In need of "Hearing Aid" advice.

My candid advice.

Hearing aids are a poor substitute for normal hearing.

As we go through life, many of us find ways, to destroy our hearing. And at some point, then try to cure our hearing loss with Hearing Aids. “It can’t be done”. At best, it can be helped, but never be cured.

Most folks that purchase hearing aids, expect too much from them, and do as I did, and spend ‘Top dollar’, to get the best technology available.

This discussion has produced much food for thought. My suggestion is; Think it over carefully, before the purchase of hearing aids. Other’s experience, can be of great help If it’s headed. It could be the difference, between, as some do, swear by ‘em, and as others, swear at ’em. It can save a lot of money, and mental anguish.

Chubbo
 
I've played this game for several years.

1. An audiologist will charge $6k for hearing aids that sell online for $3k. Even those have a cost to build around $100. It's a 4 company monopoly that collude to maintain their prices!
2. The audiologist will get the extra $3k for the custom tuning; perhaps 2 sessions of 1/2 hour. They will not break out prices on an invoice. I've had 2 audiologists refuse to tune hearing aids they didn't sell as a package.
Some companies advertise over-the-phone adjustments. Have you ever tried to describe a sound?
3. You need the audiologist because the monopolies will not allow the tuning software to be used by the buyer. Sweet deal for the "technicians". Can you imagine not being allowed to turn the dials on your stereo, but have to call support.

The tuning software can have over a 100 areas to adjust like a graphics equalizer on your stereo. The app they offer for your smart phone might have volume and profile selection; that's it. I've seen one with rudimentary treble, mid-range, and bass adjustment.
THIS IS MY GREATEST COMPLAINT! Almost no end-user adjustments.

I think the new hearing aids are really pretty good. The problem is not with the hardware. It's with the required tuning software that is NOT available to mere mortals; the folks who know what it actually sounds like.

In the end, Costco offers hearing aids at near online prices and gives reasonable tuning as part of the deal. The caveat is that Costco tends to be one generation behind with the latest for each company.

There is no easy answer; if you want to dance, you gotta pay the piper. Good luck

Prescut
 
First and foremost, see an Audiologist and get tested! What you need depends entirely on your exact losses. Some of us only have loss in certain frequency ranges. Mine just happens to be in the range of the human voice. Makes talking to and understanding people tough. :mad:

The Costco and generic types can work for some people and are relatively cheap. But these are simply amplifiers that make everything louder.
Some people, like me, need multi channel aids where specific frequencies can be adjusted. The key is getting what's right for you.

If you aren't already a member, join the 2nd Amendment Foundation. They have a partnership deal with Start Hearing.com which can get you up to a 48% discount and save you thousands of dollars. They deal in Starky hearing aids which are some of the best.
I just recently got a new set through this program and saved about $4000. :D
 
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I went to an audiologist of my choice and was able to get the VA to cover the entire cost for Phonak P90-R hearing aids. For those that may not know, you DO NOT have to have a service-connected hearing loss for the VA to cover the entire cost of your audiologist testing and hearing aids, all veterans are covered. Lastly, the Costco Phonak hearing aids are similar but not the same as the latest Phonak aids.
 
My hearing is about normal up to 2000 Hz then drops like a rock over 90 db. Just pushing all sound is not the answer. I recommend getting a hearing test by a certified audiologist.

I get my hearing aids from the Speech and Hearing clinic at the University. I get follow up service, cleaning, and repairs, and adjustments any time I request. Most of it is free, except when I break a line to the transmitter. They are expensive, but it is personal care, fitted to my needs. My last pair lasted 11 years. Not so expensive when spread out over time.

Getting it done by the best professionals gets the best results.
 
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My dad was a gunners mate on a destroyer in the pacific. He said that after a battle all of his shipmates in the turret had blood coming out of their ears. All the Navy gave them was a box of cotton wads.

He basically had little hearing after age 50.

Making matters worse, he had arthritis in his ears. Putting anything in his ears caused excruciating pain.

He absolutely refused to go to the VA. He said it was his job and he did it without regret. At about age 70 we finally convinced him to get hearing aids. He insisted on paying for them for himself.

They lasted about 2 days. He said the pain was too much to bear. Also, he complained that every time he went into a room and turned on the light, that **** switch made a clicking noise. If not for the pain, all that noise was too much to bother with.
 
Have hearing exam by a "real" audiologist, and have them specify the actual sound ranges you have losses in. It's just like getting glasses, you need a prescription. On the behind the ear ones, the battery (usually rechargeable) will last all day. The teeny batteries that go in the inside the ear you may have to carry batteries around with you and change once or twice during the day. Are you a veteran? Contact your VA rep and you could get all at government paying the cost.
 
Phonak and Bluetooth...

Avoid anything from Siemens as they nothing but junk. Asked the VA to put me into something else {anything else!} and they hooked me up with Phonak and they are awesome. I just got my third pair over the last 6+ years.

Whatever you get be sure and select a pair that have full Bluetooth capability. To be able to get phone calls, music, TV etc directly into my hearing aids is priceless. My bride loves this feature as I can watch TV without having to crank up the audio in the room and she can set it wherever she likes. With Bluetooth you get a transmitter that connects to your TV and broadcasts directly into your hearing aides and you can control the input.

Also I prefer mine to be battery powered. The batteries last about 2 weeks and if you only have rechargeable you are out of luck if they die and you are anywhere but home with your charger. I should note that I get my batteries for free from the VA but I keep packs of spares in all of my vehicles.
 
I've got Resounds from the VA. Excellent and efficient.

Before I got them, I tried researching hearing aids. I called the Tinnitus Hotline, but no one answered. The phone kept ringing.
 
I would recommend that you go to an audiologist and get a prescription. Then go to a vendor. I am fortunate in that with my medical plan I can get a hearing test for free and I have a $1000.00 amount that I receive every 36 months so they are not too expensive. I use behind the ear which is fine for me.
 
I must be going deaf. I can't hear a single thing that anyone has posted here so far.
 
Capt Steve said:
Avoid anything from Siemens as they nothing but junk. Asked the VA to put me into something else {anything else!} and they hooked me up with Phonak and they are awesome. I just got my third pair over the last 6+ years.

Whatever you get be sure and select a pair that have full Bluetooth capability. To be able to get phone calls, music, TV etc directly into my hearing aids is priceless. My bride loves this feature as I can watch TV without having to crank up the audio in the room and she can set it wherever she likes. With Bluetooth you get a transmitter that connects to your TV and broadcasts directly into your hearing aides and you can control the input.

Also I prefer mine to be battery powered. The batteries last about 2 weeks and if you only have rechargeable you are out of luck if they die and you are anywhere but home with your charger. I should note that I get my batteries for free from the VA but I keep packs of spares in all of my vehicles.
Click to expand...


I agree about the Siemens, my second pair was from them, and I hated them.
 
MORSNO said:
I went to an audiologist of my choice and was able to get the VA to cover the entire cost for Phonak P90-R hearing aids. For those that may not know, you DO NOT have to have a service-connected hearing loss for the VA to cover the entire cost of your audiologist testing and hearing aids, all veterans are covered. Lastly, the Costco Phonak hearing aids are similar but not the same as the latest Phonak aids.
Click to expand...
Well, that's good to know. My hearing was so damaged by the time I was 18, that I had to cheat on the audio test to pass my physical.

Sent from my SM-S127DL using Tapatalk
 
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