why deaf products are so expensive?

PowerON

PowerON

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My thoughtful on products for deaf that use for any signaler. There are not quite many deaf in America as hearing and cannot make enough profit. for company itself.

I look up on Sidekick that sell hot cake because it never target on deaf market but for everybody and manage turn awesome profit plus from wireless carrier's percent of earn on service fee.

So, I felt that deaf products to use are much expensive than you thought. These are ancient technology, I believe are so cheap and been manufacturing most in China. I look up on Shake Awake that cost probably 3 or 4 bucks and sell for $24.xx, accord to Harris Communication and Amazon.com.

BTW, Shake Awake is damn ugly. So, I use my mobile phone as alarm but I cannot depend it always. Oh well...

Do you felt that deaf products are expensive as company are greedy or too stupid? Or you're fine with the price?

I have know that Oklahoma state brought deaf products free. Wish that other state willing do the same thing. Only on certainly city in fire department would give free fire alarm for resident like here in Fort Worth. And umm... yeah.. That's all i could think of.
 
PowerON, since you worked/work for Compu-TTY/Krown-TTY, you would know why the products are so expensive?

Yes, the products are pretty expensive, probably due to small population of deaf/HoH in this country.
 
Brian said:
PowerON, since you worked/work for Compu-TTY/Krown-TTY, you would know why the products are so expensive?

Yes, the products are pretty expensive, probably due to small population of deaf/HoH in this country.
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I'm just a graphic designer. Yeah, I mention about deaf isn't much as hearing to buy that usually led company for profit. If target only on deaf, Sony probably wouldn't be happy. So, they only think of money on deaf. It's just an example.
 
I agree that specialty products for the deaf (and blind) are expensive, and I also suppose that Brian is right that the reason is we are relatively few.

As a beekeeper having to get up at odd hours because bees can only be relocated at night, I need the best home and travel alarms and the best push-button and strobe for my apartment and motel rooms when traveling.

Because my deaf-assisting equipment is work-related, my company pays for my equipment, including my text cell phone. I realize others aren't as lucky.

On-line sources like e-Bay and Amazon have cheaper prices, but it's always buyer beware.
 
it wud be nice to write off on tax income when you buy deaf products...

in my state, one agency gives free products to deaf ppl whoever makes salary - 20k or less per year.
 
Brian said:
...Yes, the products are pretty expensive, probably due to small population of deaf/HoH in this country.
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I suspect that is right. In order to bring the prices down, the makers of "deaf" products need to widen their marketing base for those products. As American baby boomers age, and more late-deafened adults enter the deaf-product market, maybe some of the prices will come down. Also, the makers of "deaf" products need to find ways that their products can appeal to hearing buyers, too. We've already seen some progress there with cell phone texting and smart phones. Many of those products are purchased by hearing people, so the market has expanded.

If more of the "deaf" products could be sold on the shelf at Circuit City, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target instead of only on line or thru specialty catalogues, the prices might come down.

By removing the "deaf" label and making more of those products mainstream, the price might go down. For example, the phone flasher is used not just by deaf people but by hearing people who work in noisy shop environments or outdoors. Doorbell flashers can be used by hearing families who have a night shift worker in the family that they don't want to wake up during the day.
 
Reba said:
I suspect that is right. In order to bring the prices down, the makers of "deaf" products need to widen their marketing base for those products. As American baby boomers age, and more late-deafened adults enter the deaf-product market, maybe some of the prices will come down. Also, the makers of "deaf" products need to find ways that their products can appeal to hearing buyers, too. We've already seen some progress there with cell phone texting and smart phones. Many of those products are purchased by hearing people, so the market has expanded.

If more of the "deaf" products could be sold on the shelf at Circuit City, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target instead of only on line or thru specialty catalogues, the prices might come down.

By removing the "deaf" label and making more of those products mainstream, the price might go down. For example, the phone flasher is used not just by deaf people but by hearing people who work in noisy shop environments or outdoors. Doorbell flashers can be used by hearing families who have a night shift worker in the family that they don't want to wake up during the day.
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:gpost: ... excellent, valid points!
 
That's why I bought Sony alarm clock with radio for $9 from Target and electric motor for $5 from Radio Shack. I moded it with solder and work GREAT for 2 years now.

Sony alarm looks sexy than deaf product.
 
deafclimber said:
it wud be nice to write off on tax income when you buy deaf products...

in my state, one agency gives free products to deaf ppl whoever makes salary - 20k or less per year.
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I don't know why not since we can write off the purchase of a hearing aid and it's related maintenance costs over the year, including batteries and any insurance programs you might buy for the hearing aid. Oh, and don't forget to write off the costs/maintenance of the household dog, too! Lol.....
 
My apologies, PowerON - I always thought you worked for the company itself.
Reba said:
I suspect that is right. In order to bring the prices down, the makers of "deaf" products need to widen their marketing base for those products. As American baby boomers age, and more late-deafened adults enter the deaf-product market, maybe some of the prices will come down. Also, the makers of "deaf" products need to find ways that their products can appeal to hearing buyers, too. We've already seen some progress there with cell phone texting and smart phones. Many of those products are purchased by hearing people, so the market has expanded.

