Hearing Aid advice
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radioman
Super Member
I can tell you guys this -- the medicare and health insurance companies do not want to cover HA's. If you are lucky to work one hour a month, you might be able to get medicaid buy in program to have a way to get HA's paid for. The biggest problem is where can you get ha's covered by medicaid. usually its a not for profit organization of some sort in your area.
Right now I am looking into aquaris models from siemens as they are waterproof and they are the only ones waterproof on the market right now. Phonaks makes a water resistance ones, but I have no idea about the sounds quality between the two.
Right now I am looking into aquaris models from siemens as they are waterproof and they are the only ones waterproof on the market right now. Phonaks makes a water resistance ones, but I have no idea about the sounds quality between the two.
Bird
Rest in Peace
I decided that was a good idea, Ron. I seldom nap during the day, but today I took our my hearing aids, put on my CPAP mask, and went to bed for 2 hours.
txdon
Super Star Member
I had my first visit with the the Dr. Audiologist today. That was one long, hard test. The final graph of my hearing looks like a ski slope and she described my hearing loss as severe and profound. She chose the Phonak Brio 321T with ear moldings. These are the small hearing aids that fit behind the ear and a small wire in a tube goes inside the ear to the ear mold and in the ear mold is a tiny speaker. I really did not want the ear molding but she said I needed them, but If I did not like them after using them they could be refunded and exchanged for a bud. I took her advice.
I had my wife go though the colors that looked best and both her and the Dr. agreed that the Blue was the best looking one. It kind of looks Techy against my gray hair and glasses.
I also order three optional items with it for a bundle price. The com copilot, the TV adaptor, and the remote mic - also called the wife mic. The optional 3 bundle cost $299 and I can return any one I don't think I will need up to 90 days. The hearing aids were $1299 each, (and $40 extra each for the ear molds) the exam was free.
The hearing aid is warranted for three years this also includes lost or damaged (once for each hearing aid). I have a 90 day trial and can change anything during this time and can also return it all for a 100% refund. Total drive out was $3K.
I'll pick them up in a little over two weeks and have them fitted. I forgot about the dryer (if it was included) and will be sure to ask about it then.
So far I am impressed and I'll report back about the hopefully improved quality of life improved hearing brings.
I had my wife go though the colors that looked best and both her and the Dr. agreed that the Blue was the best looking one. It kind of looks Techy against my gray hair and glasses.
I also order three optional items with it for a bundle price. The com copilot, the TV adaptor, and the remote mic - also called the wife mic. The optional 3 bundle cost $299 and I can return any one I don't think I will need up to 90 days. The hearing aids were $1299 each, (and $40 extra each for the ear molds) the exam was free.
The hearing aid is warranted for three years this also includes lost or damaged (once for each hearing aid). I have a 90 day trial and can change anything during this time and can also return it all for a 100% refund. Total drive out was $3K.
I'll pick them up in a little over two weeks and have them fitted. I forgot about the dryer (if it was included) and will be sure to ask about it then.
So far I am impressed and I'll report back about the hopefully improved quality of life improved hearing brings.
hslogger
Platinum Member
So many members have hearing aids, so many don't. I am on my third set. Previous ones were in the ear. A little over years ago I was fitted with the newest Phonak BTE Solara in both ears. Also included is a remote. I gotta tell you really, these are the best I could imagine having. The real key gents, is SERVICE and professional programing that only comes after extensive testing and sometimes modifications on the frequencies.The remote saves so much grief. I can operate the adjustments from my pocket or the palm of my hand instead of reaching back and monkeying around with some leeetle switch. These Phonak BTE are just super. You will always find someone to sell you something cheaper, but will you find someone who services you better? I have mine in blue so I can find them when I set them down. I have to wear them. I also have to be careful if I put on headphones that I don't knock them off when removing the headphones. When you wear them like I do, they ARE A PART OF YOU.
jix
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Good deal, both of you gents will be very happy with your decisions. It is most important that you went to an audiologist to get your hearing aids. Service is key to success over the long term!
Do take the time for a couple of follow-up visits. The audiologist will be better able to set up the aids once you have had a brief period of use. Little small tweaks in the programmes, tips on use.
If the audiologist specified molds rather than ear buds, that indicates that you truly really need the aids. Ear molds produce stronger sound pressures within the ear canal than the ear buds do, but they require greater attention to the issues of ear allergy reactions, mostly because the ear canals get moist inside from being sealed by the molds.
