| . 1 . 2 . >> |
| Author |
Message |
paulz
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 09:39am
Reply
Big news this month, and I've been waiting for it, as 'What?' is the word coming out of my mouth the most often.
I'm confused though, hearing aids have been available without prescription for a long time, I have tried a couple without much success. So what's the new deal, a better class of hearing aids?
|
|
frankpaige
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 09:48am
Reply
IF, the VA didn't provide mine. I would be trying the OTC ones. I hope that they provide some help for people. Every little bit helps. But, even the professionally provided ones aren't perfect. I can wish for new hearing at Christmas. But, my wife says, I have not been THAT good.
|
|
paulz
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 10:14am
Reply
Frank, do you use in the ear or behind? The behind the ear ones I have tried are hard to fit and keep in place while working, wearing glasses or a hat. How about rechargeable vs. replaceable batteries?
|
|
frankpaige
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 10:22am
Reply
Behind the ear.rechargeable. I wear glasses and seem to not be an issue. If? You are working with the VA? Check on what brands are available for you. Some are better and have more features.
The technician suggested behind the ear for better all round hearing. Some adjustments can be made. My worst places are crowded rooms. Noise just is sort of overwhelming sometimes.
|
|
gcrank1
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 10:27am
Reply
As I understand it (limited But I Am following it with interest) with so many things 'high-tech' eventually there is spill-over into the lower tier products. The 'old' hearing assist units were pretty basic and tended to be mere amplifiers. That was ok for some, not others. Now that the market has been opened up Im seeing units that are touting a lot of features the older 'prescribed' h-aids had, but with the new-gen tech.
Im inclined to stay away from the low tier and the high end products; think Im looking for a mid tier set with recharger and a decent amount of fine tuning.
Imo, competition in the market is a good thing, and getting away from the traditional marketing model (with what I believe has exorbitant 'costs & fees'; read: marks-ups) for being able to hear is akin to the now common eyeglasses places.
My dad spent around $15K I could account for over several years (likely $20K) on expensive hearing aids that were never all that good. After he died I tried them out for a while (as we had similar hearing losses for similar reasons) and finally understood why he hated them.
That said, Im thinking Im willing to spend up to about $500 on a pair of the otc type and give a go. Just not quite ready to pull the trigger yet.
|
|
paulz
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 10:55am
Reply
Quoting: frankpaige Behind the ear.rechargeable. I wear glasses and seem to not be an issue. If? You are working with the VA?
No VA for me. The draft ended in '73, I was still in high school and my parents figured me for college after that, a bad choice.
Not sure why I struggled with the behind the ear ones, maybe cause I got them at Harbor Freight, lol. The 'cord' was rigid so had to bend just right to get the earpiece in and stay locked behind my ear, which wasn't shaped very well for holding them. I'm still pretty active physically, always bending over or thrashing around somehow.
I'm thinking like gcrank, give a bit of time to shakeout and go for some mid level. Heck I've waited this long. I see Sony is marketing them. Rechargeable seems to be the way to go, can't imagine changing batteries every week.
|
|
ICC
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 01:37pm - Edited by: ICC
Reply
Changing batteries weekly is no big deal, you remove 'em to sleep. But I do like rechargables. The batteries will need replacing at some point and that is not a DIY project for most. Or new aids. The company that does mine warrants performance for 3 years so my specialist has told me to come in at about 33 months and complain that the charge does not last all day.
I have a recharger that connects to a USBhA port or charger. Plus a clamshell charger that has its own battery to allow aids to be charged anywhere. Handy travel item.
One of the best things about my rechargable ones is that they are hermetucally sealed. The older ones had to be placed in a drying jar overnight. I just pop mine into the charger slot and they are ready about 3 hours later.
The OTC ads I have read all have stated for mild to moderate hearing loss. My hearing loss is rated severe and I will not even bother to try OTC. I get an annual test and a retune as hearing loss changes like eyesight deficiencies can also change.
All hearing aids take getting used to. Just walking on a gravel road or a pine needle covered forest floor (dry needles) is especially noisy after you have been slowly losing your hearing for years or decades. They have come a long ways in the past decade or so. But still not perfect.
Advantages with some newer ones is the ability to connect to Bluetooth. Phone calls are directed to my left earpiece. But I do have to remember to talk to the mic and not stick the phone in my jeans pocker while phone calling. Also music audio and soundtracks from videos can be Bluetoothed. Nobody around me can tell unless I start humming to the tunes.
