Hearing Aids

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

My hearing (loss) has gotten to the point where I can benefit from hearing aids. I've already had a screening/exam by an M.D. who has an in-house audiologist. Met with her today and there are three levels of devices. Expensive, more expensive and really expensive. For reference, my hearing is relatively good below 30dB and 1500 Hz. After 1500 Hz, my hearing disappears until the sound is pumped up to 75-90dB. I'm always saying to others, "Say again?" and the tinnitus is really bad these days.

 

The kind I'm looking at are ones that have the receiver worn behind the ear with a wired transmitter worn in the ear, as opposed to the solid single-piece "plug". Price includes audiologist fees, not just the cost of the hardware. I asked if the brand of hardware affected price and she said "no", which kind of surprised me. She was recommending the ReSound brand. Prices range from $3,500-$6,500 for a pair of 'em.

 

I'm curious what some of you have experienced with your hearing aids -- brands, types, cost, value, etc. Do they work as advertised, or are there compromises one has to accept?

 

Thanks for your input.

[Double Tap Taylor]

I have borderline hearing problems per audiologist but wife said I needed then. I have behind the ear type with a tube going into ear. Brand name is phonak. They work good. They tune them to your hearing.

It takes time to get used to them. You don't want to get them wet so I were a hat. They are great at work. I don't like them in crowd's

[Trailrider #896]

Will you guys stop whispering?!!! My left ear is about gone. Shooting high-power rifles from the time I was a teen, and mostly with those ear valves that didn't work! I used to have one of those behind-the-ear hearing aides, but it wore out, and I never replaced it. Didn't wear it much anyway... My wife is getting tired of me saying, "What?" when she's on my left side. So, eventually...

[Wrangler Rich SASS #42157]

To all Veterans with hearing loss or tinnitus; Go to the VA.

[Four-Eyed Buck,SASS #14795]

I've got the Siemans brand myself. Behind the ear type. Mine had the rechargeable batteries, nice touch until it comes to replacement time( typically about 1 yr. with constant use). $50 bucks for a set of them . Aids work well, tuned to individual needs. With warm/hot weather I sweat so much that I tend not to wear them for fear of shorting them out when working. Also, when playing my trumpet, I can't use them because of a sort of echo/feedback effect. Battery wise, I can use the standard type batteries( 312's in this case). These things set me back 4 grand for the pair. My loss was due mostly to work environment( factory), missing audio is in my wife's vocal range( go figure!), does lead to some marital problems at times. Also have an increaseing tinnitus problem

[SOUTH-PACIFIC,SASS #59402]

got my set in mobile va doc said they run around 3000 a set.i like in the ear type

[Dakota Rebel, SASS# 58412]

Slim-don't know if your a vet. If so, go to the VA. When I got my first set, I was as 20% with a back and hip issue. They covered the hearing issue-no fuss. I'm on my 4th set (I can get a new set every 4 years. When I got my last ones about a month ago, the Dr. said they would retail for about 6500, Mine are the in the ear "plug" type. I wear a nasal cannula and the over ear type would be in the way. Once they are set up, they work well. The new ones are much better when using a phone.

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

I have worn the in the ear plug style for about 5 years. Can't do without them now. Spent too many years around machinery, airplane engines and hot rods without safety devices.

 

My one suggestion is no matter what you buy, get the insurance. After a couple of years mine started needing repair work, usually microphones . My insurance costs 125.00/ per device for 3 years. A single mic replacement is about 200.00.

 

Just sayin............

[Footloose 1797L]

Several years ago I went in for test and a fitting.

 

After getting them and the bill I walked outside and asked what all that noise was. It was the traffic on the street 80 to a hundred yards away. All they did for me was to make the back ground noise louder.

 

I didn't think I needed to or wanted to hear the traffic on the street that was a hundred yards away. They didn't seem to help me distinguish voices or words any better and just added to the irritating noise of the Tinnitus. Before the trial time limit was up I took them back and got the refund of the 5 grand they charged for them. They weren't happy about that but they did refund most of it. I still get mail wanting me to come back for hearing test about twice a year.

 

I figure if I can sit in the woods and hear a deer walking through the leaves at fifty yards or more I don't really need to hear much more. Also those pesky squirrels are really noisy.

