and most people don't have ocular insurance.So yeah, you can get a $50 hearing aid that doesn't work very well, and I can get $200 eyeglasses from Walmart that I hate.
By comparison, however, I'd say the pricing isn't all that far off.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465850</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31477904</id>
	<title>check out .... headphones?</title>
	<author>freaker\_TuC</author>
	<datestamp>1268585280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Maybe easier to just buy a set of headphones and plug it in one laptop ? That'll be $480 - inclusive headphones (stereo!) and laptop.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Maybe easier to just buy a set of headphones and plug it in one laptop ?
That 'll be $ 480 - inclusive headphones ( stereo !
) and laptop .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Maybe easier to just buy a set of headphones and plug it in one laptop ?
That'll be $480 - inclusive headphones (stereo!
) and laptop.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469828</id>
	<title>Re:I am in the same boat too with these things</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268502420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I have to agree with this. I was born with a moderate to severe hearing loss in the vocal range and many doctors and audiologists have told me that I could not use analog or "cheap" hearing aids because the amplification in the low and high ranges to compensate for my loss in the vocal range would damage my hearing further. These might work if your hearing loss is relatively flat across the spectrum, but from what I understand this is not normally the case.</p><p>But the fact remains the only reason hearing aids are exorbitantly expensive is because they are classified as medical devices and not all health insurance plans cover hearing aids.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I have to agree with this .
I was born with a moderate to severe hearing loss in the vocal range and many doctors and audiologists have told me that I could not use analog or " cheap " hearing aids because the amplification in the low and high ranges to compensate for my loss in the vocal range would damage my hearing further .
These might work if your hearing loss is relatively flat across the spectrum , but from what I understand this is not normally the case.But the fact remains the only reason hearing aids are exorbitantly expensive is because they are classified as medical devices and not all health insurance plans cover hearing aids .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I have to agree with this.
I was born with a moderate to severe hearing loss in the vocal range and many doctors and audiologists have told me that I could not use analog or "cheap" hearing aids because the amplification in the low and high ranges to compensate for my loss in the vocal range would damage my hearing further.
These might work if your hearing loss is relatively flat across the spectrum, but from what I understand this is not normally the case.But the fact remains the only reason hearing aids are exorbitantly expensive is because they are classified as medical devices and not all health insurance plans cover hearing aids.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465850</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31475270</id>
	<title>Insurance</title>
	<author>lythander</author>
	<datestamp>1268565180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>While I'm sure that there are valid arguments that the medical licensing process, liability, and form factor play a role, the simple answer is that MOST people in the US don't pay for them, their insurance does.  Or Medicare.  But it's seldom out of pocket, so they feel free to charge way too much.  Insurance companies probably negotiate the price down, and keep you from getting the very highest end devices for free, but just like software that's only purchased by large companies, so it costs a great deal, the price sensitivity of the insurance companies is such that they'll bear the freight, and make it up on the other end.  Which is to say they will screw all of us.</p><p>Another argument for meaningful healthcare reform.  Whatever that means.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>While I 'm sure that there are valid arguments that the medical licensing process , liability , and form factor play a role , the simple answer is that MOST people in the US do n't pay for them , their insurance does .
Or Medicare .
But it 's seldom out of pocket , so they feel free to charge way too much .
Insurance companies probably negotiate the price down , and keep you from getting the very highest end devices for free , but just like software that 's only purchased by large companies , so it costs a great deal , the price sensitivity of the insurance companies is such that they 'll bear the freight , and make it up on the other end .
Which is to say they will screw all of us.Another argument for meaningful healthcare reform .
Whatever that means .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>While I'm sure that there are valid arguments that the medical licensing process, liability, and form factor play a role, the simple answer is that MOST people in the US don't pay for them, their insurance does.
Or Medicare.
But it's seldom out of pocket, so they feel free to charge way too much.
Insurance companies probably negotiate the price down, and keep you from getting the very highest end devices for free, but just like software that's only purchased by large companies, so it costs a great deal, the price sensitivity of the insurance companies is such that they'll bear the freight, and make it up on the other end.
Which is to say they will screw all of us.Another argument for meaningful healthcare reform.
Whatever that means.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465890</id>
	<title>Insurance</title>
	<author>peterofoz</author>
	<datestamp>1268512860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>A couple of reasons why they might be so expensive:
<ol>
<li>Insurance (or Social Security) will pay</li>
<li>Lack of competition</li>
<li>Low volumes</li>
</ol><p>I think you are right that there is no really good reason anymore for why these should be so expensive. The reason 20 years ago might have been state of the art electronics and cost of miniaturization. Looks like its time for an open source hardware project, just watch your step on the patents.
</p><p>A quick search shows Walmart selling hearing aids for about $400</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>A couple of reasons why they might be so expensive : Insurance ( or Social Security ) will pay Lack of competition Low volumes I think you are right that there is no really good reason anymore for why these should be so expensive .
The reason 20 years ago might have been state of the art electronics and cost of miniaturization .
Looks like its time for an open source hardware project , just watch your step on the patents .
A quick search shows Walmart selling hearing aids for about $ 400</tokentext>
<sentencetext>A couple of reasons why they might be so expensive:

Insurance (or Social Security) will pay
Lack of competition
Low volumes
I think you are right that there is no really good reason anymore for why these should be so expensive.
The reason 20 years ago might have been state of the art electronics and cost of miniaturization.
Looks like its time for an open source hardware project, just watch your step on the patents.
A quick search shows Walmart selling hearing aids for about $400</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465848</id>
	<title>Alternative</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Interestin</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>If you're actually deaf, and live in a first world country, get yourself registered deaf and tell potential employers about it before you go to interview.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>If you 're actually deaf , and live in a first world country , get yourself registered deaf and tell potential employers about it before you go to interview .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If you're actually deaf, and live in a first world country, get yourself registered deaf and tell potential employers about it before you go to interview.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31478766</id>
	<title>SoundAMP for your iphone</title>
	<author>two basket skinner</author>
	<datestamp>1268596680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>There is software for your iPhone (about $400 also) that can turn it into a hearing aid.
It is called SoundAMP and costs $10

<a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512\_7-10281062-233.html" title="cnet.com" rel="nofollow">http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512\_7-10281062-233.html</a> [cnet.com]</htmltext>
<tokenext>There is software for your iPhone ( about $ 400 also ) that can turn it into a hearing aid .
It is called SoundAMP and costs $ 10 http : //reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512 \ _7-10281062-233.html [ cnet.com ]</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There is software for your iPhone (about $400 also) that can turn it into a hearing aid.
It is called SoundAMP and costs $10

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512\_7-10281062-233.html [cnet.com]</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466112</id>
	<title>Re:Not to make fun of you</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268470980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>My hearing loss was caused by years of non-pain level wind buffeting from driving a convertible. They're learning that a lot of Dive Masters are going deaf from the sound of purging the SCUBA tanks. It's not just Rock Concerts and Jet Planes that cause deafness.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>My hearing loss was caused by years of non-pain level wind buffeting from driving a convertible .
They 're learning that a lot of Dive Masters are going deaf from the sound of purging the SCUBA tanks .
It 's not just Rock Concerts and Jet Planes that cause deafness .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>My hearing loss was caused by years of non-pain level wind buffeting from driving a convertible.
They're learning that a lot of Dive Masters are going deaf from the sound of purging the SCUBA tanks.
It's not just Rock Concerts and Jet Planes that cause deafness.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465904</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471666</id>
	<title>I am a Software Engineer in the hearing industry..</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268575920000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Welcome to Slashdot, where every insane statement can and will be made about subjects most commentators know nothing about!<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;-)</p><p>Yes, I post anonymously in order to avoid drawing more attention to myself.  Working as an industry insider, I can tell you a few of the things that I have personally observed:</p><p>1- Yes, there are cheaper devices, but you really do get what you pay for, in part because:</p><p>2- There are between 4 and 6 companies in the industry that effectively control it, making it very hard for the smaller competitors to get their feet in a statistically very small door, and the smaller companies cut corners by implementing devices with larger form factors or less desirable features, and in some cases without investing in any real engineering time, instead packaging off-the-shelf solutions and trying to get them to work without understanding them. This is a real bugbear for me personally as I often find myself supporting such customers.</p><p>3- The volume of sales compared to most other industries is comparatively low.  While it might be estimated that between 50-65\% of people might benefit from the use of hearing aids, it's likely that only 5-10 percent of those people would actually purchase one.  The reasons for not doing so vary from I'm not old enough, through to I don't like how ugly the cheaper ones look!</p><p>4- Hearing devices are very heavily patented. You can't even deploy a single new algorithm without deriving some or all of it from someone else's patent, and you can bet that every single inventor in the chain gets their piece of the action too.</p><p>5- Wholesale prices are therefore quite high, and while I'm sure there is an element of profiteering that goes on (as in nearly any industry), the actual sales volumes per outlet tend to be very low, with a lot of additional support provided without incurring additional charges to the client for the labour.</p><p>Having seen the effort on the software/dsp engineering side of things personally, it doesn't surprise me that the costs are high, because it can take anywhere from 12-24 months to create a new device from scratch, and then there is all of the additional testing required in order for the devices to be registered and sold as medical devices, where other government and industry bodies take their cut also.</p><p>There is also a very marked difference in the sound quality between the cheaper and more expensive devices.  Good quality miniaturised hardware costs money, especially when it has to perform at a comparable fidelity of your favourite hifi system</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Welcome to Slashdot , where every insane statement can and will be made about subjects most commentators know nothing about !
; - ) Yes , I post anonymously in order to avoid drawing more attention to myself .
Working as an industry insider , I can tell you a few of the things that I have personally observed : 1- Yes , there are cheaper devices , but you really do get what you pay for , in part because : 2- There are between 4 and 6 companies in the industry that effectively control it , making it very hard for the smaller competitors to get their feet in a statistically very small door , and the smaller companies cut corners by implementing devices with larger form factors or less desirable features , and in some cases without investing in any real engineering time , instead packaging off-the-shelf solutions and trying to get them to work without understanding them .
This is a real bugbear for me personally as I often find myself supporting such customers.3- The volume of sales compared to most other industries is comparatively low .
While it might be estimated that between 50-65 \ % of people might benefit from the use of hearing aids , it 's likely that only 5-10 percent of those people would actually purchase one .
The reasons for not doing so vary from I 'm not old enough , through to I do n't like how ugly the cheaper ones look ! 4- Hearing devices are very heavily patented .
You ca n't even deploy a single new algorithm without deriving some or all of it from someone else 's patent , and you can bet that every single inventor in the chain gets their piece of the action too.5- Wholesale prices are therefore quite high , and while I 'm sure there is an element of profiteering that goes on ( as in nearly any industry ) , the actual sales volumes per outlet tend to be very low , with a lot of additional support provided without incurring additional charges to the client for the labour.Having seen the effort on the software/dsp engineering side of things personally , it does n't surprise me that the costs are high , because it can take anywhere from 12-24 months to create a new device from scratch , and then there is all of the additional testing required in order for the devices to be registered and sold as medical devices , where other government and industry bodies take their cut also.There is also a very marked difference in the sound quality between the cheaper and more expensive devices .
Good quality miniaturised hardware costs money , especially when it has to perform at a comparable fidelity of your favourite hifi system</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Welcome to Slashdot, where every insane statement can and will be made about subjects most commentators know nothing about!
;-)Yes, I post anonymously in order to avoid drawing more attention to myself.
Working as an industry insider, I can tell you a few of the things that I have personally observed:1- Yes, there are cheaper devices, but you really do get what you pay for, in part because:2- There are between 4 and 6 companies in the industry that effectively control it, making it very hard for the smaller competitors to get their feet in a statistically very small door, and the smaller companies cut corners by implementing devices with larger form factors or less desirable features, and in some cases without investing in any real engineering time, instead packaging off-the-shelf solutions and trying to get them to work without understanding them.
This is a real bugbear for me personally as I often find myself supporting such customers.3- The volume of sales compared to most other industries is comparatively low.
While it might be estimated that between 50-65\% of people might benefit from the use of hearing aids, it's likely that only 5-10 percent of those people would actually purchase one.
The reasons for not doing so vary from I'm not old enough, through to I don't like how ugly the cheaper ones look!4- Hearing devices are very heavily patented.
You can't even deploy a single new algorithm without deriving some or all of it from someone else's patent, and you can bet that every single inventor in the chain gets their piece of the action too.5- Wholesale prices are therefore quite high, and while I'm sure there is an element of profiteering that goes on (as in nearly any industry), the actual sales volumes per outlet tend to be very low, with a lot of additional support provided without incurring additional charges to the client for the labour.Having seen the effort on the software/dsp engineering side of things personally, it doesn't surprise me that the costs are high, because it can take anywhere from 12-24 months to create a new device from scratch, and then there is all of the additional testing required in order for the devices to be registered and sold as medical devices, where other government and industry bodies take their cut also.There is also a very marked difference in the sound quality between the cheaper and more expensive devices.
Good quality miniaturised hardware costs money, especially when it has to perform at a comparable fidelity of your favourite hifi system</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466566</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>Sir\_Lewk</author>
	<datestamp>1268474100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><blockquote><div><p>Well, if you have software on your $400 laptop that can do the digital to analog / analog to digital just like you say</p></div></blockquote><p>GNU Radio.</p><p>Not like this is actually a practical solution though<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;)</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>Well , if you have software on your $ 400 laptop that can do the digital to analog / analog to digital just like you sayGNU Radio.Not like this is actually a practical solution though ; )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Well, if you have software on your $400 laptop that can do the digital to analog / analog to digital just like you sayGNU Radio.Not like this is actually a practical solution though ;)
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467196</id>
	<title>Answer is in the summary.</title>
	<author>Ihlosi</author>
	<datestamp>1268478960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>3</modscore>
	<htmltext>Low power.<p>

Doing anything as low-power as a hearing aid needs is bloody complex and expensive. Your $400 netbook probably would't run more than a few seconds on the kind of power reserves that a hearing aid has. And your '70s amplifier, well, give me a break. Didn't you need half a power plant to power that thing? It wouldn't even turn on on a hearing aid battery.</p><p>

These things contain mostly custom chips designed for a single purpose - that is delivering the computing power necessary for a hearing aid with the least power consumption possible. We're talking microwatts here. Designing such a thing costs a lot, and they're not selling in numbers as huge as netbook hardware, because, well, everyone wants a netbook, but most people sure as hell don't need or want a hearing aid if they still hear just fine.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Low power .
Doing anything as low-power as a hearing aid needs is bloody complex and expensive .
Your $ 400 netbook probably would't run more than a few seconds on the kind of power reserves that a hearing aid has .
And your '70s amplifier , well , give me a break .
Did n't you need half a power plant to power that thing ?
It would n't even turn on on a hearing aid battery .
These things contain mostly custom chips designed for a single purpose - that is delivering the computing power necessary for a hearing aid with the least power consumption possible .
We 're talking microwatts here .
Designing such a thing costs a lot , and they 're not selling in numbers as huge as netbook hardware , because , well , everyone wants a netbook , but most people sure as hell do n't need or want a hearing aid if they still hear just fine .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Low power.
Doing anything as low-power as a hearing aid needs is bloody complex and expensive.
Your $400 netbook probably would't run more than a few seconds on the kind of power reserves that a hearing aid has.
And your '70s amplifier, well, give me a break.
Didn't you need half a power plant to power that thing?
It wouldn't even turn on on a hearing aid battery.
These things contain mostly custom chips designed for a single purpose - that is delivering the computing power necessary for a hearing aid with the least power consumption possible.
We're talking microwatts here.
Designing such a thing costs a lot, and they're not selling in numbers as huge as netbook hardware, because, well, everyone wants a netbook, but most people sure as hell don't need or want a hearing aid if they still hear just fine.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468636</id>
	<title>Development costs makes hearing aids expensive</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268490120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Hearing aids are totally unlike other electronics. First of all they need to be fast enough. Have you ever seen a movie where video and audio goes out of sync and people open the mouth a moment before the voice is heard? It's really annoying and it makes aiding yourself by reading lips next to impossible. This means hearing aids has a limit for input to output delay and it's one, which is quite hard to meet.</p><p>On top of that the batteries needs to be as small and light as possible while they should last forever. This means the electronics needs to use as little power as possible (low power is a speed killer!!!)</p><p>Everything needs to be on the same chip because the whole device needs to be small.</p><p>All that can only be done if it's using a custom designed chip. Chip design is quite expensive and development of such a thing costs millions and there is only one way to cover the loss of research and that is to make the customer pay enough.</p><p>You also pay for the examination and setup of the hearing aids. I don't know how it works everywhere, but here they spend like an hour testing all sorts of stuff and coding the hearing aids, feeding them with different programs for different situations (like no background noise, crowds...). Such a setup takes around an hour. In addition to that they add 4 years of warranty. This means they fix/replace broken stuff but also they state that they should fit the ears they are bought to fit. This means if the ear changes then they will give a new examination and coding free of charge and they haven't set a limit to how many times they will recode it.</p><p>Bottomline: sure it's expensive, specially if you are short on cash, but it's really hard to lower costs more than they have already done. The competition is quite hard and nobody can charge overprices and expect to keep selling anything.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Hearing aids are totally unlike other electronics .
First of all they need to be fast enough .
Have you ever seen a movie where video and audio goes out of sync and people open the mouth a moment before the voice is heard ?
It 's really annoying and it makes aiding yourself by reading lips next to impossible .
This means hearing aids has a limit for input to output delay and it 's one , which is quite hard to meet.On top of that the batteries needs to be as small and light as possible while they should last forever .
This means the electronics needs to use as little power as possible ( low power is a speed killer ! ! !
) Everything needs to be on the same chip because the whole device needs to be small.All that can only be done if it 's using a custom designed chip .
Chip design is quite expensive and development of such a thing costs millions and there is only one way to cover the loss of research and that is to make the customer pay enough.You also pay for the examination and setup of the hearing aids .
I do n't know how it works everywhere , but here they spend like an hour testing all sorts of stuff and coding the hearing aids , feeding them with different programs for different situations ( like no background noise , crowds... ) .
Such a setup takes around an hour .
In addition to that they add 4 years of warranty .
This means they fix/replace broken stuff but also they state that they should fit the ears they are bought to fit .
This means if the ear changes then they will give a new examination and coding free of charge and they have n't set a limit to how many times they will recode it.Bottomline : sure it 's expensive , specially if you are short on cash , but it 's really hard to lower costs more than they have already done .
The competition is quite hard and nobody can charge overprices and expect to keep selling anything .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Hearing aids are totally unlike other electronics.
First of all they need to be fast enough.
Have you ever seen a movie where video and audio goes out of sync and people open the mouth a moment before the voice is heard?
It's really annoying and it makes aiding yourself by reading lips next to impossible.
This means hearing aids has a limit for input to output delay and it's one, which is quite hard to meet.On top of that the batteries needs to be as small and light as possible while they should last forever.
This means the electronics needs to use as little power as possible (low power is a speed killer!!!
)Everything needs to be on the same chip because the whole device needs to be small.All that can only be done if it's using a custom designed chip.
Chip design is quite expensive and development of such a thing costs millions and there is only one way to cover the loss of research and that is to make the customer pay enough.You also pay for the examination and setup of the hearing aids.
I don't know how it works everywhere, but here they spend like an hour testing all sorts of stuff and coding the hearing aids, feeding them with different programs for different situations (like no background noise, crowds...).
Such a setup takes around an hour.
In addition to that they add 4 years of warranty.
This means they fix/replace broken stuff but also they state that they should fit the ears they are bought to fit.
This means if the ear changes then they will give a new examination and coding free of charge and they haven't set a limit to how many times they will recode it.Bottomline: sure it's expensive, specially if you are short on cash, but it's really hard to lower costs more than they have already done.
The competition is quite hard and nobody can charge overprices and expect to keep selling anything.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465926</id>
	<title>It's a medical device, not a consumer item!</title>
	<author>maxfresh</author>
	<datestamp>1268513040000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext>First, it's a medical device, not a commodity consumer item like a netbook, so its manufacturer must prove both its safety and effectiveness, with independent tests, before it can be licensed for sale by the FDA in the U.S., or the corresponding medical regulatory authority in other countries. That process is time consuming, and expensive. Those costs must be paid for, and are reflected in the price.

Second, its technology requires extremely low power circuitry, and a much higher level of miniaturization,  than a netbook. These factors too, naturally increase the cost of the device.</htmltext>
<tokenext>First , it 's a medical device , not a commodity consumer item like a netbook , so its manufacturer must prove both its safety and effectiveness , with independent tests , before it can be licensed for sale by the FDA in the U.S. , or the corresponding medical regulatory authority in other countries .
That process is time consuming , and expensive .
Those costs must be paid for , and are reflected in the price .
Second , its technology requires extremely low power circuitry , and a much higher level of miniaturization , than a netbook .
These factors too , naturally increase the cost of the device .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>First, it's a medical device, not a commodity consumer item like a netbook, so its manufacturer must prove both its safety and effectiveness, with independent tests, before it can be licensed for sale by the FDA in the U.S., or the corresponding medical regulatory authority in other countries.
That process is time consuming, and expensive.
Those costs must be paid for, and are reflected in the price.
Second, its technology requires extremely low power circuitry, and a much higher level of miniaturization,  than a netbook.
These factors too, naturally increase the cost of the device.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31477058</id>
	<title>iPhone hearing aid app</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268577960000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I've never tried it, but if you have an iPhone, you can try SoundAMP. It's an iPhone app that uses the microphone and headphones and some signal processing to make a hearing aid.</p><p>Much larger than an in ear hearing aid, but, if you already have the hardware, it's much cheaper.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I 've never tried it , but if you have an iPhone , you can try SoundAMP .
It 's an iPhone app that uses the microphone and headphones and some signal processing to make a hearing aid.Much larger than an in ear hearing aid , but , if you already have the hardware , it 's much cheaper .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I've never tried it, but if you have an iPhone, you can try SoundAMP.
It's an iPhone app that uses the microphone and headphones and some signal processing to make a hearing aid.Much larger than an in ear hearing aid, but, if you already have the hardware, it's much cheaper.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31472976</id>
	<title>We use this one and love it (wear behind the neck)</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268590380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WCBJA6<br>http://www.soundbytes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&amp;Product\_Code=HED056</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>http : //www.amazon.com/dp/B000WCBJA6http : //www.soundbytes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc ? Screen = PROD&amp;Product \ _Code = HED056</tokentext>
<sentencetext>http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WCBJA6http://www.soundbytes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&amp;Product\_Code=HED056</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467378</id>
	<title>Re:I am in the same boat too with these things</title>
	<author>Joshua Fan</author>
	<datestamp>1268480580000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I just bought glasses from Zenni Optical after seeing my roommate's from the same website and they are super sharp and clear. I didn't favor any of the styles they had for memory titanium frames, but the plain steel frames I got seem well constructed. I paid $5 for anti-glare coating, $5 for shipping, and it still only came out to $23. Other websites I've looked at have a starting price of $40.

