goeduck
Super Star Member
That is the same conclusion I came to. Going in I thought in-the-ear ones would be the ones I went with but changing micro batteries vs rechargeable sold me.
Hearing Aids?
- Thread starter Sigarms
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OP
Sigarms
Super Star Member
Since I went to a doctors office to clean my one ear out (not very pleasant to be honest with you) and they offered hearing aids, I had two choices...
1-Cheap at Costco with no audiologist
2-Doctors office with audiologist
Wife picked #2 for me LMFAO
After they gave me a hearing test, I was sold on them. NOTHING like the Army did back in the 80's. I was actually kind of amazed at how thorough they were and explained everything to me on why and what they did.
Might have mentioned it, but went to a "audiologist" a couple of years earlier and never gave them a call back because they seemed like amateurs compared to the doctors office.
My wife however was getting to her wits end with me and my hearing though...
cqaigy2
Super Member
Are the over ear one comfortable?
Avenger
Veteran Member
Mine are! Most of the time I forget they are there!!
newbury
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Along the line of need for hearing aids - Told here before, but bears repeating.
Long term background - Since I was a teen I swam frequently every summer up until about age 55. Then with the kids grown up and a heavy travel schedule I stopped going to the pool.
Then I had my first back surgery, went almost deaf in right ear, slightly deaf in left.
Went to HMO doctors, had a rudimentary ear cleaning, no improvement. Condition persisted, couldn't hear squat. Doctors started recommending hearing aids.
Went for another ear cleaning, this time they labored over me for about an hour, ended up pulling out wax that looked like a little worm about an inch long. They told me I had unusually deep ear canals.
For a few days my hearing was super sensitive.
Hearing restored. Now take longer showers with a few minutes for soaking ear canals.
Long term background - Since I was a teen I swam frequently every summer up until about age 55. Then with the kids grown up and a heavy travel schedule I stopped going to the pool.
Then I had my first back surgery, went almost deaf in right ear, slightly deaf in left.
Went to HMO doctors, had a rudimentary ear cleaning, no improvement. Condition persisted, couldn't hear squat. Doctors started recommending hearing aids.
Went for another ear cleaning, this time they labored over me for about an hour, ended up pulling out wax that looked like a little worm about an inch long. They told me I had unusually deep ear canals.
For a few days my hearing was super sensitive.
Hearing restored. Now take longer showers with a few minutes for soaking ear canals.
Avenger
Veteran Member
My grandfather had a similar experience.
When I was a kid, he had hearing aids. The kind that whistle all the time. Even with his hearing aids, he had to have the TV blaring to uncomfortable levels. Nothing quite like hearing the laugh track on MASH from the next county!
When my grandfathers doctor retired, he was assigned a new guy. But this new guy didn't just take diagnosis at face value. He checked my grandfathers ears and found massive amounts of wax build up deep within his ears. If I remember correctly, they actually knocked him out to remove the wax. The end of the story was, he didn't actually need hearing aids at all! He had really good hearing for someone of his age when he died at 80. Doc said it was likely due to Q-Tips, pushing the wax where it shouldn't go. Ears are 'self-cleaning' and using those Q-tips causes more damage than anything. Simply let your ears soak, or soak them with hydrogen peroxide to dissolve the crud.
I know this advise. Have been told by more than one doctor to not use Q-tips inside my ears. But after the shower, nothing feels better. And now that I wear hearing aids, drying the canal before inserting the hearing aid only seems right.
Oaktree
Super Member
Yeah, my wife nags me to get mine tested too, too many years of loud music and power equipment! Probably just fear of the unknown but one of those things I'm not sure I want to find out...
Costco not really an option here...they don't have much of a presence in this area, nearest one is 3+ hr. away, and in a state with sales tax.
Are there any qualifications that need to be met to call yourself an "audiologist", or is it something that pretty much anyone can call themselves? I'm leery of chain hearing aid stores, but also reluctant to pay twice the price at a doctor's office.
Can you use them if you wear glasses or do they get in the way of each other?
OP
Sigarms
Super Star Member
I went to one a couple of years before going to the doctors office. I wasn't impressed with them and let the issue go. I do know the audiologist I see at the doctors office has a 4 year degree from the University of NC. That said, I also think I could call myself a audiologist LMAO.
One reason why my wife told me to spend the money and do it right the first time....
Doctors office isn't cheap, but my MIL went to a doctors office and she was happy, help sold me on the idea of spending the money in the medical industry which honestly I know can be a racket...
I wouldn't be afraid of the unknown... probably like myself, you know you have a hearing loss no ifs ands or butts.
Avenger
Veteran Member
I don't wear glasses except for my sunglasses. My sunglasses have the straight ear piece, not the curved around the ear style. My sunglasses do not interfere with the hearing aids, but I can see how the glasses that hook onto the ear would.
What I find more annoying are masks. Even though the vid is over, hospitals and clinics still require everyone to mask up in my state. The loops on the mask do interfere with my hearing aids, and are extremely annoying. I prefer to forgo the mask.
goeduck
Super Star Member
I was wearing glasses when they test fitted me. They actually seemed to hold my glasses on (I need new ones). Internet picture of the Oticon Mini-rite model I am getting attached.
hslogger
Platinum Member
I HAVE been wearing hearing aids for thirty or so years. If you are a Vet you may qualify for their assistance. If you are in the private sector the least expensive purchases will be through Costco.
If you are going to look into getting hearing aids, go to a real ear nose throat doctor first and get a system work up to find out why your hearing is bad. A real doctor. When that is done get them to give you a real test from a board certified audiologist, not a vendor. Take those results to Costco.
