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Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: lost in space
Date: August 16, 2022 12:30PM
Knowing that many MRFers have been around the block few times, I suspect there are some hearing aid users among us.

After being "reminded" by my wife this past year or so, I decided it's time for hearing aids. I took an onine hearing test that showed severe loss above 6 khz, but I also have a terrible time understanding speech in a noisy environment. iPhone-compatible hearing aids have been recommended. What should I look for?



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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: Ombligo
Date: August 16, 2022 12:37PM
A loan officer at your bank.

I've heard very good reports on the Costco aides, but often your audiologist will guide you based on what they service. A good one will have several brands and can advise based on your budget. With your loss, get a professional test done and go from there.



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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: anonymouse1
Date: August 16, 2022 01:01PM
Ditto on Costco. Some of them have audiologists.

A dear friend has a pair that are nearly invisible, and connect to his phone via bluetooth. Good voice quality, based on his call to me.
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: graylocks
Date: August 16, 2022 01:10PM
Costco gets good reviews but as with all providers it depends on the skill of the audiologist.

I got mine through Kaiser as I have their Medical Advantage coverage. Mine are the Phonak Audeo Marvel. They connect to my phone and I believe it's one of the brands AKA Kirkland.



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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: DeusxMac
Date: August 16, 2022 01:14PM
Get both ears tested professionally, preferably somewhere NOT also selling hearing aids; like a hospital or university.

Familiarize yourself with the different types: behind the ear, in the ear, in the canal. All have pros and cons, and are very subject to individual preferences beyond just their technical specs; things like comfort and appearance.

Familiarize yourself with the different brands; there are a number of respected, long established international brands plus newcomers with no history at all.

Many aid models offer scads of bells and whistles; some very desirable, others of little actual value; but you’ll pay for each regardless.
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: modelamac
Date: August 16, 2022 02:35PM
lost,

I can't remember what level loss I have, but hearing aids will not solve all hearing problems. My $1500 Costco hearing aids do the job for me most of the time. I don't know of any brand/type of hearing aids that bring back clear speech in a noisy environment.

A weakness of my Costco aids is that the batteries only last 3 days, but the batteries are less than a dollar each at Costco. My brother in law has $3000 aids and his batteries last 8 days, but are more expensive. I know of folks that chose rechargable battery systems. I did not bother with calculating the advantage of the various brands and types. I bought the cheapest that would get my friends and family off my back..

In addition to loss of hearing, I have lost the ability to understand the fast talkers. I can hear them just fine with my hearing aids, but cannot convert those sounds into words fast enough. My mind has slowed down. Don't expect your hearing aids to solve that problem.



Ed (modelamac)

Trying to figure out some people is like trying to smell the number 9.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/16/2022 02:42PM by modelamac.
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: Ken Sp.
Date: August 16, 2022 03:24PM
While Costco is good-The most recent Kirkland Signature is not MFI-Made For iPhone, which opens up so much more functionality. [support.apple.com]
As you see in two other threads, the feds finally opened up hearing aids as non prescription. While it is important that an audiologist tests, it will significantly drop prices.
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: graylocks
Date: August 16, 2022 04:34PM
Quote
Ken Sp.
While Costco is good-The most recent Kirkland Signature is not MFI-Made For iPhone, which opens up so much more functionality. [support.apple.com]
.

I don't think MFI need be a deal breaker. I think checking the app the company provides for adjustments is more critical. My Phonaks are not MFI but if i chose, and I don't, I can have phone calls and music and probably more stream directly to them. The EQ adjustability was the deal breaker for me.



If you want to fix our country, work with us in the states. statesproject.org

"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: lost in space
Date: August 16, 2022 06:28PM
I have the same problem with fast talkers. Today's youngsters often favor very fast speech in short bursts. Drives me nuts. In my case too, my clock speed has dropped.old fogey smiley

I once worked on a project helping a developmentally impaired young woman whose processing speed was slow enough that, although her hearing was normal, her brain missed a lot of short consonants, such as p, t, k, etc. S, sh, and the like were fine because those sounds are often somewhat prolonged. It took some digging to figure it out.


Quote
modelamac
lost,

I can't remember what level loss I have, but hearing aids will not solve all hearing problems. My $1500 Costco hearing aids do the job for me most of the time. I don't know of any brand/type of hearing aids that bring back clear speech in a noisy environment.

