1. < Hearing Loss

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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Christine | @thisoldewe | Jul 10, 2023
In reply to @bruceandruth1970 "Would you please tell me the two previous hearing aids that you tried. I live in..." + (show)
@bruceandruth1970

Would you please tell me the two previous hearing aids that you tried. I live in the United States and Bernafon is not available here.

Jump to this post

In the past 4 months I tried Philips and Biocore ( I think that was the name).
I have a pamphlet from Bernafon Alpha XT. They are a Swiss company, "Sound of Switzerland".
In their given list of countries, USA is listed. Here is the website, it's Canadian, but you should be able to access:
bernafon.ca
These were only released 3 weeks ago in Canada. My provider said this is a new type of technology. And... three times more expensive!
I was in a restaurant this week. It is tough, but they did seem much better than my previous experience, in the same restaurant, with Phonak hearing aids (about 8 months ago).
Hope this helps.

REPLY
3 replies
bruceandruth1970 | @bruceandruth1970 | Jul 10, 2023
In reply to @thisoldewe "In the past 4 months I tried Philips and Biocore ( I think that was the..." + (show)
@thisoldewe

In the past 4 months I tried Philips and Biocore ( I think that was the name).
I have a pamphlet from Bernafon Alpha XT. They are a Swiss company, "Sound of Switzerland".
In their given list of countries, USA is listed. Here is the website, it's Canadian, but you should be able to access:
bernafon.ca
These were only released 3 weeks ago in Canada. My provider said this is a new type of technology. And... three times more expensive!
I was in a restaurant this week. It is tough, but they did seem much better than my previous experience, in the same restaurant, with Phonak hearing aids (about 8 months ago).
Hope this helps.

Jump to this post

Thank you. I will definitely check them out to see if they are available in my area.

REPLY
1 reply
bruceandruth1970 | @bruceandruth1970 | Jul 10, 2023
In reply to @thisoldewe "Well Hello, to another 'rare' one! The deepest part of my 'cookie bite' is at the..." + (show)
@thisoldewe

Well Hello, to another 'rare' one! The deepest part of my 'cookie bite' is at the sound of human voice, so I understand the restaurant and backseat talkers problem.
The explanation I have been given is restaurants and cars are high in 'distraction noise'. In a restaurant I try to sit in a corner against the walls. I have removed the one hearing aid that was facing away from my party.
In a car, I put my head between the seats, with no radio and no open windows.
I have been told there is no technology that will fix these problems.. yet. In a restaurant, my best bet is lip reading.
I tried (Biocore?) with controls on the phone to focus the 'hearing area" more towards the front centre or the sides... but you could not work the aids independently, other than turning it off. I did not find this useful.. just fancy.
With my now profound loss at human speech, I am to hone my lip reading skills.
It is a sorrow to realize this cookie bite will advance. We can hope that the technologies will continue to advance for us, and without delay.
Please let us know if you discover any new advances.
All the best.

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Thanks for your reply. Hopefully there will be new hearing aids developed that will help us.

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Christine | @thisoldewe | Jul 10, 2023
In reply to @bruceandruth1970 "Thank you. I will definitely check them out to see if they are available in my..." + (show)
@bruceandruth1970

Thank you. I will definitely check them out to see if they are available in my area.

Jump to this post

All the best !

REPLY
Christine | @thisoldewe | Jul 14, 2023

This is my update on my new Bernafon hearing aids and connectivity issues with my hearing aids.
Turns out I don't need an iPhone.
Following good advise from my "Connect Buddies" I returned to my provider for my first follow up.
Turns out that all I needed was some tweaking and my android phone now works perfectly with my hearing aids. Sound is crystal clear.
I am so pleased, and many thanks to all who participated in this discussion!

