Beltone Hearing Aids
Prices, reviews, models and more
Published October 18, 2019
Updated June 29, 2023
The Beltone name is as close to a household name in the hearing aid industry as any brand is.
With over 1500 locations in the United States, Beltone is one of the industry’s undisputed leaders in name recognition.
But are Beltone hearing aids any good?
How about their prices?
Are their customers happy?
In this post we’ll touch on the above topics and more, and give you some things to think about before buying hearing aids from Beltone.
History of Beltone
Beltone’s story dates back to the 1930s, when founders Sam and Faye Posen were unsatisfied with the hearing aid technology at the time and wanted to create a better solution for a friend with hearing loss.
Their goal- develop a personalized and miniaturized hearing aid so their friend could hear the music of life come through “as clear as the tone of a bell”- hence the name Beltone.
In 1940, Beltone opened their first location in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Chicago-land based Beltone saw tremendous growth in the decades that followed, and today remains one of the industry’s most recognizable names, with products sold in over 40 countries.
Who makes Beltone hearing aids?
Beltone is owned by the Denmark-based GN Group. The GN Group is a global leader in audio solutions, and is most well-known for the hearing aid brand ReSound. Beltone hearing aids are made by ReSound.
To oversimplify Beltone’s business- perhaps the easiest way to understand Beltone is as a network of hearing aid stores (franchises), which sell ReSound hearing aids under the Beltone brand.
Are Beltone hearing aids good?
Yes.
A Beltone hearing aid is a private labeled ReSound hearing aid, and ReSound has an excellent worldwide reputation as a leader in hearing aid technology.
Most recently, ReSound has led the industry in Bluetooth hearing aid solutions.
Beltone and ReSound hearing aids are essentially the same products with different names.
Both hearing aid brands share the same physical housing, but sometimes there are slight differences between the hearing aid features and fitting-algorithms.
The relationship between Beltone and ReSound is similar to that of Miracle Ear (another nationwide chain of stores), and Signia (another leading manufacturer).
Most popular Beltone hearing aid model
As of August 2022, Beltone’s most popular hearing aid is the Beltone Imagine.
The Beltone Imagine is a receiver-in-canal (RIC) style hearing aid, that can be powered by either a rechargeable battery, or a size 13 or 312 disposable battery.
In the ReSound lineup, The Beltone Imagine is most similar to the ReSound One.
Both the Beltone Imagine and ReSound One are state of the art hearing aids that are suitable for a wide range of hearing losses.
Perhaps the most notable feature of the Beltone Imagine, is it’s innovative new receiver.
The receiver is the part of the hearing aid that goes into your ear canal, where the sound comes out.
You can also think of this as a "speaker."
With traditional hearing aids, there are (2) microphones (that capture sound), on the back of the hearing aid, and they then direct the sound down into the ear canal, via the receiver.
What's new about this receiver, is for the first time ever in the hearing aid industry, the speaker itself also has an (optional), microphone, which means there are a total of (3) microphones on the Beltone Imagine.
The primary benefit of adding this third microphone, is helping wearers localize the direction from which sound is coming.
To learn more about this new receiver, which Beltone calls "M&RIE" (microphone & receiver-in-ear), check out the video below.
Beltone hearing aid prices
Many Beltone locations are independently owned and operated by a franchisee, and pricing is not the same at each location.
Hearing aids from Beltone cost the same as other hearing aids on the market, which are priced based on technology level of the hearing aid.
As an average, you can expect Beltone prices to be as follows:
*Prices are per hearing aid, with local care included
| Technology Level | Price Estimate |
|---|---|
| Premium | $3500 |
| Advanced | $2800 |
| Mid | $2100 |
| Entry | $1500 |
As a reminder, Beltone hearing aid prices may vary from one location to the next, so prices you are quoted may be different than shown above.
Pros and cons of Beltone hearing aids
No retailer is perfect, and consumers are wise to research the pros and cons of buying Beltone hearing aids prior to buying.
Pros
- Lifetime service: Beltone offers free aftercare for their life of their hearing aids, at any of their over 1500 locations.
- Good technology: Because Beltone is owned by one of the most respected hearing aid manufacturers, you can rest assured that their technology is state of the art.
