blind bruce
Member
I am scheduled for a hearing test and I wonder if any of you use hearing aids. They are quite expensive and I would like to "hear" your pros and cons about using them.
Thanks,
Bruce
Thanks,
Bruce
Old ears and hearing aids
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I have a slight hearing issue. Affects soft sounding voices, in a way that I can not hear well. Also, auditoriums that are not set up correctly give me fits. The wife wants me to get a hearing aid, but I refuse. Mainly because I still can spy a quality speaker every time. I may not hear everything, but what I do hear, I hear well. If I were to get a hearing aid, I would never use it when listening to my system. IMHO
Dave B.
Well-Known Member
I've noted elsewhere here that I have a significant hearing loss above 2,500 Hz, plus serious tinnitus, both primarily due to military service-related exposures. I encourage you to deal with a full-fledged audiologist rather than just a "hearing aid provider." There's a big difference. You can also find a large number of hearing-aid related forums on the Web to answer very specific questions.
I use Widex hearing "instruments," as my audiologist refers to them. They are expensive (~$5K for both) but have hi-tech capability. The main reason I mention Widex (I have the Dream 440 units) is because their music program is viewed to be the very best in the industry. When your audiologist has fine-tuned your instruments to your needs, the music program will do the rest. In my case, the difference between using it and not using it is night and day.
The newest high-end Widex is the so-called "Beyond" 440, which, among other advances, has Bluetooth connectivity to iPhones so that you can listen to your phone's music (and other things) wirelessly, directly through your Widex units. I'll be moving up to the Beyond models as soon as my audiologist receives them.
Finally, I'd also like to recommend wireless headphones for anyone with hearing issues. The Sennheiser RS 195 set was designed with hearing-impaired individuals in mind. They have multiple programs to meet most every frequency loss pattern's needs. I use them along with my Widex units and can hear things in music that I never could before. They are truly amazing. They can also help you hear TV especially well without having to blast your family out of the room by turning up the TV extremely loud. I use them exclusively for music and rely on Closed Captions for TV.
Of course, your mileage may vary, but these tools have changed my life in truly significant ways. I wish you well.
Dave
I use Widex hearing "instruments," as my audiologist refers to them. They are expensive (~$5K for both) but have hi-tech capability. The main reason I mention Widex (I have the Dream 440 units) is because their music program is viewed to be the very best in the industry. When your audiologist has fine-tuned your instruments to your needs, the music program will do the rest. In my case, the difference between using it and not using it is night and day.
The newest high-end Widex is the so-called "Beyond" 440, which, among other advances, has Bluetooth connectivity to iPhones so that you can listen to your phone's music (and other things) wirelessly, directly through your Widex units. I'll be moving up to the Beyond models as soon as my audiologist receives them.
Finally, I'd also like to recommend wireless headphones for anyone with hearing issues. The Sennheiser RS 195 set was designed with hearing-impaired individuals in mind. They have multiple programs to meet most every frequency loss pattern's needs. I use them along with my Widex units and can hear things in music that I never could before. They are truly amazing. They can also help you hear TV especially well without having to blast your family out of the room by turning up the TV extremely loud. I use them exclusively for music and rely on Closed Captions for TV.
Of course, your mileage may vary, but these tools have changed my life in truly significant ways. I wish you well.
Dave
My uncle has one and leaves it out so he can't here his wife, so he tells me.
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Boozehound
Best-
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Audiotfoot
Well-Known Member
My hearing effectively stops above 6kHz. After putting up with it for several years I finally purchased hearing aides. Mine are Bernafon - the Juna 9 Pico model, purchased from Costco. $2700 for the pair. They are behind-the-ear with speakers in the ear, so there is a wire that runs to the ear canal. They are set up with four programs, two music, giving different levels of high frequency boost and over all volume, one to deaden sound from behind me, and one for general all around amplification. Bluetooth is also a feature, so I can use them to make and take phone calls or listen to music from my phone or iPod. Given that the speakers are really small they are tinny - almost no bass when listening to music from the phone. When listening to my system the bass comes though fine.