I am only slightly short-sighted, but my roommate is legally blind. We're both happy with our glasses.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I just bought glasses from Zenni Optical after seeing my roommate 's from the same website and they are super sharp and clear .
I did n't favor any of the styles they had for memory titanium frames , but the plain steel frames I got seem well constructed .
I paid $ 5 for anti-glare coating , $ 5 for shipping , and it still only came out to $ 23 .
Other websites I 've looked at have a starting price of $ 40 .
I am only slightly short-sighted , but my roommate is legally blind .
We 're both happy with our glasses .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I just bought glasses from Zenni Optical after seeing my roommate's from the same website and they are super sharp and clear.
I didn't favor any of the styles they had for memory titanium frames, but the plain steel frames I got seem well constructed.
I paid $5 for anti-glare coating, $5 for shipping, and it still only came out to $23.
Other websites I've looked at have a starting price of $40.
I am only slightly short-sighted, but my roommate is legally blind.
We're both happy with our glasses.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466532</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31483124</id>
	<title>American Sign Language Recommendation.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268673600000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>As a Coward, I strongly recommend looking into American Sign Language. The Deaf community is very welcoming and supportive and you may find a expertise in your field and being able to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing.</p><p>Be well, as we are all temporarily able.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>As a Coward , I strongly recommend looking into American Sign Language .
The Deaf community is very welcoming and supportive and you may find a expertise in your field and being able to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing.Be well , as we are all temporarily able .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>As a Coward, I strongly recommend looking into American Sign Language.
The Deaf community is very welcoming and supportive and you may find a expertise in your field and being able to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing.Be well, as we are all temporarily able.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31473096</id>
	<title>I will built one for you</title>
	<author>jdc18</author>
	<datestamp>1268591340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I can build one for you at the same price but it can go up to eleven</htmltext>
<tokenext>I can build one for you at the same price but it can go up to eleven</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I can build one for you at the same price but it can go up to eleven</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466136</id>
	<title>There are less expensive alternatives</title>
	<author>eclectro</author>
	<datestamp>1268471160000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There is the <a href="http://www.songbirdhearing.com/sections/products/products.html" title="songbirdhearing.com">songbird</a> [songbirdhearing.com] brand of hearing aids that are far less than a traditional hearing aid. The disposable (400 hours of use) is $80 USD plus shipping. The permanent one is $280.</p><p>Secondly, I might would consider a <a href="http://www.activeforever.com/p-1709-pocket-talker-pro-system.aspx" title="activeforever.com">pocket type</a> [activeforever.com] hearing amplifier with a traditional earphone. It may save on expensive batteries and be easier on the ear physically.</p><p>The higher cost of hearing aids came from the miniaturization, and the price has stayed high. However, with surface mount components now readily available, I expect that there will be more competition in this space.</p><p>I commend you for taking care of this. I have a family member that refuses to admit to his hearing loss, and it truly can be a miserable experience being around him because he takes offense at things that people did not really say, but that he misheared.</p><p>Also, you are in my thoughts/prayers during this time of unemployment struggle for many of us.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There is the songbird [ songbirdhearing.com ] brand of hearing aids that are far less than a traditional hearing aid .
The disposable ( 400 hours of use ) is $ 80 USD plus shipping .
The permanent one is $ 280.Secondly , I might would consider a pocket type [ activeforever.com ] hearing amplifier with a traditional earphone .
It may save on expensive batteries and be easier on the ear physically.The higher cost of hearing aids came from the miniaturization , and the price has stayed high .
However , with surface mount components now readily available , I expect that there will be more competition in this space.I commend you for taking care of this .
I have a family member that refuses to admit to his hearing loss , and it truly can be a miserable experience being around him because he takes offense at things that people did not really say , but that he misheared.Also , you are in my thoughts/prayers during this time of unemployment struggle for many of us .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There is the songbird [songbirdhearing.com] brand of hearing aids that are far less than a traditional hearing aid.
The disposable (400 hours of use) is $80 USD plus shipping.
The permanent one is $280.Secondly, I might would consider a pocket type [activeforever.com] hearing amplifier with a traditional earphone.
It may save on expensive batteries and be easier on the ear physically.The higher cost of hearing aids came from the miniaturization, and the price has stayed high.
However, with surface mount components now readily available, I expect that there will be more competition in this space.I commend you for taking care of this.
I have a family member that refuses to admit to his hearing loss, and it truly can be a miserable experience being around him because he takes offense at things that people did not really say, but that he misheared.Also, you are in my thoughts/prayers during this time of unemployment struggle for many of us.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467100</id>
	<title>Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia</title>
	<author>Paracelcus</author>
	<datestamp>1268478180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Have different laws than the USA that do not protect the right to charge $1500.00 for $12.00 worth of electronics and $1.98 worth of plastic.</p><p>You can probably get one in Mexico for 1/10th what you pay here.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Have different laws than the USA that do not protect the right to charge $ 1500.00 for $ 12.00 worth of electronics and $ 1.98 worth of plastic.You can probably get one in Mexico for 1/10th what you pay here .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Have different laws than the USA that do not protect the right to charge $1500.00 for $12.00 worth of electronics and $1.98 worth of plastic.You can probably get one in Mexico for 1/10th what you pay here.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466122</id>
	<title>Alternative</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268471100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Just an idea, but if you can make the trip to mexico, I strongly doubt you've have to deal with such an expensive price tag on those hearing aids. I lived in El Paso, TX for three years and enjoyed Mexican medical care while I was there. Very cheap and surprisingly respectable quality.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Just an idea , but if you can make the trip to mexico , I strongly doubt you 've have to deal with such an expensive price tag on those hearing aids .
I lived in El Paso , TX for three years and enjoyed Mexican medical care while I was there .
Very cheap and surprisingly respectable quality .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Just an idea, but if you can make the trip to mexico, I strongly doubt you've have to deal with such an expensive price tag on those hearing aids.
I lived in El Paso, TX for three years and enjoyed Mexican medical care while I was there.
Very cheap and surprisingly respectable quality.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31531222</id>
	<title>shop around</title>
	<author>reason</author>
	<datestamp>1268918760000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I'm not sure why hearing aids are so expensive, but my father recently found out that it is really worth shopping around for them.  The place where he had his hearing tested tried to sell him hearing aids for more than three times the price for which the same brand and model was available from a competitor down the road.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I 'm not sure why hearing aids are so expensive , but my father recently found out that it is really worth shopping around for them .
The place where he had his hearing tested tried to sell him hearing aids for more than three times the price for which the same brand and model was available from a competitor down the road .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I'm not sure why hearing aids are so expensive, but my father recently found out that it is really worth shopping around for them.
The place where he had his hearing tested tried to sell him hearing aids for more than three times the price for which the same brand and model was available from a competitor down the road.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471276</id>
	<title>Duct tape...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268569620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>...to tape two microphones on your head, and a backpack to carry your stereo. Problem solved.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>...to tape two microphones on your head , and a backpack to carry your stereo .
Problem solved .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>...to tape two microphones on your head, and a backpack to carry your stereo.
Problem solved.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466064</id>
	<title>You want a magic cheap solution?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268513880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>$3700 doesn't sound so bad for something that improves your quality of life so much.  Comparing the price to a laptop is so beyond what's reasonable it's pointless to even discuss why.  Let's move beyond that.</p><p>Ultimately it doesn't really matter if you can't afford it.  So what are your alternatives?  Buy something cheap that's likely to not work as well, or try to find some benevolent entity that will pay for all or part of your hearing aid.  Government aid?  Private charities?  I don't know what's available, but others do.  I'd start by dialing 211 (most of the country this will hook you up with United Way volunteers) and see if they can help you.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>$ 3700 does n't sound so bad for something that improves your quality of life so much .
Comparing the price to a laptop is so beyond what 's reasonable it 's pointless to even discuss why .
Let 's move beyond that.Ultimately it does n't really matter if you ca n't afford it .
So what are your alternatives ?
Buy something cheap that 's likely to not work as well , or try to find some benevolent entity that will pay for all or part of your hearing aid .
Government aid ?
Private charities ?
I do n't know what 's available , but others do .
I 'd start by dialing 211 ( most of the country this will hook you up with United Way volunteers ) and see if they can help you .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>$3700 doesn't sound so bad for something that improves your quality of life so much.
Comparing the price to a laptop is so beyond what's reasonable it's pointless to even discuss why.
Let's move beyond that.Ultimately it doesn't really matter if you can't afford it.
So what are your alternatives?
Buy something cheap that's likely to not work as well, or try to find some benevolent entity that will pay for all or part of your hearing aid.
Government aid?
Private charities?
I don't know what's available, but others do.
I'd start by dialing 211 (most of the country this will hook you up with United Way volunteers) and see if they can help you.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467210</id>
	<title>See if you are eligible for Social Security</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268479140000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>IANAL, but if you live in the states you *might* be eligible for social security (SSI) and the associated government insurances that may cover these expenses. You can apply right online. I don't have experience in this area but have seen some disabled friends go through it.</p><p>Best of luck!</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>IANAL , but if you live in the states you * might * be eligible for social security ( SSI ) and the associated government insurances that may cover these expenses .
You can apply right online .
I do n't have experience in this area but have seen some disabled friends go through it.Best of luck !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>IANAL, but if you live in the states you *might* be eligible for social security (SSI) and the associated government insurances that may cover these expenses.
You can apply right online.
I don't have experience in this area but have seen some disabled friends go through it.Best of luck!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467370</id>
	<title>http://www.oyundas.org</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268480520000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Most hearing aids don't amplify (well, not as their primary purpose anyway) anymore. Back in the old days, sure, that's what they did (electronic equivalent of an ear horn).</p><p>Modern hearing aids shift frequencies (usually downward, high frequencies have the most energy so you damage the short hairs in your cochlea first) to a frequency range you *can* still hear.</p><p>So if you're thinking about making your own, *please* do the proper research first. It will work better, and you will be less likely to damage your hearing further.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Most hearing aids do n't amplify ( well , not as their primary purpose anyway ) anymore .
Back in the old days , sure , that 's what they did ( electronic equivalent of an ear horn ) .Modern hearing aids shift frequencies ( usually downward , high frequencies have the most energy so you damage the short hairs in your cochlea first ) to a frequency range you * can * still hear.So if you 're thinking about making your own , * please * do the proper research first .
It will work better , and you will be less likely to damage your hearing further .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Most hearing aids don't amplify (well, not as their primary purpose anyway) anymore.
Back in the old days, sure, that's what they did (electronic equivalent of an ear horn).Modern hearing aids shift frequencies (usually downward, high frequencies have the most energy so you damage the short hairs in your cochlea first) to a frequency range you *can* still hear.So if you're thinking about making your own, *please* do the proper research first.
It will work better, and you will be less likely to damage your hearing further.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467632</id>
	<title>Re:There are less expensive alternatives</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268482200000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Actually that sounds a lot like good, practical solution to the posters problem!</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Actually that sounds a lot like good , practical solution to the posters problem !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Actually that sounds a lot like good, practical solution to the posters problem!</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466136</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465852</id>
	<title>medical and research</title>
	<author>confused one</author>
	<datestamp>1268512680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>It's my experience that anything labelled medical, nuclear, or laboratory grade, usually costs several times (2x-5x) more than if it weren't.</htmltext>
<tokenext>It 's my experience that anything labelled medical , nuclear , or laboratory grade , usually costs several times ( 2x-5x ) more than if it were n't .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>It's my experience that anything labelled medical, nuclear, or laboratory grade, usually costs several times (2x-5x) more than if it weren't.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467402</id>
	<title>Use a bluetooth headset &amp; write some software</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268480760000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There are bluetooth headsets that are small enough with a decent battery life that could be modified to do the job (bigger battery).</p><p>Now if you could just get your mobile phone app.  to do the frequency / volume correction you could make talking direct or on the phone better. Just get the hearing aid center plot your profile so you can apply the correction for yourself.</p><p>The only big problem is making sure it doesn't make the loss worse if you set it too loud. Particularly at narrow range of frequencies where it might not sound loud.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There are bluetooth headsets that are small enough with a decent battery life that could be modified to do the job ( bigger battery ) .Now if you could just get your mobile phone app .
to do the frequency / volume correction you could make talking direct or on the phone better .
Just get the hearing aid center plot your profile so you can apply the correction for yourself.The only big problem is making sure it does n't make the loss worse if you set it too loud .
Particularly at narrow range of frequencies where it might not sound loud .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are bluetooth headsets that are small enough with a decent battery life that could be modified to do the job (bigger battery).Now if you could just get your mobile phone app.
to do the frequency / volume correction you could make talking direct or on the phone better.
Just get the hearing aid center plot your profile so you can apply the correction for yourself.The only big problem is making sure it doesn't make the loss worse if you set it too loud.
Particularly at narrow range of frequencies where it might not sound loud.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465798</id>
	<title>Say what?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Speak up, sonny!!</p><p>advisee      0.07 sec.<br>advisee  (d-v-z)<br>n.<br>One that is advised.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Speak up , sonny !
! advisee 0.07 sec.advisee ( d-v-z ) n.One that is advised .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Speak up, sonny!
!advisee      0.07 sec.advisee  (d-v-z)n.One that is advised.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466094</id>
	<title>Explanation</title>
	<author>brennz</author>
	<datestamp>1268470920000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>The manufacturing conglomerates in Big Hearing Aid are making those windfall profits in the billions of dollars.  We need to raise taxes on them so they stop exploiting tax loopholes.  Down with Big Hearing Aid!</htmltext>
<tokenext>The manufacturing conglomerates in Big Hearing Aid are making those windfall profits in the billions of dollars .
We need to raise taxes on them so they stop exploiting tax loopholes .
Down with Big Hearing Aid !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The manufacturing conglomerates in Big Hearing Aid are making those windfall profits in the billions of dollars.
We need to raise taxes on them so they stop exploiting tax loopholes.
Down with Big Hearing Aid!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465968</id>
	<title>Re:Why? Let me count the ways...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268513220000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>obama-care? are you referring to the legislature creating in congressional or senate committee? what do you hope to accomplish by using this vauge slur? Do you think that present HCR (either senate, house, or reconciled versions) are worse than status quo? Can you please explain how? Please don't treat me as hostile; I probably agree with every complaint you have. however, I am curious about what role you feel you have in constructive reform.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>obama-care ?
are you referring to the legislature creating in congressional or senate committee ?
what do you hope to accomplish by using this vauge slur ?
Do you think that present HCR ( either senate , house , or reconciled versions ) are worse than status quo ?
Can you please explain how ?
Please do n't treat me as hostile ; I probably agree with every complaint you have .
however , I am curious about what role you feel you have in constructive reform .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>obama-care?
are you referring to the legislature creating in congressional or senate committee?
what do you hope to accomplish by using this vauge slur?
Do you think that present HCR (either senate, house, or reconciled versions) are worse than status quo?
Can you please explain how?
Please don't treat me as hostile; I probably agree with every complaint you have.
however, I am curious about what role you feel you have in constructive reform.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465862</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465876</id>
	<title>Hearing aid</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512800000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Humble suggestion: get a cheap analog unit to hold  you over until you get a job with benefits -- insurance may cover them.  There are cheap Asian knockoffs that may work, but one can only speculate how good (or bad) they would work.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Humble suggestion : get a cheap analog unit to hold you over until you get a job with benefits -- insurance may cover them .
There are cheap Asian knockoffs that may work , but one can only speculate how good ( or bad ) they would work .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Humble suggestion: get a cheap analog unit to hold  you over until you get a job with benefits -- insurance may cover them.
There are cheap Asian knockoffs that may work, but one can only speculate how good (or bad) they would work.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470470</id>
	<title>Shooting Ears</title>
	<author>CAIMLAS</author>
	<datestamp>1268597940000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Maybe something like <a href="http://www.hacofamerica.com/shotplug.htm" title="hacofamerica.com">this</a> [hacofamerica.com] is more up your alley? Granted, they're still expensive (for the higher end models, at least) and likely are not as multi-functional, but they would help in the interim until you could find a job and get something better.</p><p>They're <a href="http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=660749&amp;utm\_source=froogle&amp;utm\_medium=free&amp;utm\_campaign=655" title="midwayusa.com">all over the place</a> [midwayusa.com] and work really well for hearing conversations in loud areas (conversations at a ball park), so I imagine the utility would be similar for a deaf person.</p><p>I grew up with a close (legally) deaf friend. While it may depend on the state, he was able to get a large portion of hearing aid costs paid for by the state. I know there are other services many states provide for deaf/hearing impaired people. Additionally, it is illegal to discriminate against a person with a disability - and being hearing impaired is a disability. (Though, it's also possible you didn't get the job because you were under-qualified, too expensive/expected too much, or some other factor. BTDT.)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Maybe something like this [ hacofamerica.com ] is more up your alley ?
Granted , they 're still expensive ( for the higher end models , at least ) and likely are not as multi-functional , but they would help in the interim until you could find a job and get something better.They 're all over the place [ midwayusa.com ] and work really well for hearing conversations in loud areas ( conversations at a ball park ) , so I imagine the utility would be similar for a deaf person.I grew up with a close ( legally ) deaf friend .
While it may depend on the state , he was able to get a large portion of hearing aid costs paid for by the state .
I know there are other services many states provide for deaf/hearing impaired people .
Additionally , it is illegal to discriminate against a person with a disability - and being hearing impaired is a disability .
( Though , it 's also possible you did n't get the job because you were under-qualified , too expensive/expected too much , or some other factor .
BTDT. )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Maybe something like this [hacofamerica.com] is more up your alley?
Granted, they're still expensive (for the higher end models, at least) and likely are not as multi-functional, but they would help in the interim until you could find a job and get something better.They're all over the place [midwayusa.com] and work really well for hearing conversations in loud areas (conversations at a ball park), so I imagine the utility would be similar for a deaf person.I grew up with a close (legally) deaf friend.
While it may depend on the state, he was able to get a large portion of hearing aid costs paid for by the state.
I know there are other services many states provide for deaf/hearing impaired people.
Additionally, it is illegal to discriminate against a person with a disability - and being hearing impaired is a disability.
(Though, it's also possible you didn't get the job because you were under-qualified, too expensive/expected too much, or some other factor.
BTDT.)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468286</id>
	<title>Re:Size -is- everything, no matter what she says.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268487300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Have you seen the in your ear bluetooth headsets?</p><p>Small size reduces the cost of materials and is a one time design cost.</p><p>I had custom ear plugs made for $60 for two pair.</p><p>Unfortunately low volume product is way off, it is all too common with Senior citizens.</p><p>I don't buy the paper work complaint - companies like the paper work because it provides a barrier to entry for competitors.</p><p>So what is left is profit for the company and profit for the audiologist as an exclusive provider.</p><p>It is the highest price the market will tolerate</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Have you seen the in your ear bluetooth headsets ? Small size reduces the cost of materials and is a one time design cost.I had custom ear plugs made for $ 60 for two pair.Unfortunately low volume product is way off , it is all too common with Senior citizens.I do n't buy the paper work complaint - companies like the paper work because it provides a barrier to entry for competitors.So what is left is profit for the company and profit for the audiologist as an exclusive provider.It is the highest price the market will tolerate</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Have you seen the in your ear bluetooth headsets?Small size reduces the cost of materials and is a one time design cost.I had custom ear plugs made for $60 for two pair.Unfortunately low volume product is way off, it is all too common with Senior citizens.I don't buy the paper work complaint - companies like the paper work because it provides a barrier to entry for competitors.So what is left is profit for the company and profit for the audiologist as an exclusive provider.It is the highest price the market will tolerate</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465964</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465872</id>
	<title>I'm not an expert, but...</title>
	<author>Bourdain</author>
	<datestamp>1268512740000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>...I'd imagine basic rules of economics and capitalism are at work here, i.e.<br>
<br>
If these things really cost so much less, someone would produce them and sell them for less.  While you can get a netbook for a few hundred dollars, keep in mind that it is using largely shared/similar hardware and is not required to be ultra small to the extent that is can be worn.  The degree of precision engineering to make a high quality hearing aid is understandably not insignificant. <br>
<br>
You could walk around with a netbook, a microphone, and a pair of headphones if you like<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
<br>
<br>
It seems there are indeed less expensive models out there that might do the job -- I'd check out
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18519576" title="nih.gov">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18519576</a> [nih.gov] and
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/MDHearingAid-Acoustitone-PRO-Hearing-Aid/dp/B002RH4SN4" title="amazon.com">http://www.amazon.com/MDHearingAid-Acoustitone-PRO-Hearing-Aid/dp/B002RH4SN4</a> [amazon.com]
<br>
<br>
Good luck<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)</htmltext>
<tokenext>...I 'd imagine basic rules of economics and capitalism are at work here , i.e .
If these things really cost so much less , someone would produce them and sell them for less .
While you can get a netbook for a few hundred dollars , keep in mind that it is using largely shared/similar hardware and is not required to be ultra small to the extent that is can be worn .
The degree of precision engineering to make a high quality hearing aid is understandably not insignificant .
You could walk around with a netbook , a microphone , and a pair of headphones if you like : ) It seems there are indeed less expensive models out there that might do the job -- I 'd check out http : //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18519576 [ nih.gov ] and http : //www.amazon.com/MDHearingAid-Acoustitone-PRO-Hearing-Aid/dp/B002RH4SN4 [ amazon.com ] Good luck : )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>...I'd imagine basic rules of economics and capitalism are at work here, i.e.
If these things really cost so much less, someone would produce them and sell them for less.
While you can get a netbook for a few hundred dollars, keep in mind that it is using largely shared/similar hardware and is not required to be ultra small to the extent that is can be worn.
The degree of precision engineering to make a high quality hearing aid is understandably not insignificant.
You could walk around with a netbook, a microphone, and a pair of headphones if you like :)


It seems there are indeed less expensive models out there that might do the job -- I'd check out
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18519576 [nih.gov] and
http://www.amazon.com/MDHearingAid-Acoustitone-PRO-Hearing-Aid/dp/B002RH4SN4 [amazon.com]


