[ChattanoogaTn]

Again my fellow Villages..... I require your help!

My wife (and I ) have been to ( 4 ) different hearing aid clinics and one was exactly TWICE as high as our lowest cost and we thought maybe someone might suggest what these cost.

My wife is intersted in the small (behind the ear) type that has small clear tube that goes into ear. The lowest we found were $2600 (pair) and the highest was $4300 (pair) and I guess I made my mistake in NOT getting the "Model #" of each as to compare price. There were 4 different "types" and we even got on "Google" to compare prices.

What I'm asking is .... "Is ther a "fair price" (maybe outside The Villages) that doesn't have such a high price and although my wife is only 55 she is by no means deaf but has trouble with "sylable's) I can't understand the high price.

Again.... Thank you for your help as I am sure someone can lead us in the right direction without getting ripped off and if you can E Mail..... Drifter49@aol.com that would be great or leave message here. Thanks as I can ALWAYS count on finding the best answer thru my neighbors. Stay warm & Happy New Year

[Ooper]

There are many fine audiologists here in TV. Prices range as do the models. Best thing to do is come down and shop around. You can probably pick up the type you mention for less than $2k on up. Most places offer free 30 day or more free trials and there are always "deals" offered as a sales incentive.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by ChattanoogaTn

My wife is intersted in the small (behind the ear) type that has small clear tube that goes into ear. Is there a "fair price" (maybe outside The Villages) that doesn't have such a high price and although my wife is only 55 she is by no means deaf but has trouble with "syllable's) I can't understand the high price.

Here is a dedicated forum for HA's.
http://www.hearingaidforums.com/

And, hopefully you have the Audiogram, you could email or fax it to America Hears for a recommendation.
http://www.americahears.com/

If you are a member, Costco has some very reasonable prices on aids.

[Bryan]

As some have noted, hearing aid prices vary greatly. A pair of good quality, digital, behind-the-ear hearing aids can easily cost $2500 and yes, you can easily get quotes for comparable pairs of hearing aids for up to $5000. Best idea is to check the online sites mentioned above and comparison shop. Also don't get too distracted by the "free batteries for life" offers, make sure there really is a warranty (one year or longer), and watch out for that return policy for a full refund if you don't like them. Two things happen there - some places have a restocking fee, typically 5% or more of the cost of the set of hearing aids. They will also take hem back to "adjust" them and keep doing that until your 30 day return period has expired - then it is too late. Buyer Beware - shop carefully and shop smart. And yes, good ones will cost your wife a few bucks.

[zcaveman]

If your wife does opt for the hearing aids, tell her to make sure she wears them all the time during the 30 day period and uses them in every normal situation she can think of. From riding in a golf cart to playing golf (of she does) to eating out to cooking dinner to talking on a telephone (and cell phone if you have both) to just walking around. Wind and background noises do some annoying things when wearing hearing aids. She should write down every problem she has or thinks she has and take them back after the first week to see if they can be adjusted to correct the problem. She should do the same weekly until the end of the 30 day period. If she is not totally happy with them after the end of the 30 day period have her try another brand until she gets something she can live with on a daily basis.

I have a pair that bother me on the golf course and in the golf cart so I don't hear them. I jump when there are sudden noises. And it sound like my wife is tearing up the kitchen when she cooks. I like them for normal conversations and watching TV. I occasionally try to wear them for an entire day but usually give up about 7 PM.

It might be just me and I haven't taken time to adjust. In the meantime they sit in the cases.

This is not meant to discourage your wife. Just to tell you to use due caution when getting the hearing aids. The place you go will do everything to try and make the hearing aids a good fit. She justs has to be comfortable with them. As you found out, they are not cheap.

A caution on the online sites, and I do not speak from experience. The hearing aids I got were specifically adjusted for my type and range of hearing loss by the doctor/technician at the hearing place. I am not sure how that would be done at an online place.

[mulligan]

Up here in Mass., I bought GN Resound model air60, for about $4200 for the pair. They are digital programmable, and I usually forget I am wearing them.

[bluedog103]

I've worn hearing aids for well over 20 years. I've have virtually every type of aid out there over the years and can tell you this....they just keep getting better and better.
My present aids are Starkey S series and they are fantastic. They replaced my Starkey Destiny hearing aids which were superior to my previous hearing aids.
I suggest that you ask around about audiologists. Some are really, really good, some are not so good, others should be in another line of work. Like anything else I guess. Make sure you go to an audiologist, not a hearing aid salesperson. While some sales reps are audiologists, not all are. An audiologist will have a masters or often a doctors degree in audilology. They should be someone you can talk with easily.
Price is definitely an issue. Digital hearing aids can easily cost over $2500 per ear. If you're paying that kind of money, you want an audiologist who will work with you to get them adjusted the way you need them. Sometimes I'll take hearing aids back 8-10 times for adjustment when they're new. Others only once or twice. After they're adjusted to my liking, I'll return with them occasionally if something need an adjustment. I usually get new hearing aids when the warranty expires, usually at 2 years. The technology is changing so quickly that I'm always amazed at how much better my new hearing aids are.
After you get your hearing aids, don't be afraid to make a pest of your self. I'd try to find someone local and make sure they adjust them to your satisfaction. I'm a part time musician. When I got my Destiny H.A.s I found that the noise filtering of the hearing aids filtered out the sound of my guitar. I couldn't hear myself play. I returned to the audiologist and he adjusted one of the settings for music, so that it had minimal noise filtering. Now my hearing aids, which have four settings are 1-normal, everyday situations. I use this on 90% of the time. 2-small group..this is useful in restaurant type situations and 3-music. 4-telephone.
As others have suggested, make sure you understand the warranty and return policy and use it. Some hearing aids just don't work for me so back they go. I tried Phonaks a couple of times and just didn't like them so now I insist on Starkeys. Other's, including my audiologist, who's hearing impaired, love Phonak. It's what works for you that's important.
Good luck. If it doesn't work at first keep trying. It can get really frustrating but once everything is working properly it's worth the effort.

