1. < Hearing Loss

I need help to choose a Hearing Aid

Posted by hrn88 @hrn88, Nov 18, 2022

Hello everyone. I've been to 3 audiologists and they each recommended different hearing aids, so I'm confused as to which one is best for my hearing loss. I am 31 years old and yes I am quite deaf haha. These are the recomended models.

Phonak Naida B50-UP 3,816 USD (pair)
Phonak M30R 3,194 USD (pair)
Starkey Livio AI 16000 2,777 USD (pair)
Phonak Vitus + 2,088 USD (pair)

I'm concerned and confused because those options has different fitting ranges and features. As you know due to my audigram I have difficulties understanding speech (with out hearing aids) but with hearing aids, I can understand only in quiet or calm ambients. I dont know what is better for me either power or fidelity (channels). I see interesting Starkey Vitus option, but I dont know if will be sufficient to improve my life quality.
Sorry if my question is too ambiguous I understand ech case and people are different, but I need some orientation of experienced people with hearing loss.

Tank you
"Life is beatifull"

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

hrn88 | @hrn88 | Nov 19, 2022
In reply to @imallears "@hrn88 What country do you live in? I am curious about the lack of a trial..." + (show)
@imallears

@hrn88

What country do you live in? I am curious about the lack of a trial period.

FL Mary

Jump to this post

I live in Monterrey, Mexico...ha ha ha

REPLY
imallears | @imallears | Nov 19, 2022

@hrn88

This is what I read online. Mexico has very few or mostly no audiologists. They have physician who are trained in audiology and ENT. They can suggest and recommend brands of hearing aids but they don’t sell them. Hearing aid dispensers sell them . So I am assuming you may have seen a Doctor who was trained in audiological services rather than what we call an Audiologist here in the states who has a doctorate in audiology. I don’t know if this is true. I see that you have a lot of Costco warehouses in Mexico and some in Monterey. . Here in the United States most or many of our Costco‘s have a hearing aid department.

Perhaps you could call around or search their websites.

I am at a loss at this point and sympathize with what you are going through and your confusion as to the type of hearing aid you can best benefit from.
I was wondering if you are able to go out of the country easily to get aids in the states. Do you know of anyone among family or friends that use aids?

FL Mary

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Nov 20, 2022
In reply to @johnbflat "It's a built-in induction type antenna that allows a hearing aid to recieve short distance FM..." + (show)
@johnbflat

It's a built-in induction type antenna that allows a hearing aid to recieve short distance FM radio broadcasts. Many performing & meeting venues are hearing aid friendly and broadcast their shows & meetings over short distance FM radio directly from their sound systems, with less echo & crowd noise.

Jump to this post

https://www.hearingloss.org/wp-content/uploads/are-you-hearing-everything-print.pdf This link will take you to information about telecoils and hearing assistive technology. I fully agree that telecoils double the value of a hearing aid. It makes sense to learn about them, to use them and to advocate for them.

REPLY
hrn88 | @hrn88 | Nov 22, 2022
In reply to @imallears "@hrn88 This is what I read online. Mexico has very few or mostly no audiologists. They..." + (show)
@imallears

@hrn88

This is what I read online. Mexico has very few or mostly no audiologists. They have physician who are trained in audiology and ENT. They can suggest and recommend brands of hearing aids but they don’t sell them. Hearing aid dispensers sell them . So I am assuming you may have seen a Doctor who was trained in audiological services rather than what we call an Audiologist here in the states who has a doctorate in audiology. I don’t know if this is true. I see that you have a lot of Costco warehouses in Mexico and some in Monterey. . Here in the United States most or many of our Costco‘s have a hearing aid department.

Perhaps you could call around or search their websites.

I am at a loss at this point and sympathize with what you are going through and your confusion as to the type of hearing aid you can best benefit from.
I was wondering if you are able to go out of the country easily to get aids in the states. Do you know of anyone among family or friends that use aids?

FL Mary

Jump to this post

Hi!, @imallears you are right, I've seen that here in Mexico Audiologist are medics with that speciality.

My aunt lives in Texas, I would like to see an Audiologist in Texas but I can't afford it and buy two hearing aids. I I think is more expensive pay in USD dollars and earn in MXN.

REPLY
imallears | @imallears | Nov 23, 2022

@hrn88

I would suggest you try a Costco in Texas. It might be worth it to become a member. Membership is not expensive. Costcos hearing centers employ hearing aid techs. Although they are not Audiologists, they do have a good variety of brands, a generous trial period (180 days) and are about half the price of what you would pay at a practice. I think that’s better than having to accept devices without a trial period and being stuck with expensive aids that are not the best for you. Bring your audiogram with you. They make custom molds for Behind the Ears aids.

It’s imperative that you not delay too long in getting aids …your hearing will only get worse not better. I don’t know how easy it will be for you to travel back and forth but they have free hearing tests and follow up appointments and cleanings. You may need to go in person to sign up and find a Costco that has a hearing aid center(a lot do) and make an appointment or you can sign up online. You may find that you will not need to travel as much and be happy with them.
This beats over the counter aids. Also have you looked into Costcos near your home town?

Another thought about payment is to apply for a credit card that will give you 0% interest for several to six months and just use that card to pay off the cost.
It’s unfortunate that aids are out of reach financially for so many.

