Hearing

I probably needed hearing aids for at least 5 years before I finally decided I absolutely needed them because I was having trouble hearing in meetings, depositions, and large rooms where the sound doesn't travel. My drawback was cost. As it turns out, the health insurance we had at the time [and still have today] covered about 2/3 of the cost.

Went to an audiologist who did all sorts of testing. I too have Phonak brand--looking at the app, they are apparently Audeo P90-R. They are rechargeable [put them in a case overnight]. I wear them from the time I get out of the shower in the morning until I go to bed at night. They come with programmable presets that include: Automatic [the standard setting], Restaurant [which helps filter out the background noise and seems to focus hearing on the size of a 4-6 top], Music, TV, and Clarity. I can also increase or decrease the volume and even split the volume settings between the left and right ear.

They have absolutely improved my quality of life. They have a bluetooth feature so I can stream audio from my phone or iPad [great for flights]. While I choose not to, the same bluetooth can be used for phone calls.

I used to have the car radio playing somewhere between 20 and 22; with the hearing aids, it's 10 to 12. When my kids came home for the holidays for the first time after I got them, they immediately noticed the volume of the TV was dramatically lower.

Absolute game changer for me. And since Medicare does not pay for hearing aids, I intend to get a new pair in the year before I retire. My current pair is almost 4 years old and still work like a charm. What I am told and what I read is that the technology gets exponentially better every 3 to 4 years.
 
uncsig said:
I probably needed hearing aids for at least 5 years before I finally decided I absolutely needed them because I was having trouble hearing in meetings, depositions, and large rooms where the sound doesn't travel. My drawback was cost. As it turns out, the health insurance we had at the time [and still have today] covered about 2/3 of the cost.

Went to an audiologist who did all sorts of testing. I too have Phonak brand--looking at the app, they are apparently Audeo P90-R. They are rechargeable [put them in a case overnight]. I wear them from the time I get out of the shower in the morning until I go to bed at night. They come with programmable presets that include: Automatic [the standard setting], Restaurant [which helps filter out the background noise and seems to focus hearing on the size of a 4-6 top], Music, TV, and Clarity. I can also increase or decrease the volume and even split the volume settings between the left and right ear.

They have absolutely improved my quality of life. They have a bluetooth feature so I can stream audio from my phone or iPad [great for flights]. While I choose not to, the same bluetooth can be used for phone calls.

I used to have the car radio playing somewhere between 20 and 22; with the hearing aids, it's 10 to 12. When my kids came home for the holidays for the first time after I got them, they immediately noticed the volume of the TV was dramatically lower.

Absolute game changer for me. And since Medicare does not pay for hearing aids, I intend to get a new pair in the year before I retire. My current pair is almost 4 years old and still work like a charm. What I am told and what I read is that the technology gets exponentially better every 3 to 4 years.
Click to expand...
Yes, I've read that it makes sense to replace after about 5 years, because of wear and tech changes.

My insurance pays $1500. which is about 1/3 the cost.

I'll have to ask if the app lets you do more than simply raise and lower the volume.
 
nycfan said:
Interested in any responses as my Mom desperately needs hearing aids but is too vain to get them.
Click to expand...
My FIL is the same way. 74 yo - can't hear anything, particularly, if there are several conversations taking place or you are in public. We've talked to him so many times about just trying a hearing aid, but he won't do it. No different than wearing glasses, which he does.

There is a lot of evidence that hearing loss (and not dealing with it) can lead to depression, earlier onset of dementia and other neurological issues. Seems pretty obvious that not hearing well makes it harder to stay engaged and focused.
 
I’d argue that the most beneficial aspects of my Mom getting hearing aids using an audiologist were the hearing exams and the audiologist setting and adjusting the hearing aids to her conditions and needs.

The exams definitively mapped her hearing loss. Without that data, getting hearing aids would be a crap shoot.

Then, after she first started using the aids, we were at the audiologist’s 4-5 times in the 1st two weeks tweaking the aids.

