How do I choose the best hearing aids?

Posted by dkeefe @dkeefe, Nov 1, 2018

I currently have Starkey brand hearing aids which I have had for 4 years. They work well, but I have some issues with them. I am looking for replacements (they are behind the ear type) and would like to know what is available in similar quality and cheaper. I am located near Atlantic City and would like to know if there is someone in the area that offers something similar and carries various brands, not just one

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@gulzar

Thanks I made an appointment at Costco

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Addition to Julie's comment about high frequency hearing loss: We also can hear "rich"tones, ones that have a range of tones, more easily. Lots of female voices don't have much "richness," are rather thin, which makes them even harder to hear. Men's voices tend to have a range of tones, so are easier to hear for that as well as their deeper (lower frequency) sound. People with great singing voices have lots of richness, so are easier to hear. The other big problem is that many of us can hear sound, not necessarily well, but know that someone is speaking, but have a very hard time understanding the words: discernment. This is a separate problem, one that tends to sneak in as we age. I have a real problem with discernment and wonder if it isn't partly due to the fact that I haven't heard clearly for decades as my hearing got ever worse, or how much of it is simply my age (nearly 80). Yesterday I was on a Zoom call with about 15 others; one fellow had a very deep voice that wasn't rich at all, so all that I heard from him was a general rumbling sound. Zoom is frustrating in that the sound from the crummy little mics we often use, plus some video is so poor that speech reading is hopeless.

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@joyces

Addition to Julie's comment about high frequency hearing loss: We also can hear "rich"tones, ones that have a range of tones, more easily. Lots of female voices don't have much "richness," are rather thin, which makes them even harder to hear. Men's voices tend to have a range of tones, so are easier to hear for that as well as their deeper (lower frequency) sound. People with great singing voices have lots of richness, so are easier to hear. The other big problem is that many of us can hear sound, not necessarily well, but know that someone is speaking, but have a very hard time understanding the words: discernment. This is a separate problem, one that tends to sneak in as we age. I have a real problem with discernment and wonder if it isn't partly due to the fact that I haven't heard clearly for decades as my hearing got ever worse, or how much of it is simply my age (nearly 80). Yesterday I was on a Zoom call with about 15 others; one fellow had a very deep voice that wasn't rich at all, so all that I heard from him was a general rumbling sound. Zoom is frustrating in that the sound from the crummy little mics we often use, plus some video is so poor that speech reading is hopeless.

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I can’t hear from TV and Video I use CC to read but have no problem with
Phone but not microphone

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@gulzar

What is the name of it and can I adjust the sound with IPhone or is it remote controlled?

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Not sure of the name, just Signature, cost $1400. Yes, you can adjust sound with your IPhone, Bluetooth and rechargeable batteries.

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Thanks I purchase it not too helpful for profound high frequency hearing loss but still I like it

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Hello, I am considering Starkey, in large part due to price and nearby provider. (Live in a rural area of the USWC). What are you specific concerns?

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@susanvdupre

Not sure of the name, just Signature, cost $1400. Yes, you can adjust sound with your IPhone, Bluetooth and rechargeable batteries.

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I’m so over changing itty bitty batteries . That’s why I’m buying rechargeable this time.
I think wax is an issue for me which makes sense since your ear canal is blocked .
Like for a couple of days the R one ‘not working’ so I’m going to change out the end again. That happened about 2 wk ago. Another little inconvenience. If I couldn’t see well enough with my glasses there’s no way someone with impaired vision could see to use these teeny tiny pieces we have to use to change out ends if anyone knows what I’m talking about?
My question to everyone is, even for big $$$ are there more modern & easy to use hearing aids?

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@capausz

Go to Costco. Their hearing aids are very good.

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I got those the first time. They are battery operated. I had a big problem (still do) trying to figure out which direction sound is coming from. Mine were $1800 I think. Plus it’s far from home , so inconvieient.
I would recommend them tho as far as audiologists and price etc.

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I have been diagnosed with a hearing loss that involves hearing higher tones and consonants rather than lower tones and vowels. I was told that this is not a typical hearing loss. I have hearing aids but they don’t seem to help that much. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, have hearing aids helped? What kind?

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@jeang45

I have been diagnosed with a hearing loss that involves hearing higher tones and consonants rather than lower tones and vowels. I was told that this is not a typical hearing loss. I have hearing aids but they don’t seem to help that much. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, have hearing aids helped? What kind?

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I can hear the high and low tones, but not the center tones. My hearing aids do not help that much either. It is terrible not to hear what people are saying to you.

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@jeang45

I have been diagnosed with a hearing loss that involves hearing higher tones and consonants rather than lower tones and vowels. I was told that this is not a typical hearing loss. I have hearing aids but they don’t seem to help that much. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, have hearing aids helped? What kind?

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I have genetic hearing loss.. so I have the "cookie bite" in my hearing ability.
The deepest loss is centered right at human speech... so frustrating.
I was having trouble with 2 kinds of aids, but finally settled on "Bernafon". I have had them for 10 days... very good, but will never be perfect.
Also, I have to be sure to be directly in front of the speaker, and polish my lip reading skills.(difficult with masks)
HOWEVER.. to my horror, it appears that there is a business agreement with iPhone.... the phone only works with the iPhone; and with the android only marginally.
So to use optimally I have to spend more money on a new phone.... oh! and a Mac computer too, to get full connectivity with my communication tools! 😲
There could not have been a deaf or disabled person in those business strategy meetings.... so unfair!

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