1. < Hearing Loss

Cookie Bite Hearing Loss: What is the best hearing aid?

Posted by staciej @staciej, Nov 16, 2020

My husband has a cookie bit hearing loss - he can hear low and high sounds; but misses everything in the middle. My voice falls into the middle range (or maybe it's selective hearing, that is still out for debate 🙂 I'm curious if anyone here has the same hearing loss and if so, if you've found a hearing aid that helps in this range. His hearing aids help in the range; while also amplifying the lows and highs - which is extremely painful and gives him a headache. This means he wears his hearing aids on special occasions and important conversations. Otherwise, this investments sits in his hearing aid storage pouch. Looking forward to hearing about the experience of others, as this type of hearing loss is hereditary.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

arrowshooter | @arrowshooter | Nov 22, 2021
In reply to @ketwest "I was diagnosed with cookie bite hearing loss ten years ago. My audiograms have remained nearly..." + (show)
@ketwest

I was diagnosed with cookie bite hearing loss ten years ago. My audiograms have remained nearly identical throughout that time with no new hearing loss. I will get new Phonak 70’s in a couple weeks. I’ve always had the same hearing aids, Siemens. I’m looking forward to having Bluetooth and telecoil capabilities. I also hope the new hearing aids can help more with loud, high-pitched sounds—I seem to have become more sensitive to them over time. An AuD fit and checked my original hearing aids; however, I hope a new AuD and improved technology will help me hear better, especially at work where we all wear masks.
I will post after I have some time to get used to the Phonaks. I understand midrange hearing loss can be difficult to fit…I’m just hoping for some improvement.

Jump to this post

Good luck with your new hearing aids. They really do make improvements over the years.

I've gone through the "new hearing aid" thing at least 5 times over the years now. My hopes and expectations always exceed the performance of the new hearing aids. They do work better and have much better features and connectivity. The sad reality is that hearing aids can't fix hearing loss - they can only make it better.

REPLY
Kelliella | @ketwest | Nov 22, 2021

I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you. I’ll post a follow up in a few weeks.

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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Nov 22, 2021
In reply to @ketwest "I was diagnosed with cookie bite hearing loss ten years ago. My audiograms have remained nearly..." + (show)
@ketwest

I was diagnosed with cookie bite hearing loss ten years ago. My audiograms have remained nearly identical throughout that time with no new hearing loss. I will get new Phonak 70’s in a couple weeks. I’ve always had the same hearing aids, Siemens. I’m looking forward to having Bluetooth and telecoil capabilities. I also hope the new hearing aids can help more with loud, high-pitched sounds—I seem to have become more sensitive to them over time. An AuD fit and checked my original hearing aids; however, I hope a new AuD and improved technology will help me hear better, especially at work where we all wear masks.
I will post after I have some time to get used to the Phonaks. I understand midrange hearing loss can be difficult to fit…I’m just hoping for some improvement.

Jump to this post

I hope the new hearing aids are an improvement for you. Brands are different and technology keeps improving. Thank you for sharing your experience. Do let us know how this works out for you.

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1 reply
Kelliella | @ketwest | Nov 23, 2021
In reply to @julieo4 "I hope the new hearing aids are an improvement for you. Brands are different and technology..." + (show)
@julieo4

I hope the new hearing aids are an improvement for you. Brands are different and technology keeps improving. Thank you for sharing your experience. Do let us know how this works out for you.

Jump to this post

Will do. Thank you.

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mdrickards | @mdrickards | Jun 27, 2022

I have the somewhat unusual CB loss (loss of middle tones and not highs and lows). Sadly, most human voices are in the middle tones.
I have tried different brands, with varying success; high end MiracleEar, mid range Heargo, low end Costco (Phonax).
While the latest Costco HA’s enable me to hear speech pretty well (best of the three), the rest of my world sounds crummy. Music, whether live or via Bluetooth, TV, theatre, etc are all horrible and tinny. My Aud said I should be happy with speech, since that’s what HA’s are designed to do.
But I would like to have music back!
I recall reading on a site I can no longer find that there are very specific channels on certain HA’s that is CB sufferers need, and with those channels adjusted we get a much broader experience.
Does anyone have any luck, experience or suggestions?

