How do I choose the best hearing aids?

Has anyone heard of TruHearing Select hearing aids? I never have until I got a letter from my Hearing Aid Specialist that my insurance company only covers this brand. I have never used insurance because I've never had any. I am wearing Starkey and have a hard time hearing at church as the preacher gets away from the microphone. I simply quit going. People laugh, I don't have a clue what's funny. I feel left out of the world. My husband won't repeat--so, I just quit. Anyone help? I want blue tooth hearing aids. Please tell me about them. Thank you so very much!

I have Oticon OPN 3 hearing aides with Bluetooth that connect to my iPhone and also to my TV via an Oticon TV adaptor which is really great as I hear TV as if it was in sourround sound and I control sound level separate from my wife who just listens to TV via normal speakers. I've had these for over 3 years now and still going strong. I replace batteries every 5 days but the batteries are cheap. You can order batteries on Amazon or pick up at local CVS.

My audiologist is now promoting Phonac over Oticoan but I think both of these are good brands. I was referred to my audoiologist here in Tampa Bay Florida by a doctor at church who is hard of hearing.

@woogie If I'm not mistaken, TruHearing is not a manufacturer of hearing aids. It's an insurance plan. They approach audiology practices and get them to sign on. TruHearing uses it's much bigger buying power to get discounts from the manufacturers. I don't know the product offerings from TruHearing but you should ask your audiologist the manufacturer of the product you plan to use. I think the aids are rebranded, as are the Costco Kirkland aids, which are Phonak, or other major brands.
Tony in Michigan

How do you connect to the PA system in your church? I love my BT options in many settings, but not in large rooms, sanctuaries, etc. The telecoil in the hearing aid works so well if the venue has a hearing loop installation. Unfortunately, so many hearing aid fitters don't bother to activate the telecoil in the hearing instrument. And, of course, some of the hearing instruments don't have telecoils. It helps to know about them so you can ask for this feature when purchasing hearing instruments. They do not add cost to the product. BT does.

I have not connected to church PA system, but would like to learn howif they have that option.

Communication access is an accommodation that is mandated by the American's with Disabilities Act. (ADA). However, as with all ADA accommodations, it must be requested. Churches are exempt from providing accommodations, but worship centers, for the most part, have been way ahead of the game in providing this for their congregants.

There are 3 technologies that can be connected to a public address system. Infrared (IR), FM, and induction loop (hearing loop). They all must be connected to the venue's PA system via a transmitter. FM and IR require individual receivers. A hearing loop can be used with a receiver, but can be accessed by simply activating the telecoil setting on a hearing instrument when in a room where a loop is installed. No receiver is required with a loop system unless one's hearing instrument does not have a telecoil. Personal 'neck loops' can be plugged in to IR and FM receivers to allow the use of telecoils.

Most people who use this equipment prefer having an installed hearing loop so they don't have to bother with receivers. Good for the facility too because they don't have to maintain them and keep the batteries charged.

Several states that have active HLAA chapters and members have been successful in educating about this technology. Hearing healthcare providers should be telling their clientele about it and how it works. Some do, some don't.

Check out: http://www.loopwisconsin.com There are links on the site that share information about how the technology works, and how to install it. Also a full list of venues that have it. Information can also be found at: http://www.hearingloop.com

Further info about the other technologies is available at http://www.williamsav.com

I encourage you to explore this with your church. If no one has asked for accommodations they may not have provided them.

Let us know what you find out.

#1 - go to an AUD.D - Doctor of Audiology. Have a full hearing assessment. #2 - Listen to the Audiologist and have them write down the types of HAs that would work for you. 3# - buy new HAs from a place that guarantees no cost adjustments to those aids for the duration that you need them. I got mine from my audiologist’s office for years until my hearing declined to the point I needed a Cochlear Implant.

Thanks for great feedback. I will contact church office and audiologist to learn more about connection options.

I recently purchased behind the ear aids. I hate them. They are not behind the ear, they are on top of the ear, on top of my glasses and if I bend over, they flop off my ear. They are still attached inside my ear but I had no idea what I was in for when I got these. I asked for a longer tube so my hearing aid would actually be behind the ear but she added a minute amount. I can't even tell if she actually did.
Also, she picked out the ugliest color which is grey. My hair is white, very white, not grey. I'd liked to have had a choice in the matter. I am very upset with these aid. Also, the voices on the TV sometimes sound like a cartoon, not real. I push on the aids to make them insert my ears better and the voices are more normal. What should I do?

Your story hurts to read! None of this should happen when hearing aids are fit appropriately. While they are not miracle cures like some expect, they do help a lot. It sounds as if you definitely need a different tube size. For people new to hearing aids, it's quite common for things to sound a little bit differently at first, but only for a few days if you are wearing them regularly. The brain has to adjust a bit. Are you using domes or custom fit ear molds? What kind of hearing aids are they? As far as color is concerned, hearing aids come in a variety of colors. My hearing aid is blue. My hair is gray. Are you still within the time period where you can take the hearing aids back? If so, you might want to do that and try a different dispensing professional.