One aspect I hadn’t anticipated was just how LOUD everything was for her the first 5-10 days. It showed how much hearing she’d lost; as an example, the car’s beeping when her seatbelt wasn’t fastened was painfully loud to her.
 
milom98 said:
Been through 4 pairs of cheap (sub $350.00) OTC hearing aids for my mom. She's stubborn and won't go get her ears checked and says the OTC ones do all she needs. Of course 2 pairs got returned because they didn't "do all she needs" - like actually help her hear. Charging case crapped out on one pair after a couple of months and was replaced but the same thing happened with it. I just recently purchased her the Audien Atom X and she seems happy with them. She says that they help her hearing but I think she likes the advanced charging case they come in more than anything. She's not very tech savvy so adjusting volume, settings.. on a phone app wouldn't work for her but the Audien charging case has all that built in on an easy to operate screen. They are pretty large and noticeable (my mom is petite though 5'3") so I doubt these would suit your needs but was just sharing in case anyone else is looking and knows someone like my mom.

Anyway, lots of the OTC hearing aids offer a free trial that let's you test them out, so that might be something to look into if you go the OTC route.

Jabra seems to be the company that everyone seems to agree makes the best OTC hearing aids.

This place and a few others do a good job reviewing hearing aids.

Click to expand...
I have a consultation with Jabra tomorrow.

I am going to get some hearing aids, just need to determine which ones.

Of course I could simply take a chance on the Jabra for $1500. If they don't work out then move to the prescription ones. I'm just struggling to pay $3500 for prescription when I cannot find much information to support the difference in cost.

I discussed with a co-worker and he has prescription, paid $3500 just as I'm looking at and he loves them.
 
I'm kinda depressed that the boards I've been reading and posting on for 25 years now have these kind of topics. Pretty soon we'll be talking about the most practical coffins.
 
I've worn one for a few years, really should have two.
I have a Widex.
My chief contribution is to say that my ear doctor has tremendous computer knowledge, which is constantly in flux. She has a host of settings for my hearing aid stored in her computer. So, for instance, if I have to replace my hearing aid she can install all those settings into a replacement hearing aid or loaner. I see her every six months and she always tinkers with settings,
This is not remotely like picking up something at Cosco.
The rechargeable battery is a game changer
 
LosPollosHermanos said:
I'm kinda depressed that the boards I've been reading and posting on for 25 years now have these kind of topics. Pretty soon we'll be talking about the most practical coffins.
Click to expand...
  1. Composting your body.
  2. Go to Maine. Rent a boat. Wrap body in metal chain. Drop body into ocean. It is legal. You might have to be at least 3 miles offshore and in X feet of water. Make sure you have a death certificate with you.
 
Last edited:
UNCatTech said:
I have a consultation with Jabra tomorrow.

I am going to get some hearing aids, just need to determine which ones.

Of course I could simply take a chance on the Jabra for $1500. If they don't work out then move to the prescription ones. I'm just struggling to pay $3500 for prescription when I cannot find much information to support the difference in cost.

I discussed with a co-worker and he has prescription, paid $3500 just as I'm looking at and he loves them.
Click to expand...
Does your insurance offer any any discounts on OTC hearing aids?

If you have the time, I'd like to hear how the process went with Jabra? I'd probably stand the best chance with one of the better OTC manufacturers if I ever did get my mom talked into upgrading to some advanced hearing aids.

Forgot to mention previously that my mom despised behind the ear hearing aids and likes the in the ear type, so that limits things with her. I don't even remember what her excuse was for not liking the behind the ear style because it was pretty ridiculous. All I know is that she wore them for a couple of hours and they were back in the box ready to return the next time I talked to her.
 
OldWHEEL said:
I have Phonak which I got about a year and half ago. My problem was high frequency hearing loss and tinnitus. I hated going to restaurants with groups of people because I could just no longer hear over the din.

Now. The tinnitus is much better. No problems in restaurants. I paid just under $5000 and got 3 free consults over the next year with the audiologist.

Worth every penny and I’m a penny pincher
Click to expand...
Pretty much the same story here. I got a Blue Tooth transmitter for our TV and when my wife is not in the room or has gone to bed before me, I just mute the TV and listen through my hearing aids. When I go for walks/hikes, I enjoy listening to podcasts, books on tape, or music via Blue Tooth from my phone to the hearing aids. Before hearing aids, I'd--more often than not--forget to bring ear buds when I left home. But I never forget the hearing aids because I put them in as part of my morning ritual: keys, wallet, glasses, hearing aids.
 
Last edited:
05C40 said:
Pretty much the same story here. I got a Blue Tooth transmitter for our TV and when my wife is not in the room or has gone to bed before me, I just mute the TV and listen through my hearing aids. When I go for walks/hikes, I enjoy listening to podcasts, books on tape, or music via Blue Tooth from my phone to the hearing aids. Before hearing aids, I'd--more often than not--forget to bring ear buds when I left home. But I never forget the hearing aids beciase I put them in as part of my morning ritual: keys, wallet, glasses, hearing aids.
Click to expand...
What brand do you have
 
UNCatTech said:
Anyone here wear hearing aids?