[ChattanoogaTn]

This kind of reply and the others are what make me confident in your help as I truly appreciate all the responses you have given and still have one last "Clinic" I will try before making a decision. I had tried my 1 st place and they quoted me a (sales!!) price of $2500 and then finding the "exact" same make and model advertised for 1/2 that with another hearing clinic to which after talking to them they said it was not as good of "quality" and they are currently tying to sell me another Brand explaining that "each" hearing clinic sells "their" type of hearing aid and further explained that most hearing clinics are like Dr's and "push" their hearing aids that the "Reps" are giving "incitives" for selling their product. The world is truly a scam as one hearing Dr told me that the world of hearing aids is TOTALLY unregulated and there are scams everywhere. Guess I will just bite the bullet and pray I get someone honest! Thank you again for all your repies as this is one WebSite that I can... and do believe in. Have a nice day

Originally Posted by bluedog103

I've worn hearing aids for well over 20 years. I've have virtually every type of aid out there over the years and can tell you this....they just keep getting better and better.
My present aids are Starkey S series and they are fantastic. They replaced my Starkey Destiny hearing aids which were superior to my previous hearing aids.
I suggest that you ask around about audiologists. Some are really, really good, some are not so good, others should be in another line of work. Like anything else I guess. Make sure you go to an audiologist, not a hearing aid salesperson. While some sales reps are audiologists, not all are. An audiologist will have a masters or often a doctors degree in audilology. They should be someone you can talk with easily.
Price is definitely an issue. Digital hearing aids can easily cost over $2500 per ear. If you're paying that kind of money, you want an audiologist who will work with you to get them adjusted the way you need them. Sometimes I'll take hearing aids back 8-10 times for adjustment when they're new. Others only once or twice. After they're adjusted to my liking, I'll return with them occasionally if something need an adjustment. I usually get new hearing aids when the warranty expires, usually at 2 years. The technology is changing so quickly that I'm always amazed at how much better my new hearing aids are.
After you get your hearing aids, don't be afraid to make a pest of your self. I'd try to find someone local and make sure they adjust them to your satisfaction. I'm a part time musician. When I got my Destiny H.A.s I found that the noise filtering of the hearing aids filtered out the sound of my guitar. I couldn't hear myself play. I returned to the audiologist and he adjusted one of the settings for music, so that it had minimal noise filtering. Now my hearing aids, which have four settings are 1-normal, everyday situations. I use this on 90% of the time. 2-small group..this is useful in restaurant type situations and 3-music. 4-telephone.
As others have suggested, make sure you understand the warranty and return policy and use it. Some hearing aids just don't work for me so back they go. I tried Phonaks a couple of times and just didn't like them so now I insist on Starkeys. Other's, including my audiologist, who's hearing impaired, love Phonak. It's what works for you that's important.
Good luck. If it doesn't work at first keep trying. It can get really frustrating but once everything is working properly it's worth the effort.

[ChattanoogaTn]

Just a last followup as to our (seemingly) never ending battle to find someone we could TRUST as we had all but given up as we had looked for the last 7 weeks and 6 different Hearing Clinics. As I had mentioned we had prices that for the EXACT same model were TWICE as high and everyone told us their competition was a lower quality and most tried to make my wife (and myself) feel guilty by not buying the most expensive.

Anyway we have (FINALLY!!!) found someone we can believe in, discussed (throughly) what we needed and would work without paying for all the "extra" bells and whistles that were...NOT NEEDED! and after quoting us for the 4 channel hearing aid gave us a 8 channel for same price as I told him (beforehand) that I would research the make and model to see results.

Sooo if and when you decide to find a hearing specialist you might want to try "MARK SILVER" at AUDIBEL HEARING CLINIC 910 Old Camp Rd Suite 182. You will find (as he was suggested from this forum) that he is very thorough, courteous and explains in DETAIL what your options are and will compete with anyones price as well as explain that there is no charge if we don't like the product.

Thanks again fellow Villagers for your comments and suggestions as this place was where I should have "started"!!!

[bluedog103]

That's great news. You've done your homework and your're reaping the benefits of that work.
Congratulations, you done good!!!

[DeafDeaf]

What is wrong with Cochlear Implant? It is expensive and may be covered by insurance - however much worth than a gothic hearing aid! Ask your doctor!