Hearing aid selection.

[cdaigle430]

I have the Phonac hearing aids, 3rd set since 2004. I do like the Bluetooth features and they are pretty reliable even in the hot high humid amazon jungle. Just need to put them in the dryer overnight. Soon though my hearing loss will be to great for any hearing aid, just hope some new technology comes along.

 

[Aquamoose]

Hearing aids are like shoes, what works well for one won’t work well for another. Born profoundly deaf since 1969 and wear high powered aids since 3 (but just one ear).

Take my advice & go see an ear, nose, throat specialist to ensure you don’t have any underlying causes then visit a reputable audiologist.

 

[Dftodd]

My daughter in-laws dad spent around $1,400 on a set of hearing aids. Said his worked alright. He was in harbor freight and seen a set, and spent $20 for them. When I saw him, he had the $20 set in. Said they worked better

 

[gwstang]

"This is the second set I have had with a remote control that sort of resembles a garage door opener."

Does that come with a button to mute the wife unit? :laughing: I'll take two!

I'm using one starskey unit for the right ear and it's ok. Not great but ok. I just pretend the battery must be dead so I don't have to pay attention to her babbling....lol

 

[brokenknee]

Hearing aids are like shoes, what works well for one won稚 work well for another. Born profoundly deaf since 1969 and wear high powered aids since 3 (but just one ear).

Take my advice & go see an ear, nose, throat specialist to ensure you don稚 have any underlying causes then visit a reputable audiologist.

I have been to the regular ear doctor about 1 1/2 ago, I put off getting new hearing aids at that time because I knew I would be moving. I went to my local health clinic and they have an audiologist that comes in once a week. What I didn't like about him is he would not tell me how much my insurance would pay and I would have to pay for the hearing aids up front and then they would reimburse me when the insurance company paid them.

I called my insurance company and had them give me another company in the area that they worked with. I made the appointment, had the hearing test and am currently 'test driving" a set of the $6500 hearing aids. I do have to say I like them much better than my old phonax that are either 8 or 9 years old. I am just trying to figure out if it is because the new ones are the top of the line, (according to the audiologist) or it is because hearing aids have just gotten that much better.

When I told him who I worked for he told me how much they covered and had his assistant call to verify it.

At the end of my appointment (which lasted an hour and a half) I told him I would most likely go with the middle priced hearing aid ($4500). He told me to try the ones he fitted me for ($6500) for a couple of weeks first. He told me there was some "wiggle room" on the price. This leads me to believe as others here have already stated that there must be a pretty good profit margin on the hearing aids.

I also talked to my sister who has been wearing hearing aids for about 7 years. She just got a new set from Sams club for $1800. She says she likes them but really didn't know anything about them. Not sure what, if any services she receives after purchase. She didn't even know what brand or if they were blue-tooth compatible. I would also have to call my insurance to see if they would cover for out of network hearing aids. If not, there would not be that much of a savings.