Hearing Aid advice

[pacerron]

Oh, it's ok. Costco is doing everything to get it exactly right and it may be impossible because of the shape of my ear canal - kind of hourglass shaped. I was kind of wondering who will give up first on the fitting and just settle with double domes. The right mold is clear and spongy and feels good & sounds good. The molds are preferred because they cut out more background noise, have less feedback and ventilate the ear with a air hole - I am told. Wearing one for a half day I can't disagree. If I have to abandon the molds it will not a deal breaker on keeping the HAs, the Dr. really wants them for me because of the level of my hearing loss.

Years ago, on my first returned set, they also had to redo the molds several times.

Now that I have used HAs and can understand speech better, when I don't have them I really get irritated when I have to say "what". I have to remind my wife to repeat because I do not have my HAs in.

All is good and can only get better.

My left ear has the same weird shape. I suppose that you are left handed as I am, as well.:laughing:
Ron

 

[txdon]

Do you have one ear canal that is a bit crooked or compressed? The experience factor is a big thing in getting the casting from the mold properly trimmed to fit well but not cause discomfort.
Does the tubing that your speaker wire runs through down into the ear piece have a brass collar on that end so that the molded piece can rotated a little without trying to pull out?
Are the ear tubes that protect the wire ( in your picture if that is what you are getting ) have a molded shape?
My air tubes are are shaped and have a lock on the end. See the spares in the picture attached.
My thought is that with a dome, which is symmetrical, is doesn't matter how it is placed on the speaker tube but with molded ear pieces the tube plays an integral part in the proper alignment and depth of the ear pieces. I know it is very important in my case with air tubes. Not only does the tube have to be cut to the right length to avoid too deep of an insertion it has to be short enough so that when I put my head down and shake it the hearing aids do not come out from behind my ears. The fact that the molded piece can be rotated on the tube for proper alignment and fit is also important. I don't have a string ( wouldn't want one) so I just pull the HA off my ear and the mold and tube have to follow without losing adjustment.
Ron

Ron, lot of question, let me see - I have an ear canal that is something but I don't know exactly what I'll ask next time.
I have no brass collar.
I took the picture of my hearing aid. The wire tubes do have a molded shape, I have no air tubes, only a air hole in the mold. and a pull string knobby thing. The HA speaker in the ear is square so it only goes in one way with the molded wire tube. When the mold fit on the right HA she had to shorten the wire. I'll get a pic of the right mold later that should clarify.

Edit: added photos of the left double dome and the right mold. The right mold is pictured from both sides.

 

[txdon]

I made my final visit to Costco. My left ear is just not shaped right for a mold so they cheerfully refunded me the $80 and I am completely satisfied using the double domes. I was at an outdoor wedding this evening and it was raining on and off so I took my HAs out and sure missed them.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

TXDon glad you have a working solution. I know some wear their hearing aids in the rain but I pull my out as well or use something to cover my head.

 

[jix]

Well, the subj of hearing aides has been well explored. I offer my experience (12 Yrs) and thoughts now, probably as a final post from me.
I do not advise dealing with Costco on hearing aides, They are a good store, but they cannot get well-experienced Audio specialists for what they offer as wages, so there you are, being required to go to a lot of trouble.

First point: Closed Ear molds are obsolete because of four reasons: a) they create an unhealthy ear canal biology because they seal the canal and cause moisture issues I) fungus growth, ii) skin reactions iii) itching; b) they are very difficult to fit accurately because the molding process of inserting the initial mold substance itself distorts the ear canal and produces an inaccurate mold master; c) sealing the ear canal causes loud noises of mastication to drown out all other sound when you chew; d) The ear canal changes shape if you lose or gain weight, so the mold doesn't fit anymore.

For these 4, and other, reasons the hearing aid makers have developed better electronics to permit "open mold" (domes) to work better than "closed mold" technology can work..
The principal problem which the industry has solved is to prevent acoustic feedback (squealing) caused by the sound produced by the aid when an air leak exists between the ear canal and the receiver of the hearing aid. Days gone by required a perfect seal (closed mold) between the ear canal and the outer atmosphere. The newer technology hearing aids have electronically programmable anti-feedback circuits which cancel squealing before it becomes audible to the wearer.

