We live in a world where prices are usually set by the constraints of mass production. We have trouble accepting the cost of custom-made things. Hearing aids can be ridiculously expensive. Custom keyboards at least are not quite so ridiculous.

Now that some of the earbud manufacturers are dabbling in processing of environmental sound, some people may be able to use consumer grade equipment, particularly younger Boomers and older Gen-Xers, due more to stigma than anything else.

Unfortunately that probably reduces volume of product for everyone else, keeping the mean price roughly the same but jacking up the high end.