[tankdvr1950]

Good day all.....i posted a similar message on another TOTV area but got few responses....so....i am going to try it here as i am sure there are a lot of TOTV'ers that are in or were in the same position I am in.

as much as i hate to admit it....i am afraid its time to explore getting some hearing aids.....

i am looking for recommendations as to where to go...what company, etc etc etc....like many of you i have read some real horror stories about the hearing aid business and how many people have been take advantage of and at great cost ($$$)....so any help or advice anyone can offer would certainly be appreciated.

[zcaveman]

I went to Lake Hearing on Bichara and had the audiologist check me out. She recommended two or three different hearing aids. I went home and researched them and went back and purchased one of the brands. I am happy.

Look to spend in the $1500-2000 per aid for good ones. I am sure I will get comments but I did do the research - including talking to several people with hearing aids.

Try here for some info:

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/hearingaid.asp

Bottom line is to go to a hearing aid place and have the audiologist check your hearing and listen to what they recommend and then go home and do the research. If you do not like the recommendations go to another hearing aid place and repeat the process. These tests are free and it only takes about an hour for the full test.

Once you decide you usually have 30 days to make sure they work correctly. If you have any problems write them down and make an appointment asap. If you re not happy at the 30 day mark, return them and find another brand or another place. Be sore to wear them all the time during the test period so you can encounter all of the situations - restaurant noise, wind noise (especially in the golf cart or on the golf course), television and radio noise, etc.

Hope this is what you are looking for.

Z

[Ohiogirl]

My brother-in-law lives in Ft Myers and is able to lease them and trade them in when an upgrade is needed. My sister, who still lives in Ohio, and wears hearing aids, thinks that this is only available in Florida right now. She has a serious hearing loss in both ears and hers cost more than typical ones - she'd love to try leasing them. Does anyone on TOTV know about this or do this?

[dstege]

I had testing done at three different hearing aid offices, and decided I felt most comfortable with Lake Ear Nose & Throat across Hwy 441 from the Sharon Morse Bldg. The office physicians are ENT's, but the hearing exam was free and the hearing aids are over the ear and extremely small. Ask for Paige Holt. She is the audiologist, and is excellent.

[bluedog103]

Be sure to see an audiologist, not a hearing aid salesperson. All audiologists are not created equal. Like everything else, choose a professional with whom you feel comfortable.
Don't be afraid to go back. Hearing aids need adjusting and tweaking. Make sure they keep working with you until you are pleased with the results.
There are many hearing aids living in dresser drawers because the user wasn't persistant. It's your money, make sure you get what you need.

[Mikitv]

I am using Lake Ear, Nose, Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery Assoc. on 441. They were recommended by my hearing aid company since I needed to transfer my insurance to some one here. So far pleased with their office. I have the phonak and I know they deal with that. Mine is digital and programmable. Hearing aids are not cheap but for me worth it since I have only the one. Phone is 352-753-8448