Posted on 11/28/2012 10:40:50 AM PST by ex-snook
If you are happy and you know it clap your hands.
But also please mention the brand, cost estimate and why you like it.
or if you don't like it that info would also be appreciated.
Second hand info welcome.
Thanks for help.
ping
Bookmark.
W H A T ?
I’ve worn hearing aids for the past 15 years. My current ones are Bernafon Hearing Aids that I got at Cosco for ~800.00 each several years ago. They are programable, have different settings depending on conditions, and have background noise filters.
I have to say that I am satisfied with them. I find that I am sometimes able to hear better behind me than in front and that the noise filters will sometimes kick on at the wrong times. I have yet to wear a hearing aid that can handle a crowded, noisy room, but all-in-all, my experience has been very good.
About a year ago, I developed a sever case of tinnitus. A high pitched ringing in my ears that prevented me from sleeping. It came on suddenly, no build up.
Doc gave me sleeping pills. “This dose will keep a horse down for 12 hours”. I was awake in four.
Spent a day up at OHSU in Portland. Found that the tinnitus
frequency was at the same point where my hearing loss began.
I didn’t know I had any loss!!!
Went to a hearing specialist in Medford and got fitted with
the mid range Widex hearing aids which produces background
white noise in the frequency range where I had lost hearing.
Cost for everything was $4,500 and I would have paid ten
times that for what they have done for me. Gave me back my
life.
First!
Find an Audiologyst who isn’t just a hearing aid salesman.
Preferably, Board Certified.
Siemens makes quality hearing aids.
Adding to my post. The Widex are programmable, they can be
aimed front, sides, or to the rear which makes it great when
you’re driving and want to talk to the wife. It also comes
with a small computer pack which you can wear on a strap around your neck which does all the above and bluetooths your
cell to your hearing aids.
For what it’s worth, the audiologist in Medford had me try
four other manufactures and nothing even came close to the
Widex.
One more thing, go to an Audiologist. Huge difference in
knowledge and technology than some guy selling hearing aids.
Siemens - my wife just purchased 4 from an Ebay participant - 2 need adjustment but two are very good. These were the basic Siemens but are still probably worth about $600-$1000 each -we got the 4 for $125 plus postage - it was certainly worth the risk we took. MY wife is quite happy with the outcome. The hearing specialist wanted $5000 each for the top brand Siemens plus fitting (- i.e. a moulded earpiece) and adjustment.
Mel
bookmark
Be certain to have your hearing checked by qualified Hearing specialist(s) prior to purchasing any hearing aids of excessive cost. Hearing problems can all be different. Volume is one thing, but then there’s also nerve loss that can leave a person with incredibly strange hearing patterns, and often unique that the newer types of hearing aids with mini computers can be set to pick up.
I don’t have but old, and I mean old hearing aids from the seventies that are good only as volume, but due my nerve loss problems they only compound my hearing dilemma.
I don’t wear hearing aids at all for many years now, because I read enough BS, I don’t want to hear it as well.
Living in the country with nobody around I don’t need the expense. I can hear my wife. She has a voice identical to that which was Lucille Ball’s, so I’m safe there.
You are right. They are very expensive.
/johnny
I have Siemens brand. Have no idea of the cost as the Army issued them to me. When I first wore them I heard EVERYTHING! Even when I went to the bathroom I couldn’t believe how much noise urine hitting water makes. I now only wear them in meetings or classes. Overall I think they are OK. They are the behind the ear kind by the way.
Dad tried the "in the ear" types two different times, a couple years apart and different brands. The didn't help at all so he sent them back. I'll ask him to try the "behind the ear" type.
Meant to say, he can hear everything just fine except the human voice. He can hear cars driving past the house, water dripping, birds singing, but hears mumbling went it comes to people talking. Yes, he’s gone to audiologists and tried the $5k types. We have to speak distinctly and slower but he still misses a lot. He was a bump on a log at Thanksgiving and went home early I suspect because he couldn’t understand anyone.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.