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.

@barbsie

just to add another note. i find my hearing aids interfere with my mask and eye glasser and fall out at times when i take either my mSK OR EYEGLASSES OFF. THEY GET tangled with them and the aids fall out. they are too expensive to lose has anyone had any experience with EARGO i got a free sample of the part that goes into your ears but i cant get them in. they got great reviews

Jump to this post

I bought stretch string to hold the loops to my KN 95 and other COVID-19 masks.

This way I put my mask on over my head and do not have a mask loop directly on my ears.

Regardless, I still make sure my hearing aids are in place before moving from the spot where I took off the mask.

REPLY
@imallears

@hrn88

Hello,
I have a profound hearing loss...both ears. You will notice that 3 out of the 4 choices you were given are Phonaks which are one of the most powerful aids around. I have been wearing Phonaks for years (currently Phonak Naida B90 UP...which is ultra power. My audiogram is almost at the bottom of the graph and, like you, speech comprehension is difficult and quiet environments will always be the best. The audiologists choices lead me to believe that they think you need the power with the Phonaks. The only thing you can do is to try each brand for the trial period...which is typically 30 days...but you can negotiate for a longer trial period. I have trialed other brands and always come back to Phonaks. I don't need all the bells and whistles that a lot of the hearing aids have and only benefit from a few select programs. Do make sure that the aid is equipped with a Tcoil....that is a must.

I am happy to read that you have gone to an audiologist . I don't think you will benefit by going to another one so I would pick the person you are most comfortable with. Ask to try other brands if you research a brand and think that particular brand might be more beneficial. Some audiologists are biased towards certain brands but, you are in the drivers seat....and if you get pushback from one...take your business elsewhere. The audi should be flexible and patient enough to let you trial other brands that they didn't think would benefit you. Have them explain why they don't recommend a particular brand....could be that the practice (if they are associated with an ENT pracitce for example) has an agreement of some sort with a particular brand.

My particular Audi who is now leaving the ENT practice I go to was exceptional. I tried so many brands...without an upfront charge....so many times and she never lost patience. She also said...anything new on the market for me right now would not be beneficial so wait until next year to see what's available. She was an exceptional programmer. See if you can get reviews on each of them.

Two people with the same audiogram will want and need two completely different types of aids. They are programmed from the supplier according to your audiogram and then they have to be adjusted and tweaked....numerous times sometimes.

We can't tell you which one to choose...only you can do that. If you have a good Audi who is patient and you have confidence in....chose that one...go with their suggestion but don't settle for what they suggest. Try and try...they are too expensive an item to be unhappy with

I don't like rechargeable aids...prefer battery operated ones. That's my preference and Bluetooth for my loss doesn't matter. I rely a lot on speech to text apps and Innocaption for my cell phone.

Good luck and we would be interested in your journey. You will get a good deal of feedback on this forum and from people who have opted for cochlear implants....I debated but that is not for me.

Asl anything and I hope this is not too wordy.

Yes Life is Beautiful

FL Mary

Jump to this post

Thank you for your excellent reply. What voice to text app do you recommend?

I can’t stress enough that every one is different and many adjustments will be needed. Ditto for being comfortable with the AUD and the HIS.

Until I moved from a City to a rural community and from Kaiser to the local plan, I was not aware of contracts the manufacturers had with providers, the purchasing power advantage big health plan companies like Kaiser exercise, and how small town AUDs and HISs have limited selections.

REPLY
@arieswoman

I have had Phonak for years now and I am very hearing impaired. I have one Phonak now and a Cochlear Implant in the other ear. Next month I will be fitted for another Phonak and it's bluetooth to my CI. I have been very satisfied with it.

Jump to this post

What brand is your Cochlear implant? How do you Bluetooth to your implant?
Thank you

REPLY
@gvg

What brand is your Cochlear implant? How do you Bluetooth to your implant?
Thank you

Jump to this post

My CI is from AB Bionics and yes it has Bluetooth in it. I received the Rogers mic and another microphone that is Bluetooth to my CI and the tv is much easier to hear now. My left ear I have a Phonak hearing aid and it's very compatible with my CI. It was recommended by my audiologist.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.