Obviously a lot of financial resources at the manufacturer go into research and development. Things do change, yet many stay exactly the same. Hearing instruments amplify sound. They can be set to amplify at different decibel levels. They can block some background noise, and they can have directional microphones. They cannot do much about clarifying speech. However, with add ons like FM systems, handheld microphones, Roger Pen, Pocket Talker, etc. they can bring speech directly to the ear and bypass the background noise that adds to the distortion of speech. Unfortunately, those add ons are not included or even sold with most hearing aids even though they are available. Tony is right whey saying some devices should be included. Because they don't receive the education it takes to do well with hearing aids, people have to learn by trial and error. If the HA industry would stop marketing stigma, denial and invisibility in all of their advertisements it would help the industry sell more hearing aids. (See advertisement attached.)

It breaks my heart when someone comes to an HLAA meeting for the first time and has no clue what a telecoil is, what a hearing loop can do, and whether or not their expensive hearing aids even have telecoils. In far too many instances, they do not have telecoils in those expensive hearing aids. Nor do they have the money to go out and buy a new pair so they have that feature. They have to take those precious hearing aids off and wear a $15 headset or pair of ear buds to attach to a receiver to hear. 🙁

People who sell hearing aids should be required to demonstrate telecoils in an office setting that teaches the buyer/customer what a telecoil is and does. If the customer doesn't want it, they at least know what they are giving up. It's just plain unfair for a seller to tell a customer that this feature is 'old technology' and is not needed because no hearing loops are available in the area. Hearing loops are out there, and if they are not in your theater, performing arts center, school, church, etc. they can be advocated for and installed.

A simple $50 neckloop has many uses. It will connect to any audio device with a plug in, including cell phones, tablets, computers, iPods, portable radios, etc. . A telecoil does NOT add cost to a hearing aid. (It's mortal sin is that it takes up space in the hearing aid...so has been removed to make the aid a millimeter smaller.) Other features do add considerable cost. BlueTooth is an upgrade that's worth having, but it adds considerable cost, and it should not take the place of the telecoil. If people knew what they could do with telecoils they would not want hearing aids without them. It takes a 'teacher' who is willing to spend time to educate. "TIME IS MONEY". It takes time to educate. I would never buy a hearing aid without a telecoil I can control, and a manual volume control.

A recent research bit from Stanford University focused on the high price of hearing aids, said that a pair of hearing aids, for many people, is the third most expensive investment they will ever make. House if first, car is second. No wonder people go without.

Off band stand now. Going to watch the Green Bay Packer game! Go Packers!!!