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Need decision help how to proceed with hearing aids, your experience
Hearing Loss | Last Active: 19 hours ago | Replies (52)Comment receiving replies
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.
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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?