Good luck :)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466208</id>
	<title>Re:Size</title>
	<author>moteyalpha</author>
	<datestamp>1268471520000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>You have obviously not taken anything apart lately. Chip On Plastic (COP) , SOIC (Small Outline IC), Chip On Glass (COG). I took apart an iPod to fix it and was surprised that the entire audio circuit was the size of a flea. The device was not very expensive and had a hard drive, CPU, and video interface small enough to fit in my wallet. The audio portion was smaller than my ear canal and mounted on plastic which is flexible. TFA is a reasonable concern for somebody who doesn't work with technology, but as other comments reflect, it is a simple thing to convert a pocket sized computer to do whatever you want with sound, including some semblance of captioning for the completely deaf. Bluetooth conceals the size of it anyway.<br>
Basically the person is not shopping for something that works. If they understand what a DAC and ADC are then they should have no trouble making something and when they interview again they can show that they solve problems when encountered, which I think is an employable skill outside the government.</htmltext>
<tokenext>You have obviously not taken anything apart lately .
Chip On Plastic ( COP ) , SOIC ( Small Outline IC ) , Chip On Glass ( COG ) .
I took apart an iPod to fix it and was surprised that the entire audio circuit was the size of a flea .
The device was not very expensive and had a hard drive , CPU , and video interface small enough to fit in my wallet .
The audio portion was smaller than my ear canal and mounted on plastic which is flexible .
TFA is a reasonable concern for somebody who does n't work with technology , but as other comments reflect , it is a simple thing to convert a pocket sized computer to do whatever you want with sound , including some semblance of captioning for the completely deaf .
Bluetooth conceals the size of it anyway .
Basically the person is not shopping for something that works .
If they understand what a DAC and ADC are then they should have no trouble making something and when they interview again they can show that they solve problems when encountered , which I think is an employable skill outside the government .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You have obviously not taken anything apart lately.
Chip On Plastic (COP) , SOIC (Small Outline IC), Chip On Glass (COG).
I took apart an iPod to fix it and was surprised that the entire audio circuit was the size of a flea.
The device was not very expensive and had a hard drive, CPU, and video interface small enough to fit in my wallet.
The audio portion was smaller than my ear canal and mounted on plastic which is flexible.
TFA is a reasonable concern for somebody who doesn't work with technology, but as other comments reflect, it is a simple thing to convert a pocket sized computer to do whatever you want with sound, including some semblance of captioning for the completely deaf.
Bluetooth conceals the size of it anyway.
Basically the person is not shopping for something that works.
If they understand what a DAC and ADC are then they should have no trouble making something and when they interview again they can show that they solve problems when encountered, which I think is an employable skill outside the government.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465808</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466944</id>
	<title>Because you live in a greedy shithole of a country</title>
	<author>Snaller</author>
	<datestamp>1268477040000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Interestin</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Sorry to break it to you.<br>Might be cheaper to move entirely.</p><p>They charge what they can get away with, that's what they can get away with.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Sorry to break it to you.Might be cheaper to move entirely.They charge what they can get away with , that 's what they can get away with .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Sorry to break it to you.Might be cheaper to move entirely.They charge what they can get away with, that's what they can get away with.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466356</id>
	<title>Prices are actually falling fast</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268472540000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext>I had my first digital hearing aid, a Widex, in around 1997. I still have it, it still works, and at today's prices it cost $3500. My latest, a Resound, is vastly technically superior and cost half as much.<p>Any medium size company can obtain an A/D, a D/A and a DSP and glue them together. Now add a microphone 4mm long by 2mm diameter that handles the frequency range 125-8000Hz, a speaker the same size that handles the same range with high power levels, and then run the whole thing off a tiny battery for a week of continuous use.</p><p>What people who compare these things to MP3 players and the like do not understand is this. Deaf people need a much higher in-ear volume than people with normal hearing. Furthermore, they usually suffer from selective hearing loss. This means that certain frequencies have to be output at levels just below that at which damage could occur. The sound quality and volume needed from a hearing aid reproduction chain is very much greater than that for an iPod or similar.</p><p>Nor is that all. It is not just selective amplification. Modern hearing aids can do tricks like identify refrigerator hum or hard drive noise and selectively reduce it so that the user can better distinguish other sounds. I had direct experience of this once in a meeting that took place in a room next to a large running Heidelberg printing press. I could distinguish other speakers because of the noise reduction, but the other participants could not and the meeting was abandoned. By switching between "music" and "speech" modes I could easily hear the difference.</p><p>In fact there is now a lot of competition in the hearing aid market with a number of new entrants, and as volumes increase prices are falling. But they are not easy toys to make. Small size, physical robustness, extremely low power consumption, high output, advanced digital signal processing and relatively low volume production means that $1800 is not really much to pay.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I had my first digital hearing aid , a Widex , in around 1997 .
I still have it , it still works , and at today 's prices it cost $ 3500 .
My latest , a Resound , is vastly technically superior and cost half as much.Any medium size company can obtain an A/D , a D/A and a DSP and glue them together .
Now add a microphone 4mm long by 2mm diameter that handles the frequency range 125-8000Hz , a speaker the same size that handles the same range with high power levels , and then run the whole thing off a tiny battery for a week of continuous use.What people who compare these things to MP3 players and the like do not understand is this .
Deaf people need a much higher in-ear volume than people with normal hearing .
Furthermore , they usually suffer from selective hearing loss .
This means that certain frequencies have to be output at levels just below that at which damage could occur .
The sound quality and volume needed from a hearing aid reproduction chain is very much greater than that for an iPod or similar.Nor is that all .
It is not just selective amplification .
Modern hearing aids can do tricks like identify refrigerator hum or hard drive noise and selectively reduce it so that the user can better distinguish other sounds .
I had direct experience of this once in a meeting that took place in a room next to a large running Heidelberg printing press .
I could distinguish other speakers because of the noise reduction , but the other participants could not and the meeting was abandoned .
By switching between " music " and " speech " modes I could easily hear the difference.In fact there is now a lot of competition in the hearing aid market with a number of new entrants , and as volumes increase prices are falling .
But they are not easy toys to make .
Small size , physical robustness , extremely low power consumption , high output , advanced digital signal processing and relatively low volume production means that $ 1800 is not really much to pay .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I had my first digital hearing aid, a Widex, in around 1997.
I still have it, it still works, and at today's prices it cost $3500.
My latest, a Resound, is vastly technically superior and cost half as much.Any medium size company can obtain an A/D, a D/A and a DSP and glue them together.
Now add a microphone 4mm long by 2mm diameter that handles the frequency range 125-8000Hz, a speaker the same size that handles the same range with high power levels, and then run the whole thing off a tiny battery for a week of continuous use.What people who compare these things to MP3 players and the like do not understand is this.
Deaf people need a much higher in-ear volume than people with normal hearing.
Furthermore, they usually suffer from selective hearing loss.
This means that certain frequencies have to be output at levels just below that at which damage could occur.
The sound quality and volume needed from a hearing aid reproduction chain is very much greater than that for an iPod or similar.Nor is that all.
It is not just selective amplification.
Modern hearing aids can do tricks like identify refrigerator hum or hard drive noise and selectively reduce it so that the user can better distinguish other sounds.
I had direct experience of this once in a meeting that took place in a room next to a large running Heidelberg printing press.
I could distinguish other speakers because of the noise reduction, but the other participants could not and the meeting was abandoned.
By switching between "music" and "speech" modes I could easily hear the difference.In fact there is now a lot of competition in the hearing aid market with a number of new entrants, and as volumes increase prices are falling.
But they are not easy toys to make.
Small size, physical robustness, extremely low power consumption, high output, advanced digital signal processing and relatively low volume production means that $1800 is not really much to pay.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470232</id>
	<title>You get what you pay for</title>
	<author>Locke2005</author>
	<datestamp>1268507760000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I could build you a hearing aid for a lot less, but the extension cord may limit you movement somewhat.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I could build you a hearing aid for a lot less , but the extension cord may limit you movement somewhat .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I could build you a hearing aid for a lot less, but the extension cord may limit you movement somewhat.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466104</id>
	<title>The Markup - Plus A Funding Suggestion</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268470920000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I think it's because they're medical devices, and the makers charge whatever the traffic will bear. Insurance pays for most people, after all. Ever look at the markup on a pair of plain old eyeglasses? Even with the preparation of lenses with your prescription, it's pretty terrible.</p><p>The suggestion: If you've been diagnosed as functionally deaf by a physician, and if you're in fact unemployed, why not nose around and see if there's a benefit available to you from your state? It's an assistive device, and there may be some sort of loan, grant, or other fundage available to you. That might be especially true if you're not going to be able to locate and keep a paying job without one. Look at vocational rehab stuff.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I think it 's because they 're medical devices , and the makers charge whatever the traffic will bear .
Insurance pays for most people , after all .
Ever look at the markup on a pair of plain old eyeglasses ?
Even with the preparation of lenses with your prescription , it 's pretty terrible.The suggestion : If you 've been diagnosed as functionally deaf by a physician , and if you 're in fact unemployed , why not nose around and see if there 's a benefit available to you from your state ?
It 's an assistive device , and there may be some sort of loan , grant , or other fundage available to you .
That might be especially true if you 're not going to be able to locate and keep a paying job without one .
Look at vocational rehab stuff .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I think it's because they're medical devices, and the makers charge whatever the traffic will bear.
Insurance pays for most people, after all.
Ever look at the markup on a pair of plain old eyeglasses?
Even with the preparation of lenses with your prescription, it's pretty terrible.The suggestion: If you've been diagnosed as functionally deaf by a physician, and if you're in fact unemployed, why not nose around and see if there's a benefit available to you from your state?
It's an assistive device, and there may be some sort of loan, grant, or other fundage available to you.
That might be especially true if you're not going to be able to locate and keep a paying job without one.
Look at vocational rehab stuff.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469124</id>
	<title>There is some fancy filtering going on ....</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268494620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Besides the basic hearing aid parts, there are some hefty computing going on.  The hearing aids have to distinguish between ambient noise and voices. This is more difficult than it first appears. I used to know someone who designed the filtering algorithms that run inside one brand of hearing aid.  What did he do before? He designed the filtering algorithms used by the Trident submarines to listen for enemy vessels.  I'm told he had the highest level security clearance of any civilian contractor.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Besides the basic hearing aid parts , there are some hefty computing going on .
The hearing aids have to distinguish between ambient noise and voices .
This is more difficult than it first appears .
I used to know someone who designed the filtering algorithms that run inside one brand of hearing aid .
What did he do before ?
He designed the filtering algorithms used by the Trident submarines to listen for enemy vessels .
I 'm told he had the highest level security clearance of any civilian contractor .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Besides the basic hearing aid parts, there are some hefty computing going on.
The hearing aids have to distinguish between ambient noise and voices.
This is more difficult than it first appears.
I used to know someone who designed the filtering algorithms that run inside one brand of hearing aid.
What did he do before?
He designed the filtering algorithms used by the Trident submarines to listen for enemy vessels.
I'm told he had the highest level security clearance of any civilian contractor.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466356</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466218</id>
	<title>5 minutes on Bing and it's easy to see...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268471640000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><a href="http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/03/fda\_hearing\_aids.html" title="consumeraffairs.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/03/fda\_hearing\_aids.html</a> [consumeraffairs.com] <br> <br>http://community.livinglakecountry.com/blogs/hears\_to\_life/archive/2009/05/13/fda-regulations-on-hearing-aids.aspx<br> <br>So not only do these things have to go through FDA testing but the FDA can also push around manufacturers at will.<br> <br>It's so odd to me that the same people who bash the government on a daily basis are so willing to fold and blame "Big [Whatever]" at the drop of a pin when so many of these institutions are directly tied to government regulations. Don't you people see the real common thread here?</htmltext>
<tokenext>http : //www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/03/fda \ _hearing \ _aids.html [ consumeraffairs.com ] http : //community.livinglakecountry.com/blogs/hears \ _to \ _life/archive/2009/05/13/fda-regulations-on-hearing-aids.aspx So not only do these things have to go through FDA testing but the FDA can also push around manufacturers at will .
It 's so odd to me that the same people who bash the government on a daily basis are so willing to fold and blame " Big [ Whatever ] " at the drop of a pin when so many of these institutions are directly tied to government regulations .
Do n't you people see the real common thread here ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/03/fda\_hearing\_aids.html [consumeraffairs.com]  http://community.livinglakecountry.com/blogs/hears\_to\_life/archive/2009/05/13/fda-regulations-on-hearing-aids.aspx So not only do these things have to go through FDA testing but the FDA can also push around manufacturers at will.
It's so odd to me that the same people who bash the government on a daily basis are so willing to fold and blame "Big [Whatever]" at the drop of a pin when so many of these institutions are directly tied to government regulations.
Don't you people see the real common thread here?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471404</id>
	<title>Hearing aids do not need to be small anymore</title>
	<author>Harry in the Soup</author>
	<datestamp>1268572140000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Given that everybody nowadays seems to have an IPOD, mobile phone or whatever equivalent device with earphones then hearing aids no longer need to be small an unobtrusive so hopefully we may be able to get cheap ones , maybe even plugged into our  IPOD or whatever</htmltext>
<tokenext>Given that everybody nowadays seems to have an IPOD , mobile phone or whatever equivalent device with earphones then hearing aids no longer need to be small an unobtrusive so hopefully we may be able to get cheap ones , maybe even plugged into our IPOD or whatever</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Given that everybody nowadays seems to have an IPOD, mobile phone or whatever equivalent device with earphones then hearing aids no longer need to be small an unobtrusive so hopefully we may be able to get cheap ones , maybe even plugged into our  IPOD or whatever</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31480314</id>
	<title>Economics</title>
	<author>cowbutt</author>
	<datestamp>1268657280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Specifically size, economies of scale/competition, and subjective value (people value restoration of their hearing more than having a teensy weensy computer they can Facebook on).</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Specifically size , economies of scale/competition , and subjective value ( people value restoration of their hearing more than having a teensy weensy computer they can Facebook on ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Specifically size, economies of scale/competition, and subjective value (people value restoration of their hearing more than having a teensy weensy computer they can Facebook on).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31472356</id>
	<title>Hearing Aid Sales</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268584860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Salesman: Sir, that hearing aid is $100</p><p>Customer: How dare you talk that way about my mother!</p><p>Salesman(A Little louder): No no sir. That hearing aid right there is $100.</p><p>Customer: I'm not interested in dog collars you idiot!</p><p>Salesman: (Shouting at this point, frustrated, and speaking slowly): Five-hundred-dollars!</p><p>Customer: That seems a bit high. Alright, I'll take it.<br>
&nbsp;</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Salesman : Sir , that hearing aid is $ 100Customer : How dare you talk that way about my mother ! Salesman ( A Little louder ) : No no sir .
That hearing aid right there is $ 100.Customer : I 'm not interested in dog collars you idiot ! Salesman : ( Shouting at this point , frustrated , and speaking slowly ) : Five-hundred-dollars ! Customer : That seems a bit high .
Alright , I 'll take it .
 </tokentext>
<sentencetext>Salesman: Sir, that hearing aid is $100Customer: How dare you talk that way about my mother!Salesman(A Little louder): No no sir.
That hearing aid right there is $100.Customer: I'm not interested in dog collars you idiot!Salesman: (Shouting at this point, frustrated, and speaking slowly): Five-hundred-dollars!Customer: That seems a bit high.
Alright, I'll take it.
 </sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470342</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>Waccoon</author>
	<datestamp>1268509380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Try cell phones.  Most people already have them attached to their ears all day.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Try cell phones .
Most people already have them attached to their ears all day .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Try cell phones.
Most people already have them attached to their ears all day.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467582</id>
	<title>Very low latency?</title>
	<author>k2r</author>
	<datestamp>1268481840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Very low latency?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Very low latency ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Very low latency?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466180</id>
	<title>Re:Why? Let me count the ways...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268471400000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><blockquote><div><p>Greed. Politics. Corruption. Lawyers. Lawsuits. Pick one. Pick all of them. They all are the reasons we pay so damn much for anything related to health care. (And for the record, NO, I do NOT believe that Obama-care is the fucking answer here.)</p></div></blockquote><p>Wow, crazy much?</p><p>I don't know about this "Obama-care" you speak of, but it seems like government subsidies for these sorts of less common medical devices (for which supply and demand will predict high cost) is the way to go.  I've heard that similar subsidies exist for braille computer screens for the blind (which are also expensive).</p><p>By the way, I heard CBO says that tort reform won't drive costs down more than 1\%.  So you can cross that off your list of made up reasons why stuff is expensive.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>Greed .
Politics. Corruption .
Lawyers. Lawsuits .
Pick one .
Pick all of them .
They all are the reasons we pay so damn much for anything related to health care .
( And for the record , NO , I do NOT believe that Obama-care is the fucking answer here .
) Wow , crazy much ? I do n't know about this " Obama-care " you speak of , but it seems like government subsidies for these sorts of less common medical devices ( for which supply and demand will predict high cost ) is the way to go .
I 've heard that similar subsidies exist for braille computer screens for the blind ( which are also expensive ) .By the way , I heard CBO says that tort reform wo n't drive costs down more than 1 \ % .
So you can cross that off your list of made up reasons why stuff is expensive .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Greed.
Politics. Corruption.
Lawyers. Lawsuits.
Pick one.
Pick all of them.
They all are the reasons we pay so damn much for anything related to health care.
(And for the record, NO, I do NOT believe that Obama-care is the fucking answer here.
)Wow, crazy much?I don't know about this "Obama-care" you speak of, but it seems like government subsidies for these sorts of less common medical devices (for which supply and demand will predict high cost) is the way to go.
I've heard that similar subsidies exist for braille computer screens for the blind (which are also expensive).By the way, I heard CBO says that tort reform won't drive costs down more than 1\%.
So you can cross that off your list of made up reasons why stuff is expensive.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465862</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466792</id>
	<title>Re:One word: insurance</title>
	<author>ClintJCL</author>
	<datestamp>1268475780000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Wrong.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Wrong .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Wrong.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465840</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469168</id>
	<title>Re:Why? Let me count the ways...</title>
	<author>dwpro</author>
	<datestamp>1268495100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I'll donate to this project.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I 'll donate to this project .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I'll donate to this project.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466002</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470694</id>
	<title>Why?</title>
	<author>Phoghat</author>
	<datestamp>1268559480000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Because they can!
My son wears hearing aids and I got him the best available. Insurance on the aids isn't too expensive and they pay off on loss or damage for a small yearly fee. I'm also hard of hearing in my right ear and because of vanity got one of the small in the ear models. I was stuck with it because like ear buds they loosen and whistle and fall out.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Because they can !
My son wears hearing aids and I got him the best available .
Insurance on the aids is n't too expensive and they pay off on loss or damage for a small yearly fee .
I 'm also hard of hearing in my right ear and because of vanity got one of the small in the ear models .
I was stuck with it because like ear buds they loosen and whistle and fall out .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Because they can!
My son wears hearing aids and I got him the best available.
Insurance on the aids isn't too expensive and they pay off on loss or damage for a small yearly fee.
I'm also hard of hearing in my right ear and because of vanity got one of the small in the ear models.
I was stuck with it because like ear buds they loosen and whistle and fall out.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466746</id>
	<title>I CAN'T HELP YOU</title>
	<author>mlawrence</author>
	<datestamp>1268475420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>BUT I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK!</htmltext>
<tokenext>BUT I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>BUT I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467216</id>
	<title>Factors in the hearing aid equation.</title>
	<author>quux4</author>
	<datestamp>1268479320000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There are a number of things commenters here seem not to know about the hearing aid racket. I have a profound hearing loss and have been wearing hearing aids for most of a decade now, let me fill you in on just a few of the things I have learned.</p><p>For all of you championing some sort of cheap or build it yourself aid - unless you have a very light hearing loss, forget that. I once thought the same thing, and tried a number of them, and found that they're basically crap. Just amplifying all sound that hits the microphone doesn't work well at all. A door slamming or a dish clinking can be VERY PAINFUL if overamplified, even if a person without hearing loss barely notices them. After this consideration, there's the problem of the sounds you want to hear being buried under a bunch of sounds that are present but not bothersome in daily life: cars driving by, computer and HVAC fans running, refrigerators humming, crowd noises, air and hair moving over the microphones, and so on.</p><p>I'm not an audiologist or in any way connected to the industry other than as a customer, but what I've learned over the years from wearing high- and low-end hearing aids (I have one pair that cost almost $7000) is, human hearing is far more complex than most people realize. Most folks out there swim in a sea of sound that they are well attuned to, but like a fish, give little thought to the navigation of. It just works, like magic. When your hearing starts breaking down, though, it's an incredibly hard problem to selectively amplify the sounds you want to hear in the many situations you will encounter throughout the day. In a crowded room you want to 'focus' your ears on the person in front of you; in the kitchen you want to be able to hear several people who may be moving around as they speak yet filter out extraneous noise like the bacon frying in the pan, the refrigerator hum, the fan over the stove, the dishes rattling around. A healthy ear does all this effortlessly; hearing aids are only now getting enough processing power to do it maybe half as well.</p><p>I cannot stress this enough, by the way. NO hearing aid will bring your hearing back to what it was. At their BEST, hearing aids are about as good as a cheap car radio tuning a weak station. If you don't need hearing aids now, protect your hearing, because losing it sucks in about a jillion ways.</p><p>In the US, most insurance plans do NOT cover hearing aids. The VA does, and they are the number one hearing aid dispenser in the country. Costco is #2 and they don't even bother handling insurance claims for the patient - he will have to do the insurance paperwork on his own. (I know; I'm wearing a new $3k pair of Costco aids right now and am lucky to be one of the few in my area with a plan that covers part of the cost.)</p><p>Many if not most states have laws which require the hearing aid dispenser to take back the aids and provide a full refund with no questions asked within 30-60 days of first receiving them. And when that happens, that set of aids can't be re-sold unless (at minimum) they go back to the factory to be completely rebuilt. This creates a number of people who will comparison shop by wearing multiple aids for most of the trial period, then returning them. In their defense, that's about the only way to know if a hearing aid and audiologist/fitter work well for a person. But even so, this creates a lot of wasted time and investment for audiologists and fitters. They have to make up the loss somehow.</p><p>Usually the price of the hearing aids includes months or years of followup visits to the audiologist or fitter. And if you wear hearing aids, you'll need them. Everyone has a different hearing loss and everyone has a different set of situations they need to hear well in. So the audie/fitter will need to make a number of adjustments during the lifetime of your hearing aids. Additionally the aids are subject to a lot of moisture and earwax (your ear canal is actually a pretty disgusting place) so the audie/fitter will have to clean and recondition the aids more often</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There are a number of things commenters here seem not to know about the hearing aid racket .
I have a profound hearing loss and have been wearing hearing aids for most of a decade now , let me fill you in on just a few of the things I have learned.For all of you championing some sort of cheap or build it yourself aid - unless you have a very light hearing loss , forget that .
I once thought the same thing , and tried a number of them , and found that they 're basically crap .
Just amplifying all sound that hits the microphone does n't work well at all .
A door slamming or a dish clinking can be VERY PAINFUL if overamplified , even if a person without hearing loss barely notices them .
After this consideration , there 's the problem of the sounds you want to hear being buried under a bunch of sounds that are present but not bothersome in daily life : cars driving by , computer and HVAC fans running , refrigerators humming , crowd noises , air and hair moving over the microphones , and so on.I 'm not an audiologist or in any way connected to the industry other than as a customer , but what I 've learned over the years from wearing high- and low-end hearing aids ( I have one pair that cost almost $ 7000 ) is , human hearing is far more complex than most people realize .
Most folks out there swim in a sea of sound that they are well attuned to , but like a fish , give little thought to the navigation of .
It just works , like magic .
When your hearing starts breaking down , though , it 's an incredibly hard problem to selectively amplify the sounds you want to hear in the many situations you will encounter throughout the day .
In a crowded room you want to 'focus ' your ears on the person in front of you ; in the kitchen you want to be able to hear several people who may be moving around as they speak yet filter out extraneous noise like the bacon frying in the pan , the refrigerator hum , the fan over the stove , the dishes rattling around .
A healthy ear does all this effortlessly ; hearing aids are only now getting enough processing power to do it maybe half as well.I can not stress this enough , by the way .
NO hearing aid will bring your hearing back to what it was .
At their BEST , hearing aids are about as good as a cheap car radio tuning a weak station .
If you do n't need hearing aids now , protect your hearing , because losing it sucks in about a jillion ways.In the US , most insurance plans do NOT cover hearing aids .
The VA does , and they are the number one hearing aid dispenser in the country .
Costco is # 2 and they do n't even bother handling insurance claims for the patient - he will have to do the insurance paperwork on his own .
( I know ; I 'm wearing a new $ 3k pair of Costco aids right now and am lucky to be one of the few in my area with a plan that covers part of the cost .
) Many if not most states have laws which require the hearing aid dispenser to take back the aids and provide a full refund with no questions asked within 30-60 days of first receiving them .
And when that happens , that set of aids ca n't be re-sold unless ( at minimum ) they go back to the factory to be completely rebuilt .
This creates a number of people who will comparison shop by wearing multiple aids for most of the trial period , then returning them .
In their defense , that 's about the only way to know if a hearing aid and audiologist/fitter work well for a person .
But even so , this creates a lot of wasted time and investment for audiologists and fitters .
They have to make up the loss somehow.Usually the price of the hearing aids includes months or years of followup visits to the audiologist or fitter .
And if you wear hearing aids , you 'll need them .
Everyone has a different hearing loss and everyone has a different set of situations they need to hear well in .
So the audie/fitter will need to make a number of adjustments during the lifetime of your hearing aids .
Additionally the aids are subject to a lot of moisture and earwax ( your ear canal is actually a pretty disgusting place ) so the audie/fitter will have to clean and recondition the aids more often</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are a number of things commenters here seem not to know about the hearing aid racket.
I have a profound hearing loss and have been wearing hearing aids for most of a decade now, let me fill you in on just a few of the things I have learned.For all of you championing some sort of cheap or build it yourself aid - unless you have a very light hearing loss, forget that.
I once thought the same thing, and tried a number of them, and found that they're basically crap.
Just amplifying all sound that hits the microphone doesn't work well at all.
A door slamming or a dish clinking can be VERY PAINFUL if overamplified, even if a person without hearing loss barely notices them.
After this consideration, there's the problem of the sounds you want to hear being buried under a bunch of sounds that are present but not bothersome in daily life: cars driving by, computer and HVAC fans running, refrigerators humming, crowd noises, air and hair moving over the microphones, and so on.I'm not an audiologist or in any way connected to the industry other than as a customer, but what I've learned over the years from wearing high- and low-end hearing aids (I have one pair that cost almost $7000) is, human hearing is far more complex than most people realize.
Most folks out there swim in a sea of sound that they are well attuned to, but like a fish, give little thought to the navigation of.
It just works, like magic.
When your hearing starts breaking down, though, it's an incredibly hard problem to selectively amplify the sounds you want to hear in the many situations you will encounter throughout the day.
In a crowded room you want to 'focus' your ears on the person in front of you; in the kitchen you want to be able to hear several people who may be moving around as they speak yet filter out extraneous noise like the bacon frying in the pan, the refrigerator hum, the fan over the stove, the dishes rattling around.
A healthy ear does all this effortlessly; hearing aids are only now getting enough processing power to do it maybe half as well.I cannot stress this enough, by the way.
NO hearing aid will bring your hearing back to what it was.
At their BEST, hearing aids are about as good as a cheap car radio tuning a weak station.
If you don't need hearing aids now, protect your hearing, because losing it sucks in about a jillion ways.In the US, most insurance plans do NOT cover hearing aids.
The VA does, and they are the number one hearing aid dispenser in the country.
Costco is #2 and they don't even bother handling insurance claims for the patient - he will have to do the insurance paperwork on his own.
(I know; I'm wearing a new $3k pair of Costco aids right now and am lucky to be one of the few in my area with a plan that covers part of the cost.
)Many if not most states have laws which require the hearing aid dispenser to take back the aids and provide a full refund with no questions asked within 30-60 days of first receiving them.
And when that happens, that set of aids can't be re-sold unless (at minimum) they go back to the factory to be completely rebuilt.
This creates a number of people who will comparison shop by wearing multiple aids for most of the trial period, then returning them.
In their defense, that's about the only way to know if a hearing aid and audiologist/fitter work well for a person.
But even so, this creates a lot of wasted time and investment for audiologists and fitters.
They have to make up the loss somehow.Usually the price of the hearing aids includes months or years of followup visits to the audiologist or fitter.
And if you wear hearing aids, you'll need them.
Everyone has a different hearing loss and everyone has a different set of situations they need to hear well in.
So the audie/fitter will need to make a number of adjustments during the lifetime of your hearing aids.
Additionally the aids are subject to a lot of moisture and earwax (your ear canal is actually a pretty disgusting place) so the audie/fitter will have to clean and recondition the aids more often</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467274</id>
	<title>Interesting idea, but ...</title>
	<author>David Jensen</author>
	<datestamp>1268479800000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>These are medical devices. There are ways to control costs, but hacking something up may not be a good idea given that QC is often the last item on the to do list.</htmltext>
<tokenext>These are medical devices .
There are ways to control costs , but hacking something up may not be a good idea given that QC is often the last item on the to do list .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>These are medical devices.
There are ways to control costs, but hacking something up may not be a good idea given that QC is often the last item on the to do list.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466002</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469460</id>
	<title>Re:uhh</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268497980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>What???</p></div><p>Main screen turn on!</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>What ? ?
? Main screen turn on !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>What??
?Main screen turn on!
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465892</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465820</id>
	<title>Supply and Demand?</title>
	<author>Padrino121</author>
	<datestamp>1268512500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Although the technology itself is not very new the packaging (behind the ear or in ear hearing aids are purpose built devices) is left to a few specialized companies. That in addition to the fact that the market will bear these prices, assuming statistically older people with generally more resources are buying, and you are left with the prices you are running into. I recently had a similar experience with a good friends mother and after 6K for the pair with a fairly heavy hit on the savings account she is happy as can be and would do it again in a heartbeat.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Although the technology itself is not very new the packaging ( behind the ear or in ear hearing aids are purpose built devices ) is left to a few specialized companies .
That in addition to the fact that the market will bear these prices , assuming statistically older people with generally more resources are buying , and you are left with the prices you are running into .
I recently had a similar experience with a good friends mother and after 6K for the pair with a fairly heavy hit on the savings account she is happy as can be and would do it again in a heartbeat .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Although the technology itself is not very new the packaging (behind the ear or in ear hearing aids are purpose built devices) is left to a few specialized companies.
That in addition to the fact that the market will bear these prices, assuming statistically older people with generally more resources are buying, and you are left with the prices you are running into.
I recently had a similar experience with a good friends mother and after 6K for the pair with a fairly heavy hit on the savings account she is happy as can be and would do it again in a heartbeat.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468968</id>
	<title>artificially expensive</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268493000000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>They are expensive artificially. If you paid manufacturing charges and a 20\% profit, it would cost about 25$. My uncle paid 30$ about 20 years ago for hearing aids in a 3rd world country. In USA, they tag on billions of dollars of supposed research (basically executive mgmnt air travel and limousine services and gold toilet cost) . You want cheaper hearing aids. Make friends with someone from mexico or  a south american.</p><p>Regards,</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>They are expensive artificially .
If you paid manufacturing charges and a 20 \ % profit , it would cost about 25 $ .
My uncle paid 30 $ about 20 years ago for hearing aids in a 3rd world country .
In USA , they tag on billions of dollars of supposed research ( basically executive mgmnt air travel and limousine services and gold toilet cost ) .
You want cheaper hearing aids .
Make friends with someone from mexico or a south american.Regards,</tokentext>
<sentencetext>They are expensive artificially.
If you paid manufacturing charges and a 20\% profit, it would cost about 25$.
My uncle paid 30$ about 20 years ago for hearing aids in a 3rd world country.
In USA, they tag on billions of dollars of supposed research (basically executive mgmnt air travel and limousine services and gold toilet cost) .
You want cheaper hearing aids.
Make friends with someone from mexico or  a south american.Regards,</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465858</id>
	<title>Economies of scale, likely</title>
	<author>eWalker</author>
	<datestamp>1268512680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Likely, there is an 'economy-of-scale' element at play here. If they have to develop custom hardware for such a device, then it can be a huge challenge for them to cover their costs.
A surprising 18\% of Americans have some for of hearing disability:
<a href="http://disabilityhistoryinamerica.wetpaint.com/page/Disability+Statistics+In+America" title="wetpaint.com" rel="nofollow">http://disabilityhistoryinamerica.wetpaint.com/page/Disability+Statistics+In+America</a> [wetpaint.com]
You have to look at the addressable market size for these companies; if there are other countries internationally who do not have a large percentage of their population who use hearing devices.