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 27, 2022
In reply to @mdrickards "I have the somewhat unusual CB loss (loss of middle tones and not highs and lows)...." + (show)
@mdrickards

I have the somewhat unusual CB loss (loss of middle tones and not highs and lows). Sadly, most human voices are in the middle tones.
I have tried different brands, with varying success; high end MiracleEar, mid range Heargo, low end Costco (Phonax).
While the latest Costco HA’s enable me to hear speech pretty well (best of the three), the rest of my world sounds crummy. Music, whether live or via Bluetooth, TV, theatre, etc are all horrible and tinny. My Aud said I should be happy with speech, since that’s what HA’s are designed to do.
But I would like to have music back!
I recall reading on a site I can no longer find that there are very specific channels on certain HA’s that is CB sufferers need, and with those channels adjusted we get a much broader experience.
Does anyone have any luck, experience or suggestions?

Jump to this post

Allow me to help you out, @mdrickards. I moved your question about the hearing aids for cookie bite hearing loss to this existing discussion in the Hearing Loss group where @staciej asked the very same question and got some helpful tips from members like @raykraemer @julieo4 @renajoy @ketwest and others.

- Cookie Bite Hearing Loss: What is the best hearing aid? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cookie-bite-hearing-loss/

You might also get some good advice from members who are sound engineers and musicians in this related discussion, although not specific to cookie bite.

- Audio engineer with SSHL *** Mid diagnosis. Learning. Searching https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/audio-engineer-with-sshl-mid-diagnosis-learning-searching/

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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Jun 27, 2022
In reply to @mdrickards "I have the somewhat unusual CB loss (loss of middle tones and not highs and lows)...." + (show)
@mdrickards

I have the somewhat unusual CB loss (loss of middle tones and not highs and lows). Sadly, most human voices are in the middle tones.
I have tried different brands, with varying success; high end MiracleEar, mid range Heargo, low end Costco (Phonax).
While the latest Costco HA’s enable me to hear speech pretty well (best of the three), the rest of my world sounds crummy. Music, whether live or via Bluetooth, TV, theatre, etc are all horrible and tinny. My Aud said I should be happy with speech, since that’s what HA’s are designed to do.
But I would like to have music back!
I recall reading on a site I can no longer find that there are very specific channels on certain HA’s that is CB sufferers need, and with those channels adjusted we get a much broader experience.
Does anyone have any luck, experience or suggestions?

Jump to this post

Cookie bite hearing loss is difficult to fit. It takes a skilled provider who uses real ear measurement and appropriate testing. Even the best hearing aids will not do the job well if they are not fit properly.

The providers you mention, for the most part, have good quality hearing aids. However, they do not necessarily employ AuD (Doctorate degree level) audiologists. Many of their fitters are hearing instrument specialists (HIS), who have high school diplomas + an apprenticeship served within their company. While many people have very successful fittings from these providers, audiograms that suggest unusual hearing loss such as 'cookie bite' may create challenges for them.

Do you know if the providers who have tested you and fit these hearing aids are doctors of Audiology (AuD) or hearing instrument specialists (HIS)?

REPLY
1 reply
mdrickards | @mdrickards | Jun 27, 2022
In reply to @julieo4 "Cookie bite hearing loss is difficult to fit. It takes a skilled provider who uses real..." + (show)
@julieo4

Cookie bite hearing loss is difficult to fit. It takes a skilled provider who uses real ear measurement and appropriate testing. Even the best hearing aids will not do the job well if they are not fit properly.

The providers you mention, for the most part, have good quality hearing aids. However, they do not necessarily employ AuD (Doctorate degree level) audiologists. Many of their fitters are hearing instrument specialists (HIS), who have high school diplomas + an apprenticeship served within their company. While many people have very successful fittings from these providers, audiograms that suggest unusual hearing loss such as 'cookie bite' may create challenges for them.

Do you know if the providers who have tested you and fit these hearing aids are doctors of Audiology (AuD) or hearing instrument specialists (HIS)?