Pros: My wife speaks much more clearly when the aides are in. So does everyone else. Birds have come back to our neighborhood, I don't know where they went but it's nice to have them back. There are violins again - for some reason they had disappeared a long time ago.and were replaced by a high pitched squeal. Tweeters now function much more clearly. Even the mids sound better now.
Cons: I cannot use on-ear headphones when wearing them, and obviously ear buds are out. The audiologist claimed these would not work with headphones - he was wrong. I tried a set and they worked well. So, I now have an excuse to start looking for a decent set of over-the-ear headphones.
Overall, getting hearing aides was one of the best decisions I've made in some time.
Hope this helps.
Pros: My wife speaks much more clearly when the aides are in. So does everyone else. Birds have come back to our neighborhood, I don't know where they went but it's nice to have them back. There are violins again - for some reason they had disappeared a long time ago.and were replaced by a high pitched squeal. Tweeters now function much more clearly. Even the mids sound better now.
Cons: I cannot use on-ear headphones when wearing them, and obviously ear buds are out. The audiologist claimed these would not work with headphones - he was wrong. I tried a set and they worked well. So, I now have an excuse to start looking for a decent set of over-the-ear headphones.
Overall, getting hearing aides was one of the best decisions I've made in some time.
Hope this helps.
ghazzer
Senior Member
I agree with Dave B. If you do not go to a respected audiologist you are doing yourself a disservice. Check with your GP (day-to-day doctor) for a recommendation. This technology has improved significantly over the last 10-15 years, so do some research. The instruments can be programmed for most any situation, but not all, and you can switch programs when you move into a different environment.
One common problem that goes with mild hearing loss is the inability to distinguish consonants. Think of the difference between "cat" and "fat", and what a difference that can make to the meaning of a comment. Even the simplest of "today's" hearing aids should be able to resolve this confusion, and really improve your conversations.
My TV watching was significantly improved when I bought a set of Sennheiser RS-170 wireless headphones. The volume at the headsets is independent of what volume my wife wants to adjust the TV to. I might suggest that you consider the "open" headsets so you can hear other people's comments w/o lifting one of the ear cups. This is a mixed bag because open headsets let you hear the TV speakers and the headsets, and there can be a slight delay that you may interpret as an echo. I chose the closed ear style.
One common problem that goes with mild hearing loss is the inability to distinguish consonants. Think of the difference between "cat" and "fat", and what a difference that can make to the meaning of a comment. Even the simplest of "today's" hearing aids should be able to resolve this confusion, and really improve your conversations.
My TV watching was significantly improved when I bought a set of Sennheiser RS-170 wireless headphones. The volume at the headsets is independent of what volume my wife wants to adjust the TV to. I might suggest that you consider the "open" headsets so you can hear other people's comments w/o lifting one of the ear cups. This is a mixed bag because open headsets let you hear the TV speakers and the headsets, and there can be a slight delay that you may interpret as an echo. I chose the closed ear style.
I have a pair of Oticon Acto hearing aids. They work pretty good but they are $5,000.00. Luckily, my insurance will now give you $2,500.00 towards hearing aids. What my audiologist said to do is get one hearing aid in December and one in January of the next year so it covers the cost of both replacements.
sheltie dave
Addicted Member
Be careful about how you use hearing aids. In-ear aids are better, BUT they are very prone to wind noise and boundary wall loudness noises, and wax buildup can plug the equalization tube, or worse melt through the amplifier speaker channel channel and short out the amp$$$.
Behind the ear units avoid these two issues, are still prone to wind issues, but are cheaper in most cases, and the battery can be larger. I will get a behind the ear the next round, as you can do outside and heavy work without mucking them up too much. In the ear aids are much more for sedentary activities.
Behind the ear units avoid these two issues, are still prone to wind issues, but are cheaper in most cases, and the battery can be larger. I will get a behind the ear the next round, as you can do outside and heavy work without mucking them up too much. In the ear aids are much more for sedentary activities.
Following this thread with interest. Recently and suddenly developed tinnitus and I'm working with general physician first but have a hearing test scheduled, followed by visit with an Otolaryngologist. I'm lucky to be in an area with great doctors, hospitals, and health care specialists (Duke and UNC hospitals).