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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Jul 14, 2023
In reply to @bruceandruth1970 "I have genetic hearing loss too. I have so much difficulty hearing people sitting across from..." + (show)
@bruceandruth1970

I have genetic hearing loss too. I have so much difficulty hearing people sitting across from me in a restaurant. Also in a car when I am sitting in the front and the person talking is in the back seat. Is there any brand of hearing aids that perform better with genetic hearing loss.

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Social situations tend to be the most frustrating places when we are dealing with hearing loss. Unfortunately, people often just stop going to restaurants, parties, and other places where ambient noise is part of the environment. Self isolation can lead to more serious issues, so it's best if we can be upfront about our hearing loss. Learn what helps us, and let others know what helps. Simple things like sitting in a quieter area of a restaurant can help. Make sure the light from windows or other sources is not in your face. Assistive technology that goes beyond hearing aids can help a ton.

I have used assistive listening devices that work with my personal hearing technology for years. Those devices have helped a great deal. There are streamers that work with hearing aids. There are hand held microphones that can connect to hearing aids and cochlear implant processors. There are speech to text apps that can be used with a smartphone. These all require a willingness to be open about your hearing loss because they are visible.

Has your hearing aid provider explained or demonstrated those add on technologies to you?

REPLY
bruceandruth1970 | @bruceandruth1970 | Jul 15, 2023
In reply to @thisoldewe "In the past 4 months I tried Philips and Biocore ( I think that was the..." + (show)
@thisoldewe

In the past 4 months I tried Philips and Biocore ( I think that was the name).
I have a pamphlet from Bernafon Alpha XT. They are a Swiss company, "Sound of Switzerland".
In their given list of countries, USA is listed. Here is the website, it's Canadian, but you should be able to access:
bernafon.ca
These were only released 3 weeks ago in Canada. My provider said this is a new type of technology. And... three times more expensive!
I was in a restaurant this week. It is tough, but they did seem much better than my previous experience, in the same restaurant, with Phonak hearing aids (about 8 months ago).
Hope this helps.

Jump to this post

I used the website you suggested. They replied that their hearing aids are not available in the U.S.
Thanks anyway.

REPLY
bruceandruth1970 | @bruceandruth1970 | Jul 15, 2023
In reply to @thisoldewe "In the past 4 months I tried Philips and Biocore ( I think that was the..." + (show)
@thisoldewe

In the past 4 months I tried Philips and Biocore ( I think that was the name).
I have a pamphlet from Bernafon Alpha XT. They are a Swiss company, "Sound of Switzerland".
In their given list of countries, USA is listed. Here is the website, it's Canadian, but you should be able to access:
bernafon.ca
These were only released 3 weeks ago in Canada. My provider said this is a new type of technology. And... three times more expensive!
I was in a restaurant this week. It is tough, but they did seem much better than my previous experience, in the same restaurant, with Phonak hearing aids (about 8 months ago).
Hope this helps.

Jump to this post

I’m wondering why they show the U.S. I contacted them and was informed that they are not available here. Thanks you for the information though.

REPLY
Christine | @thisoldewe | Jul 16, 2023

Hi Bruce and Ruth,
I am so sorry to hear this. Since my tweaking I am doing very well with my hearing aids.
Do you live close to the border? Perhaps you could do some cross border shopping? With the exchange rate, it would be more economical.
Let me know what you do find. There must be more companies that carry these hybrid technologies.
All the best to you both,
christine

REPLY
1 reply
bruceandruth1970 | @bruceandruth1970 | Jul 17, 2023
In reply to @thisoldewe "Hi Bruce and Ruth, I am so sorry to hear this. Since my tweaking I am..." + (show)
@thisoldewe

Hi Bruce and Ruth,
I am so sorry to hear this. Since my tweaking I am doing very well with my hearing aids.
Do you live close to the border? Perhaps you could do some cross border shopping? With the exchange rate, it would be more economical.
Let me know what you do find. There must be more companies that carry these hybrid technologies.
All the best to you both,
christine

Jump to this post

Thank you, but we live in Florida. All the best to you too.

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