[ureout]

Originally Posted by capecoralbill

I'm looking into getting hearing aids, never had them. First i understand the batteries have to be replaced every 3 - 8 DAYS. SECOND the clear tube and dome tips have to be replaced every 3 months, and cleaned every week. Neither of which are free. Wow, when will i have time to do anything else?

battery life depends on size of battery....312's or 13's and whether you stream audio while watching television...I've had 3 sets of HA's and used both sizes of batteries...normal usage 14 hrs a day no streaming you will get about 5/6 days with 312 batt. and about 8/9 days with 13's if you stream cut that time in 1/2 dome tubes only need to be replaced if they get cracked and tips should be replaced at least every 3mos....Ive never been charged for tips and depends on where you buy them on if they charge for replacement tubes...but tubes should last for years and for batteries many places give free batteries 1st year....shop around and try differnet brands ...believe me there can be a big difference in comprehension between brands...and also the way the audiologist sets them up...

[Brugi]

Hi Everyone,
Glad to have found this post on hearing aids / hearing loss.
I have profound hearing loss in both ears.
Currently wearing Oticon Chili's. And yes they were expensive. $6,000 for the pair.
Right now I reside in South Daytona, and will be moving to our Villages home in Feb.
I am looking for a audiologist over there, so when I do move, I'll have someplace to go should I have problems.
I was given the name of Paige Holt with Lake ENT. So I'm thinking of visiting her once I move.
I was curious with everyone that has profound hearing loss and wears hearing aids, if they have any problems with hearing music.
The hearing aids I have are made for speech. So it appears the music comes in as background noise, and the hearing aid cuts it off.
So in a nutshell, I paid $6,000 for a pair of aids and cannot listen to music. My current audiologist has tried implementing a music program but with no luck. I have since sent an email in to Oticon. I can't believe I paid all this money for new aids but can no longer enjoy music. I was just curious if anyone else that has profound loss and wears aids is having the same problem.
Thanx in advance for your imput.
Laura

[Bogie Shooter]

I think your audiologist should have told you about the music issue before taking your money.

[ednetdl]

I for one have some significant hearing aids, but am still vain enough (I know I shouldn't be), to not want them to be very visible. Any one have any ideas about what works best with that in mind?

[ureout]

Originally Posted by Brugi

Hi Everyone,
Glad to have found this post on hearing aids / hearing loss.
I have profound hearing loss in both ears.
Currently wearing Oticon Chili's. And yes they were expensive. $6,000 for the pair.
Right now I reside in South Daytona, and will be moving to our Villages home in Feb.
I am looking for a audiologist over there, so when I do move, I'll have someplace to go should I have problems.
I was given the name of Paige Holt with Lake ENT. So I'm thinking of visiting her once I move.
I was curious with everyone that has profound hearing loss and wears hearing aids, if they have any problems with hearing music.
The hearing aids I have are made for speech. So it appears the music comes in as background noise, and the hearing aid cuts it off.
So in a nutshell, I paid $6,000 for a pair of aids and cannot listen to music. My current audiologist has tried implementing a music program but with no luck. I have since sent an email in to Oticon. I can't believe I paid all this money for new aids but can no longer enjoy music. I was just curious if anyone else that has profound loss and wears aids is having the same problem.
Thanx in advance for your imput.
Laura

I don't have profound loss...but do have severe loss...I have owned 3 different brands of HA's and tried out Oticon last year...I have never heard not being able have a program so you can listen to music...what was Oticon's reply to your e-mail? When you say you can listen to it...do you mean fom the radio? I stream music form the radio and downloads on my I phone...do your HA's have bluetooth capability to stream?

[rubicon]

20 posts have convinced me that the concern with the noise associated with gas carts is overstated

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by rubicon

20 posts have convinced me that the concern with the noise associated with gas carts is overstated

Huh?

[2BNTV]

I go to John Hayden, Digital Hearing Aids, located in the Colony Plaza. 352.259.8824.

I have been going there for two years and probably will upgrade my hearing aids next year. It is expensive for the top of the line hearing aids but not hearing, diminishes one's quality of life.

Hasn't charged me a dime for any hearing test and for the periodic removal of humidity of my hearing aids. He is honest and carries the "Starkey" brand of hearing aids. My plans covers hearing aids but the brand they suggest, is not good.

I went to TVH and the audiologists told me the same thing. They are not good hearing aids. It's probably why health plans don't pay for things like this as it can be very expensive but they'll pay for Viagra.