Compare this with netbooks where almost any person is a candidate for a new machine. That's a much more large addressable market for a computer manufacturer.

That being said, I'm with you, I wish these devices could be far more affordable.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Likely , there is an 'economy-of-scale ' element at play here .
If they have to develop custom hardware for such a device , then it can be a huge challenge for them to cover their costs .
A surprising 18 \ % of Americans have some for of hearing disability : http : //disabilityhistoryinamerica.wetpaint.com/page/Disability + Statistics + In + America [ wetpaint.com ] You have to look at the addressable market size for these companies ; if there are other countries internationally who do not have a large percentage of their population who use hearing devices .
Compare this with netbooks where almost any person is a candidate for a new machine .
That 's a much more large addressable market for a computer manufacturer .
That being said , I 'm with you , I wish these devices could be far more affordable .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Likely, there is an 'economy-of-scale' element at play here.
If they have to develop custom hardware for such a device, then it can be a huge challenge for them to cover their costs.
A surprising 18\% of Americans have some for of hearing disability:
http://disabilityhistoryinamerica.wetpaint.com/page/Disability+Statistics+In+America [wetpaint.com]
You have to look at the addressable market size for these companies; if there are other countries internationally who do not have a large percentage of their population who use hearing devices.
Compare this with netbooks where almost any person is a candidate for a new machine.
That's a much more large addressable market for a computer manufacturer.
That being said, I'm with you, I wish these devices could be far more affordable.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466386</id>
	<title>Re:Why? Let me count the ways...</title>
	<author>Jeff DeMaagd</author>
	<datestamp>1268472720000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I think that is some of it, but that's not all of it.  The price of a pile of parts just buys you: a pile of parts.</p><p>In-the-ear models are hand built into the ear mold taken from an impression from the user.  It's not necessarily something that can be stamped out like a netbook, which millions of identical ones are made.  I don't think the mold can be just any old epoxy either, it needs to be something found safe to be in constant contact with human skin for years on end.  Also, these devices have to work for 16 hours a day, every day of the year for several years, the people that have them depend on them a lot.  Mine have been working pretty well for about eight years, I don't have any hand held or smaller portable electronic device that's held up that well with that much use.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I think that is some of it , but that 's not all of it .
The price of a pile of parts just buys you : a pile of parts.In-the-ear models are hand built into the ear mold taken from an impression from the user .
It 's not necessarily something that can be stamped out like a netbook , which millions of identical ones are made .
I do n't think the mold can be just any old epoxy either , it needs to be something found safe to be in constant contact with human skin for years on end .
Also , these devices have to work for 16 hours a day , every day of the year for several years , the people that have them depend on them a lot .
Mine have been working pretty well for about eight years , I do n't have any hand held or smaller portable electronic device that 's held up that well with that much use .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I think that is some of it, but that's not all of it.
The price of a pile of parts just buys you: a pile of parts.In-the-ear models are hand built into the ear mold taken from an impression from the user.
It's not necessarily something that can be stamped out like a netbook, which millions of identical ones are made.
I don't think the mold can be just any old epoxy either, it needs to be something found safe to be in constant contact with human skin for years on end.
Also, these devices have to work for 16 hours a day, every day of the year for several years, the people that have them depend on them a lot.
Mine have been working pretty well for about eight years, I don't have any hand held or smaller portable electronic device that's held up that well with that much use.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465862</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467016</id>
	<title>Same question could be asked for Glasses</title>
	<author>dieth</author>
	<datestamp>1268477520000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Why does $5 worth of plastic and metal frame cost $1000?</htmltext>
<tokenext>Why does $ 5 worth of plastic and metal frame cost $ 1000 ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Why does $5 worth of plastic and metal frame cost $1000?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465844</id>
	<title>Use a netbook</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Interestin</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Grab that netbook, setup ASIO for low latency audio in/out. Grab FFDshow, start a directshow graph which takes audio from the mic &amp; sends it to the speaker. Addin FFDSHOW audio filter in between mic and speaker. Adjust the mixer of ffdshow filter, and possible turn on other noise reducders. Place some earbuds into your ears and ffdshow settings for correct noise levels.</p><p>You'll need graph edit for adding filters together. You may also need an external mic boom. And of course you'll have to walk around with a netbook. But it may work? You should probably work on this with a desktop you already own before investing any money of course. And it might not sound as good as the dedicated solution, but maybe you can save some money.</p><p>Could possible make an iPhone/iPod app as well.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Grab that netbook , setup ASIO for low latency audio in/out .
Grab FFDshow , start a directshow graph which takes audio from the mic &amp; sends it to the speaker .
Addin FFDSHOW audio filter in between mic and speaker .
Adjust the mixer of ffdshow filter , and possible turn on other noise reducders .
Place some earbuds into your ears and ffdshow settings for correct noise levels.You 'll need graph edit for adding filters together .
You may also need an external mic boom .
And of course you 'll have to walk around with a netbook .
But it may work ?
You should probably work on this with a desktop you already own before investing any money of course .
And it might not sound as good as the dedicated solution , but maybe you can save some money.Could possible make an iPhone/iPod app as well .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Grab that netbook, setup ASIO for low latency audio in/out.
Grab FFDshow, start a directshow graph which takes audio from the mic &amp; sends it to the speaker.
Addin FFDSHOW audio filter in between mic and speaker.
Adjust the mixer of ffdshow filter, and possible turn on other noise reducders.
Place some earbuds into your ears and ffdshow settings for correct noise levels.You'll need graph edit for adding filters together.
You may also need an external mic boom.
And of course you'll have to walk around with a netbook.
But it may work?
You should probably work on this with a desktop you already own before investing any money of course.
And it might not sound as good as the dedicated solution, but maybe you can save some money.Could possible make an iPhone/iPod app as well.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467124</id>
	<title>Wait...Wait</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268478360000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>You have a wife?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>You have a wife ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You have a wife?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466222</id>
	<title>Re:I am in the same boat too with these things</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268471640000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Glasses aren't cheap either. Mine cost 1300. And unlike hearing aids, there's no electronics involved.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Glasses are n't cheap either .
Mine cost 1300 .
And unlike hearing aids , there 's no electronics involved .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Glasses aren't cheap either.
Mine cost 1300.
And unlike hearing aids, there's no electronics involved.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465850</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466300</id>
	<title>Re:Size</title>
	<author>MobileTatsu-NJG</author>
	<datestamp>1268472180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>It also provides a life-changing service.  Remember that products are sold for what they do, not for what their components cost.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>It also provides a life-changing service .
Remember that products are sold for what they do , not for what their components cost .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>It also provides a life-changing service.
Remember that products are sold for what they do, not for what their components cost.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465808</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470318</id>
	<title>Re:Why? Let me count the ways...</title>
	<author>currently\_awake</author>
	<datestamp>1268508900000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I think the way to go is a bluetooth earpiece containing a microphone and speaker, with a ipod sized cpu module to handle the math.
The high power cpu part can use AA batteries while the low power earpiece gets watch batteries or rechargables.
Might be possible to use transmitted power to run the earpiece, it would save a lot on batteries-  especially if the main unit is rechargable.
With the way things are going you might even get away with special earphones (on cords), but with the microphones built in as well.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I think the way to go is a bluetooth earpiece containing a microphone and speaker , with a ipod sized cpu module to handle the math .
The high power cpu part can use AA batteries while the low power earpiece gets watch batteries or rechargables .
Might be possible to use transmitted power to run the earpiece , it would save a lot on batteries- especially if the main unit is rechargable .
With the way things are going you might even get away with special earphones ( on cords ) , but with the microphones built in as well .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I think the way to go is a bluetooth earpiece containing a microphone and speaker, with a ipod sized cpu module to handle the math.
The high power cpu part can use AA batteries while the low power earpiece gets watch batteries or rechargables.
Might be possible to use transmitted power to run the earpiece, it would save a lot on batteries-  especially if the main unit is rechargable.
With the way things are going you might even get away with special earphones (on cords), but with the microphones built in as well.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466002</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31552376</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1269081720000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>As I am an engineer and I use many A/D converters and amplifiers, I can say that it is expensive because it is a medical device. The corrupted doctors and medical firms make it expensive. Not because it is expensive to build.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>As I am an engineer and I use many A/D converters and amplifiers , I can say that it is expensive because it is a medical device .
The corrupted doctors and medical firms make it expensive .
Not because it is expensive to build .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>As I am an engineer and I use many A/D converters and amplifiers, I can say that it is expensive because it is a medical device.
The corrupted doctors and medical firms make it expensive.
Not because it is expensive to build.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468656</id>
	<title>Military Vets</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268490240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>The VA has a program for vets who can document that their hearing loss is service-related. Contact a VA counceler from the VFW, Am Legion, or elsewhere to get on board.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>The VA has a program for vets who can document that their hearing loss is service-related .
Contact a VA counceler from the VFW , Am Legion , or elsewhere to get on board .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The VA has a program for vets who can document that their hearing loss is service-related.
Contact a VA counceler from the VFW, Am Legion, or elsewhere to get on board.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466324</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>bomanbot</author>
	<datestamp>1268472360000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><blockquote><div><p>Well, if you have software on your $400 laptop that can do the digital to analog / analog to digital just like you say, the solution is clear: hold one laptop up to each ear.</p></div></blockquote><p>

Gee thanks, now I have a terrible vision of a whole new level of <a href="http://www.sidetalkin.com/" title="sidetalkin.com">sidetalkin</a> [sidetalkin.com]<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;-)</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>Well , if you have software on your $ 400 laptop that can do the digital to analog / analog to digital just like you say , the solution is clear : hold one laptop up to each ear .
Gee thanks , now I have a terrible vision of a whole new level of sidetalkin [ sidetalkin.com ] ; - )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Well, if you have software on your $400 laptop that can do the digital to analog / analog to digital just like you say, the solution is clear: hold one laptop up to each ear.
Gee thanks, now I have a terrible vision of a whole new level of sidetalkin [sidetalkin.com] ;-)
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466002</id>
	<title>Re:Why? Let me count the ways...</title>
	<author>hoggoth</author>
	<datestamp>1268513460000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>3</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>So you heard it everyone. Geekmux has issues a challenge!</p><p>First someone start a wiki to organize the project.<br>Someone make the hardware specs. Some A/D, D/A converters, some processing. Someone write the software. How small can an Arduino be made? Someone contact Bre Pettis about cheap fabbing of the housing body.</p><p>It doesn't have to be commercially viable. It just has to work and be easy enough to make that the local hackerspace can make them for their friends and loved ones. The threat of competition alone will drive down prices enormously. Don't worry about patents and trademarks. We aren't going to be selling these, we're going to give the plans out FREE in so many places any hacker can make one.</p><p>This is the new world Cory Doctorow has been writing about.<br>GO!</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>So you heard it everyone .
Geekmux has issues a challenge ! First someone start a wiki to organize the project.Someone make the hardware specs .
Some A/D , D/A converters , some processing .
Someone write the software .
How small can an Arduino be made ?
Someone contact Bre Pettis about cheap fabbing of the housing body.It does n't have to be commercially viable .
It just has to work and be easy enough to make that the local hackerspace can make them for their friends and loved ones .
The threat of competition alone will drive down prices enormously .
Do n't worry about patents and trademarks .
We are n't going to be selling these , we 're going to give the plans out FREE in so many places any hacker can make one.This is the new world Cory Doctorow has been writing about.GO !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>So you heard it everyone.
Geekmux has issues a challenge!First someone start a wiki to organize the project.Someone make the hardware specs.
Some A/D, D/A converters, some processing.
Someone write the software.
How small can an Arduino be made?
Someone contact Bre Pettis about cheap fabbing of the housing body.It doesn't have to be commercially viable.
It just has to work and be easy enough to make that the local hackerspace can make them for their friends and loved ones.
The threat of competition alone will drive down prices enormously.
Don't worry about patents and trademarks.
We aren't going to be selling these, we're going to give the plans out FREE in so many places any hacker can make one.This is the new world Cory Doctorow has been writing about.GO!</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465862</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466686</id>
	<title>go to the morgue and buy some "used" ones.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268475000000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>go to the morgue and buy some "used" ones.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>go to the morgue and buy some " used " ones .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>go to the morgue and buy some "used" ones.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465808</id>
	<title>Size</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512440000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>It's not complicated, hearing aids need to be very small.  Neither your 1970's amp nor your netbook will fit in your ear.  Making something small and reliable enough for this kind of use is difficult and expensive.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>It 's not complicated , hearing aids need to be very small .
Neither your 1970 's amp nor your netbook will fit in your ear .
Making something small and reliable enough for this kind of use is difficult and expensive .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>It's not complicated, hearing aids need to be very small.
Neither your 1970's amp nor your netbook will fit in your ear.
Making something small and reliable enough for this kind of use is difficult and expensive.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466526</id>
	<title>Re:I'm not an expert, but...</title>
	<author>icebraining</author>
	<datestamp>1268473740000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><blockquote><div><p>While you can get a netbook for a few hundred dollars, keep in mind that it is using largely shared/similar hardware and is not required to be ultra small to the extent that is can be worn. The degree of precision engineering to make a high quality hearing aid is understandably not insignificant.</p></div></blockquote><p>Yet, that cheap netbook includes a small CPU and a small GPU which has many thousands of transistors per square inch.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>While you can get a netbook for a few hundred dollars , keep in mind that it is using largely shared/similar hardware and is not required to be ultra small to the extent that is can be worn .
The degree of precision engineering to make a high quality hearing aid is understandably not insignificant.Yet , that cheap netbook includes a small CPU and a small GPU which has many thousands of transistors per square inch .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>While you can get a netbook for a few hundred dollars, keep in mind that it is using largely shared/similar hardware and is not required to be ultra small to the extent that is can be worn.
The degree of precision engineering to make a high quality hearing aid is understandably not insignificant.Yet, that cheap netbook includes a small CPU and a small GPU which has many thousands of transistors per square inch.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465872</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466060</id>
	<title>Think of it another way.....</title>
	<author>nighty5</author>
	<datestamp>1268513880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext>Invest in yourself that money to start hearing.

It wil help you get a job easier and may improve your relationship your wife due to clearer comunication although it's not clear if that's a problem<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)

Back in 1982 I spent about $US5,000 on at the time a top of the line non PC computer for the work I was involved in.

To put that into perspective my house which I bought around the time cost about $US28,000.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Invest in yourself that money to start hearing .
It wil help you get a job easier and may improve your relationship your wife due to clearer comunication although it 's not clear if that 's a problem : ) Back in 1982 I spent about $ US5,000 on at the time a top of the line non PC computer for the work I was involved in .
To put that into perspective my house which I bought around the time cost about $ US28,000 .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Invest in yourself that money to start hearing.
It wil help you get a job easier and may improve your relationship your wife due to clearer comunication although it's not clear if that's a problem :)

Back in 1982 I spent about $US5,000 on at the time a top of the line non PC computer for the work I was involved in.
To put that into perspective my house which I bought around the time cost about $US28,000.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466348</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268472480000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Troll</modclass>
	<modscore>-1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>$1200 per ear, not $1200 for the pair...Dumbass</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>$ 1200 per ear , not $ 1200 for the pair...Dumbass</tokentext>
<sentencetext>$1200 per ear, not $1200 for the pair...Dumbass</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31477382</id>
	<title>Re:Not to make fun of you</title>
	<author>bill\_mcgonigle</author>
	<datestamp>1268580300000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><i>It's a just revenge on the fucking idiots with thumpy car stereos, I tell you.</i></p><p>Those actually aren't that loud in the car.  The bass waves are too long to get to peak inside the short length of the car so they have to be proportionally louder to sound the right level inside the car.</p><p>Of course, on the outside you're hearing the wave past several fully realized peaks, so you hear it at full volume (inverse square falloff applying, of course).</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>It 's a just revenge on the fucking idiots with thumpy car stereos , I tell you.Those actually are n't that loud in the car .
The bass waves are too long to get to peak inside the short length of the car so they have to be proportionally louder to sound the right level inside the car.Of course , on the outside you 're hearing the wave past several fully realized peaks , so you hear it at full volume ( inverse square falloff applying , of course ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>It's a just revenge on the fucking idiots with thumpy car stereos, I tell you.Those actually aren't that loud in the car.
The bass waves are too long to get to peak inside the short length of the car so they have to be proportionally louder to sound the right level inside the car.Of course, on the outside you're hearing the wave past several fully realized peaks, so you hear it at full volume (inverse square falloff applying, of course).</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466664</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465784</id>
	<title>Why?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext>It's a guess but a solid one: competition.</htmltext>
<tokenext>It 's a guess but a solid one : competition .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>It's a guess but a solid one: competition.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469868</id>
	<title>Re:There are less expensive alternatives</title>
	<author>celtic\_hackr</author>
	<datestamp>1268502780000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>Secondly, I might would consider a <a href="http://www.activeforever.com/p-1709-pocket-talker-pro-system.aspx" title="activeforever.com">pocket type</a> [activeforever.com] hearing amplifier with a traditional earphone. It may save on expensive batteries and be easier on the ear physically.</p></div><p>Brilliant! FYI, I have one of those $3700 hearing aids. I also have a $2000 aid. One in ear, one over ear.<br>
So your solution is to just stick a small powerful super amp in your ear and rapidly kill whatever hearing function is left. Rather than use an actual modern hearing aid. My father had one of those types of aids when I was growing up. Once my dad let me put to my ear. I could hear the electric meter spinning outside the house 20 feet away!</p><p>
Both of my current aids use two techniques. One, they limit the max volume out, and secondly use ultralow sound to trigger the bones to vibrate. By getting the bones to vibrate in the right way, it triggers a correct response, but tuning it in can be tricky.
</p><p>
Furthermore to those other posters saying insurance covers it. Bull! Very few insurance policies cover hearing aids. Some do, but many do not. When they do, they only cover a percentage, of certain classes. Step outside the circle and you're on your own.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>Secondly , I might would consider a pocket type [ activeforever.com ] hearing amplifier with a traditional earphone .
It may save on expensive batteries and be easier on the ear physically.Brilliant !
FYI , I have one of those $ 3700 hearing aids .
I also have a $ 2000 aid .
One in ear , one over ear .
So your solution is to just stick a small powerful super amp in your ear and rapidly kill whatever hearing function is left .
Rather than use an actual modern hearing aid .
My father had one of those types of aids when I was growing up .
Once my dad let me put to my ear .
I could hear the electric meter spinning outside the house 20 feet away !
Both of my current aids use two techniques .
One , they limit the max volume out , and secondly use ultralow sound to trigger the bones to vibrate .
By getting the bones to vibrate in the right way , it triggers a correct response , but tuning it in can be tricky .
Furthermore to those other posters saying insurance covers it .
Bull ! Very few insurance policies cover hearing aids .
Some do , but many do not .
When they do , they only cover a percentage , of certain classes .
Step outside the circle and you 're on your own .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Secondly, I might would consider a pocket type [activeforever.com] hearing amplifier with a traditional earphone.
It may save on expensive batteries and be easier on the ear physically.Brilliant!
FYI, I have one of those $3700 hearing aids.
I also have a $2000 aid.
One in ear, one over ear.
So your solution is to just stick a small powerful super amp in your ear and rapidly kill whatever hearing function is left.
Rather than use an actual modern hearing aid.
My father had one of those types of aids when I was growing up.
Once my dad let me put to my ear.
I could hear the electric meter spinning outside the house 20 feet away!
Both of my current aids use two techniques.
One, they limit the max volume out, and secondly use ultralow sound to trigger the bones to vibrate.
By getting the bones to vibrate in the right way, it triggers a correct response, but tuning it in can be tricky.
Furthermore to those other posters saying insurance covers it.
Bull! Very few insurance policies cover hearing aids.
Some do, but many do not.
When they do, they only cover a percentage, of certain classes.
Step outside the circle and you're on your own.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466136</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469514</id>
	<title>Re:Voc Rehab</title>
	<author>evil\_aar0n</author>
	<datestamp>1268498640000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I went 13 years completely deaf until I was hired by a company with a great insurance plan that finally allowed me to get a cochlear implant.  That device has essentially given me back my life.  Maybe Nebraska is better about these things, but I doubt NY Dept. of Vocation would've paid for my implant.  They did get a hearing aid for me, but it was effectively useless.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I went 13 years completely deaf until I was hired by a company with a great insurance plan that finally allowed me to get a cochlear implant .
That device has essentially given me back my life .
Maybe Nebraska is better about these things , but I doubt NY Dept .
of Vocation would 've paid for my implant .
They did get a hearing aid for me , but it was effectively useless .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I went 13 years completely deaf until I was hired by a company with a great insurance plan that finally allowed me to get a cochlear implant.
That device has essentially given me back my life.
Maybe Nebraska is better about these things, but I doubt NY Dept.
of Vocation would've paid for my implant.
They did get a hearing aid for me, but it was effectively useless.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465854</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466774</id>
	<title>Always been expensive...</title>
	<author>mcspoo</author>
	<datestamp>1268475660000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I asked this question myself once. I was told: Supply and Demand.

