Complaint Review: Audien Hearing

On September 15, 2020 I bought hearing aids from Audien Hearing online. On their site there is a heart felt story of Audien Hearing CEO, Katherine Reid, concerned over her mother's need for hearing aids and how she got busy to come up with a more affordable hearing aid. The advertisement said they used similar technology to $5,000 hearing aids. They said their aids were practically invisible. The ad touted they were rated the most comfortable hearing aid in 2019. 

The ad went on to say they were the best for Tinnitus management. The ad shows one aid next to a dime to prove how small it is.  In the accompanying photo I've provided, you can see the aid is much bigger than a penney, as I didn't have a dime. Even though I knew they would not be quite as good as the big makers, but I thought they would at least improve my hearing. Upon receiving my new hearing aids I read the entire manual before charging or inserting my aids.  After charging was completed I inserted my aids and slowly turned up the volume until they started squealing loudly in my ears. The manual said to turn the volume down and take your hands off of them and the squealing noise should stop. I finally got them adjusted so that there was no squealing after removing my hands but there was no sound amplification that I could discern.

I read their return/refund polcy and they would refund your money only if the box was never opened and the clear plastic covering the box was still intact and not torn.  If the box was opened there would be a $29.00 fee plus a $7.00 postage fee.  I sent an email to the customer support and they told me I could request a 50% refund and still keep my hearing aids. I figured up the charges both ways and they were about the same, except by accepting the 50% refund offer, I would not have to drive to the post office. I was refunded about $37.82. Before writing this rip off report I searched for similar complaints and found many almost identical to mine.

I was convinced that I didn't have defective aids and that all of them were plain junk and this company was running a huge scam. They are providing people with an inferior product that would not clear any federal agency and they have not been compared to any other hearing aids or to a board of group of people or agencies voting on them for anything. They then cook up these ridiculous return fees if the box is opened, and offer a 50% refund and you get to keep their junk.