OT: Hearing Aids

I've been wearing them for 25 years. Don't expect your hearing will ever be spot on normal with them. It's better depending on how much loss you have. My hearing is the pits. The best I've done, is to work with a physician who also has audiologists connected to his office. That's no legal in NY State. Those are the ones I'm using now. The group I go to, covers much of the NY, NJ, LI area. Big group but have given me very individual care. If you want more information I'll send you an email privately. Just let me know. Juno

Thanks, Juno!

I sent you an email - I appreciate the help!

Yes, I've worn aids for years and years due to congenital sensorineural deafness since birth.

Read up as much as you can about the different types and styles available.

There are mainly two types - digital and analog. Digital aids are the newest technology and can be programmed to fit the user's loss. They are also the most expensive. However, having used analog for years and with my newest aid a digital, I can attest to the fact that digital is definately the way to go!

My current aid (I wear only one as I'm completely deaf in one ear, and have some hearing in the other ear, the one I wear the aid in) is an Oticon Epoq. I went to THREE hearing aid agencies - each of which let me 'borrow' a digital aid for a week - and settled on a non-franchise, locally-owned company. The owner was just the best 'fit' for me, she listened to my concerns, took her time, etc. My aid is a "RITE" (receiver in the ear) type, that is bluetooth and fm compatable - useful for FM hearing systems, bluetooth phones and music players, etc. It's just too cool and even though it was god-awful expensive it was worth every penny. :)

Not saying this is what you need, but Oticon's web site has a lot of good information and explanations that are generic as well as specific to that manufacturer.

I completely agree with you about the "charlatans!" They are like used car salesman.

Here's a link to a consumer bulletin about how to shop for aids:

Good luck and don't rush into anything!

-Irene

My dh has a pair of Oticon digital hearing aids and finds them excellent. The devices themselves, plus the streamer, cost us a grand total of $5,575, plus each one uses a battery a week, and there are also some little cleaning devices available. We figure it is money well spent, after all, if he cannot hear, what pleasure is there in anything else we might spend it on? His deafness started with an ear infection more than thirty years ago, and he has worn aids ever since, starting with the mechanical ones. The first digitals he got were unsatisfactory, so he turned them in for more analog ones. Incidentally, ever since we moved here he has gone to the local Speech and Hearing Center, a non-profit agency. Of course, we still pay the full price for his appliances, but at least the profit they make off him goes to help underprivileged children in the community to hear and to speak.

We have recommended Oticon to a number of friends.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

I just got the Oticon streamer and LOVE it. It works like a charm with my hearing aid and new bluetooth phone!

-Irene

Thanks for the replies,

Yes, I am looking at digital BTEs, specifically Phonak and Oticon with all of the feaures you guys mention (digital sound field processors and multi-channel).

My trouble is finding an audiologist - all I have called so far want to sell me the "world's best" which is not one of those brands. And I'm not sure that they really know how to program a top of the line aid.

I'm thinking of just going with the audiologist in my doctor's office....

Sometimes those "audiologists" aren't audiologist, but rather hearing aid fitting specialists. Since your doctor has an audiologist I'd start there and ask a million questions and get prices. I'm always suspect when someone goes to the top when you don't need it/or want it. To go back to my sewing machine analogy in my email, Hearing aids are individual and should fit your need. Juno

I agree with Juno - start with the 'real' audiologist!

-Irene

My experience with an ENT doctor and his "audiologist": I know I am hard of hearing, most of my DF's family were as they aged. But I hadn't looked for aids. Last year, I was suffering with a severe ear-ache and went to the ENT recommended by my doctor. He had a young man working with him and before I saw the ENT, this "audiologist tested my hearing", telling me I had lost about 60% of my hearing in one ear and some in the other one, as well. He wanted me to buy the aids from him that day, at a price of, if I remember correctly, about $2500. I told him, I was not interested in buying anything until my ear-ache was cleared up. When I did see the ENT, he said there was nothing wrong with my ear, no reason for an ear-ache and suggested I get the aids and it would all go away.

So I went back to my regular doctor, got a prescription for the ear-infection, used it for a few days and the pain went away. That young man in the ENT's office has called me twice to ask when I was going to come back to be fitted for hearing aids. The 1st time, I was very polite; but the 2nd time, I told him, in no uncertain terms, not to call me again; when I decide to get them, it will not be from him.

I've found out later, if you're over 70, this ENT thinks you need to use hearing aids regardless.

Emily