To save hundreds of dollars, hearing-impaired Quebecers are traveling to Ontario to get lower-cost hearing aids, finds The Press.
In 2019, Claudia and Gilbert Rock took steps to obtain hearing aids from Quebec audioprosthetists. To get high-end devices that they liked, the couple had to shell out between $4,000 and $5,000. A sum that the two Laval residents considered too high, knowing that the prostheses must be changed every six years.
While visiting friends in Ottawa a few weeks later, Claudia Rock was quite surprised to find that she could get equivalent hearing aids at Costco stores in Ontario for half the price. “I was really shocked to see the difference,” exclaims M.me Rock.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Claudia and Gilbert Rock
In Quebec, only audioprosthetists have the right to sell, fit, adjust or replace hearing aids. However, this is not the case in Ontario, which allows stores like Costco to offer devices at a lower cost.
Costco audiologists offered the couple a free French or English hearing test. In Quebec, each had paid $89 for an equivalent examination with an audiologist.
Without hesitation, Gilbert Rock was then equipped with prostheses. Claudia Rock, who had only mild hearing loss, waited until the end of 2021 before getting hers.
Move to save
The two retirees are not the only ones to travel to obtain their prostheses. About 7% of hearing-impaired people who buy a hearing aid do so outside of Quebec, according to a study by the Ordre des audioprothésistes du Québec released in August.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
In the past year, Claudia Rock has seen her Costco audiologist three times.
Last year, Claudia Rock finally fitted herself with high-end “smart” prostheses from Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand at a cost of $1,800 for both devices.
Thirteen months later, she says she is still satisfied with her purchase. “With my devices that are connected by Bluetooth to my smart cell phone, I can listen directly in the ears, without disturbing anyone, to music, Netflix shows, and answer the phone without holding the device in my hands”, details she.
In the past year, she has seen her Costco audiologist three times. “Each time, the service has been impeccable and free of charge,” she says, noting that the store also offers free cleaning once a year. “The only downside is having to travel to Ottawa for hearing tests and device maintenance,” she admits.
“High standards of practice”
Called to react, the Ordre des audioprothésistes du Québec maintains that there are several advantages to obtaining hearing aids in the province, in particular thanks to “the high standards of practice” in Quebec.
“Quebec hearing aid professionals cannot be hired by Costco or any other major chain. The purpose of the law is to prevent the appearance of any possible conflict of interest”, explains to The Press the president of the Order of Audioprosthetists of Quebec, David Gélinas.
In Quebec, “all audioprosthetists have access to all brands of prostheses, so there is no brand exclusivity towards an audioprosthetist,” adds Mr. Gélinas.
The latter also believes that access to professionals should be taken into account before venturing into another province. “Hearing aids require close monitoring. If we have a little problem with our device and we know that we have two blocks to go to go and fix it, there is a good chance that we will continue to wear this device, rather than knowing that ‘we have to drive two hours to see a professional in another province,” he says.
He also recalls that an audioprosthetist “will always work with the patient’s budget” and invites the patient to make his budget known to his professional. “It’s important to be transparent with us and we’ll do our best within the patient’s budget. »
RAMQ coverage
The Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) pays for two hearing aids, one per ear, to children under 12 whose hearing loss may compromise the development of speech and language, to young people aged 12 to 18 and students 19 years of age or over with one ear impaired by at least 25 decibels and workers whose better ear is impaired by at least 35 decibels. Retirees are only covered for one prosthesis. Moreover, the RAMQ only covers basic appliances. If a patient wishes to obtain more efficient devices, he must obtain them without government assistance.