I purchased the EV3 on 5/20. It stopped charging after 3 weeks, so I asked for a replacement. They told me I had to pay for return shipping even though I was within the 30-day return window and the product was defective. Lots of drama and lost trust later, I requested a refund. They ignored my request and instead sent me another pair a few days ago (7/7). Since I don't have confidence in them anymore, I don't want another pair. I've requested a refund 3x at this point, and they keep ignoring my request. I wanted to love this company, but their product is defective and their service is horrific. If I had checked with the BBB first, I would have seen that they have an F rating and have had 137 complaints in the last year. Shame on me for not doing my homework first.
Response from Audien HearingJul 8, 2021
Marg,
Our refund policy is stated here: https://audienhearing.com/policies/refund-policy
Please send us your information so I can review your order. If there was an attempt to return the hearing aids within our 30 day window, we email you a shipping label at no cost and provide full refunds.
I would like to verify your statements as soon as possible!
Sean Pitt
WJ
W. J. M.
They work! Support is lacking though.
Update: July 18, 2021
I gave this company a rave review after the second or third day I had the EV1 aids. But since then I have experienced their support and then suspicious pressure to upgrade to their EV3 aids.
So far, to be fair, the EV1 aids seem to be working as advertised. I sometimes hear constant hissing coming from one or both of the aids and have asked Audien support about it, but they're hung up on giving me advise about feedback and squealing, even though I assure them I know the difference between squealing and hissing.
Then, I got an email from from a Sophie offering an upgrade to the EV3 and I actually started to take the offer, but the EV1 aids both failed while I was online filling out the order form. And I had them on for only three or four hours after charging them all night. When that happened I left the order from incomplete and shut down my computer.
Sophie sent me another email the next day asking what went wrong. I replied explaining the problem and expecting a support-like answer. But Sophie just sent another offer for the EV3 aids without addressing the EV1 failures at all and adding that I had to hurry because the offer was only good for 24 hours and the EV3s were almost sold out.
That kind of sales pressure to me is highly suspicious and coupled with the lack of support to the real issues makes the product questionable over the long term.
My original review follows.
I'm 80 with 8 years military service, 22 years law enforcement, 12 years auto mechanic, and 22 years driving a school bus. Every occupation affected my hearing to the point my high frequency hearing was "gone". I had trouble discerning certain consonants, especially from women and children. The only reason I kept managing to pass the occupational hearing test to keep my license for driving the school bus was that the examining doc always whispered "22" for my left ear, and "44" for my right ear. I knew a hearing would help, but I refused to spend around $4000 for something that can be produced for around $100. I once bought a pair of external hearing aids from bass Pro for $39 and they worked. But I didn't care for the bulk behind my ears and I had trouble keeping the tubes in my ears. So they sat in my desk drawer. The consequence was that I think I was only getting about a third of what people were saying when they talked to me. My wife has been telling me for years that I needed a hearing aid.
But then the Audien ad kept popping up on my Facebook feed. At first I ignored it as just another scam. But one day I took the time to check it out online and found that it appeared legitimate.
I took the chance and ordered a pair. I checked out their YouTube videos ahead of time so I was able to try them as soon as they had fully charged. Long story shortened: They work. I can hear the rain fall outside. I can hear my flip flops as I walk down my hallway. I can hear it when I wrinkle a paper towel. I can turn the TV volume way down. And I found that all with the volume of both aids turned pretty close to the lower end.
I had to come back to add a little something and drop my five star rating to four stars. About the third day I
used the aids, I noticed an obvious hissing coming from both aids. I didn't see anything about hissing in any of Audien's videos or FAQs, so I sent them an email asking about it. Apparently all the support personnel think hissing is synonymous with feedback because that's all they kept giving me remedies for. And that was after I stressed that I knew the difference between hissing and feedback. The hissing is quiet hissing so I can live with it and the benefits outweigh their refusal to recognize the problem.
TL
Tom L.
