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

I've had probably over a dozen new new hearing aids over the years and I was always excited about getting new ones But I've found myself disappointed every time. There are different considerations with new hearing aids.

Considerations are connectivity, features, controls, function, fit, and tuning. Of these tuning and fit are the most important and that depends on the skill and experience of the audiologist adjusting them. The lower end hearing aids don't have as much adjustability as the more expensive ones, nor do they have the features. For me they MUST have telecoils. Each manufacturer seems to have several levels of hearing aids for each model they make sort of like buying a car. You can do all the homework comparing features and specifications of different hearing aids but the way they perform for individual users is not the same. The only way to evaluate hearing aids is to TRY them. That's why the return policy is so important.

What really helps is finding a really good Audiologist. I actually went out of network to find one at one of our local hospitals.
The degree of testing was far more than my regular audiologist ever had time to give me. With the results of that testing she was able to adjust my hearing aids to work much better.
Finding a really good audiologist is really the key to getting the most out of your hearing aids.
I was actually thinking about looking in to CI’s but she told me they would not be an improvement over my hearing aids.
Good luck.

Yes I lpaid the $65 & went to Costco. I paid $1600 and felt the person testing my ears spent way more time getting it right than the saudiologist did when I got my first aids. If I need something they will mail it to me. I'm too old to get involved with the Cocolhear Implant, but if younger I definetely would, because after a while it's not hearing it's understanding. Hearing aids can only make it louder.

No one mentions customer ear molds which I find to be very effective to enhance your hearing aids.
Does anyone else have experience with custom ear molds.
I welcome all comments.

Thank you arrow shooter! Everyone's hearing loss is different, and they experience it differently too. Hearing aids have improved tremendously over the past several decades, but they still don't do everything we want them to do. Clarity of speech is where they let us down. That is especially true in environments where there is background noise. Assistive technology can be very helpful in those places, but you have to use it, and your hearing aids also have to be able to accommodate it. I support TELECOILS 100%, and would not buy a hearing aid without that feature. Bluetooth is helpful too. Auracast is coming down the line, but it is not here yet. Most of us want to hear NOW. I also prefer manual volume control. Some have these options and some don't. Some providers tell us about options, some don't. That's why people get involved in support groups like this one or those that HLAA offers. Hearing other people's experiences is very helpful.

It's impossible to know what any individual really needs in a hearing instrument without seeing their test results. An audiogram says a lot, but like any other 'detective device' it has to be done properly. Over the counter hearing aids may work for someone whose audiogram shows a minor degree of hearing loss but probably won't do much for someone with more severe hearing loss. It's important for each of us to know where we fall on an audiogram!

If hearing loss is a part of your life, get tested by a reputable audiologist. ASK FOR A COPY OF YOUR AUDIOGRAM! And ask them to explain it. If you feel the need to go shopping for hearing aids at a place like Costco or Sam's Club, get tested there too and compare the audiograms. Again, ask those questions about 'What does this mean?' You are not obligated to buy a hearing aid from whomever tested you.

After purchasing hearing aids (probably not the OTC kind), you will be allowed a trial period. Some are longer than others. Unfortunately, some of the best audiologists only allow 30 - 45 days. This may depend on the product they are selling. They also have a set period with the manufacturer for returns. The 'big box' stores like Costco have different policies and usually allow a much longer trial period. It's up to YOU to use that trial period to test the product you've been fitted with. Try it everywhere. Don't just put it on the dresser and put off trying it because you don't like the way it feels or works. It takes time to adjust to hearing this way.

So much depends on the source. They all have different policies about service, adjustments, cleaning, repairing, etc. As Arrow Shooter pointed out...it's kind of like buying a car or a home appliance. They vary. There are choices to be made when being fitted. If you know about what options are available and can ask informed questions you are going to get better results.

Try before you buy! Learn before you try! Are you willing to take the time to do that?

Custom ear molds are the gold standard of connecting hearing aids to an individual's ear. They have been replaced in many cases with 'domes' that do not require the kind of fitting a custom ear mold does.

Custom ear molds require the same kind of precise fitting that dental inlays do. It takes a professional with good dexterity to get it right. It's also quite likely that a custom fit earmold might need some filing down even after it's fit. That's another reason why being able to go back to the provider without further cost is important.

It's a lot easier to fit a hearing aid with domes, which do come in different sizes. But, if they keep slipping out or aren't working very well ASK for fitted earmolds. This is another one of those places where a bit of learning before buying might make sense.

I have only had one pair of hearing aids but am currently replacing them. I've had them 7 years and my hearing and the advancements have changed a lot. My situation is rather unique in that I had cancer in my parotid gland. After surgery where they removed part of my ear canal I lost most of my hearing in that ear....age took the other ear. I had a mold in my right ear for several years but unfortunately due to the radiation, my skin inside my ear is like tissue paper so it irritated it until it bled. I had to give up on it and go with the domes. I have had really good luck with those but my problem now is I get a lot of feedback and I am hearing but not understanding what is said. Let me know how your search is going.

JilieO4 is a lot more thorough than I. But she raised a point in her post above about assistive technology. (Moderators, this may be more appropriate in a different thread).

I see several barriers to folks using assistive technology to enhance their hearing/understanding over what hearing aids can provide.
First folks don’t know what’s available. Lots of audiologist and hearing aid fitters don’t explain things like neck loops, telecoils, streamers, and remote microphones. So without knowing about them they don’t know what to ask for.
Then if folks do know about some technology they don’t know where to find it or can’t/don’t want to afford it. This information on sourcing and financial assistance should be provided by whom ever is selling the hearing aids.
Third , folks may know about technology and actually get it but don’t know how to use it. Some is easy and some is more complicated. Some requires managing several things to get everything all connected. And one must know in which situations to use it. There can be a steep learning process.
Lastly folks don’t accept the available technology. When I ask someone if they would like to try a device they say “no I don’t need that”. I think what they are really meaning is “I don’t WANT to need that. That’s the stigma of hearing loss.

So seek out the help you need. Own your hearing loss. You’ll be better off for trying.

I am fortunate enough to be able to wear domes.
I would recommend you find a good audiologist that gives you a hearing test while playing background noise. Maybe she can adjust your hearing aids to give you better clarity.
There are bad audiologist, mediocre audiologists, good audiologists and great audiologists. Keep searching till you find a great one.
Good luck.

I have seen four audiologists so far. I’ve been wearing hearing aids for two and 1/2 years. I’m just now reading that without a REM (Real Ear measurement) the settings on your aids is a set program close to your hearing test. I have always been disappointed with how little my aids help me.
I’m setting up an appointment with an audiologist that does REM, and hoping I get a better result.
Have others had experience with Real Ear measurement?