 

I just tell she who must be obeyed to get my attention before saying anything important. Selective hearing is great at times.

 

When they figure out how to do something about the Tinnitus I might go back and see them.

 

Footloose

[Yellowhouse Sam # 25171]

In the ear type and what brand I'll have to look. The things work okay if you're talking to no more than a couple of people but I found that in crowds they drive you nuts. Anyway, I got my BP under control, my hearing and eyesight improved , and I threw the aids in a drawer.

 

Pard of mine from Elk City, Oklahoma (not terribly far from you) put them in for around 3 grand.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

HUH?

[Steel-eye Steve SASS #40674]

I use the higher end Resounds. They work well for me. One of their big advantages is that I can pair my iPhone and a TV streaming device through them. It was worth the cost.

[Lorelei Longshot, SASS #44256 Life]

Got behind the ear from Beltone a year ago in June. Spent about $3,300 per hearing aid. Not the top of the line, but close to it. Definitely not the bottom of the line. They come out with new features each year and of course, raise the price.

Went with Beltone after investigating Miracle Ear and some others. Went with Beltone based on recommendation of good friend who has worn them for years. Offices located all over U.S. and any office will take care of you as he has had to see once when he was away from Texas in some other state.

Lots of features. I got the remote program changer so when I'm in a noisy restaurant, I can change to one of the 4 programs available to cut out background noise. Love the direct TV set up that transmits directly to the aids. Some people don't, but they give you a trial period and take back if you don't like them.

Disadvantage with any behind the ear aids - you aren't supposed to get them wet like wearing while showering or being in pouring rain. I don't trust an umbrella, just take them out and replace once inside if it is pouring. If just misting, wear a hat. My friend doesn't wear his when he's working in the yard because of the sweating problem. I don't wear mine if I'm going to be sweating a lot. My batteries usually last approximately 7 days and Beltone has a club where you can get a discount for being a member and receive several months all at once. Other major companies probably do also.

Beltone does a check every 6 months and cleans them. When I was in a couple of weeks ago, she retested my hearing in the hearing box and could have changed my programs if my hearing had gotten worse.

I'm pleased with the product and the service from Beltone. Probably Miracle Ear has same features and benefits. Ask around for someone that has dealt with any company before you decide. My decision for Beltone over Miracle Aid was my friend's recommendation. Both offices are near my house within blocks of each other so that was not a factor. Go somewhere that is easy to get to, has adequate parking, etc.

[Outlaw Gambler]

The VA is no help! After being around jet fighters, KC135's, B52's and lots of other jet engines on the tarmak for 3.5 years. Called them, explained my hearing problem, made an appointment, went there and was tested, test confirmed I needed hearing aids. Was told by VA that I was not eligible for hearing aids. Went to a person that is some kind of liaison with the Vets and VA. He wrote to the VA and the response we received was "during my discharge physical my hearing was ok". Sure it probably was ok then, but it isn't now.

[Jim Mayo, SASS # 28961]

I got mine through the VA. Opticon Altra Pro. Behind the ear. I have had them for about a year and a half. I have high end loss and my right ear is worse than the left(jet engines, gun fire, rocket explosions, etc.). Tinnitus varied in intensity sometimes loud enough to wake me up. Audiologist told me that "normal" conversation is around 50db but I hear best at 7db.

 

Adjustment period is 3-6 months. 1st thing I noticed was all the background noise was louder. Normal conversations with 2-3 people is a bit better, but crowds or noisy environments can be distracting. Got the streamer to use with my phone, works pretty good, the disadvantage is that the streamer blocks other conversations and noises.

 

With time the Tinnitus has toned down to almost a whisper most of the time.

 

I take them out if working in wet (not suppose to get them wet) or noisy situations like mowing, hammering or shooting. Can hurt your ears and potentially ruin what is left of your hearing.

 

Batteries last me 9-10 days wearing about 15 hours a day.

[Woody Shootem, SASS # 24816]

I've been wearing mine for about 3.5 years. I tried them out a couple of years before that, but they really didn't benefit me at that time. A couple of years later, I was tested again, and tried some different ones, and went with them. It's the "Resound" brand. Mine are behind the ear.

