[La lamy]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

Oh, I so wish that the Daily Sun paper would run some ads for hearings aids. I mean the public needs more information about them. Perhaps there is not enough profit in this business to warrant a bit of marketing in our paper here. Not looking for huge multi/page blown-out ads that may cost a fortune….. I’m sure there is so little profit in this market…….

Just do a google search. Much more in depth info available for ALL that is available on the market.

[Grill Meister]

IMO....Do Not....Do Not go to a hearing aid sales company nor hearing aid specialist for your hearing problems. I went that route for several years with total frustration. All they want is to sell you something. Go to a Doctor of Audiology. Here is a great suggesting for your better hearing and living:
• Paige Alberson Holt, AuD, Lake ENT Hearing Aid & Audiology Services. 352-753-5874. Audiologist. Doctor Holt is a doctor of audiology, not a hearing aid salesperson. Her objective is to assist her patients in better hearing. She is very thorough in her examination, explains your situation in terms that are understandable, and recommends appropriate solutions with trial periods. Located at 1501 US 441 N, Suite 1402 across from The Villages Hospital. Hearing Aid Services of Lake ENT - The Villages in The Villages, FL 32159

[JohnN]

I tried 'em. My life is happier without 'em.

[Patricia56]

My daughter has Widex brand hearing aids. She has tried other brands at the suggestion of her audiologist but always goes back to Widex.

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by La lamy

Just do a google search. Much more in depth info available for ALL that is available on the market.

Hmmmmm…apparently the tongue-in-cheek thing did not resonate……

[mtomlinson]

Originally Posted by rhood

I’ve been wearing new hearing aids now for about 6 weeks and I’m ready to return them. I have a high frequency loss and now what I’m hearing is very annoying. Things like the paper crinkling, throwing a light switch, my feet shuffling on the carpet, etc. I am still asking my wife to repeat what she is saying which is the only reason I got them. They have been adjusted 3 or 4 times with very little change. I generally can’t tell if they are in or not. What is your experience? Thanks

I have a very severe high frequency loss and have been wearing hearing aids for many years. I would be lost without them. I have to buy top of the range aids but always get in-the-ear aids as I spend most of my leisure time outdoors. Wind will always be a problem but changing the angle of my head usually helps. I purchased mine through The Villages Health audiologist and have a lifetime of adjustments. My advice is, if they improve your lifestyle, stick with them. It takes time for your brain to adjust but the noises you hear will eventually become normal as they were when your hearing was good.

[mrkorn12@aol.com]

Call Eric Clonce, Costco Hearing Aid Specialist at (407) 586 - 7241, in Orlando. Kirkland Hearing Aids (version 10.0 T) cost $1,400 for the pair. They are rechargeable. The letter “T” stands for Telecoil. The Telecoil will allow you to sync your Hearing Aids with the sound system in movie theaters, some Village and Regional Recreation Centers, the Sharon Morse Performing Arts Center and other venues. They are made by Phonak. Hearing Tests are free, follow-ups, repairs, supplies (domes, filters, etc.) are free. Costco has the longest Trial Period, 6 months. The warranty and replacement for lost Hearing Aids is excellent. If you are not satisfied, for any reason, return them for a full refund. We have been using Eric for many years. He is extremely knowledgeable, very thorough, very caring, and a real nice fellow. We have sent many friends, neighbors, and family to Eric. We always get excellent feedback. Call to make an appointment. This way, you will not have to wait. They will program a pair of hearing aids that you can wear in the store for a while to see how they feel and how they work. Costco sells several other Brands too. Make sure you talk with Eric about two other items. First, discuss a Transmitter. This is a very small box that will be placed near the television. It will allow you to sync directly from the television's audio to your hearing aids. This is an excellent option, and easy to hook-up. It costs about $140. Second, you need to purchase the very small overnight storage box (about $40) that you can keep on your night table. When you place your hearing aids in the box-- for the next 20 minutes or so, automatically-- all humidity will be removed and the ultra-violate light will kill 99+% of bacteria, etc. This is important from a health standpoint. Also, your hearing aids will remain safe overnight. BTW-- version 10.0 T can be programmed remotely. Talk with Eric about this. I wear version 8.0. Good Luck.
Just a quick follow-up. Costco, Sam's Club, as well as most stores that sell hearing aids-- employ Hearing Aid Specialists. These folks are licensed as such-- and are usually all one needs when purchasing hearing aids. These folks have a Bachelor’s degree-- some may have a Master's degree. They are not Audiologists. Audiologists are Doctors of Audiology and have the letters: Au.D. after their name. Hearing Aid Specialists are required to examine your ears to determine if there are any potential issues that may indicate that "clearance" is needed from an Audiologist or ENT-- before they will fit you for hearings aids. Many Audiologists sell hearing aids; but, they will be much more expensive. If someone has special needs (medical problem, Tinnitus, etc.)-- working with an Audiologist-- at least initially-- may be appropriate. One can then buy their hearing aids from that Audiologist, or buy the hearing aids elsewhere. You might want to check with your Health Insurance Company as to coverage for visits to an Audiologist, and even the hearing aids. Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids. Also, if you are a Veteran—check with the VA as to coverage for Audiologist visits, the hearings aids, and even the batteries. In many cases—there is no charge.

