1. < Hearing Loss

I'm completely new to the world of hearing aids. Advice please.

Posted by omegaman17 @omegaman17, Oct 28, 2021

I'm completely new to the world of hearing aids. I have one month left a Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and I want to get a new hearing aid while I can. I am limited to a budget of $2500. I have tinnitus. I have tried my wife's hearing aids that she purchased at Cosco and I have two problems with them. The first is they don't feel very secure when I put them on. It feels like they could come off pretty easily. The second problem is I don't like the flimsy earphone piece that fits near the ear canal. It would seem to me that I could solve both of these problems if I could get a hearing aid in the old-style. A little bit larger with more of an earplug versus the two that points into the ear. Also the audio that comes through my wife's hearing aid seems a little scratchy and distorted. Any recommendations?

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

billf51 | @billf51 | Oct 11, 2023
In reply to @imallears "@billf51 I have strictly bilateral sensorineural loss. I was told at the time that I would..." + (show)
@imallears

@billf51

I have strictly bilateral sensorineural loss. I was told at the time that I would qualify if I had a mix of conductive plus sensorineural loss. My bone conduction scores were not good and I am assuming, based on that, Medicare would not approve. I also do not have single sided sensorineural loss which is one of the types of loss that qualifies for Osia in addition to not having a mixed loss. My right ear is the better one and she would have implanted the device on my poorer left ear. Not sure what percentage of loss is in the right ear. The Audi I went to over a year and a half ago specialized in CIs and bone implants and she was not optimistic based on my scores and general history that any type of bone implant at that time would benefit or that Medicare would approve. She did have some patients with a mixed loss that were approved by Medicare.

So that’s my story for now. But I am always reading and researching . The latest CI implant did not require anything over or in the external ear as the processor is off the ear and attached to magnet where the internal workings are…..at side of head.

FL Mary

This is all very confusing unless you have been through the process or, like yourself, have knowledge of the devices and process.

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing and wish you all the best. My only recommendation would be revisiting your Audiologist again for a re-evaluation if it has been 1-1/2 yrs. Keep in mind that my single sided hearing loss declined over 3-1/2 yrs before it fell below the required 60% word recognition; hitting 42% before my eligibility for a bone conduction device.
I thought for sure my Workmans Compensation group would only approve the CROS device, but blessed they approved the much costlier OSIA2 which has made a huge difference the past month. There’s another individual here (Julie) that offers some great input.

REPLY
jcdf | @jcdf | Oct 12, 2023
In reply to @imallears "@billf51 I have strictly bilateral sensorineural loss. I was told at the time that I would..." + (show)
@imallears

@billf51

I have strictly bilateral sensorineural loss. I was told at the time that I would qualify if I had a mix of conductive plus sensorineural loss. My bone conduction scores were not good and I am assuming, based on that, Medicare would not approve. I also do not have single sided sensorineural loss which is one of the types of loss that qualifies for Osia in addition to not having a mixed loss. My right ear is the better one and she would have implanted the device on my poorer left ear. Not sure what percentage of loss is in the right ear. The Audi I went to over a year and a half ago specialized in CIs and bone implants and she was not optimistic based on my scores and general history that any type of bone implant at that time would benefit or that Medicare would approve. She did have some patients with a mixed loss that were approved by Medicare.

So that’s my story for now. But I am always reading and researching . The latest CI implant did not require anything over or in the external ear as the processor is off the ear and attached to magnet where the internal workings are…..at side of head.

FL Mary

This is all very confusing unless you have been through the process or, like yourself, have knowledge of the devices and process.

Jump to this post

Hi Mary,
Medicare rules have recently changed with different thresholds for loss, and while my audiologist also thought I wouldn’t qualify, the neurotologist said I did. You may want to double check if you’re interested in proceeding with an implant. https://pronews.cochlear.com/new-medicare-coverage-indications-for-cochlear-implants/
Best,
Judy

REPLY
imallears | @imallears | Oct 12, 2023

@jcdf

Hi and thank you,

I assumed Medicare was always willing to pay for Cochlear Implants but am not interested in that particular surgery even though I have been qualified for awhile. I was interested in the bone conduction implant specifically the Osia. But I do not have the requirements. However, when the time comes and I decide to revisit that option again, I will.

I pretty much keep up to date with Medicare allowables. Everyone's information and advice is so helpful to all on this forum.

FL Mary

REPLY
bruceandruth1970 | @bruceandruth1970 | Oct 12, 2023
In reply to @imallears "@bruceandruth1970 Dr Stephanie Davis Foster. She is inside the ENT Associates suite 100 in a building..." + (show)
@imallears

@bruceandruth1970

Dr Stephanie Davis Foster. She is inside the ENT Associates suite 100 in a building on first floor on McMullen Booth Road across the road from the Hospital in Clearwater. Number is 727-791-1368, ext 2070. She will undoubtably want a hearing test from you and they do them there. When you go into the office don’t wait online…Her office is separate to the right in the corner. She has a hearing aid tech and her receptionist/scheduler in the same office so you deal exclusively with them. Hope she works out for you….I have had my share of bad Audis and Hearing aid providers. Fortunately Florida seems to have an abundance of them. Would be interested in your impression.
If, by any chance, you need a physical evaluation, I am using Dr Alidina from this practice whom I like (my longtime guy retired and he recommended this provider). So two of my favorites retired last year my Audi and ENT Doctor.

FL Mary

Jump to this post

When I looked her up online, it showed a second location for her on Ft Harrison near Morton Plant Hospital. Would that be closer for you.

REPLY
imallears | @imallears | Oct 12, 2023

@bruceandruth1970

Thanks..that's a lot further south for me as I am about 25 minutes North of the McMullen Booth location with traffic...
...straight run for me. I used to work way down near Ft Harrison.

REPLY
Len Allman | @newhorizons | Oct 14, 2023

How can I keep my hearing aids from falling out of my ears?

Leonard Allman

REPLY
imallears | @imallears | Oct 15, 2023

@newhorizons

No way to advise until we know what type of hearing aids you are using.

FL Mary

REPLY
imallears | @imallears | Oct 15, 2023

@newhorizons

Hi,
Not the brand…what type…behind the ear with domes or molds , in the ear either full shell or half shell etc.

FL Mary

REPLY
Len Allman | @newhorizons | Oct 15, 2023

Oticon behind ear with domes

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