Hearing Aid Advice

vanity | Self

[pfflier]

I have reached the point where it is time to get a hearing aid. I assume that many Freepers have been through the experience that I am only entering and I value your experience and advice.

I already have had physiological testing and there is no obstruction or other problem associated with the ear canal, eardrum and other physical structures.

My hearing loss is classic "bi-nodal". I am losing it in two different hearing ranges but primarily in the very high range (soft sounds like "S" and "T" are simply gone) with only moderate mid range loss. There the sounds are just muffled. I find it very difficult to single out a conversation through the background noise.

Researching hearing aids online, I recognize there is a wide range of hardware capability at an equally wide range of prices. Some of the less expensive aids online are available through chain stores like Wal Mart and some are available only through big brand name vendors but at big brand name prices.

This is where I need the help. Is it wise to test the lower end aids to see what I like best then move up? Are the low end ones comparable in any way to the big name ones? Conversely, are the big name ones over priced or over rated?

[meatloaf]

I recently was given hearing aids by the VA. They are Starkey’s Muse i2400. They are programmable to amplify only the frequencies that you hear poorly. They’re great!