I myself cannot wear ear molds, my ears are too sensitive to skin issues. The audiologist will have medication that you put in your ears at night to help. EARGENE, is one of those. It does not work for me, however, as I have developed eczema and it makes my ears itchey and scaley inside. Eczema is not curable Btw..and cortisone ointment against itching causes rapid run away ear fungus to develop. The only thing that helps that is VIOSOL, a prescription ear drop medication that contains a little vinegar, but worsens the itchies.
The key seems to be to try to keep the ear canals dry. Plug them when you shower or swim to keep water out..and clean the inside of your ear bell with a baby wipe tissue each time that you remove and reinsert the aids. Keep the ear molds clean the same way, with baby wipes, which contain a little alcohol and gycerin. Let the ear molds dry for a few minutes after you wipe them, because alcohol burns if you put that into the ear canal...and alcohol promote eczema.
Despite the fussing, hearing aids are so worthwhile that I cannot overemphasize how important they are.
One thing I have noticed is that wearing good hearing aids will greatly reduce emotional stress and save you mental distress. You will not need so many naps, and will enjoy interacting with people a lot more, and get grumpy less frequently. They will change your life very much for the better, plus you will have better balance when you walk and be more alert to the small things in your world that you never noticed before.
As I began to say, in my first post on hearing aids, they will be one of the best investments that you have ever made
You were very wise to go to a competent audiologist and get tailored aids, made just for you. Any other kind or service will be a frustrating waste of a good opportunity to tune up your world. You get what you pay for, if you deal with a dedicated professional audiologist.
Congratulations!
PS: I must add a final thought. Using earmolds often produces slight irritation inside the ear canals, such as itching. This causes the ears to increase wax production (which his really a form of sweat). In my own case (and everyone's is different) the wax build up is tremendous and intolerable when it mixes with the scaled skin. It can become infected, It can become a locus for ear fungus, It makes your ears intolerably itchey. It must be removed..by an ENT doctor in the worst case..ands that hurts plenty.
I developed my own solution.. becoz no doctor had one that was workable. my ears produce so much wax and scaled skin detritus that they must be cleaned out at least once a day, so I use (against doctors orders) a bobby pins blunt end. By gently inserting that, and a scooping motion the wax and the crud are removed easily and effectively. I use a babywipe on the bobby pin to clean it afterwards.
Note that this is a dangerous procedure, if you are jolted and slip while you are putting the bobby pin deeply into you ear canal. You can hit the ear drum and damage it if you are not careful. You can easily feel when the bobby pin is too far in, and way before you contact the ear drum.
You can also easlly feel when the bobby pin has contacted hardened dried ear wax inside the ear canal. If that occurs, reapeated GENTLE scaping of the hard wax will usually scoop it out. If not, put some warmed glycerin oil drops into the effected ear, then try again later. In a day or so.
You cannot have another person, except an ear doctor, do this for you......Because only you can tell if the bobby pin is too far into your ear canal
I Must stress that I do not recommend this procedure to you..but it is the only way that has worked for me...and I have been doing it for twenty years without a mishap. You gotta have a delicate touch..and you gotta be desperately itchey.
Do take the time for a couple of follow-up visits. The audiologist will be better able to set up the aids once you have had a brief period of use. Little small tweaks in the programmes, tips on use.
If the audiologist specified molds rather than ear buds, that indicates that you truly really need the aids. Ear molds produce stronger sound pressures within the ear canal than the ear buds do, but they require greater attention to the issues of ear allergy reactions, mostly because the ear canals get moist inside from being sealed by the molds.
I myself cannot wear ear molds, my ears are too sensitive to skin issues. The audiologist will have medication that you put in your ears at night to help. EARGENE, is one of those. It does not work for me, however, as I have developed eczema and it makes my ears itchey and scaley inside. Eczema is not curable Btw..and cortisone ointment against itching causes rapid run away ear fungus to develop. The only thing that helps that is VIOSOL, a prescription ear drop medication that contains a little vinegar, but worsens the itchies.
The key seems to be to try to keep the ear canals dry. Plug them when you shower or swim to keep water out..and clean the inside of your ear bell with a baby wipe tissue each time that you remove and reinsert the aids. Keep the ear molds clean the same way, with baby wipes, which contain a little alcohol and gycerin. Let the ear molds dry for a few minutes after you wipe them, because alcohol burns if you put that into the ear canal...and alcohol promote eczema.
Despite the fussing, hearing aids are so worthwhile that I cannot overemphasize how important they are.
