Need decision help how to proceed with hearing aids, your experience

I also messaged Ziphearing because I was curious about whether there are providers in my location. There are. When I messaged them I asked them to text me with that information and explained that my hearing loss makes it difficult to use the phone. They did not test me. They called me. Surprise!!! I was able to understand the conversation thanks to BlueTooth in my cochlear processor, but had wanted to make the point that a lot of people with hearing loss will not make that phone call.

As a mentor/educator I believe it's important to be open and upfront about the challenges that people with hearing loss face; especially those with adult onset hearing loss that has progressed to the serious level. Especially those who have gone unaided. This invisible disability creates major life changes and challenges. I will say that I had an interesting conversation with the person who called. Teaching moment. < 3

Hearing loss is an expensive invisible disability. It is misunderstood. It is stigmatized. But it's very real and if those of us who have it don't deal with it openly and also with dedication of time, money and a lot of energy, we will always be frustrated.

Yes, it's a shame that hearing loss hasn't reached the 'cure' status. It's a shame that we feel stigmatized. However, if we truly want to help ourselves we have to go the extra mile and get the best help possible. For some that means buying and using basic hearing aids; even some of the over the counter products. For others it means we have to accept the cost of better products and find ways to pay for them. (Easier said than done.)

It's important to understand the differences in providers. When a provider has AuD behind their name they have earned a doctorate degree in audiology. Others may have a master's degree but not a doctorate. Many use MS Clinical Audiologist. Others, in fact many of them are 'hearing instrument specialists' (HIS) Costco, Sam's Club, etc., mostly employ HIS who do apprenticeships under AuD providers. Few of these providers are educated as counselors with the exception of a few who may have gotten a BS degree in social work, etc.

Active hard of hearing people have been advocating for years for more counseling on hearing loss and technology use by providers of hearing aids, also by primary care specialists and other medical providers. This is starting to get noticed, but more people willing to educate and advocate are needed to effect change. Reality lesson for the day! 🙂 Talk to your medical doctors, dentists, HIS, AuDs about this. They need to know this matters.

Thanks for correcting the information on Jabra, there is actually a small GN
next to the name on the Costco website. I did not think much of it. I'm all new to the world of hearing aids. So much more to learn.

Ive had friends go with cosco, not sure who makes their HAs. I tell anyone looking for hearing aids to insist on having a telecoil installed when you order them, and of course bluetooth which I believe they all come with now. Telecoils don't cost extra. However, there seems to be a nationwide bias among AuD in not automatically including telecoils in hearing aids or taking time to explain what they are and how great they work where there are hearing loops installed. Don't let them talk you out of it or say there's new technology coming (we should wait to hear better???), or say there aren't many places with hearing loops. If you don't know about them check, http://www.hearingloop.org and http://www.hearingloss.org.

@h2h: thanks for the information, I realize I have to familiarize myself with
this topic- never heard about telecoils-

I actually made a down payment of $1600 (half the price)for the Phonak, I returned them today, since the 30 day trial period was closing in. I did not get the refund on the spot and may have to wait 10 business days to get the amount credited back to my credit card. The office did not provide any document that I returned the hearing aids and other components. They don't have such policy, which I found out today. I had an office worker sign that I had handed her the hearing aids. I don't understand why they can't provide a return receipt.

thanks for speaking up and pushing the importance of learning about hearing loss and finding remedies that all can afford-

It is a crying shame that all people who sell hearing aids don't share information about the telecoil option. Reality: It has been removed from many hearing instruments because it takes a teeny tiny piece of space in the product. It doesn't add cost to the product. BlueTooth does and Auracast will. Telecoils and loops have been around since telecoils were designed to connect to the old landline phones; thus the name 'tele' coil. Loops installed in venues added value to telecoils long ago too. I am 100% in favor of advancements in technology so look forward to Auracast. However, I want to hear NOW, not years from now. Over the years I, and others have successfully advocated to have loops installed in venues. Worship centers picked it up first, then performing arts centers, then meeting rooms. etc. You can install a loop in your home that will allow you to hear the TV loud and clear.

Again, a travesty that the very people who should want to help us hear, and say they do, should be sure that everyone of their clients/patients is aware of what is available. "Old technology' can still be the easiest answer to a dilemma. It's a bit like saying air conditioning in your car is 'old technology' because now you can buy a car with cooled seats and steering wheel. That old AC is pretty nice to have when you need it!

Insist on telecoils in your hearing instruments and cochlear processors. The industry needs to know that we really do want to hear as well as possible.

Unfortunately, and I count myself among people who go to an audiologist and don't know anything about hearing aids and nothing about hearing loops or telecoils. If audiologists signed a hippocratic oath, IMO, they would be breaking that oath by not telling their customers about telecoils. From my understanding, most hearing aids can still hold a telecoil. But individuals need to ask for it so they still see the demand. Too many people are embarrassed about their hearing loss and want something as small as possible so wearing a hearing aid isn't obvious. Most behind the ear hearing aids will still hold a telecoil, but some are being made smaller so they don't have room. It's very frustrating. I would still like an audiologist to tell me why they don't support telecoils.

Tell me more about putting a loop in your home. Who can do it and how much does it cost?
As far as other venues in Denver having telecoil systems I can only speak to movie theaters and when I ask they look at me like I am speaking a foreign language and suggest a clumsy device to hang around my neck. Quite frankly it is cumbersome and I have removed it and gone back to my hearing aids.
Lawyers have made a living filing lawsuits when restaurants and other venues don’t provide access for handicapped people to get in and out and use the restroom. Why don’t people with hearing loss get the same consideration.
Telecoils would be great if every venue had to install them just like Auracast will be great if it works universally all over the country. We really don’t have anyone that is strongly advocating for us because we don’t use our voices and sheet numbers to demand it and our elected representatives don’t demand it.
Do you ever read anything about hearing loss in the AARP bulletin or magazine?
I know they are working on finding a way to restore hearing loss in adults by bringing back damaged or destroyed hair cells but where is the urgency and demand from the hearing impaired? There are millions of us in the United States and yet we are invisible. We are paying obscene amounts of money for hearing aids and many lack the insurance to help pay for them. Medicare doesn’t deem it important enough to pay for or considers it cosmetic. CI’s are covered if you can meet their loss of hearing standards but research has been painfully slow in this country.
Just sharing my frustration for all the people that suffer in silence because hearing loss just doesn’t get a seat at the table for far too many people.
Come on people. Demand more attention from AARP. I read about research to restore eye sight but nothing about restoring hearing loss. Until we do we will be at the mercy of overworked Audiologists and overpriced hearing aid manufacturers.

There are a couple very active HLAA chapters in Colorado. Have you affiliated with them? As I have said before, if the people who have hearing loss would get on the bandwagon to effect change, more attention would be given to hearing loss. There are obviously reasons why this doesn't happen. Unfortunately.

The Americans with Disabilities Act clearly states that if people do not ask for accommodations of venues, they need not be provided. There are tons of hearing loops in the USA, but most are in regions where HLAA members have educated and advocated for them. That is just a reality.

Your concerns are legitimate. AARP does give coverage to hearing loss, but infrequently. There are so many other aging issues to cover. Not excusing them, but realistically speaking.

No easy answers or solutions.