If more of the "deaf" products could be sold on the shelf at Circuit City, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target instead of only on line or thru specialty catalogues, the prices might come down.

By removing the "deaf" label and making more of those products mainstream, the price might go down. For example, the phone flasher is used not just by deaf people but by hearing people who work in noisy shop environments or outdoors. Doorbell flashers can be used by hearing families who have a night shift worker in the family that they don't want to wake up during the day.
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That would probably work if they included more of the deaf products on display. I am pretty sure most people aren't aware there is such available for them. Service Merchandise, a now-defunct national catalogue showroom used to have a TTY machine on display next to regular telephones. It was AT&T MP20 TTY made by Krown Research Inc. (now known as Krown Manufacturing Inc.) This was just shortly before the Service Merchandise chain folded. Several years later Radio Shack started to sell Krown MP20 under Tandy/Radio Shack brand name through catalogue books. Wal-Mart did sell UltraTec Superprint 4420 (or 4425) couple of years ago, but they probably sold at selected stores.
 
Okay I'm getting a bit off-topic but maybe for you, but the deaf/Deaf people in the deaf/Deaf community are happy with being deaf, as far as I know.

Anyway, back on-topic.

It'd be a very good idea to take the label "deaf/hard-of-hearing" or "blind/visual impaired" off, so that products from manufacturers could sell mainstream.
 
the reason deaf equipment are expensive is because of low demand=higher prices. if everyone is buying them in the masses, the price will be low for sure. unfortunlatly, everyone isnt deaf.
 
sequoias said:
the reason deaf equipment are expensive is because of low demand=higher prices. if everyone is buying them in the masses, the price will be low for sure. unfortunlatly, everyone isnt deaf.
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i concur with his post.

seq, you should be an economist ! ;)
 
PowerON said:
My thoughtful on products for deaf that use for any signaler. There are not quite many deaf in America as hearing and cannot make enough profit. for company itself.

I look up on Sidekick that sell hot cake because it never target on deaf market but for everybody and manage turn awesome profit plus from wireless carrier's percent of earn on service fee.

So, I felt that deaf products to use are much expensive than you thought. These are ancient technology, I believe are so cheap and been manufacturing most in China. I look up on Shake Awake that cost probably 3 or 4 bucks and sell for $24.xx, accord to Harris Communication and Amazon.com.

BTW, Shake Awake is damn ugly. So, I use my mobile phone as alarm but I cannot depend it always. Oh well...

Do you felt that deaf products are expensive as company are greedy or too stupid? Or you're fine with the price?

I have know that Oklahoma state brought deaf products free. Wish that other state willing do the same thing. Only on certainly city in fire department would give free fire alarm for resident like here in Fort Worth. And umm... yeah.. That's all i could think of.
Click to expand...


You are not alone!!! Us deafie are complaining about high priced device. Hey don't you realized that VTech kid's toys look like laptop are cheaper than TTY itself. If company ever make one adding modem with it. It would sell like hotcake. If I were millioniare, I would have business make deaf device cheaper than any signaller company. I would keep clocks and every deaf device up to date and sexy. Or make a contract with Sony, Armitron, and many other clock companies to add timer with similiar designed clock so deaf people can buy with reasonable price.

Too many TTY, signaller companies ect don't realized that many deafie are on SSI roll or don't get paid well enuf to buy. Companies are so dependent to Vocational ,Government assistance or Charity funding to purchase devices. I do not feel it's right thing to do because they charges twice more than original price. They need to stop profiteering on deaf need. It hurts deaf population if Govt decide to cut fundings entirely.

Given idea, Many deaf peoples do not always have flashing fire alarm system. It cost $100 or more EACH for BRK Electronics strobe fire alarm. Who can afford it. Look at Hearing people, $5 for the fire alarm!!! Company do not need to charge 20 times more on deaf fire alarm. They are endangering deaf people by pricing out of their reach. If they want to sell, sell it at REASONABLE price!! I would afford $25 each fire alarm. I do not care about the parts cost. They can have it made in China and ship it here and sell it $25 buck!! OR redesign to use superbright LED (like Luxeon) flasher on fire alarm which are bright too and cheaper.

My house requires 7 BRK "hearing" Interconnected fire alarms. I only got 2 of them through Ebay, 2 BRK Electronic strobe fire alarm for $40. It's hard to get and got lucky. Also friend moved to new house and the took 6 strobe fire alarm (similiar to mine), replaced with hearing fire alarm at old house. They thought they can use it at their new house. But the fire dept that offer free fire alarm decide to hire contractor again and install all 6 brand new fire alarm. He had 6 old one and gave me 2 of them. So now I have 4 strobe fire alarm that covers my need.

I felt everyone's pain. No one can afford to buy devices cuz it's priced too high.

I know "low productivity/ high price". But still there are ways around to make it far cheaper.

Catty
 
I think part of it is lack of demand, and the other part is greed, it is a little of both.

I don't use many 'deaf' products, but:

Braille TTY, almost $6,000
Small e-book reader and portable braille display for PC, $1,500
Power wheelchair for going out and moving long distance, around $3,000

Pricey stuff!
 
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