There aren't that many deaf people, per se. At least not at my level. (I require amplification at 120db in the "low to mid range frequencies with no high frequency capability", so yes, I'm essentially deaf.)

My current BTE pair cost me $2400 EACH. I was given a $1,000 discount as a repeat buyer, so I still paid $4000 for a pair in 2007... $1200 would be cheap.

I'm not really happy with the digital quality, either. These aren't high end in detail or capability, only high end in amplification. (Phonak Supero +).

Since the purchase, I've completely lost hearing in my left ear... furthering the monetary wastage. I should get, maybe, another hearing aid for my right ear next year... Will obviously go Analog as the price on a single analog in my range is only $650.

Taken into perspective: my hearing began to fade around 1980. The first pair of BTE's my parents bought cost $1,000 each (analog, obviously)... so this is not a sudden thing. Hearing Aids have always been very expensive, and are almost NEVER covered in any fashion by health insurance. YET... Health Insurance would have paid for a full dual Cochlear implantation that costs over $50,000 (except Cochlear implants do nothing when your auditory nerve is toast). THAT is even more ridiculous IMHO.</htmltext>
<tokenext>I asked this question myself once .
I was told : Supply and Demand .
There are n't that many deaf people , per se .
At least not at my level .
( I require amplification at 120db in the " low to mid range frequencies with no high frequency capability " , so yes , I 'm essentially deaf .
) My current BTE pair cost me $ 2400 EACH .
I was given a $ 1,000 discount as a repeat buyer , so I still paid $ 4000 for a pair in 2007... $ 1200 would be cheap .
I 'm not really happy with the digital quality , either .
These are n't high end in detail or capability , only high end in amplification .
( Phonak Supero + ) .
Since the purchase , I 've completely lost hearing in my left ear... furthering the monetary wastage .
I should get , maybe , another hearing aid for my right ear next year... Will obviously go Analog as the price on a single analog in my range is only $ 650 .
Taken into perspective : my hearing began to fade around 1980 .
The first pair of BTE 's my parents bought cost $ 1,000 each ( analog , obviously ) ... so this is not a sudden thing .
Hearing Aids have always been very expensive , and are almost NEVER covered in any fashion by health insurance .
YET... Health Insurance would have paid for a full dual Cochlear implantation that costs over $ 50,000 ( except Cochlear implants do nothing when your auditory nerve is toast ) .
THAT is even more ridiculous IMHO .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I asked this question myself once.
I was told: Supply and Demand.
There aren't that many deaf people, per se.
At least not at my level.
(I require amplification at 120db in the "low to mid range frequencies with no high frequency capability", so yes, I'm essentially deaf.
)

My current BTE pair cost me $2400 EACH.
I was given a $1,000 discount as a repeat buyer, so I still paid $4000 for a pair in 2007... $1200 would be cheap.
I'm not really happy with the digital quality, either.
These aren't high end in detail or capability, only high end in amplification.
(Phonak Supero +).
Since the purchase, I've completely lost hearing in my left ear... furthering the monetary wastage.
I should get, maybe, another hearing aid for my right ear next year... Will obviously go Analog as the price on a single analog in my range is only $650.
Taken into perspective: my hearing began to fade around 1980.
The first pair of BTE's my parents bought cost $1,000 each (analog, obviously)... so this is not a sudden thing.
Hearing Aids have always been very expensive, and are almost NEVER covered in any fashion by health insurance.
YET... Health Insurance would have paid for a full dual Cochlear implantation that costs over $50,000 (except Cochlear implants do nothing when your auditory nerve is toast).
THAT is even more ridiculous IMHO.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466266</id>
	<title>Re:Not to make fun of you</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268472000000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Hey, I think I was on your lawn the other day. Sorry about that, but there was no need to yell.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Hey , I think I was on your lawn the other day .
Sorry about that , but there was no need to yell .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Hey, I think I was on your lawn the other day.
Sorry about that, but there was no need to yell.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465904</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471396</id>
	<title>Hearing Aid  Plastic Moulding Cost</title>
	<author>eyendall</author>
	<datestamp>1268572020000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I was recently in Egypt where the plastic molding of my digital  hearing aid cracked and broke. I went to the local hearing aid specialist who took a new impression and had hearing aid back to me in three days. Cost: 72 Egyptian pounds or approximately US$13. Yes, we do get ripped-off for this kind of thing and I live in Canada too where not everything is covered by government health insurance. But it is not necessarily the electronics manufacturer who is to blame rather the intermediary laboratories and "hearing aid specialists"  who all take a nice cut.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I was recently in Egypt where the plastic molding of my digital hearing aid cracked and broke .
I went to the local hearing aid specialist who took a new impression and had hearing aid back to me in three days .
Cost : 72 Egyptian pounds or approximately US $ 13 .
Yes , we do get ripped-off for this kind of thing and I live in Canada too where not everything is covered by government health insurance .
But it is not necessarily the electronics manufacturer who is to blame rather the intermediary laboratories and " hearing aid specialists " who all take a nice cut .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I was recently in Egypt where the plastic molding of my digital  hearing aid cracked and broke.
I went to the local hearing aid specialist who took a new impression and had hearing aid back to me in three days.
Cost: 72 Egyptian pounds or approximately US$13.
Yes, we do get ripped-off for this kind of thing and I live in Canada too where not everything is covered by government health insurance.
But it is not necessarily the electronics manufacturer who is to blame rather the intermediary laboratories and "hearing aid specialists"  who all take a nice cut.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465964</id>
	<title>Size -is- everything, no matter what she says.</title>
	<author>Aladrin</author>
	<datestamp>1268513220000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>When you can fit that $400 laptop in your ear, then you can stop wondering why hearing aids cost so much.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>When you can fit that $ 400 laptop in your ear , then you can stop wondering why hearing aids cost so much .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>When you can fit that $400 laptop in your ear, then you can stop wondering why hearing aids cost so much.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31472694</id>
	<title>alternative solution</title>
	<author>S-4'N3</author>
	<datestamp>1268587860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Move to Canada.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Move to Canada .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Move to Canada.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469522</id>
	<title>Re:You want a magic cheap solution?</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268498760000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>The first part of the parent is exactly why it costs so much, you're cornered.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>The first part of the parent is exactly why it costs so much , you 're cornered .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The first part of the parent is exactly why it costs so much, you're cornered.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466064</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467208</id>
	<title>What's sign language for "Guess you're screwed!?"</title>
	<author>meist3r</author>
	<datestamp>1268479140000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>*scnr*</htmltext>
<tokenext>* scnr *</tokentext>
<sentencetext>*scnr*</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467586</id>
	<title>Econ 101</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268481900000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Economies of scale, in microeconomics, are the cost advantages that a business obtains due to expansion. They are factors that cause a producer&rsquo;s average cost per unit to fall as scale is increased. Economies of scale is a long run concept and refers to reductions in unit cost as the size of a facility, or scale, increases.<br>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy\_of\_scale</p><p>I am assuming that more people buy laptops than hearing aids...</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Economies of scale , in microeconomics , are the cost advantages that a business obtains due to expansion .
They are factors that cause a producer    s average cost per unit to fall as scale is increased .
Economies of scale is a long run concept and refers to reductions in unit cost as the size of a facility , or scale , increases.http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy \ _of \ _scaleI am assuming that more people buy laptops than hearing aids.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Economies of scale, in microeconomics, are the cost advantages that a business obtains due to expansion.
They are factors that cause a producer’s average cost per unit to fall as scale is increased.
Economies of scale is a long run concept and refers to reductions in unit cost as the size of a facility, or scale, increases.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy\_of\_scaleI am assuming that more people buy laptops than hearing aids...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465904</id>
	<title>Not to make fun of you</title>
	<author>rolfwind</author>
	<datestamp>1268512920000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>But this is why it's important to wear ear protection for such seemingly innocuous tasks such as mowing the lawn (or any loud task, really).  So many kids back then and still these days listening to their personal music players via headphones where you can hear the music from across the street.  It's just stupid and a few $ of protection today will save you $$$ in the long run.</p><p>I have relatives going deaf with age, watching TV with them is not fun.  TV volumes set at a level wear I have to wear ear protection.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>But this is why it 's important to wear ear protection for such seemingly innocuous tasks such as mowing the lawn ( or any loud task , really ) .
So many kids back then and still these days listening to their personal music players via headphones where you can hear the music from across the street .
It 's just stupid and a few $ of protection today will save you $ $ $ in the long run.I have relatives going deaf with age , watching TV with them is not fun .
TV volumes set at a level wear I have to wear ear protection .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>But this is why it's important to wear ear protection for such seemingly innocuous tasks such as mowing the lawn (or any loud task, really).
So many kids back then and still these days listening to their personal music players via headphones where you can hear the music from across the street.
It's just stupid and a few $ of protection today will save you $$$ in the long run.I have relatives going deaf with age, watching TV with them is not fun.
TV volumes set at a level wear I have to wear ear protection.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465892</id>
	<title>uhh</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Funny</modclass>
	<modscore>3</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Why Are Digital Hearing Aids So Expensive?</p><p>What???</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Why Are Digital Hearing Aids So Expensive ? What ? ?
?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Why Are Digital Hearing Aids So Expensive?What??
?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31476224</id>
	<title>My experience</title>
	<author>notjohndavid</author>
	<datestamp>1268572620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I have one digital hearing aid (unilateral hearing loss) that set me back $3178.</p><p>I initially thought this was expensive. I think there are a lot of factors that go into the cost though and have since changed my opinion.</p><p>First you have the hearing aid itself. Sure it's just a piece of plastic, a couple microphones, a speaker, and some subminiature electronic components that process the sound and amplify it. Maybe you could design such a thing in your garage for less but I'll speak of this more later.</p><p>There are R&amp;D costs associated with developing new algorithms and technologies. Even if the technologies exist shrinking them/being able to fit them can't be free. Maybe this is partially an excuse for me to justify why I had to pay such a cost for an amplifier.</p><p>Marketing and distribution by the hearing aid manufacturers.</p><p>I think the biggest cost is from what happens after you have the hearing aid. Programming and after sale service. After I received my hearing aid I made 6 trips to the audiologist for fine tuning. And I could use more (I'm out of the country so that's not reasonable right now). The $3178 cost included the time the Audiologist spent testing my hearing, discussing options with me, taking a mold, tweaking the fit of the aid physically and then programming. It was a time consuming process.</p><p>People of<nobr> <wbr></nobr>/. are not your average person. So yes a large percentage could potentially design and build a hearing aid.</p><p>That would be the exception and not the rule though.  Are you building it for yourself or someone else? If for someone else how much do you know about hearing loss and how are you going to tweak the amplification curve for the person's hearing? How are you going to adjust for annoying sounds like silverware hitting a plate or crumpling plastic?</p><p>Since I'm out of the country I wanted to be able to program my aid myself. I have an advantage over most since I have unilateral hearing loss I have one good ear to compare the programming to. Even then it's tricky because an aid is only and aid. It's not a cure. I cannot make a program to make my damaged ear be "normal". It's a balancing act between enough information to hear speech and information overload that turns into a muddy mush of unintelligible garbage.</p><p>The device that I purchased to program my aid was about $700. Finding the proprietary cables to connect my aid to the programmer was next to impossible. The manufactures of the hearing aids don't provide the cables to the public. They tightly control who is able to get them. They'll provide them for free to the dispensers (audiologist) in hopes that the audiologist will sell their product. Even though there are a number of hearing aid manufacturers, audiologists tend to favor one manufacturer over another.</p><p>There are a lot of parties involved in the final product and they all take their cut. I've seen a number of people make posts about insurance paying for the aids. Everyone I dealt with (a couple of ENT specialists and 3 audiologists) were all very surprised that my insurance provider (BCBS) provided any coverage at all. I'm not sure of the reasoning behind it but most providers offer no coverage for hearing aids.</p><p>On the surface it's a piece of plastic with some bits of wire and electronics in it. There's more to it to than that though.</p><p>I'll try and draw an analogy. I used to be a locksmith. I'd go somewhere and unlock someone's house or car. They'd see me do it (and make it look easy) and say "What the... I paid $50 for that?? I could have done that!!"</p><p>My response: "But you didn't"</p><p>(Actually I never said that but I always wanted to)</p><p>At the end of the day I think it simply comes down to... hearing aids cost as much as they do because consumers are willing to pay that much. What the market will bear.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I have one digital hearing aid ( unilateral hearing loss ) that set me back $ 3178.I initially thought this was expensive .
I think there are a lot of factors that go into the cost though and have since changed my opinion.First you have the hearing aid itself .
Sure it 's just a piece of plastic , a couple microphones , a speaker , and some subminiature electronic components that process the sound and amplify it .
Maybe you could design such a thing in your garage for less but I 'll speak of this more later.There are R&amp;D costs associated with developing new algorithms and technologies .
Even if the technologies exist shrinking them/being able to fit them ca n't be free .
Maybe this is partially an excuse for me to justify why I had to pay such a cost for an amplifier.Marketing and distribution by the hearing aid manufacturers.I think the biggest cost is from what happens after you have the hearing aid .
Programming and after sale service .
After I received my hearing aid I made 6 trips to the audiologist for fine tuning .
And I could use more ( I 'm out of the country so that 's not reasonable right now ) .
The $ 3178 cost included the time the Audiologist spent testing my hearing , discussing options with me , taking a mold , tweaking the fit of the aid physically and then programming .
It was a time consuming process.People of / .
are not your average person .
So yes a large percentage could potentially design and build a hearing aid.That would be the exception and not the rule though .
Are you building it for yourself or someone else ?
If for someone else how much do you know about hearing loss and how are you going to tweak the amplification curve for the person 's hearing ?
How are you going to adjust for annoying sounds like silverware hitting a plate or crumpling plastic ? Since I 'm out of the country I wanted to be able to program my aid myself .
I have an advantage over most since I have unilateral hearing loss I have one good ear to compare the programming to .
Even then it 's tricky because an aid is only and aid .
It 's not a cure .
I can not make a program to make my damaged ear be " normal " .
It 's a balancing act between enough information to hear speech and information overload that turns into a muddy mush of unintelligible garbage.The device that I purchased to program my aid was about $ 700 .
Finding the proprietary cables to connect my aid to the programmer was next to impossible .
The manufactures of the hearing aids do n't provide the cables to the public .
They tightly control who is able to get them .
They 'll provide them for free to the dispensers ( audiologist ) in hopes that the audiologist will sell their product .
Even though there are a number of hearing aid manufacturers , audiologists tend to favor one manufacturer over another.There are a lot of parties involved in the final product and they all take their cut .
I 've seen a number of people make posts about insurance paying for the aids .
Everyone I dealt with ( a couple of ENT specialists and 3 audiologists ) were all very surprised that my insurance provider ( BCBS ) provided any coverage at all .
I 'm not sure of the reasoning behind it but most providers offer no coverage for hearing aids.On the surface it 's a piece of plastic with some bits of wire and electronics in it .
There 's more to it to than that though.I 'll try and draw an analogy .
I used to be a locksmith .
I 'd go somewhere and unlock someone 's house or car .
They 'd see me do it ( and make it look easy ) and say " What the... I paid $ 50 for that ? ?
I could have done that ! !
" My response : " But you did n't " ( Actually I never said that but I always wanted to ) At the end of the day I think it simply comes down to... hearing aids cost as much as they do because consumers are willing to pay that much .
What the market will bear .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I have one digital hearing aid (unilateral hearing loss) that set me back $3178.I initially thought this was expensive.
I think there are a lot of factors that go into the cost though and have since changed my opinion.First you have the hearing aid itself.
Sure it's just a piece of plastic, a couple microphones, a speaker, and some subminiature electronic components that process the sound and amplify it.
Maybe you could design such a thing in your garage for less but I'll speak of this more later.There are R&amp;D costs associated with developing new algorithms and technologies.
Even if the technologies exist shrinking them/being able to fit them can't be free.
Maybe this is partially an excuse for me to justify why I had to pay such a cost for an amplifier.Marketing and distribution by the hearing aid manufacturers.I think the biggest cost is from what happens after you have the hearing aid.
Programming and after sale service.
After I received my hearing aid I made 6 trips to the audiologist for fine tuning.
And I could use more (I'm out of the country so that's not reasonable right now).
The $3178 cost included the time the Audiologist spent testing my hearing, discussing options with me, taking a mold, tweaking the fit of the aid physically and then programming.
It was a time consuming process.People of /.
are not your average person.
So yes a large percentage could potentially design and build a hearing aid.That would be the exception and not the rule though.
Are you building it for yourself or someone else?
If for someone else how much do you know about hearing loss and how are you going to tweak the amplification curve for the person's hearing?
How are you going to adjust for annoying sounds like silverware hitting a plate or crumpling plastic?Since I'm out of the country I wanted to be able to program my aid myself.
I have an advantage over most since I have unilateral hearing loss I have one good ear to compare the programming to.
Even then it's tricky because an aid is only and aid.
It's not a cure.
I cannot make a program to make my damaged ear be "normal".
It's a balancing act between enough information to hear speech and information overload that turns into a muddy mush of unintelligible garbage.The device that I purchased to program my aid was about $700.
Finding the proprietary cables to connect my aid to the programmer was next to impossible.
The manufactures of the hearing aids don't provide the cables to the public.
They tightly control who is able to get them.
They'll provide them for free to the dispensers (audiologist) in hopes that the audiologist will sell their product.
Even though there are a number of hearing aid manufacturers, audiologists tend to favor one manufacturer over another.There are a lot of parties involved in the final product and they all take their cut.
I've seen a number of people make posts about insurance paying for the aids.
Everyone I dealt with (a couple of ENT specialists and 3 audiologists) were all very surprised that my insurance provider (BCBS) provided any coverage at all.
I'm not sure of the reasoning behind it but most providers offer no coverage for hearing aids.On the surface it's a piece of plastic with some bits of wire and electronics in it.
There's more to it to than that though.I'll try and draw an analogy.
I used to be a locksmith.
I'd go somewhere and unlock someone's house or car.
They'd see me do it (and make it look easy) and say "What the... I paid $50 for that??
I could have done that!!
"My response: "But you didn't"(Actually I never said that but I always wanted to)At the end of the day I think it simply comes down to... hearing aids cost as much as they do because consumers are willing to pay that much.
What the market will bear.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466114</id>
	<title>Re:Insurance</title>
	<author>rudedog</author>
	<datestamp>1268470980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>There are very few health insurance plans in the US that pay for hearing aids. I have always had to pay out of pocket for my hearing aids and I have always had decent insurance plans. They've just never covered hearing aids.</p><p>Lack of competition and low volume are the two biggest factors.</p><p>I don't know much about Walmart's brand; it's certainly not one of the big players. Depending on the original poster's hearing loss, their aids may or may not be suitable for him. They would not be suitable for me because of the frequencies and severity of my hearing loss.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>There are very few health insurance plans in the US that pay for hearing aids .
I have always had to pay out of pocket for my hearing aids and I have always had decent insurance plans .
They 've just never covered hearing aids.Lack of competition and low volume are the two biggest factors.I do n't know much about Walmart 's brand ; it 's certainly not one of the big players .
Depending on the original poster 's hearing loss , their aids may or may not be suitable for him .
They would not be suitable for me because of the frequencies and severity of my hearing loss .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>There are very few health insurance plans in the US that pay for hearing aids.
I have always had to pay out of pocket for my hearing aids and I have always had decent insurance plans.
They've just never covered hearing aids.Lack of competition and low volume are the two biggest factors.I don't know much about Walmart's brand; it's certainly not one of the big players.
Depending on the original poster's hearing loss, their aids may or may not be suitable for him.
They would not be suitable for me because of the frequencies and severity of my hearing loss.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465890</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466870</id>
	<title>If people took the redundant mod seriously...</title>
	<author>Foolicious</author>
	<datestamp>1268476500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>this thread would be the best place to practice using it.  Wow.</htmltext>
<tokenext>this thread would be the best place to practice using it .
Wow .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>this thread would be the best place to practice using it.
Wow.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465970</id>
	<title>2 words</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268513280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>medical device</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>medical device</tokentext>
<sentencetext>medical device</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466100</id>
	<title>Re:Size</title>
	<author>Concerned Onlooker</author>
	<datestamp>1268470920000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Funny</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>"Neither your 1970's amp nor your netbook will fit in your ear."</p><p>That's a little presumptuous.  Have you actually SEEN his ear?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>" Neither your 1970 's amp nor your netbook will fit in your ear .
" That 's a little presumptuous .
Have you actually SEEN his ear ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>"Neither your 1970's amp nor your netbook will fit in your ear.
"That's a little presumptuous.
Have you actually SEEN his ear?</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465808</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466214</id>
	<title>Direct Market</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268471580000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>AmericaHears.com provides a good direct market, self adjustment aid...that's quite a bit cheaper, if you have tests already done.</p><p>Hearingaidswholesale and Heareasy are also good alternatives.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>AmericaHears.com provides a good direct market , self adjustment aid...that 's quite a bit cheaper , if you have tests already done.Hearingaidswholesale and Heareasy are also good alternatives .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>AmericaHears.com provides a good direct market, self adjustment aid...that's quite a bit cheaper, if you have tests already done.Hearingaidswholesale and Heareasy are also good alternatives.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466306</id>
	<title>They're not expensive...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268472180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>They're free. Or at least they are under the UK's National Health Service.</p><p>The wholesale cost for basic hearing aid for a 60dB loss was around &pound;70 five years ago,</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>They 're free .
Or at least they are under the UK 's National Health Service.The wholesale cost for basic hearing aid for a 60dB loss was around   70 five years ago,</tokentext>
<sentencetext>They're free.
Or at least they are under the UK's National Health Service.The wholesale cost for basic hearing aid for a 60dB loss was around £70 five years ago,</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467500</id>
	<title>A lot of reasons I guess...</title>
	<author>fluch</author>
	<datestamp>1268481420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Less competition, smaller market. Also, these devices need to be developed. So the developement cost has to be regained from the small numbers of devices sold. Plus they have to make some kind of win. Laptops and mobile phones are so incredible cheap because they are sold so many times in huge quantities...</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Less competition , smaller market .
Also , these devices need to be developed .
So the developement cost has to be regained from the small numbers of devices sold .
Plus they have to make some kind of win .
Laptops and mobile phones are so incredible cheap because they are sold so many times in huge quantities.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Less competition, smaller market.
Also, these devices need to be developed.
So the developement cost has to be regained from the small numbers of devices sold.
Plus they have to make some kind of win.
Laptops and mobile phones are so incredible cheap because they are sold so many times in huge quantities...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466712</id>
	<title>look at non-medical devices</title>
	<author>Jarik C-Bol</author>
	<datestamp>1268475180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>My sugestion to you is to look into non-medical hearing devices. search the cabelas website for 'ear' and it will return half a dozen hearing aids designed for hunters. I'm fairly sure that most of them are the same hearing aid you would get from a doctor, only it is not marked as a medical aid, thus not subject to the insane prices. There are many to chose from, in a wide range of prices, from as high as the ones your doctor had, to as little as 40$ One can assume you will get what you pay for, but if you can make a 140$ hunting hearing aid serve your purposes, then more power to you.</htmltext>
<tokenext>My sugestion to you is to look into non-medical hearing devices .
search the cabelas website for 'ear ' and it will return half a dozen hearing aids designed for hunters .
I 'm fairly sure that most of them are the same hearing aid you would get from a doctor , only it is not marked as a medical aid , thus not subject to the insane prices .
There are many to chose from , in a wide range of prices , from as high as the ones your doctor had , to as little as 40 $ One can assume you will get what you pay for , but if you can make a 140 $ hunting hearing aid serve your purposes , then more power to you .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>My sugestion to you is to look into non-medical hearing devices.
search the cabelas website for 'ear' and it will return half a dozen hearing aids designed for hunters.
I'm fairly sure that most of them are the same hearing aid you would get from a doctor, only it is not marked as a medical aid, thus not subject to the insane prices.
There are many to chose from, in a wide range of prices, from as high as the ones your doctor had, to as little as 40$ One can assume you will get what you pay for, but if you can make a 140$ hunting hearing aid serve your purposes, then more power to you.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466894</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268476740000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext>ahem, 1200 *each*</htmltext>
<tokenext>ahem , 1200 * each *</tokentext>
<sentencetext>ahem, 1200 *each*</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466068</id>
	<title>Because you're not a Socialist COMMIE..</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268513880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>..and you live in a country without universal healthcare</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>..and you live in a country without universal healthcare</tokentext>
<sentencetext>..and you live in a country without universal healthcare</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465914</id>
	<title>Netbook solution</title>
	<author>poptones</author>
	<datestamp>1268512980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>OK, here's all you gotta do: get a netbook (or maybe a pocket PC device like an old compaq); install a minimal linux and alsa, buy a pair of high quality earbuds and hook it all up. Now you got a $400 digital hearing aid you can carry in your pocket. If you're really a geek maybe you can even get into the whole "box with wires" thing - think Gordon Cole... and, hopefully, it would work better for you than it did for him.