 

My hearing loss is different than most folks -- mine is low frequency loss, while most folks experience high frequency loss as they age, or due to abuse (loud noises) over the years. Hearing aids don't help those of us with low frequency loss as much as it does for high frequency loss. But, my loss was finally sufficient that hearing aids help.

 

When I first got then, I didn't think they did me much good, and said as much. My wife and daughters immediately corrected me; "Yes, they help you a LOT. You don't ask us to repeat ourselves nearly as much as you used to." Well, okay then . . .

 

I only wear them when I need them (for work, at meetings, when I will be talking with other people) or watching TV (otherwise I need it turned up too loud for my wife to tolerate). I do not wear them when playing in a band, or attending any type of concert, music recital, movie, ball game etc., as the sound levels at those events are loud enough they overdrive my hearing aid, causing distortion.

 

I also don't wear them while driving, working alone, or doing yard work, etc. There's nothing I need to hear better, so why use up the batteries.

 

One unexpected side-effect: the hearing aids amplify voices and other sounds sufficiently that I no longer notice my tinnitus. It's much easier to tolerate.

[Noz]

Mine are VA supplied. Phonac, behind the ear with a wired ear plug. Work really well.

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

Thanks all, this is just what I needed. Ordered a pair today and will get fitted next week.

[Colonel Lou]

Took a rocket really close so I have been wearing my Phonaks for 5 years, each ear. Still in the service so I will have the benefit through the VA when I retire. Just remember the Batteries. I go through two a week on average. They are not cheap unless you are lucky like me and they are provided.

Crowds, loud Concerts and Movie Theaters with their surround sound are hard to deal with so I try to stay away.

I have really bad tinnitus as well, they help a little.

Good Luck.

[Lorelei Longshot, SASS #44256 Life]

Colonel Lou, Woody, and Jim,

 

Mine from Beltone have 4 different programs for different situations which can be changed anytime at the Beltone office. I have one for when there is a lot of background noise such as outside in crowds. Some places have some kind of direct connection network that transmits directly to the aids. Movie theatres, opera, etc. More available every year. Same with house phone, cell phone, and TV. I have the direct from TV to hearing aids, and I like and use it. Some people don't and get a refund within 30 days. I use the remote control to change to the different programs which my friend does not. I use it a lot.

 

Even with the direct from TV, I sometimes still have to turn on the closed captioning if I can't understand something that was said and I think I need to hear exactly what was said. Since I rarely watch live TV and use the DVR recording, it's easy to do.

 

You lose hearing at different frequencies, usually the higher end. When I was teaching and testing students' reading of the exact words in a passage, it was important to know what each and every word that was spoken was. Now in everyday situations, not as critical. Hearing loss increases with time, but mine can be adjusted or changed with just an office visit. Luckily, this year's test showed on significant loss so no change was necessary.

 

They get more features every year, but the price goes up.

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

My left hearing aid was giving me problems. Went to the provider and the microphone is bad. Insured, so no charge to fix it. Have had then 4 1/2 years and have used the insurance 5 or 6 times. Like I mentioned, look into getting insurance as it's not too expensive, well worth it for me,.

[Shootin' Shu]

do not cold call the VA visit your local VSO office and let them do the paperwork electronically. You are applying for to different things. One you need to get into the VA Healthcare system. Two you also want to apply for a disability rating. Two totally separate things. If you are eligible for the Healthcare at your first visit with a primary care Doc you simply ask for a referral to the Audiology department. You will get tested and if you needs aids you will get aids. The deal about your hearing was OK when you processed out is only a factor in determining your disability rating. If you aren't eligible for Healthcare your best bet for good aids is Costco.

[FriscoCounty]

The Costco Kirkland Signature 6.0 hearing aids are made by ReSound and I am told they are similar to the LiNX 9 with the Tinnitus masking noise. At $1,800 for the PAIR, they are a very good deal. They have an app that allows they to be controlled from your smart phone. I have very bad hearing and they work well. The only drawback is that, as they are RIC, they can get clogged with ear wax, requiring a trip to Costco for them to clean it out. If you have a Costco hearing aid center near you, I would suggest you look into it.