I find that my well fitted aids are something I am usually not even concious of wearing. Though there are constant reminders; fitting and removing over the ear hearing protection takes a little care. A hat with the brim sitting low can be a 'thing'. But being able to hear other people and the environmental sounds of the world around me is, to me, well worth any shortcomings.
After I get up, get dressed and wash thay are the next thing I do. Before coffee or anything else. They stay on until I go to bed or have a shower. There are times I find myself ready for a shower, but the sound (loud) of the running water reminds me that I am still wearing mine. I am THAT used to them. There are times i don't like them. But I am a strong believer in their regular use. I can tell they have improved the quality of my life.
FYI, the use of hearing aids can cause an increase in the production of ear wax or cerumen (suh-ROO-men to use the medical name). That is the body's natural response to help rid the ear of the foregn object.
|
|
ICC
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 01:38pm - Edited by: ICC
Reply
Most places offer free testing or a low copay if there is insurance with 45 to 90 days to try them out.
|
|
|
gcrank1
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 02:34pm
Reply
Can they do anything for tinnitus?
|
|
ICC
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 03:06pm
Reply
I believe some aids may be able to help with tinnitus. Best to check with a good audiologist. I used to be mildly bothered with tinnitus but loss of actual hearing was major. Hearing loss drove me to get tested. They may have asked me about tinnitus but I do not recall.
I have had friends who gave up on them. I believe that to be an error.
I did receive a big shock as to how noisy my world actually was when I got my first pair. Walking from the truck to my home, across a gravel driveway was horribly loud. Same with a walk in the formerly quite woods. Dry pine needles being walked on was like breaking sticks, or so it seemed. However, I had been warned and gave it my best. I've not been sorry.
|
|
paulz
Member
|
# Posted: 14 Oct 2022 08:19pm - Edited by: paulz
Reply
My ears ring like a land line dial tone, constant. I read that it sometimes goes away after many years, been waiting about twenty. Once in a great while, just before falling asleep, if I'm really tired, it goes away. I cherish those moments. Next morning back full strength. It's really not that troubling, you get used to it. Not as bad as not hearing conversation. Also read that there are hearing aids that help with tinnitus. And ones that connect to your phone or computer for tuning so you're not fumbling for the little switches by your ears.
|
|
Aklogcabin
Member
|
# Posted: 15 Oct 2022 11:49am
Reply
I've been wearing them near 20 years. I've found that Costco has the best deals. Around 2 grand, our insurance covers a pair every 2 years.
I believe that the folks think that they make you hear better but it's mostly that sounds are louder. Everything is louder.
The Costco aids can get wet. I ruined a pair of miracle ears, 8 grand then, forgot n got into the jacuzzi. I've been fortunate in that I have not experienced excessive ear wax.
Hearing loss is not only difficult for me but more importantly it can get hard on family. Tv tooooo loud n such. Hearing loss can also leave a person out of conversations with others too.
As a fellow missing over 75 % of my original hearing I can say that overall, get used to hearing aids.
Paulz , just spitballing here but they may help your hearing condition. And hearing the birds singing sounds nice.
FWIW, I've had the ones from Costco and have been really happy with the service and hearing aids. And so far they seem to have the best prices.
Good luck man,
|
|
ICC
Member
|
# Posted: 15 Oct 2022 01:22pm - Edited by: ICC
Reply
Quoting: Aklogcabin Hearing loss is not only difficult for me but more importantly it can get hard on family. Tv tooooo loud n such. Hearing loss can also leave a person out of conversations with others too.
That was one of the big improvements in my life.
And I should have got them 3 to 4 years before I did.
Turning up the volume on tv or whatever doesn't really help as much as one might think, depending on the frequency distribution of one's loss. My loss is mainly high and moderate frequencies with the low frequencies not affected nearly as much. Turning up the volume can make the bass too loud and that can interfere at the higher frequencies. So the hearing aids break things into channels and the tech equalizes frequency volumes. So you can actually hear better.
Both Sams Club snd Costco offer hearing aids for pretty good pricing, to members. Depending on insurance some folks do as well at other places.
|
|
gcrank1
Member
|
# Posted: 15 Oct 2022 02:27pm
Reply
My loss is mostly in the lower end, too much wind past my ears motorcycling, loud pipes both gas and diesel, shooting before I started wearing 'ears', etc., rt worse than the left so its hard having a conversation with my wife while driving.
Still hear some birds, crickets, tree frogs but not as many.
