Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

Need to know success stories with reasonably priced hearing aids. Would be on my second pair since 2018

I'm new here as of about 5min. ago.
I need more information about hearing and particularly, Tinnitus.
Does anyone have constant 24/7, LOUD tinnitus that changes sounds and pitches; depending on meds, or stress or blood pressure etc.?
I need more information about hearing aides also; do they really help or aggravate?

@snoony2 I have a few questions for you.
How long have you had your present hearing aids?
Were they fitted by a doctor of audiology? (AuD after their name.)
Have you gone back to have them reprogrammed as your hearing loss has changed?
How severe is your hearing loss?
What brand of hearing aid do you have?

Hearing aids are very expensive and are rarely covered by insurance. Medicare doesn't cover them at all. Consequently, after years of people lobbying, advocating, etc. the FDA recently set rules to allow hearing aids to be sold 'over the counter' without testing or prescription. Is that a good thing? It depends. A well fitted hearing aid depends on the skill of the provider.

Obviously, an OTC purchase with no testing, that costs much less isn't the same. OTC devices are primarily designed to amplify. Clarity is another issue. Some modern (and expensive) hearing aids are capable of doing more than amplification when they are well fit. BUT that success depends on your hearing loss, the provider's skill and the hearing instrument's capabilities.

There are many hearing healthcare professionals who are not doctorate level audiologists. They are called Hearing Instrument Specialists (HIS). That doesn't necessarily mean that they are not capable of fitting hearing aids. Many are excellent. Some of the 'big box' stores like Costco, sell hearing aids that are not of the OTC variety. They are quality devices. The skill of the fitter matters. Most are HIS, but some stores have AuDs. The good news about Costco is that they allow an extended trial period with purchases. You have up to 6 months to try before it's too late to return them. That can be a huge help.

I go back to my original questions. Please share more about your experience.

I bought my omicron hearing aids in 2018 from Hearing center of Delaware. I was checked by an audiologist periodically and got free batteries, all for 5000.00.
Last exam showed a decrease in hearing and being due for something stronger. I understand Costco has a hearing dept and many are happy with their service and price.

If those expensive Oticon hearing aids are not working for you, it might be worth letting your current audiologist fit you with a stronger set. Try them to see if it makes a difference. If that doesn't make a positive difference, your hearing loss may have dropped to the level where a cochlear implant would be something to think about.

Regardless, ask for a copy of your audiogram from that audiologist so you have it for comparison should you choose to go elsewhere. It's OK to take an audiogram to a different provider, including to Costco. Let that different provider test you so you can see if the tests show the same results. If an audiogram at Costco shows the same results, it could make sense to try a Costco product. It's like any other product though, you have to try it to know.

Sensorineural hearing loss tends to be progressive, so learning that your hearing acuity has dropped is not unusual.

Hello! My name is Carl and I am a 61 year old special education teacher with bilateral moderately severe high frequency hearing loss and tinnitus. I was first diagnosed at the age of 24. At that time, I was told that my hearing loss and tinnitus was due to noise exposure. Since then, I have been told that the cause is likely generic predisposition for noise induced hearing loss/aging/possible affect of ototoxic medication/mumps or chicken pox! I really suspect that my hearing was affected w hen I had either chicken pox or mumps around age 8-10. My teachers reported that I had trouble listening and following directions. My fourth grade teacher wrote on my report card "Is there a hearing problem?". My parents had their hands full with my younger brother who had medical and learning issues, so my possible hearing loss was not addressed until I was 24. I have worn hearing aids for 13 years (Oticon Siya 1)

@carlf Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect's hearing loss discussion group. Your story is typical of many. Noise exposure is a common cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Like you, I am pretty certain there was a genetic tendency to be affected at a young age.

How are you doing with your hearing aids? Do you feel your hearing has deteriorated in the years you've been using them?

No, I have been lucky and haven't had tinnitus.

I have tinnitus in that same ear. Anybody have any good suggestions how to adapt to the constant sound?

Hi. I’m Carole
I am 81 y.o and have been wearing hearing aids (phonax) for over a year. Began experiencing tinnitus about two years ago. My hearing aids seem to mask the tinnitus and especially so when watching tv or conversing.
I feel like I will never get used to tinnitus, which has now added some other sounds, but “hissing” is the main one.
When I meditate in the morning I do lose awareness of it. Feel meditating is helping me to cope. Feel free to share your experiences with this “old lady” who I s young at heart 💕