A weakness of my Costco aids is that the batteries only last 3 days, but the batteries are less than a dollar each at Costco. My brother in law has $3000 aids and his batteries last 8 days, but are more expensive. I know of folks that chose rechargable battery systems. I did not bother with calculating the advantage of the various brands and types. I bought the cheapest that would get my friends and family off my back..

In addition to loss of hearing, I have lost the ability to understand the fast talkers. I can hear them just fine with my hearing aids, but cannot convert those sounds into words fast enough. My mind has slowed down. Don't expect your hearing aids to solve that problem.



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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: DeusxMac
Date: August 16, 2022 07:29PM
Quote
modelamac
In addition to loss of hearing, I have lost the ability to understand the fast talkers. I can hear them just fine with my hearing aids, but cannot convert those sounds into words fast enough. My mind has slowed down. Don't expect your hearing aids to solve that problem.

This is what you need...

[www.youtube.com]


grinning smiley
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: testcase
Date: August 16, 2022 10:54PM
Doctor of Audiology, AZ based, has multiple well presented YouTube videos. some of which cover Costco:

[www.youtube.com]


old fogey smiley
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: Ken Sp.
Date: August 16, 2022 11:01PM
Quote
graylocks
Quote
Ken Sp.
While Costco is good-The most recent Kirkland Signature is not MFI-Made For iPhone, which opens up so much more functionality. [support.apple.com]
.

I don't think MFI need be a deal breaker. I think checking the app the company provides for adjustments is more critical. My Phonaks are not MFI but if i chose, and I don't, I can have phone calls and music and probably more stream directly to them. The EQ adjustability was the deal breaker for me.

Live Listen, available with MFI is a game changer for some people.
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: richorlin
Date: August 17, 2022 03:26PM
Quote
modelamac
lost,

I can't remember what level loss I have, but hearing aids will not solve all hearing problems. My $1500 Costco hearing aids do the job for me most of the time. I don't know of any brand/type of hearing aids that bring back clear speech in a noisy environment.

A weakness of my Costco aids is that the batteries only last 3 days, but the batteries are less than a dollar each at Costco. My brother in law has $3000 aids and his batteries last 8 days, but are more expensive. I know of folks that chose rechargable battery systems. I did not bother with calculating the advantage of the various brands and types. I bought the cheapest that would get my friends and family off my back..

In addition to loss of hearing, I have lost the ability to understand the fast talkers. I can hear them just fine with my hearing aids, but cannot convert those sounds into words fast enough. My mind has slowed down. Don't expect your hearing aids to solve that problem.

How old are your hearing aids? I got acpair of Rexton at Costco Jan 2021 and my #13 batteries last at least a week. Much better than my previous pair which would last only 5 days at best. They do keep improving with newer models.
Could also be the quality of the aids. Mine were $2600 for the pair.



Rborlin.substack.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2022 03:28PM by richorlin.
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: DeusxMac
Date: August 17, 2022 04:17PM
Quote
richorlin
Quote
modelamac
lost,

I can't remember what level loss I have, but hearing aids will not solve all hearing problems. My $1500 Costco hearing aids do the job for me most of the time. I don't know of any brand/type of hearing aids that bring back clear speech in a noisy environment.

A weakness of my Costco aids is that the batteries only last 3 days, but the batteries are less than a dollar each at Costco. My brother in law has $3000 aids and his batteries last 8 days, but are more expensive. I know of folks that chose rechargable battery systems. I did not bother with calculating the advantage of the various brands and types. I bought the cheapest that would get my friends and family off my back..

In addition to loss of hearing, I have lost the ability to understand the fast talkers. I can hear them just fine with my hearing aids, but cannot convert those sounds into words fast enough. My mind has slowed down. Don't expect your hearing aids to solve that problem.

How old are your hearing aids? I got acpair of Rexton at Costco Jan 2021 and my #13 batteries last at least a week. Much better than my previous pair which would last only 5 days at best. They do keep improving with newer models.
Could also be the quality of the aids. Mine were $2600 for the pair.

Battery consumption will also depend on the individual needs/use of the wearer: more amplification, more hours, more battery drainage.
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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: lost in space
Date: August 17, 2022 09:26PM
Thanks, all!



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Re: Help! Stepping into the world of hearing aids!
Posted by: GeneH
Date: October 28, 2022 10:54PM
Wow, modelamac! I also have CostCo HAs and my batteries last about a WEEK! I always OPEN THE

BATTERY CASE at night disconnecting the batteries. Do you do the same? If you don't, maybe you ought to

try doing so for the night or when you're not using them. That might help improve battery life.
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