Worst is a room with folks talking, I lose the distinction......and Im not sure if Im compensating by myself talking louder (like people tend to do when they are on a phone and not hearing the other party very well).
Best part is I dont hear the traffic as well on the state highway in front of our house when taking a nap.
|
|
Fanman
Member
|
# Posted: 16 Oct 2022 11:12pm
Reply
I got Eargo OTC hearing aids about a year ago. They're tiny things, completely inside the ear canal. Results are mixed. They perform very well and made a significant improvement in my life... but the phone app used to program them is very flaky, using ultrasonic chirps to change settings. Sometimes in a noisy environment I'll hear the confirmation beep of a program change and I'll have to fix it. The batteries started to go around 9 months, at 11 months they sent me a new pair (1 year warranty).
You can select different sound profiles, e.g. "normal", "restaurant", "music", etc. The first time walking in the woods along a babbling brook with the "music" setting was an otherworldly experience.
|
|
paulz
Member
|
# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 07:53am
Reply
Those Eargo ads are tempting, and they have the right features. So how those were OTC before now?
|
|
WILL1E
Moderator
|
# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 11:50am
Reply
I am 42 years old and I've been wearing aids since I was in the 1st grade. My hearing loss is due to the doc screwing up big time when i was being born and not getting oxygen to my ears quick enough (that part where they suck fluid out of the kids ears when they pop out). I started out only wearing 1 in-the-ear aid for most my childhood. I was always told it was because they said it wasn't worth it for the the worse ear...found out later in life it basically because they couldn't afford 2 aids during their messy divorce. Anyways, the ITE aid was great when i was young for sports reasons (even though i had a few smashed in my ear, ouch) as well as less noticeable and less teasing. But as everyone has said, as the technology improved, it was a whole new world when i get a new one, hearing things i had never heard previously.
Anyways, it wasn't until 10-15 years ago when i was due for a replacement that the audiologist suggested a Behind The Ear model. She also offered me a no obligation chance to try two aids, one for each ear. Revolutionized my world and haven't looked back since. Not only was i hearing more things than ever, but things like directional hearing was something i never had.
I've been wearing Oticon's since going to BTE. A pair runs anywhere from $5k-$6k...pricey to say the least. One of the biggest benefits for me is the bluetooth capabilities. Anything i do on my phone or computer goes straight to my aids!! Take that Apple AirPods!! I also have an adapter that connects to my TV at home. So everyone else in the house can set the volume at a normal level and I can control the volume that is being bluetoothed directly to my aids...so if they have it on mute, i can still hear it in my aids! My current pair are my first rechargeable style. Overall i don't miss changing batteries. If i stream alot during the day, they struggle to last an entire day which on average 17-18hr awake time for me. Fortunately they charge really quick and like someone else said, i do have a portable charger with it's own battery which is great for travel.
Stocking caps and my Stormy Kormer hats are the only 2 things that cause issues with my aids. Stocking caps squish to much and my Stormy's sit down lower to my ears...i need to find someone who can notch them for me! The other drawback is aids don't like sweat. So humid summertimes or rainy days are my enemy.
|
|
Fanman
Member
|
# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 05:07pm
Reply
Quoting: paulz Those Eargo ads are tempting, and they have the right features. So how those were OTC before now?
"The FDA considers over-the-counter hearing devices to be personal sound amplifier products (PSAPs) rather than true hearing aids." (wink wink nudge nudge)
But,
"Straddling the OTC sound amplifiers and hearing aids purchased from an audiologist are DTC hearing aids, which you can buy online. Unlike PSAPs, DTC hearing aids can be used to treat hearing loss, are registered with the FDA, and offer remote care with an audiologist for professional assistance. Note that in many cases, the terms DTC and OTC are used interchangeably when referring to hearing aids you can buy online."
|
|
gcrank1
Member
|
# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 07:47pm
Reply
Just saw on the evening news that there will (are?) online testing procedures to help one determine which type, maybe brand?, of otc units will be best suited to one's hearing loss.
Im interested as long as that isnt just a cunning marketing ploy to direct me to only higher end units.
|
|
ICC
Member
|
# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 08:11pm
Reply
Hopefully that will be as honest a test as possible as I can't see how one can get what is going to work in the manner, in the frequencies that a person needs.
|
|
Fanman
Member
|
# Posted: 17 Oct 2022 09:04pm
Reply
Quoting: ICC Hopefully that will be as honest a test as possible as I can't see how one can get what is going to work in the manner, in the frequencies that a person needs.