WHAT THE HELL DID HE SAY, THERE, ALBERT? THAT'S SPECIAL AGENT DALE COOPER!</htmltext>
<tokenext>OK , here 's all you got ta do : get a netbook ( or maybe a pocket PC device like an old compaq ) ; install a minimal linux and alsa , buy a pair of high quality earbuds and hook it all up .
Now you got a $ 400 digital hearing aid you can carry in your pocket .
If you 're really a geek maybe you can even get into the whole " box with wires " thing - think Gordon Cole... and , hopefully , it would work better for you than it did for him .
WHAT THE HELL DID HE SAY , THERE , ALBERT ?
THAT 'S SPECIAL AGENT DALE COOPER !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>OK, here's all you gotta do: get a netbook (or maybe a pocket PC device like an old compaq); install a minimal linux and alsa, buy a pair of high quality earbuds and hook it all up.
Now you got a $400 digital hearing aid you can carry in your pocket.
If you're really a geek maybe you can even get into the whole "box with wires" thing - think Gordon Cole... and, hopefully, it would work better for you than it did for him.
WHAT THE HELL DID HE SAY, THERE, ALBERT?
THAT'S SPECIAL AGENT DALE COOPER!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31473768</id>
	<title>cost breakdown</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268596920000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>The cost break down for a high end hearing aid is:<br>$91 in components<br>$800 OEM<br>$2000 retail</p><p>Basically, you are purchasing a relationship with the audiologist and all of your batteries.   Moore's law won't help you with digital power because the scaling related leakage.  I took a company around the academic business plan competitions last year that looked into hearing aids, and you basically cannot take digital much further unless you get better batteries or some new way to make a cost-effective processor.  We are taking the analog signal processing route because you get more processing for the power.  If you google around for Audiallo, there should be some of our recorded presentations that breakdown the industry nicely, or you can email me at degs at ece dot gatech.edu and I can send processing/power/cost breakdowns.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>The cost break down for a high end hearing aid is : $ 91 in components $ 800 OEM $ 2000 retailBasically , you are purchasing a relationship with the audiologist and all of your batteries .
Moore 's law wo n't help you with digital power because the scaling related leakage .
I took a company around the academic business plan competitions last year that looked into hearing aids , and you basically can not take digital much further unless you get better batteries or some new way to make a cost-effective processor .
We are taking the analog signal processing route because you get more processing for the power .
If you google around for Audiallo , there should be some of our recorded presentations that breakdown the industry nicely , or you can email me at degs at ece dot gatech.edu and I can send processing/power/cost breakdowns .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The cost break down for a high end hearing aid is:$91 in components$800 OEM$2000 retailBasically, you are purchasing a relationship with the audiologist and all of your batteries.
Moore's law won't help you with digital power because the scaling related leakage.
I took a company around the academic business plan competitions last year that looked into hearing aids, and you basically cannot take digital much further unless you get better batteries or some new way to make a cost-effective processor.
We are taking the analog signal processing route because you get more processing for the power.
If you google around for Audiallo, there should be some of our recorded presentations that breakdown the industry nicely, or you can email me at degs at ece dot gatech.edu and I can send processing/power/cost breakdowns.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466360</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268472540000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>You jest, but for a couple of weeks I had a ear congestion that rendered me nearly totally deaf. I took my mini-disc player, plugged in some mics and my Eytmotic (sealing) earbuds, and with the monitor on it turned out to be a highly effective hearing-aid, not much different in size from my father's first one in the 50s, and probably a lot better quality. I didn't even have to turn it up to full volume.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>You jest , but for a couple of weeks I had a ear congestion that rendered me nearly totally deaf .
I took my mini-disc player , plugged in some mics and my Eytmotic ( sealing ) earbuds , and with the monitor on it turned out to be a highly effective hearing-aid , not much different in size from my father 's first one in the 50s , and probably a lot better quality .
I did n't even have to turn it up to full volume .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>You jest, but for a couple of weeks I had a ear congestion that rendered me nearly totally deaf.
I took my mini-disc player, plugged in some mics and my Eytmotic (sealing) earbuds, and with the monitor on it turned out to be a highly effective hearing-aid, not much different in size from my father's first one in the 50s, and probably a lot better quality.
I didn't even have to turn it up to full volume.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31471172</id>
	<title>You paying for lot of stuff</title>
	<author>boltik</author>
	<datestamp>1268567820000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>5$ - parts<br>
100$ - engineering<br>
1095$ - litigation expenses.</htmltext>
<tokenext>5 $ - parts 100 $ - engineering 1095 $ - litigation expenses .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>5$ - parts
100$ - engineering
1095$ - litigation expenses.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465938</id>
	<title>Cost of certifications &amp; lawsuits is in there</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268513040000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Price covers not just hardware, but also testing and getting certifications that this product is safe for prolonged use on people. Probably part of the cost is also an "insurance" against future lawsuits due to malfunctions.</p><p>Hardware (Cost of Goods Sold) is the least part of the price.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Price covers not just hardware , but also testing and getting certifications that this product is safe for prolonged use on people .
Probably part of the cost is also an " insurance " against future lawsuits due to malfunctions.Hardware ( Cost of Goods Sold ) is the least part of the price .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Price covers not just hardware, but also testing and getting certifications that this product is safe for prolonged use on people.
Probably part of the cost is also an "insurance" against future lawsuits due to malfunctions.Hardware (Cost of Goods Sold) is the least part of the price.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467466</id>
	<title>hearing aidz</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268481180000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>A hearing aid amplifies frequencies according to the hearing loss at that frequency. This is set up by an audiologist or similar professional, the match is never perfect but the more channels in the h/aid the closer the frequency response can be to an individuals hearing loss.<br>There are extra things like what MrFlannel referred to, frequency transposition, but the main features aside from # of channels are ones that increase comfort in noise ('noise' can be a real pain in the ass for h/a users) and automation.</p><p>What you pay for is the R&amp;D behind the aid (size, sound processing), rehab and fitting and testing costs, and yeah probably some profiteering by the h/a company though im not sure how much, as there are certainly a few h/a companies around. . The moulded ear piece (mould) only constitutes a small part of the cost maybe $50 or so.<br>So yeah the components of the h/a aren't what make them expensive - as you said its just a few electronic parts.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>A hearing aid amplifies frequencies according to the hearing loss at that frequency .
This is set up by an audiologist or similar professional , the match is never perfect but the more channels in the h/aid the closer the frequency response can be to an individuals hearing loss.There are extra things like what MrFlannel referred to , frequency transposition , but the main features aside from # of channels are ones that increase comfort in noise ( 'noise ' can be a real pain in the ass for h/a users ) and automation.What you pay for is the R&amp;D behind the aid ( size , sound processing ) , rehab and fitting and testing costs , and yeah probably some profiteering by the h/a company though im not sure how much , as there are certainly a few h/a companies around .
. The moulded ear piece ( mould ) only constitutes a small part of the cost maybe $ 50 or so.So yeah the components of the h/a are n't what make them expensive - as you said its just a few electronic parts .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>A hearing aid amplifies frequencies according to the hearing loss at that frequency.
This is set up by an audiologist or similar professional, the match is never perfect but the more channels in the h/aid the closer the frequency response can be to an individuals hearing loss.There are extra things like what MrFlannel referred to, frequency transposition, but the main features aside from # of channels are ones that increase comfort in noise ('noise' can be a real pain in the ass for h/a users) and automation.What you pay for is the R&amp;D behind the aid (size, sound processing), rehab and fitting and testing costs, and yeah probably some profiteering by the h/a company though im not sure how much, as there are certainly a few h/a companies around.
. The moulded ear piece (mould) only constitutes a small part of the cost maybe $50 or so.So yeah the components of the h/a aren't what make them expensive - as you said its just a few electronic parts.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468532</id>
	<title>What did you say?</title>
	<author>trainsnpep</author>
	<datestamp>1268489280000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Did anyone else see the humor in this appearing twice in Google Reader?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Did anyone else see the humor in this appearing twice in Google Reader ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Did anyone else see the humor in this appearing twice in Google Reader?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31500214</id>
	<title>Not a simple device</title>
	<author>cecille</author>
	<datestamp>1268771700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I've done a bit of work in hearing aid development (master's), and there are a few issues that make them so expensive.  Most decent (digital) hearing aids are not just simple audio gain.  Aside from possible loss from occlusion (which can be fixed surgically) hearing loss normally doesn't happen in all frequencies equally.  Sometimes you can get away with a simple gain hearing aid, but it's not really matching what your loss is.  As mentioned above, the gain has to be adjusted in bands, which requires a dsp capable of performing banding and gaining in real time so the lip sync doens't get off.  Now, this doesn't seem like a hard task, but have you ever seen the size of the chips they use in hearing aids?  Compare the size of a simple BTE aid and the space it has for the hardware.  The newer ones are fully hidden, making them less than the size of a finger.  If you're ever seen the chips, they're maybe the size of a few pin heads, if that.  And, they have no fans to help heat dissipation and the power comes from an unbelivably small battery.  It is NOTHING like a computer.  If you can fit a computer chip and board in your ear, more power to you, but most people can't.<br> <br>
Not only that, but many digital aids also include noise reduction, because background noise is a big problem - it's amplified directly into your ear.  Plus, there's feedback.  A hearing aid can be designed to be open, so you need to repress the feedback, or closed, which has it's own problems - ie, it's forming basically an echo chamber in your ear.  For example, stick your finger in your ear.  Sound strange?  Same thing with a closed aid, only now imagine your finger is talking.  So there's that, and the sofware development costs that go along with it.  <br> <br>
Not only that, but you have to pay a trained audiologist to fit the device physically, and do the appropriate band gain settings and whatever else the hearing aid needs.  <br> <br>
Anyway, to sum up, they're expensive because:<br>
- hardware costs - very small size, low power, low heat<br>
- software costs - banding, noise reduction, feedback comp<br>
- audiologist costs<br>
- possible licencing costs (wasn't too involved in that end, so I'm not sure)</htmltext>
<tokenext>I 've done a bit of work in hearing aid development ( master 's ) , and there are a few issues that make them so expensive .
Most decent ( digital ) hearing aids are not just simple audio gain .
Aside from possible loss from occlusion ( which can be fixed surgically ) hearing loss normally does n't happen in all frequencies equally .
Sometimes you can get away with a simple gain hearing aid , but it 's not really matching what your loss is .
As mentioned above , the gain has to be adjusted in bands , which requires a dsp capable of performing banding and gaining in real time so the lip sync doens't get off .
Now , this does n't seem like a hard task , but have you ever seen the size of the chips they use in hearing aids ?
Compare the size of a simple BTE aid and the space it has for the hardware .
The newer ones are fully hidden , making them less than the size of a finger .
If you 're ever seen the chips , they 're maybe the size of a few pin heads , if that .
And , they have no fans to help heat dissipation and the power comes from an unbelivably small battery .
It is NOTHING like a computer .
If you can fit a computer chip and board in your ear , more power to you , but most people ca n't .
Not only that , but many digital aids also include noise reduction , because background noise is a big problem - it 's amplified directly into your ear .
Plus , there 's feedback .
A hearing aid can be designed to be open , so you need to repress the feedback , or closed , which has it 's own problems - ie , it 's forming basically an echo chamber in your ear .
For example , stick your finger in your ear .
Sound strange ?
Same thing with a closed aid , only now imagine your finger is talking .
So there 's that , and the sofware development costs that go along with it .
Not only that , but you have to pay a trained audiologist to fit the device physically , and do the appropriate band gain settings and whatever else the hearing aid needs .
Anyway , to sum up , they 're expensive because : - hardware costs - very small size , low power , low heat - software costs - banding , noise reduction , feedback comp - audiologist costs - possible licencing costs ( was n't too involved in that end , so I 'm not sure )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I've done a bit of work in hearing aid development (master's), and there are a few issues that make them so expensive.
Most decent (digital) hearing aids are not just simple audio gain.
Aside from possible loss from occlusion (which can be fixed surgically) hearing loss normally doesn't happen in all frequencies equally.
Sometimes you can get away with a simple gain hearing aid, but it's not really matching what your loss is.
As mentioned above, the gain has to be adjusted in bands, which requires a dsp capable of performing banding and gaining in real time so the lip sync doens't get off.
Now, this doesn't seem like a hard task, but have you ever seen the size of the chips they use in hearing aids?
Compare the size of a simple BTE aid and the space it has for the hardware.
The newer ones are fully hidden, making them less than the size of a finger.
If you're ever seen the chips, they're maybe the size of a few pin heads, if that.
And, they have no fans to help heat dissipation and the power comes from an unbelivably small battery.
It is NOTHING like a computer.
If you can fit a computer chip and board in your ear, more power to you, but most people can't.
Not only that, but many digital aids also include noise reduction, because background noise is a big problem - it's amplified directly into your ear.
Plus, there's feedback.
A hearing aid can be designed to be open, so you need to repress the feedback, or closed, which has it's own problems - ie, it's forming basically an echo chamber in your ear.
For example, stick your finger in your ear.
Sound strange?
Same thing with a closed aid, only now imagine your finger is talking.
So there's that, and the sofware development costs that go along with it.
Not only that, but you have to pay a trained audiologist to fit the device physically, and do the appropriate band gain settings and whatever else the hearing aid needs.
Anyway, to sum up, they're expensive because:
- hardware costs - very small size, low power, low heat
- software costs - banding, noise reduction, feedback comp
- audiologist costs
- possible licencing costs (wasn't too involved in that end, so I'm not sure)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31477938</id>
	<title>Re:Why? Let me count the ways...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268585700000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Why don't you call it OpenEar?</p><p>A "noble charity" you create, while giving the death of capitalism thunderous applause.<br>Asshole.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Why do n't you call it OpenEar ? A " noble charity " you create , while giving the death of capitalism thunderous applause.Asshole .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Why don't you call it OpenEar?A "noble charity" you create, while giving the death of capitalism thunderous applause.Asshole.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466002</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466052</id>
	<title>Re:$3700? Chump change.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268513820000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>The thing is that a cochlear implant is hard to put in, while you can just take a hearing aid on and off like earbuds (I think).</p><p>The ear contains the smallest bones of the human body, and they break extremely easily. Go past them and put something into the cochlea, it's not easy nor cheap.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>The thing is that a cochlear implant is hard to put in , while you can just take a hearing aid on and off like earbuds ( I think ) .The ear contains the smallest bones of the human body , and they break extremely easily .
Go past them and put something into the cochlea , it 's not easy nor cheap .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The thing is that a cochlear implant is hard to put in, while you can just take a hearing aid on and off like earbuds (I think).The ear contains the smallest bones of the human body, and they break extremely easily.
Go past them and put something into the cochlea, it's not easy nor cheap.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465870</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468896</id>
	<title>Re:uhh</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268492460000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I checked wiki: Digital-Hearing-AIDS<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... A desease, which is spread by wearing headphones/headsets.<br>So if you wear a headset of another person, make sure you pull some condoms over it. If you are unsure, if you are already infected, visit an acoustician of your choice to get tested.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I checked wiki : Digital-Hearing-AIDS ... A desease , which is spread by wearing headphones/headsets.So if you wear a headset of another person , make sure you pull some condoms over it .
If you are unsure , if you are already infected , visit an acoustician of your choice to get tested .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I checked wiki: Digital-Hearing-AIDS ... A desease, which is spread by wearing headphones/headsets.So if you wear a headset of another person, make sure you pull some condoms over it.
If you are unsure, if you are already infected, visit an acoustician of your choice to get tested.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465892</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466664</id>
	<title>Re:Not to make fun of you</title>
	<author>Nimey</author>
	<datestamp>1268474820000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>3</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>It's a just revenge on the fucking idiots with thumpy car stereos, I tell you.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>It 's a just revenge on the fucking idiots with thumpy car stereos , I tell you .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>It's a just revenge on the fucking idiots with thumpy car stereos, I tell you.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465904</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466248</id>
	<title>Why not build your own?</title>
	<author>gillbates</author>
	<datestamp>1268471820000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Interestin</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>
Chances are your hearing loss is limited to a contiguous range of frequencies.  Probably a bell-shaped curve.  If such is the case, you could probably design (or get an EE acquaintance to design) a low-cost amplifier with a band-pass filter.
</p><p>
I'm thinking a single 2907 quad op amp could handle the mic input amplification, bandpass filter, and output gain.  Connect it to an LM386 400mW audio amp chip, and you're in business.  While I'm not affiliated with them, I have used <a href="http://www.futurlec.com/" title="futurlec.com">futurlec</a> [futurlec.com] in the past, and they have everything you'd need to build such a circuit yourself.  If you want a custom PCB, you can even use the free eagle software to lay it out, and Futurlec can have it printed (in China) for you.  Expect about a six-week turnaround.
</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Chances are your hearing loss is limited to a contiguous range of frequencies .
Probably a bell-shaped curve .
If such is the case , you could probably design ( or get an EE acquaintance to design ) a low-cost amplifier with a band-pass filter .
I 'm thinking a single 2907 quad op amp could handle the mic input amplification , bandpass filter , and output gain .
Connect it to an LM386 400mW audio amp chip , and you 're in business .
While I 'm not affiliated with them , I have used futurlec [ futurlec.com ] in the past , and they have everything you 'd need to build such a circuit yourself .
If you want a custom PCB , you can even use the free eagle software to lay it out , and Futurlec can have it printed ( in China ) for you .
Expect about a six-week turnaround .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>
Chances are your hearing loss is limited to a contiguous range of frequencies.
Probably a bell-shaped curve.
If such is the case, you could probably design (or get an EE acquaintance to design) a low-cost amplifier with a band-pass filter.
I'm thinking a single 2907 quad op amp could handle the mic input amplification, bandpass filter, and output gain.
Connect it to an LM386 400mW audio amp chip, and you're in business.
While I'm not affiliated with them, I have used futurlec [futurlec.com] in the past, and they have everything you'd need to build such a circuit yourself.
If you want a custom PCB, you can even use the free eagle software to lay it out, and Futurlec can have it printed (in China) for you.
Expect about a six-week turnaround.
</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31590770</id>
	<title>jimenem</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1269345420000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>How little you know. You all refer to hearing aids as a 'medical device.'  Yet, most insurance companies do NOT cover hearing aids. Most of the ones that do provide coverage, insure only children and the elderly. And why not the people in between?</p><p>Comparing a heart stent's usefulness to a hearing aid? Suppose a deaf person gets run over by a car because they didn't hear it coming? Not to mention the increased stress levels from hearing loss contributing to a heart attack!</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>How little you know .
You all refer to hearing aids as a 'medical device .
' Yet , most insurance companies do NOT cover hearing aids .
Most of the ones that do provide coverage , insure only children and the elderly .
And why not the people in between ? Comparing a heart stent 's usefulness to a hearing aid ?
Suppose a deaf person gets run over by a car because they did n't hear it coming ?
Not to mention the increased stress levels from hearing loss contributing to a heart attack !</tokentext>
<sentencetext>How little you know.
You all refer to hearing aids as a 'medical device.
'  Yet, most insurance companies do NOT cover hearing aids.
Most of the ones that do provide coverage, insure only children and the elderly.
And why not the people in between?Comparing a heart stent's usefulness to a hearing aid?
Suppose a deaf person gets run over by a car because they didn't hear it coming?
Not to mention the increased stress levels from hearing loss contributing to a heart attack!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468492</id>
	<title>Simply because</title>
	<author>LennyP</author>
	<datestamp>1268488860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>the people making and selling hearing aids can get away with charging as they do; it called capitalism.</htmltext>
<tokenext>the people making and selling hearing aids can get away with charging as they do ; it called capitalism .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>the people making and selling hearing aids can get away with charging as they do; it called capitalism.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466472</id>
	<title>Re:I am in the same boat too with these things</title>
	<author>HiThere</author>
	<datestamp>1268473260000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>FWIW, I looked into getting insurance for my glasses after I retired.  It was cheaper to buy them with cash.</p><p>This *IS* the way it ought to work.  The whole idea of health insurance for chronic problems is absurd.  A different solution is needed.  Health insurance is only appropriate for things that are unlikely to either happen or recur.  That's the only place where insurance is a reasonable model.  There need to be ways (or a way) to cover then expectable health problems, but insurance is a wildly inappropriate or overly expensive answer.</p><p>And note well, current things that call themselves "health insurance" try to duck out of paying if you have an "unexpected and expensive health crisis".  They'll gladly take your money as long as this problem doesn't show up, but when it does, they try to absent themselves.  Or they interpose so much paperwork that a single individual can't reasonably cope. I broke my right thumb one Friday evening, and could not get "pre-approval" to get a doctor to treat it until the following Monday...and then I had to fill out a mountain of paper work with the hand that I write with broken.  Now ask me how I feel about "health insurance".  There have been other instances. And I have one of the better plans.</p><p>After I retired I priced insurance coverage for both dental and glasses.  Neither was worth paying for.  The dental insurance specifically excluded any major problem, and the yearly cost was more than I've had to pay the dentist.  (That second part is reasonable, but the first is absurd!  It's a con job pure and simple.)  The optometric insurance was the same, except that for major problems you are referred to your main health insurance, which is reasonable.</p><p>The only reason the current health insurance exists is because employers get a tax write-off when they supply health insurance to their workers.  That's the ONLY justification.  It's a tax scam with subsidiary benefits to the workers.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>FWIW , I looked into getting insurance for my glasses after I retired .
It was cheaper to buy them with cash.This * IS * the way it ought to work .
The whole idea of health insurance for chronic problems is absurd .
A different solution is needed .
Health insurance is only appropriate for things that are unlikely to either happen or recur .
That 's the only place where insurance is a reasonable model .
There need to be ways ( or a way ) to cover then expectable health problems , but insurance is a wildly inappropriate or overly expensive answer.And note well , current things that call themselves " health insurance " try to duck out of paying if you have an " unexpected and expensive health crisis " .
They 'll gladly take your money as long as this problem does n't show up , but when it does , they try to absent themselves .
Or they interpose so much paperwork that a single individual ca n't reasonably cope .
I broke my right thumb one Friday evening , and could not get " pre-approval " to get a doctor to treat it until the following Monday...and then I had to fill out a mountain of paper work with the hand that I write with broken .
Now ask me how I feel about " health insurance " .
There have been other instances .
And I have one of the better plans.After I retired I priced insurance coverage for both dental and glasses .
Neither was worth paying for .
The dental insurance specifically excluded any major problem , and the yearly cost was more than I 've had to pay the dentist .
( That second part is reasonable , but the first is absurd !
It 's a con job pure and simple .
) The optometric insurance was the same , except that for major problems you are referred to your main health insurance , which is reasonable.The only reason the current health insurance exists is because employers get a tax write-off when they supply health insurance to their workers .
That 's the ONLY justification .
It 's a tax scam with subsidiary benefits to the workers .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>FWIW, I looked into getting insurance for my glasses after I retired.
It was cheaper to buy them with cash.This *IS* the way it ought to work.
The whole idea of health insurance for chronic problems is absurd.
A different solution is needed.
Health insurance is only appropriate for things that are unlikely to either happen or recur.
That's the only place where insurance is a reasonable model.
There need to be ways (or a way) to cover then expectable health problems, but insurance is a wildly inappropriate or overly expensive answer.And note well, current things that call themselves "health insurance" try to duck out of paying if you have an "unexpected and expensive health crisis".
They'll gladly take your money as long as this problem doesn't show up, but when it does, they try to absent themselves.
Or they interpose so much paperwork that a single individual can't reasonably cope.
I broke my right thumb one Friday evening, and could not get "pre-approval" to get a doctor to treat it until the following Monday...and then I had to fill out a mountain of paper work with the hand that I write with broken.
Now ask me how I feel about "health insurance".
There have been other instances.
And I have one of the better plans.After I retired I priced insurance coverage for both dental and glasses.
Neither was worth paying for.
The dental insurance specifically excluded any major problem, and the yearly cost was more than I've had to pay the dentist.
(That second part is reasonable, but the first is absurd!
It's a con job pure and simple.
)  The optometric insurance was the same, except that for major problems you are referred to your main health insurance, which is reasonable.The only reason the current health insurance exists is because employers get a tax write-off when they supply health insurance to their workers.
That's the ONLY justification.
It's a tax scam with subsidiary benefits to the workers.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465850</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470304</id>
	<title>In the US go to a Costco warehouse with a hearing</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268508780000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>In the US go to a Costco warehouse with a hearing center. It will be cheaper.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>In the US go to a Costco warehouse with a hearing center .
It will be cheaper .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>In the US go to a Costco warehouse with a hearing center.
It will be cheaper.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465854</id>
	<title>Voc Rehab</title>
	<author>JeffTL</author>
	<datestamp>1268512680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext>I'd suggest that you contact your state's vocational rehabilitation office, which specializes in equipping people with assistive technology so they can be productive members of society (i.e., get and keep a decent job).  My fianc&#233;e is deaf, and she got a nice Phonak digital aid, a Naida V if memory serves, from the State of Nebraska last year (she uses a cochlear implant in the other ear and only needed one, but two can be arranged as well).</htmltext>
<tokenext>I 'd suggest that you contact your state 's vocational rehabilitation office , which specializes in equipping people with assistive technology so they can be productive members of society ( i.e. , get and keep a decent job ) .
My fianc   e is deaf , and she got a nice Phonak digital aid , a Naida V if memory serves , from the State of Nebraska last year ( she uses a cochlear implant in the other ear and only needed one , but two can be arranged as well ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I'd suggest that you contact your state's vocational rehabilitation office, which specializes in equipping people with assistive technology so they can be productive members of society (i.e., get and keep a decent job).
My fiancée is deaf, and she got a nice Phonak digital aid, a Naida V if memory serves, from the State of Nebraska last year (she uses a cochlear implant in the other ear and only needed one, but two can be arranged as well).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467620</id>
	<title>Low volume items cost more</title>
	<author>The Famous Druid</author>
	<datestamp>1268482080000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>The device my company makes is about as complex as an iPod, has similar materials costs to an iPod, but sells for several thousand dollars per unit.
<br>
Are we ripping our customers off?
<br>
No.
<br>
Apple sells millions of iPods, in a good year we sell a few thousand of our product, and we do a lot of R&amp;D, so our cost per unit is quite high.</htmltext>
<tokenext>The device my company makes is about as complex as an iPod , has similar materials costs to an iPod , but sells for several thousand dollars per unit .
Are we ripping our customers off ?
No . Apple sells millions of iPods , in a good year we sell a few thousand of our product , and we do a lot of R&amp;D , so our cost per unit is quite high .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The device my company makes is about as complex as an iPod, has similar materials costs to an iPod, but sells for several thousand dollars per unit.
Are we ripping our customers off?
No.