The (dome) ear molds, called "open molds" allow for a high boost of sound volume without feedback, for full ventilation of the ear canal during wear, so no mastication noise, no loss of your environment sound awareness and a much more natural hearing experience, without unhealthy ear canal circumstances. THEY ARE MUCH EASIER TO FIT, REPLACE AND CLEAN. They are cheaper by far, requiring nearly no adjustment or fitting, except initially.

The electronic improvements made to modern hearing aides are many. Custom setting and re-adjustment of several hearing programme profiles for each user's individual hearing loss, and for each different sound environment These programmed profiles are adjustable and re-adjustable, by a hearing audiologist, many times, (requiring a visit to the audio clinic) Upgrade hearing aides have remotely controllable settings, for different listening circumstances. Very useful, they are.

I repeat that you MUST have an experienced audiologist in a dedicated hearing lab. Costco does not have those. They are slightly cheaper than a dedicated audiologist business, carefully chosen,, but not satisfactory in the end, IMO

My aides are made by STARKEY. They are guaranteed for 5 years. My Audiologist has been in business for thirty years. Her lab is comprehensive, complete and fully up-to-date. She is patient thorough and painstakingly thoughtful. She explains things. She answer questions clearly. She does not prevaricate at all.

I have visited Costco. Their people try very hard, but they just do not have the depth of experience, aside from a college degree, that one needs to do a good job. They follow pretty rigid protocols, not always the best thing. They do not have the seasoned experience to know any better...and the company dictates what they can do to make you happy. Money-back is not a solution policy, it is a sales gimmick...it is a run around, too.
I never want my money offered back! What I want are good, effective, comfortable hearing aides..and not a lot of run around BS.

That about covers it, I think.:thumbsup:

JIX

 

[Bird]

I repeat that you MUST have an experienced audiologist in a dedicated hearing lab.

Nope, it's not entirely necessary. In fact, I've had much better luck with the audioprosthologists that I've used now for several years. They do have all the hearing lab equipment, and the owner has more than 30 years experience. Incidentally, my Beltones are just over 2 years old and haven't "needed" anything but batteries; however, this morning I stopped in for more batteries and did a new hearing test, and had some slight modifications (re-programming) done.

 

[txdon]

Jix, thanks for your input. The molds that Costco has are open, not closed. It is great that you can find an audiologist with that much experience. I'm sure that is a definite benefit. At Costco they do have a dedicated hearing lab - at least that's what it looks like and is used as. OK, you could just call it a sound proof booth but I did not see any benefits in the two separate building labs I previously had been tested in.

What was your out of pocket expense for your Hearing aids in Canada. Is any part covered by insurance or a reduced rate through your government? I am unfamiliar with Canada's health care system. The fact is is, if I had to pay double of what I payed I would have delayed getting the hearing aids even longer. I have relayed exactly my experience with Costco, and the fact that my wife loves them probably even more than I do, well, what else could one ask for.

 

[jix]

Jix, thanks for your input. The molds that Costco has are open, not closed. It is great that you can find an audiologist with that much experience. I'm sure that is a definite benefit. At Costco they do have a dedicated hearing lab - at least that's what it looks like and is used as. OK, you could just call it a sound proof booth but I did not see any benefits in the two separate building labs I previously had been tested in.

What was your out of pocket expense for your Hearing aids in Canada. Is any part covered by insurance or a reduced rate through your government? I am unfamiliar with Canada's health care system. The fact is is, if I had to pay double of what I payed I would have delayed getting the hearing aids even longer. I have relayed exactly my experience with Costco, and the fact that my wife loves them probably even more than I do, well, what else could one ask for.

TXDON..MY AIDES WERE SUPPLIED TO ME FREE BY THE CANADA VA. I AM A DISABLED WAR VET.

 

[txdon]

TXDON..MY AIDES WERE SUPPLIED TO ME FREE BY THE CANADA VA. I AM A DISABLED WAR VET.

I have great respect for you and the service you gave to your Country. For the people who must bear the complete cost or most of the cost of hearing aids, Costco a good option.

 

[blueriver]

I've been following this thread .. At 57 yrs old I kept thinking I don't need hearing aids .. But I sure do use the words "what's that" "say again" .. So I made an appointment for a free hearing test ... Was told moderate to severe hearing loss.

Was advised what set to get .. Those rascals are high$ .. Lots of options .. Remotes, waterproof and dust proof so on and so forth .. Same insurance deal as mentioned here $1000 plus I pay 30%