I've known several folks, mostly elderly family members, that tried hearing aids with limited success. Of course, technology has improved and you have to accept that damaged hearing can't be 100% mitigated. And whether it was a result of technological changes or equipment degradation hearing aids only lasted them 2-3 years. I'm curious about other folks experience pertaining to longevity and satisfaction of hearing aids.
Roger
I've known several folks, mostly elderly family members, that tried hearing aids with limited success. Of course, technology has improved and you have to accept that damaged hearing can't be 100% mitigated. And whether it was a result of technological changes or equipment degradation hearing aids only lasted them 2-3 years. I'm curious about other folks experience pertaining to longevity and satisfaction of hearing aids.
Roger
blind bruce
Member
I am looking at behind the ear aids with "frequency lowering" software that simulates ahigher frequencies by reducing them to some that my ear can still hear. I am not sure if it will degrade the sound tone though.
Dave B.
Well-Known Member
IMHO, Sennheiser is the way to. As ghazzer noted his 170s, I mentioned my 195s. I use them with my Widex behind-the-ear units and there's no problem. The 195's (developed in conjunction with a hearing-aid-minded engineering firm) are very comfortable and adjustable. I got mine from Amazon Prime for low $300s. You can get their user manual and brochure easily via Google.
Technological advancement and planned obsolescence seem to overlap many times. I'm 70 years old. My first pair were Phonaks, but these Widex blow them away when it comes to music and listening to TV (and my wife!). I think 3-5 years may be a more realistic lifespan window for hearing instruments, assuming that no sharp hearing decline occurs.
As for tinnitus, forget it. They haven't built a hearing instrument yet that can conquer that beast. If someone does, that's their ticket to Billionaire City. My Widex units have a so-called "Zen" program that is supposed to help with tinnitus. For me, it has no effect. I always think of Coach on Cheers: "Will somebody please answer that phone??!!"
Dave
ferninando
Lunatic Member
what model did she get.?
the 1 , 2 , or 3?
did she buy on internet or at hearig aid store?
Rog50
Active Member
I have the Phonak with a music program. Behind the ear and able to be tuned up by an audiologist. Without them I can not hear the birds singing, or the sound of the waterfall in my fish pond. These ones are only a year old, the old ones I kept for 5 years. Night and day difference with the newer technology.
Are they worth it ? Dammed right, you will be shocked at how much you were missing if you have hearing loss and then start to wear them. But they are not a cure all. Movies and the current trend of having actors mumble are still indecipherable. Whereas movies from the 40's and 50's have such clear dialogue that I do not need to wear them. More John Wayne please.
Are they worth it ? Dammed right, you will be shocked at how much you were missing if you have hearing loss and then start to wear them. But they are not a cure all. Movies and the current trend of having actors mumble are still indecipherable. Whereas movies from the 40's and 50's have such clear dialogue that I do not need to wear them. More John Wayne please.
dosmalo
T-Totaled
They are the Oticon Opn 1 TwinLink models and I believe even they can be upgraded further. These are so much better than the ones she'd had for about the last 12 years - for one thing they are so much smaller and they really have improved the quality of her hearing.
She went thru her insurance provider so she had to use a hearing aid store that was in her provider net and they had a certified audiologist on sight plus someone trained in fitting and dialing them in.
ferninando
Lunatic Member
thanks dosmalo
truckrglenn
Lost
I wear Octicon Alta 2's. Haven't heard music this well in years.
ghazzer
Senior Member
Some hearing loss is hereditary. My Mother (94) has severe loss over 1,500 Hz and hearing aids can only make it a little better, not even fair. She has to use a caption phone to "hear" us on a phone call. Two of my three brothers now have hearing aids and the third just hasn't admitted it yet. Most of my Aunts & uncles had hearing problems, as do many of my cousins. Mother says that her Father used to use a hearing horn and blamed his problem on the war. She asked about this because he was never in a war and was surprised at the answer: "Why the Civil War, of course!" His Father (1834-1926) came home deaf from all the cannon fire.
True story - - -
True story - - -
