Anyone else feeling stickershock

[pscot]

as you contemplate the cost of a new hearing aid? I'm new to this. My hearing loss has only become an issue in the last year or so. But it seems to me that we don't really have a free market in hearing aids and accessories, and the prices reflect`that fact. In addition, there are gate-keepers who limit access to products, and control the free flow of information. Jargon abounds. Clear, useful information that might enable comparison shopping is hard to get. Regulations ostensibly designed to protect a vulnerable little old lady from predatory sales practices, seem coincidentally to line the pockets of "expert" middle men who may or may not add value to the process.

As noted above, I'm relatively new to this,so maybe I'm all wet. Please share your experiences and insights. I think this system is ripe for change.