[Finnman]

Hearing aids will help until your hearing loss is deemed" profound". My hearing deteriorated to the profound level which resulted in loss of word comprehension thus the inability to understand speech. My solution resulted in having a hearing aid in one ear and a Cochlear Implant in the other. My comprehension went from 10% to 95%. I strongly recommend you visit Davis Family Hearing on Hwy 466 for an expert evaluation by an audiologist....their solution restored my hearing to almost normal.

[Don5154]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Asking for a friend , do hearing aids aid with high freq loss??

Yes they do....I have the same problem. 3 years ago purchased hearing aids and they changed my life for the better....would not ever give them up.

[bobeaston]

Originally Posted by rhood

... I have a high frequency loss and now what I’m hearing is very annoying. Things like the paper crinkling, throwing a light switch, my feet shuffling on the carpet, etc. I am still asking my wife to repeat what she is saying which is the only reason I got them. ... What is your experience? Thanks

Yours sounds like a poor experience, perhaps with a provider that is not adept at providing what you need.

Yes, a hearing aid that compensates for high frequency loss is going to amplify sounds in those high frequency ranges and you'll certainly hear paper crinkling, clicking and whishing sounds that you've been missing. You'll also hear more pleasant sounds of nature such as crickets and birds that you probably didn't know you were missing.

Yet, your real need, speech clarity, was what you wanted and what was not delivered. There are many possible reasons, but we can reduce them to two general reasons: the device and the practitioner.

DEVICES:
There are 5 major hearing aid manufacturers. All of them have a range of devices that range in capability to provide benefit to people on a scale of hearing loss, usually denoted as moderate to profound. The starting point is a good diagnosis that matches your loss characteristics with a device that offers the correct benefits.

As an aside, this is the place to differentiate between the new wave of devices that one can buy online, versus prescribed devices fitted by qualified audiologists. The online, or "over the counter" devices are good for some people, but are usually simple amplifiers with some ability to be tuned. That tuning function is usually quite limited and while helpful for some, isn't usually very good at offering speech clarity.

On the other hand, the prescribed devices are much more capable, smarter at understanding what you are hearing, and adept at providing speech clarity, especially when properly tuned ... or "fitted" as an audiologist says.

The price gulf between over the counter devices and prescribed devices is twofold: the capabilities built into the device, and the value an audiologist provides in fitting the device. Today's prescription devices, especially at the top levels have amazing speech clarity capability. Speech clarity is the holy grail of good hearing aids and several of today's manufacturers are providing spectacular results. ...but only when properly fitted. ...and often, it is the fitting skill and long term care that you're paying the premium for.

An aside, some of the latest technology senses the difference between when you are listening to a conversation partner walking beside you, or one sitting across the table, to conversation partners in a quiet setting, or a noisy place (restaurants are the bane of every listening environment). The processing power in the devices is now very adept at sensing environments and automatically tailoring their amplification to what you need.