Cons
- Locked hearing aids: A “locked” hearing aid is a hearing aid that can only be programmed/adjusted by one clinic, in this case, a Beltone clinic. This limits your options if you are not happy with your local service provider and wish to be serviced elsewhere, as usually there is only one Beltone location in each community.
- You may pay extra for the brand name: Because Beltone franchisees are given exclusive access to their communities, and Beltone locations are usually located a good distance from each other, there is little-to-no pricing competition for a Beltone model between various locations.
- Limited selection (sometimes): Most Beltone hearing aid centers offer Beltone products exclusively, with no alternative brands available. This limited selection can be a bad thing when a customer has particular needs that can’t be met by a Beltone hearing aid.
Beltone hearing aid reviews
We know Beltone hearing aids are good.
What is up for debate, as is the case with any retailer, is how good each particular Beltone location is.
If you’re interested in buying Beltone hearing aids, the best thing you can do is search for reviews of your local Beltone hearing aid center.
Consumer Affairs rates Beltone a 4/5, as of October 2020, praising their wide selection, but noting that prices aren’t available online.
Retirement Living rates Beltone at 4.75/5 as of May 2020, highlighting Beltone’s lifetime service, but noting the potential for high costs.
Find a Beltone hearing aid center
Whether for sales or service, to find a Beltone hearing aid center near you, use this tool.
Before you buy a Beltone hearing aid, we recommend seeing how many Beltone hearing aid locations are near you, so in the event one store closes, you can receive service from another.
The potential for a store’s closure and subsequent lack of local service is a valid concern, so we recommend doing homework before making your purchase.
Conclusion
All in all, we think Beltone is a great option for many consumers and love their offering of lifetime service at any office, however, this may come at a high retail price.
Our best recommendation is to check the reviews for Beltone hearing aids in your community, and if intrigued, schedule a consultation with a hearing care professional so you can carefully weigh the price and quality of care at your local Beltone before making any decisions.
A question for you
Have you bought hearing aids from Beltone?
We’d love to hear how your experience has been with their hearing aids and your service provider, so please leave a comment!
Dayton Eisel
I bought the Beltone “Legend” hearing aids just before the newer model was available. At the time I purchased, I was told I had the very best aids money could buy. I spent about $6000 on the 2 hearing aids, which included a lifetime warranty and repair guarantee. Thought the cost was high but was OK since I had lifetime coverage. Within 8 months, Beltone asked me to be a “volunteer reviewer” for its newer line. I tried them, liked them and was interested in the upgrade. The quoted me a price of $9000 including trade-in of my Legends. Didn’t upgrade. I have visited Beltone dealers 3 times in the past 3 years for basic upkeep, included in the lifetime warranty. When my left aid died last week, visited the Winston-Salem dealer and was told I do not have a lifetime guarantee, and repair to the speaker would be $125. Forget it! I’m buying new aids at a much lower cost and will never do business with overpriced, overhyped Beltone – who actually shims for its parent company and dealers are all franchisees who sell out-of-date products at ridiculous pricing! Shop around!!!
I bought the Beltone “Legend” hearing aids just before the newer model was available. At the time I purchased, I was told I had the very best aids money could buy. I spent about $6000 on the 2 hearing aids, which included a lifetime warranty and repair guarantee. Thought the cost was high but was OK since I had lifetime coverage. Within 8 months, Beltone asked me to be a “volunteer reviewer” for its newer line. I tried them, liked them and was interested in the upgrade. The quoted me a price of $9000 including trade-in of my Legends. Didn’t upgrade. I have visited Beltone dealers 3 times in the past 3 years for basic upkeep, included in the lifetime warranty. When my left aid died last week, visited the Winston-Salem dealer and was told I do not have a lifetime guarantee, and repair to the speaker would be $125. Forget it! I’m buying new aids at a much lower cost and will never do business with overpriced, overhyped Beltone – who actually shims for its parent company and dealers are all franchisees who sell out-of-date products at ridiculous pricing! Shop around!!!