What????

[Brugi]

I cannot hear music at all. Not from television, radio, live music from the town squares. Nothing. I have not heard back from Oticon yet. Still waiting . The audiologist I go to made the comment that music comes in at the frequencies I can no longer hear.
I can hear the beat of the music, just not the music itself.
I'm not convinced . I will continue to research this.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

I go to John Hayden, Digital Hearing Aids, located in the Colony Plaza. 352.259.8824.

I have been going there for two years and probably will upgrade my hearing aids next year. It is expensive for the top of the line hearing aids but not hearing, diminishes one's quality of life.

Hasn't charged me a dime for any hearing test and for the periodic removal of humidity of my hearing aids. He is honest and carries the "Starkey" brand of hearing aids. My plans covers hearing aids but the brand they suggest, is not good.

I went to TVH and the audiologists told me the same thing. They are not good hearing aids. It's probably why health plans don't pay for things like this as it can be very expensive but they'll pay for Viagra.

What????

Are you saying that the HAs sold by TVH are not good?

DH lost one of his. They were purchased at Costco. Siemens brand, about $2500 for the pair. Great service from Costco. His ENT charged $4k for same pair and couldn't come close to Costco price.

Has anyone used Sam's? Just called them. They only carry a brand called Liberty. Online reviews appear mixed. Would love to hear your experiences.

We're trying to avoid going all the way to Orlando if we can.

[capecoralbill]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

My plans covers hearing aids but the brand they suggest, is not good.
I went to TVH and the audiologists told me the same thing. They are not good hearing aids. It's probably why health plans don't pay for things like this as it can be very expensive

Hello, Will you clarify what Plan you have? Is it United Health Care? Have you tried the "brand they suggest", and what is that brand?. Thanks Bill

[tedquick]

I had used the Lyric but after about 1.5 years they started damaging my ear canals so I started over. I visited EVERY place mentioned on here, actually I had 8 or 9 tests done and many recommendations. The stores that deal with multiple hearing aids all recommended the Phonak. I ended up with the Phonak V70 and purchased from Dan at Villages Ear. He gave me the best price and seemed to want my business. I am very happy with the hearing aids and with Dan.

[capecoralbill]

I looked this up online, apparently the Phonak V70 is not a model number, it is a technology category. So you can buy a V70 in many different models, such as the Naida, Audeo, Bolero, Virto, Sky, CrossB, CrossII, and even the Lyric is part of the V70 category. Anybody have a feeling this industry is trying to mess with us?

Ted, would it be too much to ask what model, and its cost, each ear? Thanks Bill

[bluedog103]

I've worn hearing aids for over 30 years and have seen huge changes in hearing aid technology over the years. The first bit of advice I offer those getting hearing aids for the first time is to be sure the person you're seeing for hearing aids is an Audiologist. An Audiologist is a doctor, Au.D. and has undergone extensive training. Florida has a lot of Hearing Aid Dispensers. A Hearing Aid Dispenser must be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent and undergo 6 months training. I've known too many people who have gone to Hearing Aid Dispensers and end up with hearing aids which are unusable. They end up in a dresser drawer, never to see the light of day. It's an expensive lesson and the patient often gives up and endures poor hearing which could be improved with the correct hearing instruments.
Next, be prepared to return repeatedly for adjustments to get your hearing aids the way you want them. The Audiologist expects that and isn't insulted to see you over and over, if fact, good ones encourage you to return as often as necessary.
Regarding listening to music, depending on your particular hearing loss, it will probably never sound fantastic but with proper programming the Audiologist can probably help you considerably. I'm a guitar player and I recall a number of years ago getting new, digital hearing aids the day before a gig. At the gig I knew I had a problem as soon as I started tuning up. The filtering on my hearing aids recognized the guitar as noise and filtered it out. It was a comical gig trying to play what I couldn't hear but no biggie. I returned to the Audiologist and he adjusted my hearing aids, which had multiple programs, so that one program was for music, which reduces the filtering, among other things. Since then they know about it so when I get new hearing aids they just have them programmed for music from the factory.
I like Starkey hearing aids and usually get some variation of their instruments. That's just personal preference. My Audiologist, who is hearing impaired, preferred Phonaks. Different strokes for different folks
Good luck! Just pick a good Au.D. and don't give up. There are some great hearing aids out there.

[shumbapie]

Rubicon, I could not agree more about closed caption for the British movies/actors. Especially when they are wispering in on scene and screaming in the next.