[Packerprincess]

Originally Posted by lanie1160

Forgive me if I posted this twice as I am trying hard to find Ear Dr to help as I have spent “thousands” on what is supposed to be the best hearing aids only to find out a few moths later I am getting worse. I took hearing aids back to get “adjusted” only to find out they don’t help. I also went to Ear doctor to make sure ears were clear and this is 3rd set of hearing aids. In a couple years and now in desperate need to find someone who can find what problem as I hate my husband yelling at me and now promised to try to find an Ear Dr that will find a solution and not selling hearing aids.

I would appreciate any info as to “reputable” hearing Dr that you might suggest as the Talk of the Villages has helped me before in leading me to the “right” person. Thank you again.

Dr. Al Turri. Villages health at Brownwood. He is awesome. 352-674-1799.

[bragones]

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, many now pay $1,000/ear or more for hearing aids. If you have this plan and ask your audiologist to get the best pair they can for that price, you'll be surprised at the quality of some of the newer hearing aids. I paid $0 out of pocket for a pair of Starkey hearing aids that work very well. Previously, I spent about $12k out of pocket for two sets of hearing aids that never worked well for me. In order for your brain to adapt to a hearing aid, you must wear them frequently and consistently. My hearing will never be what it was before hearing loss but newer technology and wearing the hearing aids more frequently has improved my hearing. I don't know if any hearing aids will work well in loud environments but this technology is improving as well.

[bobeaston]

One quick question will tell you if you have found a GOOD audiologist: "Do you perform Real Ear Measurement as part of fitting hearing aids?"

Your hearing test in the sound-proof box produces an audiogram, which is used as a prescription for adjusting hearing aids. All hearing aid manufacturers provide audiologists with software that will convert that audiogram into settings inside the devices. Many audiologists are satisfied with delivering your new hearing aids, showing you how to operate them, and then using their computers to adjust the settings according to the audiograms. They do this first fitting and send you on your way with no follow-up. The problem with that is the first fit is very often not very precise and misses what you really need. If your hearing aid provider does not schedule a follow-up, beware that you probably haven't received the best service.

The audiologists who follow Best Practices will have you return after a week for Real Ear Measurement. Thatweek is a period in which your brain adapts to how the new hearing aids sound. After that week the audiologist can do a very precise Real Ear Measurement.

The audiologist will insert a microphone (in a very tiny tube) inside your ear and then put in your hearing aids. A series of computerized tests will then measure the sounds emitting from the hearing aids and analyze how they match you audiogram / prescription. At that point, a Best Practices audiologist can fine tune the settings to get as close to the prescription as possible. Often, that makes a very significant difference in the effectiveness of the new hearing aids.

Learn more about Best Practices by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F1pkDhb8ys
Lear more about Real Ear Measurement by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHR0Oa6I-wY
Check out this audiologist in The Villages Brownwood Center for Advanced Health Care: Dr. Al Turri is one of those audiologists who takes the extra time to do Real Ear Measurement. He produces fantastic results.
Al Turri, AuD, 352-674-1799

No, I don't get any financial compensation for this recommendation. I am simply an extremely satisfied, delighted, customer with a severe hearing loss that Dr. Turri has treated using Best Practices and Real Ear Measurement.

[TedfromGA]

Another vote for Dr. Turri. He listens to your concerns and works to correct as much as possible. The women in my family appear to start loosing their hearing early. I was tested by Dr. Turri several years ago thinking this could be my baseline, turns out I am already showing some loss. He recommended getting the hearing aids so my brain could adjust - I was amazed about how my hearing or lack there of could impact so many other things in my overall health.

[USN-Retired]

Agree… Thomasson helped me tremendously!

[meme5x]

I bought Starkey Hearing Aids from Heather Kerry out on 441 by Francesco’s.. been several places upon returning home went to several specialist and they told me I couldn’t find anything better.. guess they are what they say.. aids.. just got over Covid.. coughed so hard , it has affected my hearing 😕

[toeser]

Originally Posted by lanie1160

Forgive me if I posted this twice as I am trying hard to find Ear Dr to help as I have spent “thousands” on what is supposed to be the best hearing aids only to find out a few moths later I am getting worse. I took hearing aids back to get “adjusted” only to find out they don’t help. I also went to Ear doctor to make sure ears were clear and this is 3rd set of hearing aids. In a couple years and now in desperate need to find someone who can find what problem as I hate my husband yelling at me and now promised to try to find an Ear Dr that will find a solution and not selling hearing aids.

I would appreciate any info as to “reputable” hearing Dr that you might suggest as the Talk of the Villages has helped me before in leading me to the “right” person. Thank you again.

Cochlear implants might be an alternative. Doctors won't implant them until you hearing is pretty much gone as they destroy your normal hearing.

[Atamasco]

Have you seen an ENT physician?

[Two Bills]

Seems to me the OP has been buying cheaper sound enhancers, and had no professional tests.
No way on Gods earth, that a good fitted pair of hearing aids, after a test from a qualified audiologist, would need replacing after a few months.
My hearing aids are 4-5 years old, get tweaked when needed, and are my lifeline to discourse, in what would be otherwise a silent world.
OP needs to see one of the recommend audiologists posted on this thread.
Good aids are not cheap, but definitely worth the money.

[LuvNH]

It might be that the OP did not realize the necessity for the services of a good audiologist. You need to know the extent of your hearing loss in order to get the correct hearing aids.

We did not know this. We went to an ENT who examined my husband and immediately sent him to an audiologist. She is excellent.