Getting the right hearing aid model is extremely dependent on your own particular issues so any blanket recommendations would be meaningless. The biggest hurdle is finding a reliable, honest, well trained audiologist that is up to date on the latest technology. My wife has had many years experience with hearing aids and she's found the best audiologists were partnered with either University associated clinics or large private health care practices. Not to say that small business type hearing clinics can't be excellent as well, but she's found too many small clinics weren't up to date with current tech ( hearing aid tech is rapidly evolving.) FWIW, she was one the first people in the US to purchase the newest "More" hearing aids from the Danish company Oticon and has been blown away by how improved they are over sound quality vs. state of the art just five years ago. Apparently the Danes excel in high end audio and hearing aid technology. She spent about $6k for a pair. Good Luck!
Hearing aid suggestions
Well, I'm 66, and I've surely got some high-frequency hearing loss, a little tinnitus and who-knows-what-else hearing problems. So, I'll be scheduling a consult with an audiologist soon. I suppose hearing aids will be recommended. Any body have some helpful experience? Of course, I'm most concerned about being able to hear music accurately, but there are endless other considerations, batteries or rechargeable, in-ear or brick behind the ear, bluetooth and apps...on and on. Any tips and details would be appreciated.
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Oh, and as to the issue of rechargeable vs. battery operated, the vast majority of folks are going with rechargeable models. You do trade off a slightly larger case to hold the rechargeable battery vs. the models with batteries that need replacement. For an adult male, I can't believe that would be much of an issue. Mike Fremer wrote and article some months back about trying hearing aids and how they impacted his music listening. Two Months With Widex’s Moment 440 mRIC R D Hearing Aids | Analog Planet |
I have had a fair amount of experience with this, unfortunately. I have had Oticon and now Widex. Make sure you check with you health insurance provider to see if you have a hearing aid benefit. I usually spend for the middle of the road models as that is what my insurance pays most of. I had a friend pass and his wife gave me his Widex and they were in excess of $6K. I took them in to my local audiologist and they loaded my hearing program into his hearing aids. The expensive models are really nice with phone app that can control your settings. The place I go has a PHD audiologist on staff and she put a fair amount of effort in helping me program the aids. They even offer to come to my house and do a program for my listening room (extra cost). I do think the commercial places will push you toward the models they make a mark up on. They called me up the other day and told me one of my pairs was running out of warranty and said bring them in for a last checkup. They ended up sending them off to Widex for a complete refurb. One big drawback is if you have the phone blue toothed to your aids and you call it to find it......:) |
I have Phonak from Costco. I'm guessing about $3000 for the pair. I chose batteries as I think the ones that charge are larger. I feel like I have supersonic hearing when I listen to music. My hearing is really good with the Phonaks When my Phonaks are not in everything sounds muffled. I lived my life going to live music shows etc. I have read good things about the Widex so I may check them out when these break down |