Would love to know what you decide.

FL Mary

REPLY
2 replies
hrn88 | @hrn88 | Nov 23, 2022
In reply to @imallears "@hrn88 I would suggest you try a Costco in Texas. It might be worth it to..." + (show)
@imallears

@hrn88

I would suggest you try a Costco in Texas. It might be worth it to become a member. Membership is not expensive. Costcos hearing centers employ hearing aid techs. Although they are not Audiologists, they do have a good variety of brands, a generous trial period (180 days) and are about half the price of what you would pay at a practice. I think that’s better than having to accept devices without a trial period and being stuck with expensive aids that are not the best for you. Bring your audiogram with you. They make custom molds for Behind the Ears aids.

It’s imperative that you not delay too long in getting aids …your hearing will only get worse not better. I don’t know how easy it will be for you to travel back and forth but they have free hearing tests and follow up appointments and cleanings. You may need to go in person to sign up and find a Costco that has a hearing aid center(a lot do) and make an appointment or you can sign up online. You may find that you will not need to travel as much and be happy with them.
This beats over the counter aids. Also have you looked into Costcos near your home town?

Another thought about payment is to apply for a credit card that will give you 0% interest for several to six months and just use that card to pay off the cost.
It’s unfortunate that aids are out of reach financially for so many.

Would love to know what you decide.

FL Mary

Jump to this post

@imallears Thank you so much for your messages and your recommendations. They are so useful for me!

I investigated and there are tree Costco near me. And they have Hearing Aid Services, I'm planning to visit it the next Saturday or Sunday and ask for a quote. I hope they have trial period. I saw that they have 3 brands, Philips, Rexton and Kirkland.
Also I found another clinic near me, and they provide trial period. I will be visiting these two places.
Best wishes.

REPLY
catstx | @catstx | Nov 28, 2022

I’ve had HAs from Costco. All from them are OTE types. I wanted to try the Lyric which are totally in the canal and left in for months. After getting used to them, I’ll not go back. They’re expensive at about $3600 per year. Like a subscription plan where you can see the Audiologist any time. Good luck.

REPLY
1 reply
jashandley21 | @jashandley21 | Dec 1, 2022
In reply to @catstx "I’ve had HAs from Costco. All from them are OTE types. I wanted to try the..." + (show)
@catstx

I’ve had HAs from Costco. All from them are OTE types. I wanted to try the Lyric which are totally in the canal and left in for months. After getting used to them, I’ll not go back. They’re expensive at about $3600 per year. Like a subscription plan where you can see the Audiologist any time. Good luck.

Jump to this post

my 2nd are from costco and can't so too much for them <no batteries and much better sound.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Dec 2, 2022

Hi, @hrn88 Buying new hearing aids can be quite complex and you really do need an experienced audiologist, or if going to Costco, a very experienced hearing aid fitter. I have heard that the service can vary greatly at Costco but the cost is much less. It's just unfortunate if you end up with a person who is not as experienced or as skilled. Some of their HA fitters are excellent from what I have heard.

At any given time the hearing aids that are best for you can vary. I presume you have researched each of the recommended HAs. At one point Phonaks were recommended for me because they had the best technology for my hearing loss. By the time I needed new hearing aids Oticon had the best technology - they were the best for making speech clearer. That is what I currently have and I can't afford to just buy new ones every year or two but I saw information this past week about a brand, I forget which, that now has the best technology to improve speech understanding. My loss is severe in one ear and profound in the other, with low comprehension.

I hope you can find someone who can give you the help you need. Costco is not a bad start. If you need the HAs to be able to do your job well there is often assistance for the cost, it varies by state. I noticed you live in Mexico. Perhaps there is assistance available there too.

I know this will not help @hrn88 but for anyone in the NYC area I highly recommend the Center for Hearing and Communications. They have an income based scale for what they charge for HAs and they have an excellent audiologist there, Dr. Ellen LaFargue. My daughter worked there a while back and convinced me to go there due to the excellence of Dr. LaFargue. She really is one of the best.
JK

REPLY
vic83 | @vic83 | Dec 3, 2022

I have Phonak and am happy with them. One had a recharging issue the first year and the audiologist sent it back to Phonak for repair. It was still under warranty, so I got it back in only 5 days with $30 shipping charge. Check on the warranty of the hearing aid and how it would be handled. I took my hearing aids to a different audiologist than where I bought them because the service was bad where I bought them. The warranty was from Phonak, so I did not have a problem.
Costco has a reputation in US for selling good hearing aids at very good prices, and quality of service depends on the particular store. In fact, some of Costco hearing aids are made by Phonak. Costco also does "real ear measurements" which are important for programming the hearing aids to fit you the best. Wherever you buy hearing aids ask if they do "real ear measurement". That is indicative of how qualified they are.
Hearing aid choice depends on type of hearing loss. Certain styles are better suited for someone with severe hearing loss. Here is a good description of types. I don't mind having something on my ear these days because everybody has something on their ear now. I would get ear buds if I didn't have hearing aids
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/hearing-aids/types-hearing-aids
I also found Dr Cliff Youtube videos to be helpful information about hearing aids

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.