Hearing Aid Confusion

I have the Lyric in one of my ears, and it is programmed to compensate for the frequencies where I have hearing loss due to an infection years ago. It works very well, though it can be overloaded and compress when hit with loud sounds in the higher frequencies (I have to turn it down to its lower volume settings when attending concerts or listening, for example). The frequency ranges where it can help are in the highs and midrange, not the bass. Costs a lot less to subscribe to than Lloydc writes, at least where I am ($1700/yr), and the subscription is handy because you just replace it when it stops working without worrying about changing batteries, extra costs, etc. It does have its limitations in terms of precise equalization--you're not going to get a flat response curve--but it has been a help to me. It also takes a bit of getting used to, and sometimes it can wiggle its way out of the ear canal or gets lodged in the canal in a way that blocks it to varying degrees, which requires me to visit my audiologist for him to adjust if I can't do it myself (it is not easy to reinsert it properly after pulling it out, at least for me). As the others above say, each person's needs are different, you really need to go to a good audiologist, find out which frequencies you need to address and go through the various options.

recprince, that's amazing, where do you live? did you have insurance coverage or some special deal?

OK, can anyone recommend a good audiologist in CT? What? Speak up. I CAN'T HEAR YOU ;-) I really would like a recommendation. I'm very suspicious of anyone who diagnoses, prescribes, and then then turns around as sells you the Rx.

Lloydc--I live in NJ, and insurance doesn't cover it; as far as I know, I'm not getting a special deal. I basically lease the unit, with unlimited replacements during the lease if it goes bad or the battery in it runs out (usually every 2-4 months). Does Lyric make a better one, perhaps? Also, I'm only leasing one, my other ear measured really well.

Nice thing about the Lyric was that I got to wear it for 30 days before having to start leasing it, to make sure that it worked for me and that I could get used to having it in the ear. It does take some time to get used to it, especially when you only use one in one ear like I do.

Buconero117,

After reading your post, I have a question if you don't mind. Given your issues with hearing, do you find yourself picking components similar to what most other audiophiles tend to like, or stuff that may not be so popular? For example, would you choose a speaker that most find bright/harsh because of your hearing loss, or something more main stream.