One thing I have noticed is that wearing good hearing aids will greatly reduce emotional stress and save you mental distress. You will not need so many naps, and will enjoy interacting with people a lot more, and get grumpy less frequently. They will change your life very much for the better, plus you will have better balance when you walk and be more alert to the small things in your world that you never noticed before.
As I began to say, in my first post on hearing aids, they will be one of the best investments that you have ever made
You were very wise to go to a competent audiologist and get tailored aids, made just for you. Any other kind or service will be a frustrating waste of a good opportunity to tune up your world. You get what you pay for, if you deal with a dedicated professional audiologist.
Congratulations!
PS: I must add a final thought. Using earmolds often produces slight irritation inside the ear canals, such as itching. This causes the ears to increase wax production (which his really a form of sweat). In my own case (and everyone's is different) the wax build up is tremendous and intolerable when it mixes with the scaled skin. It can become infected, It can become a locus for ear fungus, It makes your ears intolerably itchey. It must be removed..by an ENT doctor in the worst case..ands that hurts plenty.
I developed my own solution.. becoz no doctor had one that was workable. my ears produce so much wax and scaled skin detritus that they must be cleaned out at least once a day, so I use (against doctors orders) a bobby pins blunt end. By gently inserting that, and a scooping motion the wax and the crud are removed easily and effectively. I use a babywipe on the bobby pin to clean it afterwards.
Note that this is a dangerous procedure, if you are jolted and slip while you are putting the bobby pin deeply into you ear canal. You can hit the ear drum and damage it if you are not careful. You can easily feel when the bobby pin is too far in, and way before you contact the ear drum.
You can also easlly feel when the bobby pin has contacted hardened dried ear wax inside the ear canal. If that occurs, reapeated GENTLE scaping of the hard wax will usually scoop it out. If not, put some warmed glycerin oil drops into the effected ear, then try again later. In a day or so.
You cannot have another person, except an ear doctor, do this for you......Because only you can tell if the bobby pin is too far into your ear canal
I Must stress that I do not recommend this procedure to you..but it is the only way that has worked for me...and I have been doing it for twenty years without a mishap. You gotta have a delicate touch..and you gotta be desperately itchey.
Last edited:
Don,
"Sounds" like you are on the correct path. The ear mold requirement is probably because you have a lot of high frequency loss. The bud type will not retain the high frequency as well.
The fitting of the mold is the key plus the size of the air hole. I didn't like the sound when mine first came back and felt a little discomfort with the length being too deep in my canals. Taking a bit off the bottom length solved both problems. Real world versus text book world again.
Keeping the wax out of your speakers will be important and I'm sure she will give you instructions and little tools to do so.
Enjoy hearing the birds sing again, at least for a while.
Ron
Ron
"Sounds" like you are on the correct path. The ear mold requirement is probably because you have a lot of high frequency loss. The bud type will not retain the high frequency as well.
The fitting of the mold is the key plus the size of the air hole. I didn't like the sound when mine first came back and felt a little discomfort with the length being too deep in my canals. Taking a bit off the bottom length solved both problems. Real world versus text book world again.
Keeping the wax out of your speakers will be important and I'm sure she will give you instructions and little tools to do so.
Enjoy hearing the birds sing again, at least for a while.
Ron
Ron
Bird
Rest in Peace
Not necessarily. The first audiologist I went to many years ago was good, I think, but I did have to go back a couple of times before she got them fixed so they didn't hurt my ears. The second audiologist I went to, and the doctor in whose office she worked, were nothing short of lying thieves, and incompetent at that. So now my Beltone dealer, and her assistant, are audioprosthologists. They don't have as much college education, but a lot more experience, and they're honest and know their business.
Bird,
I agree. I doubt if many have seen a true audiologist with a masters degree or higher plus the technical certifications to fit hearing aids. Audiologist Definition
They used to warn that a person with suspected hearing loss or tinnitus see a medical doctor first, Eye, Ears, Nose and throat, to be sure it wasn't just wax build up or some more serious medical problem. I think most companies that sell hearing aids, in most states, require you to sign a waiver, if you have not done so before getting fitted with aids, to protect them against
possible lawsuits.
The training, experience, and desire to do the best job possible for the customer is the most important, as it is in any technical job.
txdon
Super Star Member
Ron, I singed a waiver. I answered all the questions on the pre-papperwork. If I would have answered any of the questions differently the Dr. in Audiology would not have fitted me for hearing aids until I saw a medical doctor first. With her visual exam and my answered questions she did not see the need for me to see a medical Dr. first.
