Hearing aid recommendations?
- Thread starter wyomike
- Start date
I think the custom in-the-ear aids are way over hyped. I have a $6,000 set which were checked and adjusted every month in the beginning. Now I go maybe every 6 months. The very first thing that I learned is that I hear everything that I don't want to hear. I hear the dog's nails touch the floor with every step, I hear the refrigerator humming all day long, I hear clocks ticking. I can't even take a wizzz with hearing a metalic splash in the bowl, which is disturbing. And as far as hearing conversations; yes they are much louder but not significantly clearer. Better yes, but returning my hearing to what I expected - no.
My experience isn't unique either. My brother bought a set from a national chain that is featured on TV. He has all of the same complaints that I do and only wears his occasionally now.
I have come to re-learn that "silence is golden" and that I much prefer NOT wearing my hearing aids. I mostly use them to hear the TV at normal volume levels without driving my wife crazy.
In NY there are very strict rules/laws regarding the sale of hearing aids. You get a generous period of time to change out your aids to any other type or to return them for a refund. It's actually good for the seller too because without some type of return policy; how many people are quick to drop $6K for their first set of hearing aids?
My experience isn't unique either. My brother bought a set from a national chain that is featured on TV. He has all of the same complaints that I do and only wears his occasionally now.
I have come to re-learn that "silence is golden" and that I much prefer NOT wearing my hearing aids. I mostly use them to hear the TV at normal volume levels without driving my wife crazy.
In NY there are very strict rules/laws regarding the sale of hearing aids. You get a generous period of time to change out your aids to any other type or to return them for a refund. It's actually good for the seller too because without some type of return policy; how many people are quick to drop $6K for their first set of hearing aids?
The best thing about my hearing aids are they are Bluetooth to my phone which makes it way better for talking on the phone. I bought mine local and like said above are programmed to my needs. But I still can’t hear people talking with a mask on behind a plexiglass glass shield. Ive been wearing for 10 years second set they are not cure all but I’m way better than before I got them. never use the mail order kind so really can’t comment on those
I'm on my 3rd set of hear aids that I get from the VA, which I got ~18 months ago. Each time, the subsequent set was better than the last. My current ones are great, allowing me to hear things I thought I'd never hear well again. But, they're far from $300, if I had to pay for them.
I'm a firm believer in that you get what you pay for. If you have just slight hearing loss, then maybe a $300 dollar set might be good enough. If you have moderate hearing loss or worse, don't go cheap. . . . and you might check out what Costco offers as you can get pretty good ones there at a reasonable cost.
I went to an audiologist for a complete examination and analysis of my hearing loss, and I am glad I did. I have profound hearing loss. He selected a pair of hearing aids that would be fit my condition. It wasn't cheap about $3,500, but I had a three-year warranty plus the cap and filter replacements were free.
centershot
Silver $$ Contributor
I got my first set from Costco. They were fine. Phonak brand. Then I received my VA card. Got two sets from them. Same brand. They are also okay, except when I play golf in Arizona in the summer, the battery warning goes off. I had an option to get rechargeable ones and may be that would have alleviated that issue. They are not perfect, but my wife says it was the best thing that ever happened to her! Go through a lot of batteries.
Mine are also blue tooth. That is great. Can listen to music on the airplane or while walking with I heart radio.
Mine are also blue tooth. That is great. Can listen to music on the airplane or while walking with I heart radio.
I read a study once that ignoring your hearing loss can greatly reduce your brains ability to function at it's best and if you have the beginnings of Alzheimer's and or dementia hearing aids can greatly aide your brain in slowing it's progression.
Basically the study stated that, as you lose your ability to hear, parts of your brain start to cease functioning because its not needed because it's not processing sounds like it used to.
I have no idea if this is all completely true but it seemed to make good sense to me.
Basically the study stated that, as you lose your ability to hear, parts of your brain start to cease functioning because its not needed because it's not processing sounds like it used to.
I have no idea if this is all completely true but it seemed to make good sense to me.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
DON"T DO IT!!!!!
I just got my 3rd set of hearing aids. First, they will never (no matter what you pay) bring you back to what God gave you. Please do yourself a favor. Read reviews of all the hearing aid specialists in your area and pick the best. I just switched providers and they are giving me service above and beyond. The new set have capabilities like none before.
It's going to hurt your pocketbook! But how much is it worth to hear grandkids tell you they love you?
That, or that train you didn't hear coming!
I’ve got a set of the Oticon’s, bad thing is that money could have bought Defiance, McMillan and Bartlein.DON"T DO IT!!!!!
I just got my 3rd set of hearing aids. First, they will never (no matter what you pay) bring you back to what God gave you. Please do yourself a favor. Read reviews of all the hearing aid specialists in your area and pick the best. I just switched providers and they are giving me service above and beyond. The new set have capabilities like none before.
It's going to hurt your pocketbook! But how much is it worth to hear grandkids tell you they love you?
That, or that train you didn't hear coming!
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
I have minor hearing loss and the wife mentions from time to time I should get hearing aids. I was going to say nags... I can not hear her in a room with back ground noise, but out side I told her to hush and listen. I can hear the Sharptails they are in the back of the house. She can not hear them easily but I can.. So I am kiind of fine with my condition.. Except the damn tinnitus. It just sucks..
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
See and this is another thing that keeps me from looking into them. I would rather have a new rifle than hear better... Oh I can not hear kids at all.. Well I can not understand them..
Retired shooter
Gold $$ Contributor
Just as Charlie in the above post.
Had pair of $5500.00 of Oticons a year ago. Worked with the tech for a 30 day trial. Heard all the road noise, heard the blower motors, heard all the noise in a restaurant, could barely hear my wife next to me. Still had volume on TV up. Tech kept telling me he could program the noise out. Never got there. Got a full refund.
Hearing test in September 5% loss left ear 5% increase right ear. Worst thing to try to hear is a female voice on the phone. Left the $4500.00 aids in the store.
Got to make your own call.
Have great weekend.!
Had pair of $5500.00 of Oticons a year ago. Worked with the tech for a 30 day trial. Heard all the road noise, heard the blower motors, heard all the noise in a restaurant, could barely hear my wife next to me. Still had volume on TV up. Tech kept telling me he could program the noise out. Never got there. Got a full refund.
Hearing test in September 5% loss left ear 5% increase right ear. Worst thing to try to hear is a female voice on the phone. Left the $4500.00 aids in the store.
Got to make your own call.
Have great weekend.!
riverwolf1
Silver $$ Contributor
If you need hearing aids don’t waste your time with those cheap ones advertised on TV! Just head over to Costco make an appt (usually a 20-30 day wait) they are great hearing aids, made by a very reputable company.
A pair will cost you $1500.00 and they fit and program them according to the frequency‘s where you hearing loss occurs and the volume, and settings can be controlled from a smart phone and they will set that up for you too.
Old Navy
Gold $$ Contributor
Aids will decrease the tinnitus a lot. You need to get yours tested.
Watching this thread closely.
And hoping my bride is not
And hoping my bride is not
Brians356
Gold $$ Contributor
I don't see how a hearing aid can possibly cut through what has ruined my right ear - tinnitus. Loud and broad frequency spectrum, like white noise.
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You can always group a hearing aid doctor in with a Preacher, they need to make a living too.
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