If you do, what brand and type?

OTC or prescription?

How do you like them? Are they worth the money?

I have high frequency hearing loss and I believe they will help, but reading about them has been a challenge.
Click to expand...
My dad just got some. Very much make a difference. They are Bluetooth too so basically full time ear buds for his phone
 
I’m chiming in. Again.

I doubt the brand matters.

What matters is the hearing exam(s) and the mapping of the patient’s hearing ability. And, the audiology support on-going.

My Dad is near stone-cold deaf. He had an infection in the aughts and his hearing just went away. He can hear some of loud, low pitch voices spoken directly and slowly at him LOUDLY and LOWLY. Higher pitches? Nothing.

His hearing loss is such that hearing aids just make EVERYTHING LOUDER.

Dad retired because he couldn’t hear. If he couldn’t hear students ask questions, how could he teach? Guess who ask questions? Even at UNC, it’s the female students. He’d lost ALL of his hearing at higher pitches. If Dad could hear, he’d still be teaching and leading in the Lab he built and found the funding to support that lab. He’s still that sharp.

If hearing aids could be made to fix his hearing loss, he’d sign up for them today…..last week…..a decade ago……25 years ago.

Mom? Was she already suffering from dementia or hearing loss?

Likely dementia and hearing loss.

We were way too focused in on macular degeneration. That was happening AND measurable.

We let the hearing loss and dementia get ahead of us.

If someone close to you thinks your hearing is off, get tested. Soon.
 
Zoo_View said:
I’m chiming in. Again.

I doubt the brand matters.

What matters is the hearing exam(s) and the mapping of the patient’s hearing ability. And, the audiology support on-going.

My Dad is near stone-cold deaf. He had an infection in the aughts and his hearing just went away. He can hear some of loud, low pitch voices spoken directly and slowly at him LOUDLY and LOWLY. Higher pitches? Nothing.

His hearing loss is such that hearing aids just make EVERYTHING LOUDER.

Dad retired because he couldn’t hear. If he couldn’t hear students ask questions, how could he teach? Guess who ask questions? Even at UNC, it’s the female students. He’d lost ALL of his hearing at higher pitches. If Dad could hear, he’d still be teaching and leading in the Lab he built and found the funding to support that lab. He’s still that sharp.

If hearing aids could be made to fix his hearing loss, he’d sign up for them today…..last week…..a decade ago……25 years ago.

Mom? Was she already suffering from dementia or hearing loss?

Likely dementia and hearing loss.

We were way too focused in on macular degeneration. That was happening AND measurable.
Click to expand...

Zoo_View said:
We let the hearing loss and dementia get ahead of us.

If someone close to you thinks your hearing is off, get tested. Soon.
Click to expand...
It's posts like this that remind me how much I have personally benefitted from the advances in medicine in my life and the rather sheltered and protected life I have led. My Mother died at age 62 of a stroke that, if not caused by, was certainly hastened by her estimated 40 years at two packs a day cigarette addition. My Father, died at age 82 of old age. But in addition to dementia in his last years, he suffered seizures his entire adult life as a result of multiple pieces of shrapnel having been blow into his brain during WW2. Once when I was a teenager, and it was just he and me were driving somewhere, he pulled over into a 7-11 parking lot and just sat there saying nothing. When I started to say something shortly after he pulled over, he just held his hand up and I stopped. After about five minutes, he exhaled slowly, turned to me and said, "If you ever wanted to know what one of my seizures was like, then you just saw one." I was practically bursting with questions, but, perhaps for the only time in my entire life, I kept my mouth shut and let my father relax and recover in peace. I thought about asking if he wanted me to drive, but decided that between two bad choices, him continuing to drive or his sixteen year old son driving, him continuing to drive would be less stressful.
 
So, I'm checking the Jabra hearing aids.
The cost for the top one is $1995. They had a special promotion that made them $1695. So, my insurance will cover $300 off. I thought great, that makes them even less. I added in the insurance information and I cannot get the promotion, so it's the same price.

Really? I hate the games.

But, it's still half the cost of prescription and from what I'm reading I don't see the benefits of prescription as I have a very normal high frequency hearing loss, not more challenging needs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top