Hearing Aids?

[hslogger]

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.

 

[cqaigy2]

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.
View attachment 773460

Good to "hear" they hold your glasses on better.

 

[goeduck]

Good to "hear" they hold your glasses on better.

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]

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]

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.

 

[lman]

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.

How do the aids behind the ear work with reading glasses? It seems like I use my reading glasses 50 times a day and wonder if they would get tangled up with the hearing aids.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

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.

 

[bdhsfz6]

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.

Take a look at Eargo:

https://www.eargo.com/

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]

How do the aids behind the ear work with reading glasses? It seems like I use my reading glasses 50 times a day and wonder if they would get tangled up with the hearing aids.

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]

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.

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?

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.

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).