All I can say is how the Eargo test works. The first test is crude, it uses your smartphone, after a simple volume calibration it runs typical hearing test tones and you click if you hear them, then tells you that you have hearing loss (and hopefully, that you don't if you don't).
When you receive the actual units they give you a more accurate hearing test with their smartphone app played through the hearing aids themselves and the app makes the appropriate adjustments. It seems to work pretty well (when the app works at all, which is another issue that may be with my phone), and the graph the Eargo app displays matches the actual hearing test results I got from an audiologist very closely.
|
|
WILL1E
Moderator
|
# Posted: 18 Oct 2022 08:26am
Reply
Can't say for certain but usually a hearing test is part of the included routine check ups for most health insurances, just like an eye exam, dental cleaning, etc. So hopefully the hearing aid manufacturers will allow you to enter the results of those exams to get your aids dialed in.
The tests you can do online, on your phone, etc. might be ok for minimal loss patients, but for those of us that are severe, i'd likely blow up my phones speaker trying to get it loud enough!!
|
|
Fanman
Member
|
# Posted: 18 Oct 2022 12:37pm
Reply
Quoting: WILL1E hopefully the hearing aid manufacturers will allow you to enter the results of those exams to get your aids dialed in.
Eargo can do this.
Quoting: WILL1E The tests you can do online, on your phone, etc. might be ok for minimal loss patients, but for those of us that are severe, i'd likely blow up my phones speaker trying to get it loud enough!!
The online test is only the initial screening... if you can't get it loud enough to hear it, you probably need hearing aids. 
The built in hearing test plays directly from the hearing aids, the phone speaker isn't involved except to play ultrasonic signals to tell the aids what tone to play and how loud.
|
|
ICC
Member
|
# Posted: 18 Oct 2022 01:25pm
Reply
A good audiologist sets up the hearing aids that are the prescribed kind the same way. The test in the booth gets close and then the hearing aids are fitted to the ear with special wired "thingies" connected to the computer. Then fine tuning takes place. It would be nice to have a system that allows for DIY. But as I stated before all the OTC I have looked at state they are for mild to moderate hearing loss. I am pretty far into the severe loss zone in both ears, though left side is worse. The left aid is working about 20% harder than the right going by how long batteries or the charge last.
|
|
gcrank1
Member
|
# Posted: 18 Oct 2022 01:47pm
Reply
Im thinkin I will let this whole otc thing run a while and settle itself out then go after the real world reviews and feedback. Maybe by spring......
|
|
paulz
Member
|
# Posted: 18 Oct 2022 06:23pm
Reply
Putting 'hearing aids' in on Amazon will make your head spin. I have to go to a presentation tonight in a classroom. That's the worst for me, outside is much better. I use a transcriber on my phone so I can read what's spoken but it's far from perfect.
|
|
paulz
Member
|
# Posted: 19 Oct 2022 06:30pm
Reply
Things got unexpectedly interesting for me today in the hearing department. Had to go to Costco for the wife's meds. On the way I stopped by a 'hearing center' a friend recommended to chat about the new OTCs. Next thing I knew I was getting a free hearing test. Here's the results. The guy who helped me has BC-HIS, Board Certified-Hearing Instrument Science after his name, not a real 'audiologist'? Seemed like he knew his stuff but also a bit of a salesman, which I guess he has to be. My results, he says, indicate I have two problems not easily addressed. My hearing level, the top graph, is very low. More importantly, at least to me, is my comprehension is bad, I only understood about half the words in the test.
I asked about the OTC aids, he said not for me, they are for people with less severe loss than I. What I need, says he, are $3,000 aids made by Oticon. Says they should help a lot. He also took a mold of my ears so if I bite all I have to do is call back and he will order them, they have to be custom fit, 3 weeks.
On to Costco, I stopped by their hearing aid department thinking maybe I'd take another free test to compare. Not to be, booked until December. The hearing aids they had in the display case were all around $2K.
So, more to ponder, but at least now I know, if this guy is on the up and up, the OTC aids won't do much for me.
|
|
gcrank1
Member
|
# Posted: 19 Oct 2022 08:51pm
Reply
Oh what a surprise!?
|
|
Fanman
Member
|
# Posted: 19 Oct 2022 09:16pm
Reply
I have heard good things about Costco hearing aids.
|
|
ICC
Member
|
# Posted: 19 Oct 2022 11:00pm
Reply
Getting tested is the first important step. Congrats! 
|
|
| . 1 . 2 . >> |