Apple sells millions of iPods, in a good year we sell a few thousand of our product, and we do a lot of R&amp;D, so our cost per unit is quite high.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466572</id>
	<title>Re:I am in the same boat too with these things</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268474100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I don't think you understand how insurance works.</p><p>You would have to prove that when you start getting the insurance, you  can hear just fine. Then, your hearing has to go, but you can't miss any insurance payments. Then part of the cost would get covered. In the long run, hearing insurance would be prohibitively expensive.</p><p>It's called eye coverage (not glasses coverage), and unless something happens to cause me to need eye surgery (not LASIK), it's a waste of money. My insurance costs $90 a year, but covers only a $45 eye exam (so if I actually go to an optometrist, instead of a walmart, it covers about 1/3 of the cost) once every 2 years. Also every 2 years, it covers 40\% of a pair of glasses, up to a $250 complete pair. The cheapest pair of glasses I have ever purchased cost over $300. Glasses I don't mind wearing in public cost a lot more than that. On the other hand, I tend to save money by buying glasses without insurance. The only reason I keep the insurance is that it covers medically necessary surgery (for example, it will cover $1000 for cataract surgery, supplemental to my regular medical insurance).</p><p>I assure you, the submitter is better off putting $50 a month away explicitly for a hearing aid fund (if I could put away $500 a month while in college at an out of state school working 20 hours a week and still paying off my tuition, submiter can do this while collecting unemployment benefits) than trying to find insurance that will cover a preexisting condition.</p><p>
&nbsp;</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I do n't think you understand how insurance works.You would have to prove that when you start getting the insurance , you can hear just fine .
Then , your hearing has to go , but you ca n't miss any insurance payments .
Then part of the cost would get covered .
In the long run , hearing insurance would be prohibitively expensive.It 's called eye coverage ( not glasses coverage ) , and unless something happens to cause me to need eye surgery ( not LASIK ) , it 's a waste of money .
My insurance costs $ 90 a year , but covers only a $ 45 eye exam ( so if I actually go to an optometrist , instead of a walmart , it covers about 1/3 of the cost ) once every 2 years .
Also every 2 years , it covers 40 \ % of a pair of glasses , up to a $ 250 complete pair .
The cheapest pair of glasses I have ever purchased cost over $ 300 .
Glasses I do n't mind wearing in public cost a lot more than that .
On the other hand , I tend to save money by buying glasses without insurance .
The only reason I keep the insurance is that it covers medically necessary surgery ( for example , it will cover $ 1000 for cataract surgery , supplemental to my regular medical insurance ) .I assure you , the submitter is better off putting $ 50 a month away explicitly for a hearing aid fund ( if I could put away $ 500 a month while in college at an out of state school working 20 hours a week and still paying off my tuition , submiter can do this while collecting unemployment benefits ) than trying to find insurance that will cover a preexisting condition .
 </tokentext>
<sentencetext>I don't think you understand how insurance works.You would have to prove that when you start getting the insurance, you  can hear just fine.
Then, your hearing has to go, but you can't miss any insurance payments.
Then part of the cost would get covered.
In the long run, hearing insurance would be prohibitively expensive.It's called eye coverage (not glasses coverage), and unless something happens to cause me to need eye surgery (not LASIK), it's a waste of money.
My insurance costs $90 a year, but covers only a $45 eye exam (so if I actually go to an optometrist, instead of a walmart, it covers about 1/3 of the cost) once every 2 years.
Also every 2 years, it covers 40\% of a pair of glasses, up to a $250 complete pair.
The cheapest pair of glasses I have ever purchased cost over $300.
Glasses I don't mind wearing in public cost a lot more than that.
On the other hand, I tend to save money by buying glasses without insurance.
The only reason I keep the insurance is that it covers medically necessary surgery (for example, it will cover $1000 for cataract surgery, supplemental to my regular medical insurance).I assure you, the submitter is better off putting $50 a month away explicitly for a hearing aid fund (if I could put away $500 a month while in college at an out of state school working 20 hours a week and still paying off my tuition, submiter can do this while collecting unemployment benefits) than trying to find insurance that will cover a preexisting condition.
 </sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465850</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465840</id>
	<title>One word: insurance</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512620000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Like anything in health care most people won't be paying for this directly out of pocket; they can charge whatever they want.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Like anything in health care most people wo n't be paying for this directly out of pocket ; they can charge whatever they want .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Like anything in health care most people won't be paying for this directly out of pocket; they can charge whatever they want.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467782</id>
	<title>Re:Supply and Demand?</title>
	<author>OutputLogic</author>
	<datestamp>1268483340000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext> Totally agree with "supply and demand" explanation.
 I worked for a test &amp; measurement company that designs oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers. That market is competitive. Everything that can be cost-cut and off-shored is already cost-cut and off-shored.  But the product margins just cannot be lower than 80\% ($2K bill of materials for $10K selling price). It takes a lot to design a new oscilloscope, but not too many customers to sell. It's a specialized equipment.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Totally agree with " supply and demand " explanation .
I worked for a test &amp; measurement company that designs oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers .
That market is competitive .
Everything that can be cost-cut and off-shored is already cost-cut and off-shored .
But the product margins just can not be lower than 80 \ % ( $ 2K bill of materials for $ 10K selling price ) .
It takes a lot to design a new oscilloscope , but not too many customers to sell .
It 's a specialized equipment .</tokentext>
<sentencetext> Totally agree with "supply and demand" explanation.
I worked for a test &amp; measurement company that designs oscilloscopes and protocol analyzers.
That market is competitive.
Everything that can be cost-cut and off-shored is already cost-cut and off-shored.
But the product margins just cannot be lower than 80\% ($2K bill of materials for $10K selling price).
It takes a lot to design a new oscilloscope, but not too many customers to sell.
It's a specialized equipment.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465820</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465850</id>
	<title>I am in the same boat too with these things</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Insightful</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I too have to wear one and it's ungodly expensive. My argument is the fact I need them to have a normal life and work.  So if people can get glasses for fairly low price and it's a item that people need then why can't insurance companies provide coverage too?  Reason for that it's very specialized market and expensive.</p><p>Don't get one of those cheapie $49.95 hearing aids from the ads as they do not provide the proper specs to the type of hearing loss you have.  In fact it'll make your hearing worse.  It'll be like listening to iPod all day long.</p><p>See if they can offer a payment plan.</p><p>Good luck.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I too have to wear one and it 's ungodly expensive .
My argument is the fact I need them to have a normal life and work .
So if people can get glasses for fairly low price and it 's a item that people need then why ca n't insurance companies provide coverage too ?
Reason for that it 's very specialized market and expensive.Do n't get one of those cheapie $ 49.95 hearing aids from the ads as they do not provide the proper specs to the type of hearing loss you have .
In fact it 'll make your hearing worse .
It 'll be like listening to iPod all day long.See if they can offer a payment plan.Good luck .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I too have to wear one and it's ungodly expensive.
My argument is the fact I need them to have a normal life and work.
So if people can get glasses for fairly low price and it's a item that people need then why can't insurance companies provide coverage too?
Reason for that it's very specialized market and expensive.Don't get one of those cheapie $49.95 hearing aids from the ads as they do not provide the proper specs to the type of hearing loss you have.
In fact it'll make your hearing worse.
It'll be like listening to iPod all day long.See if they can offer a payment plan.Good luck.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466140</id>
	<title>Lots of people have speculated reasons</title>
	<author>jimicus</author>
	<datestamp>1268471160000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>And, I hate to say it but I rather think lots of people are wrong.</p><p>The few who have basically said "because they can get away with it" - congratulations.</p><p>From the tone of your post (mentioning prices in $), I'm assuming you're in the US.  Which is a bit of a shame because <a href="http://hearingdirect.com/" title="hearingdirect.com">these people</a> [hearingdirect.com] have just opened up with a view to putting the proverbial cat among the pigeons.  Maybe you know someone in the UK who can post a hearing aid on to you?</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>And , I hate to say it but I rather think lots of people are wrong.The few who have basically said " because they can get away with it " - congratulations.From the tone of your post ( mentioning prices in $ ) , I 'm assuming you 're in the US .
Which is a bit of a shame because these people [ hearingdirect.com ] have just opened up with a view to putting the proverbial cat among the pigeons .
Maybe you know someone in the UK who can post a hearing aid on to you ?</tokentext>
<sentencetext>And, I hate to say it but I rather think lots of people are wrong.The few who have basically said "because they can get away with it" - congratulations.From the tone of your post (mentioning prices in $), I'm assuming you're in the US.
Which is a bit of a shame because these people [hearingdirect.com] have just opened up with a view to putting the proverbial cat among the pigeons.
Maybe you know someone in the UK who can post a hearing aid on to you?</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31479808</id>
	<title>Hearing aids for free</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268652120000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Come to Denmark (any other modern society) and get hearing aids for free through our state-driven Health Insurance. We get free visits to hospitals and doctors too<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Come to Denmark ( any other modern society ) and get hearing aids for free through our state-driven Health Insurance .
We get free visits to hospitals and doctors too : )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Come to Denmark (any other modern society) and get hearing aids for free through our state-driven Health Insurance.
We get free visits to hospitals and doctors too :)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31469528</id>
	<title>Re:Not to make fun of you</title>
	<author>evil\_aar0n</author>
	<datestamp>1268498820000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Clue them in to captioning.  I use it all the time, even though I could probably hear the TV well enough with my cochlear implant.  I find that I usually get the dialogue quicker, except in real-time situations, like Jay Leno, or other talk shows.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Clue them in to captioning .
I use it all the time , even though I could probably hear the TV well enough with my cochlear implant .
I find that I usually get the dialogue quicker , except in real-time situations , like Jay Leno , or other talk shows .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Clue them in to captioning.
I use it all the time, even though I could probably hear the TV well enough with my cochlear implant.
I find that I usually get the dialogue quicker, except in real-time situations, like Jay Leno, or other talk shows.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465904</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466852</id>
	<title>Bonus too</title>
	<author>ePlus</author>
	<datestamp>1268476380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext>And let's not forget the commission that a audiologist gets for selling the products! I have spoken to one who got as high as 30\% of the total sale in commission!!</htmltext>
<tokenext>And let 's not forget the commission that a audiologist gets for selling the products !
I have spoken to one who got as high as 30 \ % of the total sale in commission !
!</tokentext>
<sentencetext>And let's not forget the commission that a audiologist gets for selling the products!
I have spoken to one who got as high as 30\% of the total sale in commission!
!</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466334</id>
	<title>nom</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268472360000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>because in america healthcare is about profit and competition, that includes overcharging most people for basic medication</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>because in america healthcare is about profit and competition , that includes overcharging most people for basic medication</tokentext>
<sentencetext>because in america healthcare is about profit and competition, that includes overcharging most people for basic medication</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465888</id>
	<title>Hearing Aids are usually custom made</title>
	<author>Rocky</author>
	<datestamp>1268512860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>4</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Decent ones that your wear all the time are typically molded to the inside of your ear and hand-adjusted. This means a real person has to touch them and they can't be mass-manufactured, similar to dental devices like crowns and such (which are comparable in cost).</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Decent ones that your wear all the time are typically molded to the inside of your ear and hand-adjusted .
This means a real person has to touch them and they ca n't be mass-manufactured , similar to dental devices like crowns and such ( which are comparable in cost ) .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Decent ones that your wear all the time are typically molded to the inside of your ear and hand-adjusted.
This means a real person has to touch them and they can't be mass-manufactured, similar to dental devices like crowns and such (which are comparable in cost).</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467168</id>
	<title>Contact local agencies</title>
	<author>htdrifter</author>
	<datestamp>1268478720000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Those prices are obscene.  A hearing aid is an amplifier with some filters to shape the output.<br>Google the following for your area:<br>- Deaf &amp; Hard of Hearing services<br>- Center for the deaf &amp; hard of hearing.<br>- Center for independent living.</p><p>They can advise you and in some cases supply needed equipment; hearing aids, TDD support, etc.<br>They also help you avoid being ripped off.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Those prices are obscene .
A hearing aid is an amplifier with some filters to shape the output.Google the following for your area : - Deaf &amp; Hard of Hearing services- Center for the deaf &amp; hard of hearing.- Center for independent living.They can advise you and in some cases supply needed equipment ; hearing aids , TDD support , etc.They also help you avoid being ripped off .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Those prices are obscene.
A hearing aid is an amplifier with some filters to shape the output.Google the following for your area:- Deaf &amp; Hard of Hearing services- Center for the deaf &amp; hard of hearing.- Center for independent living.They can advise you and in some cases supply needed equipment; hearing aids, TDD support, etc.They also help you avoid being ripped off.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465818</id>
	<title>Because......</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268512500000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Its a medical device.  Add in the cost of malpractice insurance for the manufacturer and everyone down the distribution chain and you have the answer.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Its a medical device .
Add in the cost of malpractice insurance for the manufacturer and everyone down the distribution chain and you have the answer .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Its a medical device.
Add in the cost of malpractice insurance for the manufacturer and everyone down the distribution chain and you have the answer.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31477426</id>
	<title>Re:It's a medical device, not a consumer item!</title>
	<author>bill\_mcgonigle</author>
	<datestamp>1268580780000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><i>First, it's a medical device, not a commodity consumer item like a netbook, so its manufacturer must prove both its safety and effectiveness, with independent tests, before it can be licensed for sale by the FDA in the U.S., or the corresponding medical regulatory authority in other countries. That process is time consuming, and expensive. Those costs must be paid for, and are reflected in the price.</i></p><p>That's all precisely true, but another factor to consider is that this increases the barrier to entry for competitors and favors large entrenched vendors.  By the government breaking competition vendors are permitted to charge a premium over what a free market would charge.</p><p>This isn't surprising - regulation always favors the incumbents and thus they support it.</p><p>With independent lab testing available, this kind of regulation isn't really necessary in this class device.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>First , it 's a medical device , not a commodity consumer item like a netbook , so its manufacturer must prove both its safety and effectiveness , with independent tests , before it can be licensed for sale by the FDA in the U.S. , or the corresponding medical regulatory authority in other countries .
That process is time consuming , and expensive .
Those costs must be paid for , and are reflected in the price.That 's all precisely true , but another factor to consider is that this increases the barrier to entry for competitors and favors large entrenched vendors .
By the government breaking competition vendors are permitted to charge a premium over what a free market would charge.This is n't surprising - regulation always favors the incumbents and thus they support it.With independent lab testing available , this kind of regulation is n't really necessary in this class device .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>First, it's a medical device, not a commodity consumer item like a netbook, so its manufacturer must prove both its safety and effectiveness, with independent tests, before it can be licensed for sale by the FDA in the U.S., or the corresponding medical regulatory authority in other countries.
That process is time consuming, and expensive.
Those costs must be paid for, and are reflected in the price.That's all precisely true, but another factor to consider is that this increases the barrier to entry for competitors and favors large entrenched vendors.
By the government breaking competition vendors are permitted to charge a premium over what a free market would charge.This isn't surprising - regulation always favors the incumbents and thus they support it.With independent lab testing available, this kind of regulation isn't really necessary in this class device.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465926</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31539326</id>
	<title>Re:Hearing Aids are usually custom made</title>
	<author>sglines</author>
	<datestamp>1269018600000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>All the ones I've been trying are over the ear hearing aids with a small tube that runs into your ear. They are called open fit so there is not molding or any of that stuff. One size fits all.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>All the ones I 've been trying are over the ear hearing aids with a small tube that runs into your ear .
They are called open fit so there is not molding or any of that stuff .
One size fits all .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>All the ones I've been trying are over the ear hearing aids with a small tube that runs into your ear.
They are called open fit so there is not molding or any of that stuff.
One size fits all.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465888</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31513814</id>
	<title>Unnecessary Certification Drives Up Prices</title>
	<author>dajalas</author>
	<datestamp>1268857980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Disposable hearing aids are very inexpensive. In most states audiologist lobbying groups have pushed through certification to limit competition. Compare the price of hearing aids in Europe to the overpriced models available here. The high price of hearing aids has nothing to do with the national health, insurance, etc. It only has to do with state-level politicians and their need for campaign cash.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Disposable hearing aids are very inexpensive .
In most states audiologist lobbying groups have pushed through certification to limit competition .
Compare the price of hearing aids in Europe to the overpriced models available here .
The high price of hearing aids has nothing to do with the national health , insurance , etc .
It only has to do with state-level politicians and their need for campaign cash .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Disposable hearing aids are very inexpensive.
In most states audiologist lobbying groups have pushed through certification to limit competition.
Compare the price of hearing aids in Europe to the overpriced models available here.
The high price of hearing aids has nothing to do with the national health, insurance, etc.
It only has to do with state-level politicians and their need for campaign cash.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31477516</id>
	<title>digital hearing aid company I like</title>
	<author>reg13</author>
	<datestamp>1268581980000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>I got a pair of digital hearing aids with really good specs for $900 each. Kit included a pile of accessories. Still not cheap, but I' satisfied. Company: America Hears, in PA. they do business on line. Ask for Susan, Tell them Rogers George sent you. They might remember who I am, and they'll appreciate the wom....</htmltext>
<tokenext>I got a pair of digital hearing aids with really good specs for $ 900 each .
Kit included a pile of accessories .
Still not cheap , but I ' satisfied .
Company : America Hears , in PA. they do business on line .
Ask for Susan , Tell them Rogers George sent you .
They might remember who I am , and they 'll appreciate the wom... .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I got a pair of digital hearing aids with really good specs for $900 each.
Kit included a pile of accessories.
Still not cheap, but I' satisfied.
Company: America Hears, in PA. they do business on line.
Ask for Susan, Tell them Rogers George sent you.
They might remember who I am, and they'll appreciate the wom....</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467278</id>
	<title>Re:Size</title>
	<author>tombeard</author>
	<datestamp>1268479800000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>No, that is just vanity. I plan to build myself a baseball cap with directional microphones on each side and a programmable amplifier on the back band with mp3 headphones.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>No , that is just vanity .
I plan to build myself a baseball cap with directional microphones on each side and a programmable amplifier on the back band with mp3 headphones .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>No, that is just vanity.
I plan to build myself a baseball cap with directional microphones on each side and a programmable amplifier on the back band with mp3 headphones.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465808</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470672</id>
	<title>Re:Size</title>
	<author>Facegarden</author>
	<datestamp>1268558880000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p><nobr> <wbr></nobr>... Neither your 1970's amp nor your netbook will fit in your ear...</p></div><p>My bluetooth headset does.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>... Neither your 1970 's amp nor your netbook will fit in your ear...My bluetooth headset does .</tokentext>
<sentencetext> ... Neither your 1970's amp nor your netbook will fit in your ear...My bluetooth headset does.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465808</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470580</id>
	<title>Because of (half)socialist gov health-control.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268600160000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Government regulation means only a few elite mega-corps can have permission to produce medical devices, and those corps know they'll make more money by lobbying the government for ridiculous sums of tax-victim money. If the market in medical devices was as free as it was in consumer electronics, then innovations would happen just as quickly. Socialism kills - whether directly or by merely reducing your potential life expectancy by a decade or two...</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Government regulation means only a few elite mega-corps can have permission to produce medical devices , and those corps know they 'll make more money by lobbying the government for ridiculous sums of tax-victim money .
If the market in medical devices was as free as it was in consumer electronics , then innovations would happen just as quickly .
Socialism kills - whether directly or by merely reducing your potential life expectancy by a decade or two.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Government regulation means only a few elite mega-corps can have permission to produce medical devices, and those corps know they'll make more money by lobbying the government for ridiculous sums of tax-victim money.
If the market in medical devices was as free as it was in consumer electronics, then innovations would happen just as quickly.
Socialism kills - whether directly or by merely reducing your potential life expectancy by a decade or two...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468416</id>
	<title>Re:Why? Let me count the ways...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268488200000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Just don't call it a medical device. Call it a novelty spy toy or something. Or else the FDA will be in the picture in a heart beat.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Just do n't call it a medical device .
Call it a novelty spy toy or something .
Or else the FDA will be in the picture in a heart beat .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Just don't call it a medical device.
Call it a novelty spy toy or something.
Or else the FDA will be in the picture in a heart beat.</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466002</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467160</id>
	<title>Union Rules</title>
	<author>GerryHattrick</author>
	<datestamp>1268478660000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Interestin</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext>Got my mother a mail-order Swiss 'Lynx' from a local supplier (neat kit but no frequency matching - good result for non-cheap but moderate cost).  When I tried to order the second the locals had been closed down.  My theory is that all the costs of fitting, tuning, replacement, retail storefronts, are piled onto the tiny device.  Undercut that, and some Professional Union will see you dead.  Time for some 'unbundling', Mr. Regulator, and let's see the true costs of each element of service.  This is NOT the usual medical-devices, beware-litigation domain.</htmltext>
<tokenext>Got my mother a mail-order Swiss 'Lynx ' from a local supplier ( neat kit but no frequency matching - good result for non-cheap but moderate cost ) .
When I tried to order the second the locals had been closed down .
My theory is that all the costs of fitting , tuning , replacement , retail storefronts , are piled onto the tiny device .
Undercut that , and some Professional Union will see you dead .
Time for some 'unbundling ' , Mr. Regulator , and let 's see the true costs of each element of service .
This is NOT the usual medical-devices , beware-litigation domain .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Got my mother a mail-order Swiss 'Lynx' from a local supplier (neat kit but no frequency matching - good result for non-cheap but moderate cost).
When I tried to order the second the locals had been closed down.
My theory is that all the costs of fitting, tuning, replacement, retail storefronts, are piled onto the tiny device.
Undercut that, and some Professional Union will see you dead.
Time for some 'unbundling', Mr. Regulator, and let's see the true costs of each element of service.
This is NOT the usual medical-devices, beware-litigation domain.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470028</id>
	<title>!Mass Produced</title>
	<author>500IE</author>
	<datestamp>1268505240000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>My understanding is that they are not able to be mass produced.  The components maybe, but the fittings are fitted to the ear canal. To go back to your laptop analogy, it would be like computer manufacturers building each keyboard to fit your fingers exactly.  I would think this would increase the cost of your laptop.  I'm in the same boat as you though and will probably be complaining about their cost within the next few years.  Best of luck...</htmltext>
<tokenext>My understanding is that they are not able to be mass produced .
The components maybe , but the fittings are fitted to the ear canal .
To go back to your laptop analogy , it would be like computer manufacturers building each keyboard to fit your fingers exactly .
I would think this would increase the cost of your laptop .
I 'm in the same boat as you though and will probably be complaining about their cost within the next few years .
Best of luck.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>My understanding is that they are not able to be mass produced.
The components maybe, but the fittings are fitted to the ear canal.
To go back to your laptop analogy, it would be like computer manufacturers building each keyboard to fit your fingers exactly.
I would think this would increase the cost of your laptop.
I'm in the same boat as you though and will probably be complaining about their cost within the next few years.
Best of luck...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466260</id>
	<title>Price of Freedom</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268471940000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>0</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Sorry, it's the price you have to pay for having the Best Healthcare System in the World (tm)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Sorry , it 's the price you have to pay for having the Best Healthcare System in the World ( tm )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Sorry, it's the price you have to pay for having the Best Healthcare System in the World (tm)</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466478</id>
	<title>Re:$400 Laptop</title>
	<author>dgatwood</author>
	<datestamp>1268473380000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>If a netbook can do the EQ for $400 , then a pair of ear buds, and a netbook with a microphone can do the job for about $410 plus tax.  No need to get two.  Heck, an iPod touch could probably handle the job for half that....</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>If a netbook can do the EQ for $ 400 , then a pair of ear buds , and a netbook with a microphone can do the job for about $ 410 plus tax .
No need to get two .
Heck , an iPod touch could probably handle the job for half that... .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>If a netbook can do the EQ for $400 , then a pair of ear buds, and a netbook with a microphone can do the job for about $410 plus tax.
No need to get two.
Heck, an iPod touch could probably handle the job for half that....</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468590</id>
	<title>Re:You want a magic cheap solution?</title>
	<author>JohnFen</author>
	<datestamp>1268489760000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p><div class="quote"><p>$3700 doesn't sound so bad for something that improves your quality of life so much.</p></div><p>$3700 may as well be a billion for a huge number of people, particularly nowadays. The amount it improves your life isn't relevant if there's simply no chance you can afford it.</p></div>
	</htmltext>
<tokenext>$ 3700 does n't sound so bad for something that improves your quality of life so much. $ 3700 may as well be a billion for a huge number of people , particularly nowadays .
The amount it improves your life is n't relevant if there 's simply no chance you can afford it .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>$3700 doesn't sound so bad for something that improves your quality of life so much.$3700 may as well be a billion for a huge number of people, particularly nowadays.
The amount it improves your life isn't relevant if there's simply no chance you can afford it.
	</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466064</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467366</id>
	<title>Hearing aid cost related to vanity</title>
	<author>Relayman</author>
	<datestamp>1268480460000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Many people don't want their hearing aids to be seen. The big expense is designing something that will fit into your ear canal but not be visible to others. A lot of what you're paying for is vanity. If they could just put the microphone and speaker in your ear and run wires to your shirt pocket or belt where you would have a device the size of a cell phone, then it could be a lot cheaper.<br> <br>The other factor is volume of sales. If I design a device like an iPod, I might sell several million units. A hearing aid? I'm guessing, but I doubt they sell more than 10,000 units per model. You have to spread the development cost over a lot fewer units.<br> <br>That said, if I were younger, I would design the ultimate hearing aid. It would have Bluetooth so you could adjust it yourself using your computer and update the software on a periodic basis. Sure you would still see a licensed professional to dispense it, the the professional would be required to come up to date on electronics (no more crude drawings on paper of your hearing loss). And all tests would be to 20,000 Hz because many of us can hear those high frequencies. But I'm a dreamer...</htmltext>
<tokenext>Many people do n't want their hearing aids to be seen .
The big expense is designing something that will fit into your ear canal but not be visible to others .
A lot of what you 're paying for is vanity .
If they could just put the microphone and speaker in your ear and run wires to your shirt pocket or belt where you would have a device the size of a cell phone , then it could be a lot cheaper .
The other factor is volume of sales .
If I design a device like an iPod , I might sell several million units .
A hearing aid ?
I 'm guessing , but I doubt they sell more than 10,000 units per model .
You have to spread the development cost over a lot fewer units .
That said , if I were younger , I would design the ultimate hearing aid .
It would have Bluetooth so you could adjust it yourself using your computer and update the software on a periodic basis .
Sure you would still see a licensed professional to dispense it , the the professional would be required to come up to date on electronics ( no more crude drawings on paper of your hearing loss ) .
And all tests would be to 20,000 Hz because many of us can hear those high frequencies .
But I 'm a dreamer.. .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Many people don't want their hearing aids to be seen.
The big expense is designing something that will fit into your ear canal but not be visible to others.
A lot of what you're paying for is vanity.
If they could just put the microphone and speaker in your ear and run wires to your shirt pocket or belt where you would have a device the size of a cell phone, then it could be a lot cheaper.
The other factor is volume of sales.
If I design a device like an iPod, I might sell several million units.
A hearing aid?
I'm guessing, but I doubt they sell more than 10,000 units per model.
You have to spread the development cost over a lot fewer units.
That said, if I were younger, I would design the ultimate hearing aid.
It would have Bluetooth so you could adjust it yourself using your computer and update the software on a periodic basis.
Sure you would still see a licensed professional to dispense it, the the professional would be required to come up to date on electronics (no more crude drawings on paper of your hearing loss).
And all tests would be to 20,000 Hz because many of us can hear those high frequencies.
But I'm a dreamer...</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31477032</id>
	<title>Re:Why not build your own?</title>
	<author>ozydingo</author>
	<datestamp>1268577780000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>Always love a good DIY project, but in this case at least consult with an audiologist first--even if you may never get their approval, you may save your remaining hearing. Depending on the nature of your hearing loss, you can further damage your hearing this way. For example, if you have a problem affecting the mechanics of your inner ear at high frequencies, high-frequency energy that normally goes to driving that portion of the cochlea can pass through, continuing onto areas of the cochlea that still properly transduce lower frequencies. It's quite possible that by sending in *amplified* high-frequencies, you could be accelerating damage to lower-frequency areas of your inner ear.<br> <br>