Some people have hearing loss that requires a certain model and type of hearing aid. There is no one kind fits all, contrary to what some might say. My most recent pair are BTE behind the ear. The newest model I have is rechargeable. IT IS the very best way to go now.
Phonak is a leading brand that comes from Switzerland and is widely used by the Vets.
There are so many options for designs and configurations that really depend on your loss and your activities.
I know the problem with wearing a mask and having BTE hearing aids. I solved it simply by taking a string or shoe lace or rubber band and just tying each side of the mask together so you don't loop around your ear but loop behind or on top of your head.
A couple months ago I had to have an MRI done because the audiologist was concerned about an even bigger loss on one side. They wanted to insure I didn't have a growth that was effecting that ear canal. Nada. But that is the thing a certified audiologist has the experience and knowledge to look into.
When your hearing is bad, is messes up your life and your relationship with close in people. Go through the expense and have the assessments done and expect to pay to get the best. Don't buy any cut rate newspaper or Parade Magazine deals.
If you are going to look into getting hearing aids, go to a real ear nose throat doctor first and get a system work up to find out why your hearing is bad. A real doctor. When that is done get them to give you a real test from a board certified audiologist, not a vendor. Take those results to Costco.
Some people have hearing loss that requires a certain model and type of hearing aid. There is no one kind fits all, contrary to what some might say. My most recent pair are BTE behind the ear. The newest model I have is rechargeable. IT IS the very best way to go now.
Phonak is a leading brand that comes from Switzerland and is widely used by the Vets.
There are so many options for designs and configurations that really depend on your loss and your activities.
I know the problem with wearing a mask and having BTE hearing aids. I solved it simply by taking a string or shoe lace or rubber band and just tying each side of the mask together so you don't loop around your ear but loop behind or on top of your head.
A couple months ago I had to have an MRI done because the audiologist was concerned about an even bigger loss on one side. They wanted to insure I didn't have a growth that was effecting that ear canal. Nada. But that is the thing a certified audiologist has the experience and knowledge to look into.
When your hearing is bad, is messes up your life and your relationship with close in people. Go through the expense and have the assessments done and expect to pay to get the best. Don't buy any cut rate newspaper or Parade Magazine deals.
cqaigy2
Super Member
Good to "hear" they hold your glasses on better.
goeduck
Super Star Member
It was only for a few minutes during the "test fit", but they seemed to. I don't have my permanent ones yet. My over the ear AfterShokz bone conduction bluetooth headset is the opposite (awesome headset). It would be worth "hearing" from someone who has much more experience with over the ear hearing aids.
goeduck
Super Star Member
Well, I now have my over the ear hearing aids. I went to the grocery store immediately after getting them and then my wife and I went out to dinner to try them out. I have to say I am pleased with first impressions. I could hear conversations at a reasonable distance and I did not have to ask the waitress to repeat herself. Comfort wise I hardly know they are in my ears. I figure I will wear them 1/3 to 1/2 of the time since I don't need them for around the house, etc. Mine do connect to the phone and the TV if I want to use those functions. I think the battery life is 21 hours and the charger has its own batteries as backup so I can take it camping, etc. if need be.
goeduck
Super Star Member
Originally, I was looking to get in-ear hearing aids but decided to go with the ones where the electronics and battery rest behind the ear. The main reason was the behind the ear models were rechargeable and the in-ear ones were the battery replacement style, and I did not want to fuss with changing tiny batteries. That could have just been the ones my provider sold; I don't know. The behind the ear models are less visible from the front in my opinion, but not from behind. However, that depends on your hair.
Fuddyduddy1952
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I ordered these from Amazon. I paid $60...now they're $50. I have most loss right ear, 96 yo mother one ear so I gave her one.
What I like is rechargeable so no battery, behind ear easy to adjust. Adjust volume and three noise canceling settings. I wear it sometimes, should wear always. Mother wears except at night to recharge, now TV is at a low level and understands people talking.
What I like is rechargeable so no battery, behind ear easy to adjust. Adjust volume and three noise canceling settings. I wear it sometimes, should wear always. Mother wears except at night to recharge, now TV is at a low level and understands people talking.
bdhsfz6
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Take a look at Eargo:
They are almost invisible and have internal rechargeable batteries. I've been using them for 5 years and they are the best I've tried so far.
Avenger
Veteran Member
I've been wearing hearing aids for a while now. But just got prescribed glasses... isn't getting old fun?! My hearing aids are the behind/over the ear ones. I love them! Very comfortable. However, with my new glasses, they don't work for me as well. I had to get the straight leg glasses that don't bend around the ear. They are much more expensive since the only ones I could find were expensive name brands like Nike and Oakley. I splurged on the Oakley straight back frames and my wife's question was: "Why didn't you get contact lenses instead of paying a premium for frames?!"
I love my contacts and when I don't want to wear them, I have a good pair of glasses.
Oaktree
Super Member
Hopefully, they come in a color other than blue. I wonder who thought that was a good idea?
I don't know if you have this problem, but I've always had a hard time following a conversation in a crowded room. Will a hearing aid help with that?
Man, I wish I could wear contact lenses again! Did for many years, and loved 'em, but once I got into my mid-late 50s I started to develop astigmatism, and according to my eye doctor it can't be corrected with contacts (or at least the type/degree of astigmatism I have can't).I splurged on the Oakley straight back frames and my wife's question was: "Why didn't you get contact lenses instead of paying a premium for frames?!"
I love my contacts and when I don't want to wear them, I have a good pair of glasses.