PRACTITIONERS
A good Doctor of Audiology can make all the difference in the results you experience. The good ones don't merely dispense their products and scoot you on your way. The good ones do very careful diagnostics, learn enough about your conditions to understand what you want, try to offer the best devices to meet those wants, and then "fit" them to your individual hearing capabilities / deficiencies. You should expect them to take multiple fitting sessions to get you there. In fact, part of the high prices of prescription hearing aids (the part no one ever mentions) includes the practitioner's cost of multiple initial fitting sessions and periodic "check-up" sessions over the warranted life of the product.

It is completely normal for a Doctor of Audiology to "auto fit" your devices initially and then let you have a week to become accustomed to them. ("Auto-fit" means having their fitting computer adjust the device output to your audiogram. It is a good starting point, but rarely the best fit.) Our brains actually take some time to adapt to the new hearing landscape. Then, come the fine tuning sessions that shape the fittings to your needs. If these are not happening or being useful, find a better audiologist.

It also helps to learn more about the entire process, what to expect, and how to get what you want. A couple of years ago, I discovered Dr. Cliff Olson, and audiologist in Phoenix who has a YouTube channel where he frequently publishes videos on all sorts of hearing device topics. He has established a set of "best practices" and has compiled a list of practitioners who follow those best practices. Find his site at Doctor Cliff, Au.D. | Audiologist & YouTuber.

My personal experience covers over 15 years of using hearing aids. My previous practitioner was a Dr. of Audiology who did a reasonable job for me and fitted devices for me that did a very good job. After following "Dr. Cliff" for a couple of years, and coming to a time where my previous devices were 7 years old and far behind modern capabilities, I sought out one of the Best Practices doctors and found one right here in The Villages. He performed more diagnostics than the previous audiologist, listened more carefully, and applied a wealth of experience to deliver results that are SPECTACULAR.

I've avoided mentioning particular brands or practitioners to keep this from sounding like an info-mercial. My intent was to help others understand some of the differences between low cost options and premium priced prescription choices. The differences can be huge, but you need to know what you are buying, what to expect, and something about how to get there. Hope this helps.

For those who want to know what devices I now use and the Dr. of Audiology that I think is the best ever, ask me via private message.

[cajonjoe]

Get a cochlear implant!

[kanoa1kale2]

Originally Posted by Buckeyephan

If you are unhappy, you should return them. Each hearing aid brand has strengths and weaknesses. Before choosing mine, I “test drove” several but avoided stores that only sold one brand. I would also suggest going to a doctor of audiology such as Paige Holt. She is affiliated with a physicians office so isn’t pushing only one kind. I told her what features were important to me and she was able to make suggestions. Some of the places I went made me feel like I was buying a used car. There were thousands of dollars difference for the same model at different places. My degree in Speech and Hearing Therapy made me very aware of things to avoid. Good luck. It is worth the effort.

Paige Holt at Lake ENT is very good and extremely patient with her patients. Statement intended by the way <lol>. I test drove different aids and I have high frequency loss. I chose the Signia aids which has different programs. I also have tinnitus, but have adapted to it, so I do not need the maskers that are commonly used. Unfortunately, the tinnitus is in the normal speech frequency range and interferes with hearing in a social environment with many people talking. Aids with directional control and frequency control assist in this area. External aids can assist in directional control, where I use the hidden canal aids that are not as good in this area. Paige will guide you and test many settings to help you in this regard.

[meme5x]

I had Phonak.. changed to Starkey…they’re better for me but they are hearing aids and unfortunately you will never hear as you once did. Also have high frequency problems but better than not hearing.

[puttermai]

Could you please tell me what audiologist you use and what kind of hearing aids you have. Thank you.

[LianneMigiano]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

Perhaps there is not enough profit in this business to warrant a bit of marketing in our paper here. Not looking for huge multi/page blown-out ads that may cost a fortune.

Knowing how terribly expense good hearing aids are, it really irritates me to see FULL PAGE AFTER PAGE of hearing aid ads! My thoughts? Spend less on ads and lower the cost of the products! Use some of that space to tell the public more about what benefits they provide - and exactly what the differences are between various models. They really do make a world of difference![/FONT]