Hearing aids are one of the most expensive pieces of equipment that people buy, which is why you want to make sure that they are well taken care of. When you purchase a hearing aid from an audiologist, they will offer you a warranty on your device. However, many people don’t understand what their warranty covers or how it works.
A hearing aid warranty is a contract between the user and their hearing aids company that protects them should anything go wrong with their device. Most warranties don’t cover damage caused by misuse, abuse or neglect of your hearing instruments. Still, many do protect against everyday wear and tear.
Some companies will offer free repairs while others charge only for the cost of parts. This can vary depending on what type of product you buy too. Some manufacturers give better service to owners than others, so it may pay off to shop around before committing to one brand over another.
What Are The Different Warranties Available?
Hearing aid warranty coverage is very important. It provides you with protection from defective hearing aids, and it also protects your investment in the product. Some people think that if their hearing instrument needs repair, they will have to pay for any service required on a per-visit basis since there isn’t a written contract between them and the manufacturer or provider. This is not the case with a hearing aid warranty.
Hearing aid manufacturers offer various warranty plans for their products, depending on the model. Some of these include:
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Covers all parts except batteries and earmold fittings. This is a standard or basic cover offered by most companies. It protects you from any defects in materials or workmanship. This warranty does not cover the cost of repairs due to accident, misuse or abuse.
Basic And Limited Warranty
Covers all parts except batteries. It also excludes damage resulting from normal wear and tear, such as scratched casing, dents or cosmetic damages that do not affect performance. However, this warranty does not cover the cost of repairs due to accident, misuse or abuse.
Complete Warranty
Covers all parts and labor during normal wear and tear, including scratched casing, dents, cosmetic damages that do not affect performance, as well as damage resulting from accidents. This warranty does not cover the cost of repairs due to water damage or intentional destruction, such as being set on fire.
Manufacturer Warranties
When you purchase a new device from an audiologist, they will give you a manufacturer’s warranty for your product. Manufacturers have to offer their products with some type of warranty in order to ensure that they keep selling their products. So, it’s important to know if your device has a warranty and what you can expect from it. There are three different types of manufacturer warranties:
- The first is a 12-month limited warranty which covers any parts or repairs for one year after purchase.
- The second option is a two-year extended warranty which covers any parts or repairs for two years after purchase.
- The final type of warranty that is available to purchase with your device is the manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty. This means that if any parts or repairs are needed on your new hearing aid, then they will be free for as long as it has been less than five years old. This is an excellent warranty option for those who are worried about the cost of hearing aid repairs and don’t mind taking care of their device to keep it in good shape so that they will never have to pay for a repair.
Third-Party Warranties
The next type of warranty can be purchased from third parties, such as an insurance company or an alternative organization. This type of warranty is only offered on hearing aids that are less than five years old. Still, if you purchase this warranty, then you will receive unlimited replacements for your device.
Think very carefully about taking cover from a manufacturer that offers a lifetime warranty. Because there are usually significant loopholes to prevent it from applying. As a rule of thumb, the best warranties last for five years and cover repairs or replacement of your hearing aid if any issues arise due to manufacturing defects.
It is crucial to understand how much your warranty protects you and provides peace of mind, which goes a long way when it comes time for replacement or repair. The number one piece of advice is to read the fine print. When in doubt, you can learn more by calling Kampsen Hearing at (813) 369-5692.