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scott100
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2022 08:07pm
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It will be interesting to see how these OTC hearing aids will play out. I'm sure it will be a game changer for those that can't afford to go the usual route and don't have insurance coverage to help.
For me, when it was time, I had an audiologist test my hearing, heard their plug for the $6k pair, and ordered mine online from Audicus. They are high end hearing aids programmed for my hearing loss. They have bluetooth connectivity, are rechargeable, and have multiple programs to fine tune things for different situations. All for around $2.2k. Also, my insurance covered the whole shot (it wouldn't have covered more than 3k for the others). Great customer support, though they have to be sent in for any issues or program tweaks. Had 1 program tweak done initially but have had no issues for more than 2 years.
So the OTC thing is new, but ordering standard hearing aids online has been an option for quite a while now. Costco is another good option. Of course, if you have some hearing problem other than common hearing loss your best bet would be a local audiologist and spending the big bucks.
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paulz
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2022 08:40pm
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Quoting: scott100 It will be interesting to see how these OTC hearing aids will play out. I'm sure it will be a game changer for those that can't afford to go the usual route and don't have insurance coverage to help. For me, when it was time, I had an audiologist test my hearing, heard their plug for the $6k pair, and ordered mine online from Audicus.
Probly going to be a game changer for the audiologists too, trying to figure out how to cope with the loss of business.
I looked up the place that did my hearing test on Yelp, half a dozen great ones, then this one:
I was given two hearing aids to test: The price was steep..for me..$3200. I came home to think it over. While doing so, I researched information on Oticon and price checked it from other centers. Here is where it all went south.
I discovered that the Oticon has three "performance levels". I was not told this during my appointment. Next, I uncovered the prices and quality of the three different levels. All literature indicates a substantial difference in quality between the number 1 level and the number 3 level. Now it gets worse.
I had been quoted the very least expensive Oticon, the level 3, during my appointment. However, and this is crucial, the Oticon placed in my ears to sell me the aid were level 1..the best. At no time did he explain to me the different levels or the different prices, or different qualities. The result: I left believing I had been given an accurate price for the Oticon he had used during my appointment. There was every opportunity for him to explain the three levels and tell me that the one I picked was actually closer to $6700.00! About twice as much as the level 3!
So, to sum it up, I was sold by trying the very best Oticon, but quoted a price for the lowest level Oticon which is what I would have been given if I purchased it for the price quoted. Without my own research, I would not have known why the aids that I paid $3200. for did not function like the ones I used on me in the demonstration.
Furthermore, after I contacted the office about this, they said there was not much difference...This is not true at all according to the literature.
This is an example of Bait and Switch sales..buyer beware!
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2022 09:42pm
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That is the very thing I (we?) have too often come to expect....or should at least be wary of.
Good Info!
I do like a heads up to get an idea what questions to ask.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 17 May 2024 02:00pm
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Without fully reviewing this old thread, I’ll mention that earlier this year I purchased Phillips hearing aids at Costco for $1,600. They have a whole hearing department, had a thorough test by a pro, even broke the ear end off once which they replaced free in 15 minutes while I had a hot dog.
They seem to be the latest: usb recharge, phone app control for volume and tune, even dropped them in the dirt at the cabin and used the “find my aids” locator on the phone.
All that said do I like them? Hate em! I still hear well enough, once you talk over my tinnitus, that I normally don’t wear em, just turn up the TV. Oddly, men’s voices usually come in pretty well, but the tone of most women’s voices don’t, particularly my wife. Maybe that’s good,
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frankpaige
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# Posted: 17 May 2024 02:56pm
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I find the ones the VA gave OK. I do find these more useful when they connect to the tv. I hear the audio clearer and rely less on the closed captioning. And in certain venues, those hearing aids connect to the sound system and it’s a plus there. The tinnitus still roars with or without them.
At the cabin, it’s a wash. No one there but me usually. Don’t need them for fishing, reading or playing Sudoku.
And I hear the wife when she is speaking facing away from me. Guess that is a plus? Sometimes, lol
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FishHog
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# Posted: 17 May 2024 05:22pm
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Quoting: paulz Oddly, men’s voices usually come in pretty well, but the tone of most women’s voices don’t,
Same here. Women and kids are really tough to hear
I bought OTC Lexie hearing aids and after forcing myself to wear them all the time I realize how much I was missing and even wear them when I’m alone at the cottage now
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 17 May 2024 06:05pm - Edited by: ICC
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It is the different frequencies. Higher-range frequencies get lost more readily than lower frequencies. So we all may require different degrees of amplification in different ranges. In other words, it is not simply a loss in overall volume, it is a loss of the volume of certain frequencies more than others.
That was why I noticed turning up the volume on a movie didn't really do the trick for me.
And the frequency loss can vary substantially between left and right.
There is also evidence that not wearing hearing aids all the time can lead to further loss of hearing as the brain slows in its ability to process sounds intelligibly. Not wearing them all day is one of the leading reasons that some people fail to acclimatize fully. I cannot stand to not have them on while I am awake. Yes, there are negative aspects, but I have learned that. for me, life is better with them than without. I use the Bluetooth capability a lot for phone calls, audiobooks, streaming music, TV or video, Google maps directions, etc.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 17 May 2024 06:45pm
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Quoting: frankpaige And I hear the wife when she is speaking facing away from me. Guess that is a plus? Sometimes,
Thats odd, opposite for me. When she’s in the cabin bathroom looking in the mirror (hobby #1) I can’t hear anything she says. But in bed, telling me what a louse I am (hobby #2), I hear every word. Maybe it’s the volume.
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darz5150
Member
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# Posted: 17 May 2024 07:48pm
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It's called selective hearing Paul.
I have that paired with selective memory, when my wife brings up past infractions from my music playing days. ? Lol
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 19 May 2024 01:21pm
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Just found this in my box of cabin junk. It’s years old, there may have been two but I doubt it. Think it was under $20 at the Harbor Freight counter but I don’t see them listed now.
Very basic, just a replaceable battery and a volume knob, but it seems to work just fine. Perfect for low importance use like working around the cabin. Larger and more noticeable than my fancy expensive ones but I could care less. Actually if I could find some the size of headphones I’d just wear those.
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