Welcome Denise. Are you able to work with an audiologist to adjust the hearing aids so that they work better for you?

Hi Denise! I’m Stephanie. Have you looked into bone conduction hearing devices? I have the Osia 2, and the operation and device were covered by my insurance company even though hearing exams and hearing aids aren’t covered. I used an amplifier while waiting for my implant, so I understand the limitations and frustrations that come with those.

Hi Denise, Welcome to the hearing loss discussion group. You sound a bit like me, measles and noise most likely led to my progressive sensorineural hearing loss. I suspect I'm a bit older than you, so the timeline of progression is longer. 🙂 My HL worsened over time as I was told it would. I am thankful that I learned about assistive technology that goes beyond hearing aids years ago when I became involved in The Hearing Loss Assn, of America, Inc. The organization was in its infancy then, so I had the advantage of growing with it as people with hearing loss started insisting on better products and also on communication access in public places. For all of us with sensorineural hearing loss, background noise is our greatest problem.

My first experience with an assistive listening device (ALD) was with a hearing loop that allowed me to bypass that noise by using the telecoils in my hearing aids. I could hear the presenter at a meeting! Amazing!! Back then, before Bluetooth add ons to hearing aids, the HAs were primarily amplifiers. But, that telecoil option allowed me to connect to hearing loops, FM systems and Infrared systems. Those are wonderful but they have to be available. That's why we advocate.

So what do you do in personal situations where noise is an issue? Well, I soon learned that specific ALDs can connect directly to my hearing aid. Those devices allow me to use a tiny hand held microphone or table mike that brings the desired sound directly to my personal hearing devices. It bypasses the majority of the ambient noise in the room and I can participate.

That personal technology has evolved over the years because the HA industry, in some ways, has recognized that people with hearing loss really do want to hear. Unfortunately, their efforts to make that possible has increased the cost of hearing aids considerably. I was using ALDs with my analog hearing aids that cost about $500 each, a far cry from the BlueTooth models they are selling today for $4,000 apiece or more. The industry has been more focused on making hearing aids less visible than making them better. (My personal opinion.) All the ads market denial. Hide it, don't show it, etc.

It is likely that your hearing loss will progress as mine did. Today I am a 'bimodal' user of both a hearing aid and a cochlear implant. I do very well with these personal devices, but still depend a lot on the ALDs in social settings.

I hope you can get a better pair of hearing aids. Ask the audiologist who tested you for a copy of your audiogram. You are entitled to that record. Insist on it. While I respect the audiology profession, I also realize that many people cannot afford what they choose to sell. I also know that many are kind enough to allow a decent trial period and payment schedule, but not all do that.

I have hard of hearing friends who have been very satisfied with the hearing aids they have purchased at Costco, for example. Those hearing aids are not 'just amplifiers'. They are brand name hearing aids. They have both BlueTooth and telecoils. They cost about $1400 for a pair, which is a big difference from what your audiologist wants to charge you. Costco also allows a 6 month trial period, which is likely 5 months longer than your audiologist offers. Just pointing out that it might be worth it for you to try that option. If they don't work for you, you can return them.

You should know that most of the Costco technicians are NOT clinical audiologists. They are trained technicians called hearing instrument specialists. A clinical audiologist with the letters AuD behind their name, has a doctorate level degree in the field of audiology. They are obviously more proficient in diagnosing other issues related to hearing loss, etc. Since you know what caused your hearing loss, it's unlikely you are dealing with a medical issue other than that.

Disclosure: I use both a cochlear implant processor and a hearing aid. Due to the severity of my hearing loss I see a clinical audiologist whom I trust explicitly. Costs related to the CI are covered by Medicare. Costs related to hearing aids are not. The Widex aid I have now cost $2500.

As always, I encourage people who are frustrated with hearing loss, which is very common, to explore the Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA). This consumer organization does more educating, advocating and information sharing than all the hearing healthcare professionals on the planet put together. I am very thankful for what HLAA has added to the quality of my life.

There is hearing help out there. Look for an HLAA chapter in your area. Many chapters are holding online meetings now due to COVID. It has given people a chance to connect from all over the country to learn, discuss, vent, and share experiences. You can find information at: http://www.hearingloss.org