Hear me now: Songbird disposable hearing aid hits market

The Flexfit costs $79 and offers 400 hours of usage.

(Credit: Songbird Hearing)

With all of us destroying our ears listening to our iPods--and other portable music devices--chances are we're all going to need hearing aids someday. Well, there's some good news for those of you looking ahead to your golden years: Songbird Hearing, Inc. has officially released its new inexpensive disposable hearing aid, the Songbird Flexfit.

According to the company's press release, "Traditional hearing aids can cost as much as $6,000 and involve professional office visits and fittings to be effective." The key development here is that Songbird is selling the Flexfit for $79 and it lasts 2 to 6 months (400 hours) before you have to exchange it for a new one. Songbird Hearing also says that the Flexfit can "be easily adjusted to fit almost anyone without the need for a hearing exam." In other words, you can order it right over the Internet or by phone without having your hearing tested by a professional (I'm not sure whether that's good or bad).

The release also notes:

Research indicates that people will use the aid for situational use, such as during business meetings, while watching television, at family gatherings, or participating in worship services. When used this way, Songbird will last for two to six months, and then can be simply replaced with a brand new unit, eliminating the need for the professional maintenance traditional hearing aids often require.

Anybody worried they're going to need one of these soon? Are iPods destroying our hearing as computer screens are destroying everyone's eyes--or at least bloggers' eyes?

[Jonathan]

sweet. something new to throw into the landfill with those AOL disks, and the short stint of disposable Divx disks.

[aiduser]

Two to six months for "situational use", huh? So, it might last for, oh, say, maybe a month with continued, daily use...and that makes them cheaper how? Then, you're still paying nearly $1000 yearly for this aid and current (expensive) hearing aids last for years. I probably won't be trying this one anytime soon. I guess for the person who is in denial and won't get a regular hearing aid, this might be something to look into...kinda like reading glasses you can get at any drug discount store.

[DrSayWhat]

As an audiologist I can tell you that typical hearing aids, whether they are the $600 economy aid or the $6000 fancy aid, will last for about 5 years. Why would you self treat a hearing loss? There is a reason that people go through eight years of school to do that! Lots of offices will have a hearing aid consultation for free (assuming you go to a regular office and not someplace like Avada or Miracle Ear) without the pressure to buy a hearing aid. If you have a good doctor, they will let you make the choice to persue amplification when you are ready. I am pretty sure that Songbird tried this a few years back also and it flopped big time.

[pjharristx]

The reason people would "self treat a hearing loss" is because we cannot afford the hearing aids. Sure, the exams can be free, or at least low cost with insurance, but the device is way out of our league.

[webster32]

The reason Songbird "flopped" in the past as you say was because of audiologists boycotting it. Since you can't make as much profit off a $40 device as you can a $600 or $6000 product, greed overtook the true medical revolution. It's a real shame, since it was half the cost back then and a lot more innovative with the in-ear design.

We both know the only reason those consultations are free is because of how lucrative selling the product is -- it's more of a sales pitch than anything else. That being said, the audiologist training is important for calibrating the devices, but the market shouldn't be decided by those selling the product, it should be determined by the patient's needs.

[Crow9]

This thing specifies it's for mild to moderate hearing loss, not for constant use for moderate to severe hearing impairment. I've been slowly losing my hearing for a while, very slowly but I just say
"what" a lot more. I've seen an audiologist who confirms this. So far I only have trouble in meetings and with 20-somethings who talk really fast and quietly without much enunciation. This could be a good solution while I'm saving up my money for a more permanent, personally customized rig when I say "what" more than half the time (lol). Don't diss this thing unless you've tried it as it's been intended to be used and found that it doesn't live up to its claims. I'm seriously thinking of getting one. When it comes time to dispose of it, I'll bring it to a Universal Hazardous Waste disposal site (I assume there IS a battery in there that should be disposed of properly).