in Newswire Published on October 20, 2022

'Free' Beltone Hearing Aids Warranties Come with Hidden Costs, Class Action Alleges

Liebman et. Al. v. GN Hearing Care Corporation

Filed: October 18, 2022 ◆§ 2022CH10286

A class action claims Beltone Electronics has falsely advertised that its hearing aids come with free warranty coverage since customers’ warranty claims are subject to a deductible.

Defendant(s)

GN Hearing Care Corporation

Law(s)

New Mexico Unfair Trade Practices Act

State(s)

New Mexico

Categories

Medical/Health False Advertising Fraud

A proposed class action claims Beltone Electronics has falsely advertised that its hearing aids come with free warranty coverage since customers’ warranty claims are subject to a deductible.

The 20-page case alleges that although Beltone Electronics promises a "FREE Three-year manufacturer's warranty" and "FREE Three-year loss, stolen and damage coverage” for its pricey hearing aids, the company has failed to inform customers that the warranties are subject to deductibles. The filing contends that Beltone does not tell customers that they must pay for some or all of the repairs out of pocket until the first time they submit a warranty claim.

The company has violated state consumer fraud laws by deceptively marketing its device, the suit claims.

The complaint was filed by two New Mexico consumers who bought Beltone hearing aids after being enticed by advertisements offering a free, three-year warranty and "loss and damage" coverage. The lawsuit claims that when the plaintiffs entered the purchase agreement with the defendant, Beltone did not mention any deductibles or limitations to the warranty or loss and damage coverage.

The suit asserts that in 2019, both plaintiffs were informed by a Beltone provider that their damaged hearing aids were subject to a $300 deductible for repairs. The filing alleges that one plaintiff paid out of pocket to repair the product, even though a Beltone employee said it was still under warranty.

"Defendant made material misrepresentations and omissions regarding the extent of its warranty coverage with the intent to defraud consumers," the complaint states. "Consumers would be less likely to purchase Beltone hearing aids or to purchase them the stated prices if they knew that Beltone's warranty coverage was not as it was represented to be."

The lawsuit looks to cover anyone in the United States who purchased a Beltone hearing aid with free warranty coverage during the applicable statute of limitations period.

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