Hearing Aids Cost $4,600. A $99 Pair Just Cracked the Lock.

Cost $4,600 (And Why a $99 Got Cracked 5 Companies Control Hearing Aids. A $99 Pair A pair of prescription hearing aids can cost up to $4,600. Another pair, sold online right now, costs $99. Both are legally sold as hearing aids. In this video, we break down how five companies Sonova, Demant, WS Audiology, GN, and Starkey came to control roughly 90% of the global hearing aid market, why the "bundle" of device + clinic + insurance kept prices high for decades, and how a 2022 FDA rule on over-the-counter hearing aids cracked the system open. We also look at Apple's $249 AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid feature, budget brands like Audien, and Chinese OEM factories that build many of these devices along with the honest limitations of the cheapest options. This is not medical advice. If you have moderate to severe hearing loss, consult a licensed audiologist. 👍 If this video changed how you think about hearing aids, hit like and subscribe for more videos on hidden monopolies and the people breaking them apart. *Sources referenced:* FDA, NIDCD, American Economic Liberties Project, The Capitol Forum, HearingTracker, Hearing Industries Association, Apple Newsroom #HearingAids #HiddenMonopoly #ConsumerTech Tags hearing aids, hearing aid cost, cheap hearing aids, OTC hearing aids, over the counter hearing aids, hearing aid monopoly, Sonova, Phonak, Demant, Oticon, WS Audiology, GN ReSound, Starkey, Audien hearing aids, AirPods Pro hearing aid, Apple hearing aid feature, FDA hearing aid rule, hearing loss, affordable hearing aids, hidden monopolies, consumer rights, made in China, medical device pricing, healthcare costs, price gouging, business documentary, explained videos