Jump to this post

I thought Costco required at least one audiologist at each location, but I may be wrong. I don't have the dispenser's card, but will find out. This is the guy who told me I should just be glad I can hear voices, and the heck with good quality sound otherwise. I am also troubled by his comments about their app. The app allows for adjustments to be made by the user when listening to music. It does not make any changes, and when asked, he just shrugged and said it didn't work and not to worry, that he could adjust the HA's. However, IF I had him do that, I would lose the clarity of speech.
I have never been told that there is a tradeoff before. I am contemplating returning these and starting all over again, but its pretty frustrating.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Jun 27, 2022
In reply to @mdrickards "I thought Costco required at least one audiologist at each location, but I may be wrong...." + (show)
@mdrickards

I thought Costco required at least one audiologist at each location, but I may be wrong. I don't have the dispenser's card, but will find out. This is the guy who told me I should just be glad I can hear voices, and the heck with good quality sound otherwise. I am also troubled by his comments about their app. The app allows for adjustments to be made by the user when listening to music. It does not make any changes, and when asked, he just shrugged and said it didn't work and not to worry, that he could adjust the HA's. However, IF I had him do that, I would lose the clarity of speech.
I have never been told that there is a tradeoff before. I am contemplating returning these and starting all over again, but its pretty frustrating.

Jump to this post

One of the best things about Costco is their 6 month trial period. Most providers allow 30 days, which isn't enough time to really know how well the technology is working for you.

My husband has Costco hearing aids. He is very happy with them. But, he has a basic sensorineural hearing loss typical of aging. Costco has been wonderful about servicing them. We live in different places during the year and all have Costco available so he goes in regularly to have them cleaned, etc. No charge. So there are some huge positives there. None of those Costco stores have audiologists. They are all hearing instrument specialists. I believe they are trained by the few AuD audiologists that Costco employs. Training and internship. Ask your provider where he was trained, and what his degree is.

Telling you that you should be happy with what you're getting sounds a bit strange.

Let us know what you find out. This is a good topic for discussion. while Cookie Bite hearing loss isn't common, it's not unheard of. People need to hear stories like yours.

You might want to look at this YouTube by Dr. Clifford Olson. He is a doctor of audiology who has a lot of good information online. https://www.bing.com/search?q=real+ear+measurement+dr.+cliff&form=ANSPH1&refig=716837933eb5452f8a4b522cf2d6fc72&pc=U531

Phonak is generally a good hearing aid. What model of Phonak hearing instrument do you have? Did they do 'real ear measurement' when testing you?

REPLY
1 reply
mdrickards | @mdrickards | Jul 24, 2022
In reply to @julieo4 "One of the best things about Costco is their 6 month trial period. Most providers allow..." + (show)
@julieo4

One of the best things about Costco is their 6 month trial period. Most providers allow 30 days, which isn't enough time to really know how well the technology is working for you.

My husband has Costco hearing aids. He is very happy with them. But, he has a basic sensorineural hearing loss typical of aging. Costco has been wonderful about servicing them. We live in different places during the year and all have Costco available so he goes in regularly to have them cleaned, etc. No charge. So there are some huge positives there. None of those Costco stores have audiologists. They are all hearing instrument specialists. I believe they are trained by the few AuD audiologists that Costco employs. Training and internship. Ask your provider where he was trained, and what his degree is.

Telling you that you should be happy with what you're getting sounds a bit strange.

Let us know what you find out. This is a good topic for discussion. while Cookie Bite hearing loss isn't common, it's not unheard of. People need to hear stories like yours.

You might want to look at this YouTube by Dr. Clifford Olson. He is a doctor of audiology who has a lot of good information online. https://www.bing.com/search?q=real+ear+measurement+dr.+cliff&form=ANSPH1&refig=716837933eb5452f8a4b522cf2d6fc72&pc=U531

Phonak is generally a good hearing aid. What model of Phonak hearing instrument do you have? Did they do 'real ear measurement' when testing you?

Jump to this post

Hi, do not know what the Phonak model is, but after watching the YouTube from Dr. Cliff about REM, I do know that I had a "real ear measurement".
I HIGHLY recommend that others take a moment and listen to the link you provided above by Dr. Cliff. I found his comments about underlying problems with the "counseling" by the provider to be spot on for me. Dr. Cliff mentioned the power of suggestion used by them (and certainly the technician I saw) and how many people (as many as 70%!) end up with an "almost is good enough" adjustment.
I still am not sure if my HA's are right for my "cookie bite" loss, but I do know that they are not adjusted properly because I should not have this many complaints.
I have until the beginning of November to return these HA's, and I plan to check out Widex (as recommended in the musician's with hearing loss group).
Thank you again for your help, and I will keep posting here when I get more information.

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