john nevo
what is the list price of a beltone ally 3 hearing aid
what is the list price of a beltone ally 3 hearing aid
diane chlipala
My mother purchased a set of Beltone Hearing Aids in Michigan. She lives in Wyoming and was assured she would have quality care in Wyoming when she returned home. It took 5 weeks for anyone to help my mother as she lives in a rural area and the only audiologist covers a 250 mile radius. Needless to say, her 30 day trial expired, she cannot hear out her left ear and was told there is nothing they can do since she has passed her 30 day trial. She spent $6,000 and is very unhappy with the product. What is our recourse? She is 88 years old and living on a fixed income. She does not want these hearing aids and the Southgate, Michigan store will not take them back. We are not talklng $500, we are talking $6,000. So disappointing.
My mother purchased a set of Beltone Hearing Aids in Michigan. She lives in Wyoming and was assured she would have quality care in Wyoming when she returned home. It took 5 weeks for anyone to help my mother as she lives in a rural area and the only audiologist covers a 250 mile radius. Needless to say, her 30 day trial expired, she cannot hear out her left ear and was told there is nothing they can do since she has passed her 30 day trial. She spent $6,000 and is very unhappy with the product. What is our recourse? She is 88 years old and living on a fixed income. She does not want these hearing aids and the Southgate, Michigan store will not take them back. We are not talklng $500, we are talking $6,000. So disappointing.
Joan Kratkin
A Beltone dealer in my area offered me a pair of refurbished over the ear small aids for $750 each with a one year guarantee.
Since price is an issue might this be a good way to go?
What’s the difference between that and all the on-line ones offered?
A Beltone dealer in my area offered me a pair of refurbished over the ear small aids for $750 each with a one year guarantee.
Since price is an issue might this be a good way to go?
What’s the difference between that and all the on-line ones offered?
Jeff Hall
Hi Joan, that’s not a bad deal at all. Though, you might want to check what the model is. It could be that for just a few hundred dollars more you’re able to get brand new aids with newer technology. Might be worth digging a little more on this one. Good luck!
Hi Joan, that’s not a bad deal at all. Though, you might want to check what the model is. It could be that for just a few hundred dollars more you’re able to get brand new aids with newer technology. Might be worth digging a little more on this one. Good luck!
Kathy Lamere
I am hard of hearing I only have one ear to hearing aid I have is bad and I need the better ones but it is a financing and the money that concerns me I really like the phonak because and I mean my sister and my niece had them and I would like to see what their pricing is if it’s not too bad because like I said it concerning in the money but I really need to get new ones
I am hard of hearing I only have one ear to hearing aid I have is bad and I need the better ones but it is a financing and the money that concerns me I really like the phonak because and I mean my sister and my niece had them and I would like to see what their pricing is if it’s not too bad because like I said it concerning in the money but I really need to get new ones
Paul Pierce
I purchased a pair of Beltone aids and lost one and purchased a replacement It became outrages the cost to maintain them I eventually put them aside when one quit and was told it would be another $250.00 to repair I figured I spent close to $9k over a 4 year period .And then just read that Beltone dosent charge for the up keep because of the $5/7 k up front cost ? Am I missing something?
I purchased a pair of Beltone aids and lost one and purchased a replacement It became outrages the cost to maintain them I eventually put them aside when one quit and was told it would be another $250.00 to repair I figured I spent close to $9k over a 4 year period .And then just read that Beltone dosent charge for the up keep because of the $5/7 k up front cost ? Am I missing something?
Arthur Hodgson
I have had different types of beltone hearing aid the last two were fitted. They still persist on coming out of my ears. These are premium models at around 6 thousand dollars a pair. Thxs Art
I have had different types of beltone hearing aid the last two were fitted. They still persist on coming out of my ears. These are premium models at around 6 thousand dollars a pair. Thxs Art
mike
they must be the most amazing hearing aids ever made. My father-in-law, who never lived with us, gets mailings from them at least 4 times a year telling him how much better his hearing will be. He has been dead for 8 years. Time for them to buy a new mailing list.
they must be the most amazing hearing aids ever made. My father-in-law, who never lived with us, gets mailings from them at least 4 times a year telling him how much better his hearing will be. He has been dead for 8 years. Time for them to buy a new mailing list.