This company should receive a 5* Plus…
This company should receive a 5* Plus for customer service. I had trouble with my EV-3 hearing aids. I called the company to complain as I only had them for 5 months. They replaced them FREE of charge and even paid the postage.
SM
Sandra M.
Not worth the money
I bought a pair about 3 months ago and the buds that go in ear were too big are too small and kept falling out of ear. I lost one the first week. The second one only lasted about 6 weeks. I called but couldn't get any help. Going to buy another pair from different company. I fell to read Audien reviews before I purchased so it's my fault in a way.
Response from Audien HearingJun 4, 2021
Sandra,
Our support team did not receive any calls as per our system logs! We apologize that you could not find a proper fit. I can see you contacted us a month ago by email because you had lost one of your devices. Our support reps let you know that, unfortunately, loss is only covered under our unlimited protection plan (which you do not have). We cannot make exceptions in the case of lost hearing aids as we would have to cover anyone that misplaces their hearing aid.
Sean Pitt
EM
Eddie Marla S.
Product ordered but never received
Product ordered but never received. Tracking displayed package received at Arizona UP, pending acceptance. 3 contacts with customer service led to cancellation and refund, which was done promptly. Would have liked to try, but cs couldn't offer 2 day delivery, which I believe would have ensured delivery.
Response from Audien HearingJun 4, 2021
Eddie,
Unfortunately, USPS lost your package. After sending to the facility, the package was never scanned as accepted. This has been more common in the past year for all businesses. We did refund your order in full, and you can always place a reorder through our website. We do not offer 2 day delivery and ship by priority mail with USPS.
As our policies and what we offer is clear, along with the fact we refunded your order immediately, I ask you revise this review as it is not reflective of a poor product or service.
Sean Pitt
TI
Timothy
They’re the worse piece of junk
They’re the worse piece of junk. Their customer service is sending you a video of how to adjust. I’ve followed their instructions to a T and still get a high pitch sound in both ears and no quality hearing. Don’t waste your money
Response from Audien HearingJun 4, 2021
Timothy,
It sounds like you have a defective pair! If you experience feedback after troubleshooting your hearing aids, it’s very likely they are not functioning properly. As per our policy, we offer a replacement at no cost. There is not enough information in this review for me to find your account. Please request a replacement by emailing [email protected], or respond to my request for additional information!
Sean Pitt
AC
Anthony C.
Scam company
Scam company. Hearing aids are rubbish. Do not buy from this company here in UK. On top of cost price its £70 customs charge!! They say nothing about that? Plus if problem they want both sets sent back at your cost (weeks of back n forth with customs charge) in end at least! 30% more. Stick with UK. Dodgy and scam company. Be very aware?.
Response from Audien HearingMay 17, 2021
Anthony,
Since you have posted many reviews with the same information I will respond with the same message:
After personally reviewing your order I can see we refunded 50% of your order after you contacted us. Unfortunately, we cannot give full refunds if we do not receive a return of your devices. With international orders, customers may be charged customs fees depending on their location. As this is regional and charged by customs departments, we cannot do anything about this charge.
Sean Pitt
RS
Rita Sue D.
I ordered these for my Mom.....didnt…
I ordered these for my Mom.....didnt help. I've tried twice.....one email one phone call......trying to get my money back to no avail. They will ignore you and you will NOT get your refund! Will report to the BBB but doubt that will help.
Response from Audien HearingMay 4, 2021
Rita,
I can see you reached out to us through our online contact form on April 13. I apologize that you have not been helped! It seems our representative received another message and our system hid yours. For this, I am greatly sorry.
Our policy is written here: https://audienhearing.com/policies/refund-policy
I can see from your order that you are well within the grace period we provide (30 days + 20 day extension). We have now emailed you a return label to ship your hearing aids back so we may process a refund. Please respond to this email so we know you have received it and we can expect your return.
Sean Pitt
Head of Customer Outreach