[conn8757]

Okay - I think I am ready to break down and buy a hearing aid -everyone seems to be mumbling. Can anyone recommend anyone in the area?

[graciegirl]

That is a very good question. Sometimes this whole area can be like a pseudo science; there are all kinds of titles including hearing specialists, who probably have a lot of experience but I never know who is the best to go to. You really can't try them out at the office like new glasses. I have been fitted satisfactorily twice by a licensed audiologist in private practice. But I knew her family so I felt I could really trust her and count on her not to gouge me.

Hearing aids are so expensive. Frequently they are two thousand dollars each. (I will never understand why, a large television seems so much more complicated for the same price!!) I am very suspicious that someone is making a lot of money on those little things.

The person who fitted me is way back in Ohio. I know that our population here in TV is much more in need of hearing aids than the general population, so there should be some good ones around here. I have a friend who is researching this right now and she is a TOTV'er. I hope she will see this thread and post.

I truly am sympathetic to your search.

[KayakerNC]

Costco.
If your Costco has a hearing center, they have aids at about half the price of places like MiracleEar, Audibel, etc.
And they offer a 60 day trial (test drive), with a 100% money back if not satisfactory. They also do the hearing tests for no charge.

[Carla B]

My other half says there is no point to getting a hearing aid, since everyone he's talked to who had them didn't like them. Any truth to that? Are they worth getting? Guess who could really use one in our family!

[Mikitv]

I got my hearing aid a year ago since I have 65% loss in my one ear. I do notice a difference with it and without it. It does increase the volume and mine is digital so I can adjust it to my hearing since it does change somewhat with my condition. The one thing that a hearing aid can not do is correct the part of hearing that distinguishes words. It is hard at times for me tell what the word is even though I heard it. Overall it has been good for me and with the digital it can be reprogrammed as my hearing changes. I do have over the ear type and wear glasses but it doesn't seem to be a problem. Mine also has other programs so go on the Internet and research types of hearing aids and what you want. Most places will give you a time period to try it or your money back. Mine was 65 day trial period. Good Luck.

[zcaveman]

I would recommend Lake County Hearing Clinic next to the Publix in the La Grande shopping center. The number is 750-4327. They do a very in depth hearing check and set you up with the hearing aids that are the best for you.

The hearing test is free and they have a test period.

They did a great job for me and I am very happy with them.

Z

[The Great Fumar]

I tied a piece of string to a button and put the button in my ear and stuck the string in my shirt pocket ...........everyone thinks I'm hard of hearing and they speak up ..........saved me a lot of money in these troubled times...

Fumar eh ??

Be careful out there , Years ago my father said SON !!! (thats me) He said the he got a new hearing aid and it cost $500.00 but it worth every cent as he can now hear as well as he could when he was 16 ......
I said DAD thats wonderful, what kind is it ??? He said A QUARTER AFTER NINE.....

ITS A JUNGLE OUT THERE ........... FUMAR

[conn8757]

Thanks for all the replies. I may check out Costco first since that is where my doctor told me to get vitamins/rx/etc. If that doesn't work out, my belly seems to be expanding, I am sure I can pop a button and try Fumar's suggestion. Oh - the joys of aging. At least we can do something about some of the downsides. Thanks everybody.

[KayakerNC]

Couple of points:
Be prepared for sticker-shock. As has been pointed out, they are very expensive. An Avada vendor wanted over $7000 for a pair that were the "best" for my hearing.

Be prepared for a hard sell.

Internet sales may be cheaper, but the state of Florida says they are medical devices, and it is illegal for an online vendor to mail them to your Florida address.
Medicare and your health insurance companies do not offer coverage on hearing aids. I don't think they agree with Florida's definition. If your Dr sends you to an ENT for testing, the Audiogram (hearing test), would be covered, but not the aids.

[graciegirl]

Very good points Kayaker (as usual!) particularly about the hard sell. For some reason when someone starts selling me something, I back away. You don't expect an ophthalmologist to lick his thumb and say "Tell ya what I'm gonna do". So it really makes me suspicious when a "hearing specialist" does it. I know that profit is part of our business structure, but still..............

[conn8757]

wow -$7000!!! I can't afford that -I am going to assume whatever I end up with I can take it off my income tax if I go past the 7.5% which we will since we are still under Medicare age and our health insurance alone is $8000 per year. I know I could probably buy cheaper but this is the retiree amount and we cannot be cancelled so I am sticking with it until we are 65. I like that it sounds like most places let you try before you buy.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by conn8757

**snip**I like that it sounds like most places let you try before you buy.

Be careful, some places want a non-refundable deposit ($250-$500 per ear) before they let you walk out for a test-drive.
Of course, most of them will not give you a copy of YOUR audiogram. Understandably, they prefer that you not shop around.

[LargoLynne]

Please check out the return policy. My husband went back to have his hearing aids adjusted several times. He does not wear them. On the few occasions he does wear them, he still cannot hear. A year later, I am upset over the waste of $3100...and I was the one who encouraged him to buy them. During the first 30 days (while return policy is still in effect) they will have you come in and have them adjusted. Make your decision to keep or not to keep before your timeframe is up. Wish we had!

[Ooper]

Originally Posted by KayakerNC

Medicare and your health insurance companies do not offer coverage on hearing aids. I don't think they agree with Florida's definition. If your Dr sends you to an ENT for testing, the Audiogram (hearing test), would be covered, but not the aids.

Not entirely correct. Medicare may not cover hearing aids but some insurance companies do. I called mine the other day and they cover 50% up to a cap of $850 per ear every 3 years for the hardware. Your policies are worth checking before you buy.

[Quixote]

One thing I was told about hearing aides is NOT to buy them in a place that sells only one brand, as they will push that brand, but to go somewhere where they sell many different kinds so you can be fitted for whats best for you.