(Also, when this is the case, you won't hear any better, in fact you'll arguably hear worse as the extra off-frequency energy further down the cochela can cause distortions as the cochlea is highly non-linear)</htmltext>
<tokenext>Always love a good DIY project , but in this case at least consult with an audiologist first--even if you may never get their approval , you may save your remaining hearing .
Depending on the nature of your hearing loss , you can further damage your hearing this way .
For example , if you have a problem affecting the mechanics of your inner ear at high frequencies , high-frequency energy that normally goes to driving that portion of the cochlea can pass through , continuing onto areas of the cochlea that still properly transduce lower frequencies .
It 's quite possible that by sending in * amplified * high-frequencies , you could be accelerating damage to lower-frequency areas of your inner ear .
( Also , when this is the case , you wo n't hear any better , in fact you 'll arguably hear worse as the extra off-frequency energy further down the cochela can cause distortions as the cochlea is highly non-linear )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Always love a good DIY project, but in this case at least consult with an audiologist first--even if you may never get their approval, you may save your remaining hearing.
Depending on the nature of your hearing loss, you can further damage your hearing this way.
For example, if you have a problem affecting the mechanics of your inner ear at high frequencies, high-frequency energy that normally goes to driving that portion of the cochlea can pass through, continuing onto areas of the cochlea that still properly transduce lower frequencies.
It's quite possible that by sending in *amplified* high-frequencies, you could be accelerating damage to lower-frequency areas of your inner ear.
(Also, when this is the case, you won't hear any better, in fact you'll arguably hear worse as the extra off-frequency energy further down the cochela can cause distortions as the cochlea is highly non-linear)</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466248</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466918</id>
	<title>Worn hearing aids since elementary school...</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268476860000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>5</modscore>
	<htmltext>The first thing I'll tell you is that fundamentally they're all pretty much the same.   In general they're all made with equivalent components and the only real difference is Bells and Whistles.  It's the only thing the companies can do to differentiate themselves from other manufacturers.  Unless you've got some special type of loss, a basic simple model will probably work just fine compared to something fancy. The biggest choice comes down to size and how self-conscious you are about it.  Generally, the smaller they are, the weaker they are and more expensive.  You're paying for vanity.
<br> <br>
You can probably forget about insurance covering it.  Almost no health insurance will cover them.  They're considered non-essential, "cosmetic" devices.  My company provides very good health insurance and only once over the past 30 years have they ever covered -any- of my hearing aid purchases.  11 years ago (during the dot.com boom) I actually had a company cover part of one ( $1000 of a $2800 purchase ) but that was an anomaly.   If you're lucky they might cover the hearing exam but considering most places give you that free as part of the purchase process it doesn't do much good.  I've had a couple insurance companies tell me "no we don't cover them, but we offer these great coupons" which were basically a 25\% discount off of something that was marked up 100\% to begin with.
<br> <br>
The most important thing I can tell you is to get a Costco, Sam's Club, or other shopping club membership.   I have a Costco membership and have bought my last two sets of hearing aids there.   They were 1/3 the price that I was charged at regular hearing aid stores.  Costco had audiologists that were just as qualified as the regular stores, and sold the same models/manufacturers as the regular stores.   As an example, my last "hearing aid store" model cost $2800 in 1999.  The three I've bought since then ( the last two a couple of years ago ) cost $890-$1000 each and were far better than the $2800 model.</htmltext>
<tokenext>The first thing I 'll tell you is that fundamentally they 're all pretty much the same .
In general they 're all made with equivalent components and the only real difference is Bells and Whistles .
It 's the only thing the companies can do to differentiate themselves from other manufacturers .
Unless you 've got some special type of loss , a basic simple model will probably work just fine compared to something fancy .
The biggest choice comes down to size and how self-conscious you are about it .
Generally , the smaller they are , the weaker they are and more expensive .
You 're paying for vanity .
You can probably forget about insurance covering it .
Almost no health insurance will cover them .
They 're considered non-essential , " cosmetic " devices .
My company provides very good health insurance and only once over the past 30 years have they ever covered -any- of my hearing aid purchases .
11 years ago ( during the dot.com boom ) I actually had a company cover part of one ( $ 1000 of a $ 2800 purchase ) but that was an anomaly .
If you 're lucky they might cover the hearing exam but considering most places give you that free as part of the purchase process it does n't do much good .
I 've had a couple insurance companies tell me " no we do n't cover them , but we offer these great coupons " which were basically a 25 \ % discount off of something that was marked up 100 \ % to begin with .
The most important thing I can tell you is to get a Costco , Sam 's Club , or other shopping club membership .
I have a Costco membership and have bought my last two sets of hearing aids there .
They were 1/3 the price that I was charged at regular hearing aid stores .
Costco had audiologists that were just as qualified as the regular stores , and sold the same models/manufacturers as the regular stores .
As an example , my last " hearing aid store " model cost $ 2800 in 1999 .
The three I 've bought since then ( the last two a couple of years ago ) cost $ 890- $ 1000 each and were far better than the $ 2800 model .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>The first thing I'll tell you is that fundamentally they're all pretty much the same.
In general they're all made with equivalent components and the only real difference is Bells and Whistles.
It's the only thing the companies can do to differentiate themselves from other manufacturers.
Unless you've got some special type of loss, a basic simple model will probably work just fine compared to something fancy.
The biggest choice comes down to size and how self-conscious you are about it.
Generally, the smaller they are, the weaker they are and more expensive.
You're paying for vanity.
You can probably forget about insurance covering it.
Almost no health insurance will cover them.
They're considered non-essential, "cosmetic" devices.
My company provides very good health insurance and only once over the past 30 years have they ever covered -any- of my hearing aid purchases.
11 years ago (during the dot.com boom) I actually had a company cover part of one ( $1000 of a $2800 purchase ) but that was an anomaly.
If you're lucky they might cover the hearing exam but considering most places give you that free as part of the purchase process it doesn't do much good.
I've had a couple insurance companies tell me "no we don't cover them, but we offer these great coupons" which were basically a 25\% discount off of something that was marked up 100\% to begin with.
The most important thing I can tell you is to get a Costco, Sam's Club, or other shopping club membership.
I have a Costco membership and have bought my last two sets of hearing aids there.
They were 1/3 the price that I was charged at regular hearing aid stores.
Costco had audiologists that were just as qualified as the regular stores, and sold the same models/manufacturers as the regular stores.
As an example, my last "hearing aid store" model cost $2800 in 1999.
The three I've bought since then ( the last two a couple of years ago ) cost $890-$1000 each and were far better than the $2800 model.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470378</id>
	<title>OldEngineer</title>
	<author>richardlvance</author>
	<datestamp>1268510100000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Size Matters</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Size Matters</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Size Matters</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31470184</id>
	<title>hearing aid costs in ontario</title>
	<author>compwizrd</author>
	<datestamp>1268507160000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>I wear a set of Siemens Centra SP's BTE's (http://hearing.siemens.com/uk/04-products/11-centra/02-instruments-features/instruments-features.jsp#bte)<nobr> <wbr></nobr>.. Cost in Canada per ear:</p><p>~2400 for the hearing aid<br>~675 for fitting (mandated by the gov't)<br>~80 for the hearing aid mold<br>~1000 for the extra two years warranty</p><p>Total is about 7k for both ears.. The Ontario gov't pays for $500 per ear, so cost to me was 6000.  It's my understanding the hearing aid cost in Ontario is set at the cost of the device by the govt, and the fitting agency makes the money on the fitting and warranties.</p><p>Ontario gov't will fully pay for a single cochlear implant should I wish to go ahead with it, I've already been approved.. At this point my hearing is still mostly better than a CI would give me (www.compwizrd.com/hearingtest), but should that change I might go ahead with it.</p><p>A decent digital hearing aid is much more than just an equalizer.</p><p>Mine shifts the higher frequencies down into lower frequencies, and leaves the lower ones alone.. I hear better in the lower frequencies, and almost nothing in upper frequencies, so the hearing aid is programmed to work with that.. if i couldn't hear lower frequencies, but could hear higher, then it should shift everything upwards.</p><p>It also amplifies differently according to what the input is.. soft sounds get amplified more, louder very little.. makes it hard to tell exactly how loud something really is, but deals with what i can hear.</p><p>Also has wind noise cancelling, feedback cancel, sharp noise reduction(sharp noises get smoothed out so they don't clash).. dual microphones.. it listens behind and ahead of me, and whatever is behind, is subtracted from what's in front, so that i don't hear background noise.  telecoil link, remote control.. battery that lasts about 3 weeks.</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>I wear a set of Siemens Centra SP 's BTE 's ( http : //hearing.siemens.com/uk/04-products/11-centra/02-instruments-features/instruments-features.jsp # bte ) .. Cost in Canada per ear : ~ 2400 for the hearing aid ~ 675 for fitting ( mandated by the gov't ) ~ 80 for the hearing aid mold ~ 1000 for the extra two years warrantyTotal is about 7k for both ears.. The Ontario gov't pays for $ 500 per ear , so cost to me was 6000 .
It 's my understanding the hearing aid cost in Ontario is set at the cost of the device by the govt , and the fitting agency makes the money on the fitting and warranties.Ontario gov't will fully pay for a single cochlear implant should I wish to go ahead with it , I 've already been approved.. At this point my hearing is still mostly better than a CI would give me ( www.compwizrd.com/hearingtest ) , but should that change I might go ahead with it.A decent digital hearing aid is much more than just an equalizer.Mine shifts the higher frequencies down into lower frequencies , and leaves the lower ones alone.. I hear better in the lower frequencies , and almost nothing in upper frequencies , so the hearing aid is programmed to work with that.. if i could n't hear lower frequencies , but could hear higher , then it should shift everything upwards.It also amplifies differently according to what the input is.. soft sounds get amplified more , louder very little.. makes it hard to tell exactly how loud something really is , but deals with what i can hear.Also has wind noise cancelling , feedback cancel , sharp noise reduction ( sharp noises get smoothed out so they do n't clash ) .. dual microphones.. it listens behind and ahead of me , and whatever is behind , is subtracted from what 's in front , so that i do n't hear background noise .
telecoil link , remote control.. battery that lasts about 3 weeks .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>I wear a set of Siemens Centra SP's BTE's (http://hearing.siemens.com/uk/04-products/11-centra/02-instruments-features/instruments-features.jsp#bte) .. Cost in Canada per ear:~2400 for the hearing aid~675 for fitting (mandated by the gov't)~80 for the hearing aid mold~1000 for the extra two years warrantyTotal is about 7k for both ears.. The Ontario gov't pays for $500 per ear, so cost to me was 6000.
It's my understanding the hearing aid cost in Ontario is set at the cost of the device by the govt, and the fitting agency makes the money on the fitting and warranties.Ontario gov't will fully pay for a single cochlear implant should I wish to go ahead with it, I've already been approved.. At this point my hearing is still mostly better than a CI would give me (www.compwizrd.com/hearingtest), but should that change I might go ahead with it.A decent digital hearing aid is much more than just an equalizer.Mine shifts the higher frequencies down into lower frequencies, and leaves the lower ones alone.. I hear better in the lower frequencies, and almost nothing in upper frequencies, so the hearing aid is programmed to work with that.. if i couldn't hear lower frequencies, but could hear higher, then it should shift everything upwards.It also amplifies differently according to what the input is.. soft sounds get amplified more, louder very little.. makes it hard to tell exactly how loud something really is, but deals with what i can hear.Also has wind noise cancelling, feedback cancel, sharp noise reduction(sharp noises get smoothed out so they don't clash).. dual microphones.. it listens behind and ahead of me, and whatever is behind, is subtracted from what's in front, so that i don't hear background noise.
telecoil link, remote control.. battery that lasts about 3 weeks.</sentencetext>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31481908</id>
	<title>Re:Factors in the hearing aid equation.</title>
	<author>Anonymous</author>
	<datestamp>1268667840000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Informativ</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>Being myself hearing impaired for more than 20 years I support the parent post. I would like to add that hearing aid are expensive also in Europe where I live. There are much more complex than the non digital hearing aid since they do a lot of compression and sound analysis depending of your hearing loss. The software inside the hearing aid is becoming more and more complex and they do have to do this calculation in real time. So it is not just a simple AD. Also as said in the other posts, you pay for the fitting, the yearly visit to the audiologist and many small thing.</p><p>From my point of view it would be better to invest in new hearing aid that will enable you to have a job than trying cheap and inadequate ones.<br>Therefore it is important to have hearing aid that fit you well. I have to point out that not all the high priced hearing aid will fit you well. I am wearing Siemens hearing aid since a long time and I am not able to change to Phonak because it sounds different and I am not able to adapt to them. So make sure you test them and that you are comfortable with them. Not sure how it works in the US but last year i tried 5 different hearing aids before finding the one that fittest me best.</p><p>The option to "not have hearing aid" is a bad one because you have all the chance that you hearing will decrease. It is a bit like the hearing glass, if you don't wear them for a too long time, it is worsen. At least the hearing will help in most case and if they fit you well, to not worsen you hearing.<br>You can try to buy some used hearing aid and get them adapted by an audiologist but note that there will break faster since the hearing aid's lifetime is around 7 years and it is normally advised, at least here in Switzerland, to change them every 5 years.</p><p>I did some research on the past and found that Lions Club can give you an affordable hearing aid. More information on http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/our-programs/disability/lions-ahap/</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>Being myself hearing impaired for more than 20 years I support the parent post .
I would like to add that hearing aid are expensive also in Europe where I live .
There are much more complex than the non digital hearing aid since they do a lot of compression and sound analysis depending of your hearing loss .
The software inside the hearing aid is becoming more and more complex and they do have to do this calculation in real time .
So it is not just a simple AD .
Also as said in the other posts , you pay for the fitting , the yearly visit to the audiologist and many small thing.From my point of view it would be better to invest in new hearing aid that will enable you to have a job than trying cheap and inadequate ones.Therefore it is important to have hearing aid that fit you well .
I have to point out that not all the high priced hearing aid will fit you well .
I am wearing Siemens hearing aid since a long time and I am not able to change to Phonak because it sounds different and I am not able to adapt to them .
So make sure you test them and that you are comfortable with them .
Not sure how it works in the US but last year i tried 5 different hearing aids before finding the one that fittest me best.The option to " not have hearing aid " is a bad one because you have all the chance that you hearing will decrease .
It is a bit like the hearing glass , if you do n't wear them for a too long time , it is worsen .
At least the hearing will help in most case and if they fit you well , to not worsen you hearing.You can try to buy some used hearing aid and get them adapted by an audiologist but note that there will break faster since the hearing aid 's lifetime is around 7 years and it is normally advised , at least here in Switzerland , to change them every 5 years.I did some research on the past and found that Lions Club can give you an affordable hearing aid .
More information on http : //www.lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/our-programs/disability/lions-ahap/</tokentext>
<sentencetext>Being myself hearing impaired for more than 20 years I support the parent post.
I would like to add that hearing aid are expensive also in Europe where I live.
There are much more complex than the non digital hearing aid since they do a lot of compression and sound analysis depending of your hearing loss.
The software inside the hearing aid is becoming more and more complex and they do have to do this calculation in real time.
So it is not just a simple AD.
Also as said in the other posts, you pay for the fitting, the yearly visit to the audiologist and many small thing.From my point of view it would be better to invest in new hearing aid that will enable you to have a job than trying cheap and inadequate ones.Therefore it is important to have hearing aid that fit you well.
I have to point out that not all the high priced hearing aid will fit you well.
I am wearing Siemens hearing aid since a long time and I am not able to change to Phonak because it sounds different and I am not able to adapt to them.
So make sure you test them and that you are comfortable with them.
Not sure how it works in the US but last year i tried 5 different hearing aids before finding the one that fittest me best.The option to "not have hearing aid" is a bad one because you have all the chance that you hearing will decrease.
It is a bit like the hearing glass, if you don't wear them for a too long time, it is worsen.
At least the hearing will help in most case and if they fit you well, to not worsen you hearing.You can try to buy some used hearing aid and get them adapted by an audiologist but note that there will break faster since the hearing aid's lifetime is around 7 years and it is normally advised, at least here in Switzerland, to change them every 5 years.I did some research on the past and found that Lions Club can give you an affordable hearing aid.
More information on http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation/our-programs/disability/lions-ahap/</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31467216</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31466270</id>
	<title>finally a use..</title>
	<author>slashmojo</author>
	<datestamp>1268472000000</datestamp>
	<modclass>Funny</modclass>
	<modscore>2</modscore>
	<htmltext><p>for the ipad!<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;)</p></htmltext>
<tokenext>for the ipad !
; )</tokentext>
<sentencetext>for the ipad!
;)</sentencetext>
	<parent>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31465842</parent>
</comment>
<comment>
	<id>http://www.semanticweb.org/ontologies/ConversationInstances.owl#comment10_03_13_1916203.31468098</id>
	<title>windy</title>
	<author>JackSpratts</author>
	<datestamp>1268485680000</datestamp>
	<modclass>None</modclass>
	<modscore>1</modscore>
	<htmltext>windy isn't it?

<i>nope. thursday</i>

me too. let's get a drink.</htmltext>
<tokenext>windy is n't it ?
nope. thursday me too .
let 's get a drink .</tokentext>
<sentencetext>windy isn't it?
nope. thursday

me too.
let's get a drink.</sentencetext>
</comment>
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