Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

Can your audiologist not make a recommendation of a hearing aid with a trial period of from 30 to 45 days so that you don't get stuck with one that you are unhappy with?

Don't accept them if you're not happy with them. I had some ReSound that the audiologist struggled to adjust well beyond the trial period and there was no question that they took them back because they simply didn't work for me. It wasn't my fault they took so long to attempt adjustment. The same may apply to you.

More recently I've had Oticons which were pretty mediocre as have been all of my hearing aids. Then the audiologist installed some different (more powerful) receivers and WOW. They worked much better. Because of the nature of my hearing loss I still can't understand speech very well but I can hear birds and crickets and those annoying beeping alarms I'm not used to hearing. I just discovered that I can hear the pedestrian tones at intersections. I guess I knew they existed but I had never heard them before. It's hard to know what you're missing.

Your audiologist should be able to find you a good solution for you. Keep at it till you they get it right.

@judithmct Hi Judith, welcome to Connect.

Keeping in mind that hearing aids will never replicate natural hearing, if your audiologist is good he/she should be able to provide better hearing than it sounds as if you have gotten. My hearing loss has advanced to having trouble with speech comprehension, which is impossible for any hearing aids to compensate for, but some are better than others.

I did have Phonaks but three years ago I changed to Oticon Opn 1 HAs because at the time they were the best in providing the best speech recognition. They were definitely than Phonaks. I did love the Phonaks for restaurants, etc., they were very directional.

I had some problems for a while with my Oticons that my audiologist was not able to fix so she called on Oticon twice and the representative from there came to help. They finally decided to return those hearing aids and get me replacement hearing aids. Problem was solved. I understand that the newer Oticons are even better with speech recognition.

As others have said, you always have a trial period during which you can return the HAs. There may be some charge but it is not nearly the cost of the HAs. Also, how confident are you of your audiologist? Have you considered getting a second opinion? I trust my audiologist and I trust her to know my hearing well enough that she will make the best recommendation.

If you are in or close to NYC I would highly recommend Dr. Ellen LaFargue at the Center for Hearing and Communication. My daughter was working there at one point and when I needed new HAs she convinced me to go to her (I live in NH) so I did. Her recommendation turned out to be exactly what my audiologist here recommended, and Dr. LaFargue is very good and very highly regarded. She was the audiologist who recommended the Phonaks, that was quite a while ago.
JK

Don't overlook, ahem, Costco. Their Bernefon aids are actually Oticons, but at half the price. In addition, you have 30 days to try them out. If you're not satisfied, you get your $$ back. In addition, you can go back for adjustments as often as you need to at no charge whatsoever. While it's true that Costco generally doesn't have audiologists, some of their fitters are exceptional. The one I go to keeps abreast of what's new and knows more about speech-to-text apps and new apps for aids than some audiologists. She also has taken the time to learn about Meniere's, which is a particularly tricky disease as far as hearing is concerned. Again, she knows quite a bit, while I've yet to find an audiologist who knows much (if anything) about the disease. So, in my book, Costco gets really high ratings, both for value and service.

JK has said exactly what I was thinking about your audiologist should have been able to provide you with a better hearing situation. I also agree 100% with JK about Ellen LaFargue who was my audiologist until I got a cochlear implant a few years ago. Ellen is Director of Audiology at CHC (Center for Hearing and Communication), formerly known as the League for the Hard of Hearing, an agency which is now more than 100 years old and I think the oldest agency in the country serving those with hearing loss. I could go on and on about what terrific services CHC offers those with hearing loss but I won't indulge!

I know a variety of people who are happy with the service they have gotten from Costco, although I think it is best suited for those with Mild to Moderate hearing. I do hear that some Costco's do have audiologists so I just want to say, don't assume that a given Costco does not have an audiologist.

