John Ryan and Dave Gleeson, two Kildare-based businessmen, were shocked at the cost of hearing aids and decided to do something about it.
Blackberry Hearing delivers a quality, digital, hearing aid for less than €700. With the grant, for which most people qualify, this amounts to less than €350, a massive saving on the €2,500 quoted by traditional outlets.
“Having been quoted over €5,000 for a pair of hearing aids by one of Ireland’s leading high street suppliers, we knew there was a real opportunity to bring better value to hard-pressed customers,” Gleeson says. “People with hearing loss should not feel marginalised or be excluded from a better and fuller life by having to pay exorbitant prices for hearing aids.”
Having started the business in Kildare earlier this year with great success, Blackberry Hearing is now expanding its reach to Athlone by working with its partner clinic, McSharry’s Pharmacy, in Mardyke Street.
Everything about Blackberry Hearing is clear and transparent. The transparent pricing of the product is a deliberate and key policy decision by Blackberry Hearing, in contrast to many traditional suppliers of hearing aids where there is a deliberate policy of having no pricing information in store or online to inform customers.
John Ryan says: “There is simply no reason for hearing aids to be so expensive.” he says. “By reducing costs and increasing efficiencies it is possible to sell quality hearing aids at affordable prices. If you or a loved one has delayed checking out your hearing, to the detriment of your quality of life, now is the time to address that.”
Drop into McSharry’s Pharmacy on Mardyke Street, call (090 ) 6472568, or phone Blackberry Hearing on (01 ) 6978470 for more details. Alternatively, visit www.blackberryhearing.com to view or buy the product.