I first went to Costco almost three years ago, when only my right ear had been affected with Meniere's and was, therefore, downright useless. I went because my "good" left ear had age-related deafness, so initially my loss in that ear was moderate. However, a year ago, Meniere's went bilateral, meaning that suddenly I heard nothing useful from either ear most of the time. I've been back to Costco several times, due to the difficulty presented by fluctuation in hearing loss (one of the really swell features of Meniere's). Every time, there's been a big improvement in my hearing as a result. The patience of the woman at Costco as my hearing has changed has been impressive. She's the only one of all the medical people I see who knows anything about the disease, which really surprised me, as I had initially gone to Costco simply to save money (at the time, my hearing simply needed a boost). She understands the two other "features" of this damned disease: distortion and recruitment, and has made appropriate adjustments. I hadn't been able to listen to music for well over 30 years (since Meniere's had affected my right ear) due to the distortion. She adjusted my aid so that, WOW, I can actually listen to music once again. She is NOT an audiologist, but she has done a lot of self learning to possess the depth of knowledge that she has.

@joyces the thing about Costco is that the hearing aid fitters can vary tremendously from one Costa to another. Obviously you got a really good one.

@barbb. Dr. LaFargue really is excellent. As I mentioned, my daughter worked there back when I went to her, she was a grant writer there. If I lived closer I would probably use her regularly, but since she and my audiologist here were in agreement I do feel confident of my audiologist here, and of two other audiologists who work at the same practice.

If you are not aware of Doctor Cliff on YouTube you might check out some his videos, he’s pretty knowledgeable.
JK

Thanks to everyone for their input. I actually got the Oticon Hearing Aids in February with a 30 day free trial. Then COVID 19 came along and all hearing service offices were locked down. So I have had 3 months to try these out. The audiologist did not fit my last set of hearing aids but she fitted at least 3 sets before that and has always been very good. She has given me an extra 3 weeks which run out next week. I will see if she has any helpful recommendations re the Oticons, but, if not, I think I will ask her to fit hearing aids from another manufacturer.

I know I've missed some of this conversation, so please excuse me if I'm repeating something that has already been discussed.

I encourage everyone who needs hearing aids whether for the first time, or for the 'umpteenth' time, be sure your new hearing aids are equipped with manually controlled telecoils and volume controls. To get the most from hearings aids in many settings you need them both. Don't let an audiologist or other fitter talk you into choosing one over the other.

Telecoils can connect you to so many things, including your computers, cellphones, iPads, tablets, radios, TV and any audio device that has an input jack. Don't let anyone tell you that telecoils are 'old technology'. To be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public venues must provide communication access, just as they must provide mobility access. Many have installed hearing loops that provide wireless connection from the sound system to telecoil equipped hearing aids. All you do is push the t-coil button on your hearing aid and you will hear clearly without any ambient noise interfering. It's like having binoculars for your ears! It's almost magic when you try it for the first time.

Some places may have installed FM or Infrared technology to be in compliance. Those telecoils will let you connect in those places when you use your telecoils with the receivers the venue provides. You will need a small personal device called a neckloop to plug into those receivers, but it sure beats putting on a set of headphones or ear buds when you can use the personal technology that has been programmed for your individual hearing loss needs. The manual volume control speaks for itself. YOU should have the ability to turn it up or down. Automatic sounds good in sales pitches, but in reality there are many times when sound is too loud or too soft. YOU want to be able to make the adjustment.

Many states have active advocacy groups through HLAA. Those states are benefiting from the education and advocacy being done to assure hard of hearing Americans have the communication access that is their right. It takes a village, right? PEOPLE who volunteer their time make things happen.

Interestingly, the ADA was written with a clause that says "In order to receive accommodations, individuals must ask for them in advance of need." That simply means that we, as hard of hearing Americans, must be proactive in requesting what we need. In order to do that WE HAVE TO KNOW what we need. I strongly recommend that you check out the HLAA website http://www.hearingloss.org and also go to http://www.hearingloop.org to learn more about why this matters. We WANT to hear.

Unfortunately, far too many people with hearing loss just stop going to places where one has to hear to be able to enjoy or participate. Bad idea. Isolation is not healthy. Be proactive. Mayo Clinic Connect provides a great place to share information. THe advocacy and information sharing beyond that lies with each of us who learn how to live well with our hearing loss.