1. < Hearing Loss

Resound or Oticon?

Posted by sparklegram @sparklegram, Aug 4, 2019

Good morning everyone. I'm getting new hearing aids and Friday I saw my audiologist. I'm testing Resound first and then I'll try Oticon. She said these two are her "go-to" brands. Has anyone had experience with these two brands, and if so, do you have an opinion about them? It's been awhile since I bought my last pair which were Phonaks. Technology has changed drastically, so the learning curve seems huge to me! I'd appreciate your thoughts and experiences.

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

mnsnowgirl | @mnsnowgirl | Dec 9, 2023
In reply to @namvet "Sue, I am thinking about contacting the VA. While in VietNam I walked past a 875MM..." + (show)
@namvet

Sue, I am thinking about contacting the VA. While in VietNam I walked past a 875MM gun emplacement in An Khe. I was walking about 35 yards from the emplacement and didn't know it was even there. An outgoing shot was fired and the shock wave hit me and almost knocked me down. I then walked into the Mess tent (food hall) and realized that I was deaf - couldn't hear anything. After a short time my hearing returned but then the ringing or Tinnitus started. When I was leaving the Army I had a complete physical and they determined that I did have a hearing losss but not enough to grant a disability payment. I was OK with that. Fast forward 35 years and I am now virtually deaf in my left ear and my right ear is maybe 60% functional. My ears ring 24/7 and at times it is so loud that I cannot hear anything without the hearing aids. I have acclimated to the ringing but it has increased dramatically in the last 2 years and I want to try the Opticon hearing aids. I am getting really good feedback about the quality of the sound.
Thanks so much for asking about my situation. I will keep you updated on my status.

Jump to this post

You might consider an evaluation for a coclear ear implant in your deaf ear. I had the surgery last July and the results are truly amazing. I have the implant on the left side and wear a Resound aid in my right ear. Before surgery, I could never carry on a conversation if there was more than one person in the room and could never understand a speaker during church services. Now I hear most every word. Still have some trouble in noisy situations, but this has been a real blessing for me.

REPLY
chud2 | @chud2 | Dec 9, 2023

I have a pair of Oticon Real 1's. Previously I had Widex Beyonds, which I had for 6 years and before that Phonaks. The Oticons are, according to the vendor and other audiologists in this area, the best offered, second to the Phonaks. I can't say I am totally satisfied but they give better sound than the older Widex. These retail for about $7,000 but I got a pair for $4,300 because they are demos. Yes they are new and have the same features but do not carry any warranty or replacement guarantee. My vendor does that for 3 years and I am fine with that. The sticking points for me are the bluetooth that disconnects from my iphone and the app at least 2 or 3 times a day which means I have to restart the phone or redownload the app or disconnect the aids, none of which is a major task but an annoyance especially when using the phone or trying to talk to someone. I use the background noise reduction which helps but not much. The sound is generally ok but I found much clearer after I got custom fitted ear molds. They held the aids much more firmly, hence improved sound. The TV adapter is a real help. Much better sound when watching.. I think if I could redo I would also give the Phonaks a try but all in all they are ok. All any hearing aids do is amplify the sound and so don't expect a miracle.. try at least 2 or 3 brands.

REPLY
2 replies
paw | @paw | Dec 9, 2023
In reply to @namvet "Sue, I am thinking about contacting the VA. While in VietNam I walked past a 875MM..." + (show)
@namvet

Sue, I am thinking about contacting the VA. While in VietNam I walked past a 875MM gun emplacement in An Khe. I was walking about 35 yards from the emplacement and didn't know it was even there. An outgoing shot was fired and the shock wave hit me and almost knocked me down. I then walked into the Mess tent (food hall) and realized that I was deaf - couldn't hear anything. After a short time my hearing returned but then the ringing or Tinnitus started. When I was leaving the Army I had a complete physical and they determined that I did have a hearing losss but not enough to grant a disability payment. I was OK with that. Fast forward 35 years and I am now virtually deaf in my left ear and my right ear is maybe 60% functional. My ears ring 24/7 and at times it is so loud that I cannot hear anything without the hearing aids. I have acclimated to the ringing but it has increased dramatically in the last 2 years and I want to try the Opticon hearing aids. I am getting really good feedback about the quality of the sound.
Thanks so much for asking about my situation. I will keep you updated on my status.

Jump to this post

Please go to the VA. My husband is 76, and just got into the VA. He has tinnitus since being in the army. You totally deserve at least a 10% disability, and the VA will hook you up with top of the line hearing aids.

REPLY
Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | Dec 9, 2023
In reply to @chud2 "I have a pair of Oticon Real 1's. Previously I had Widex Beyonds, which I had..." + (show)
@chud2

I have a pair of Oticon Real 1's. Previously I had Widex Beyonds, which I had for 6 years and before that Phonaks. The Oticons are, according to the vendor and other audiologists in this area, the best offered, second to the Phonaks. I can't say I am totally satisfied but they give better sound than the older Widex. These retail for about $7,000 but I got a pair for $4,300 because they are demos. Yes they are new and have the same features but do not carry any warranty or replacement guarantee. My vendor does that for 3 years and I am fine with that. The sticking points for me are the bluetooth that disconnects from my iphone and the app at least 2 or 3 times a day which means I have to restart the phone or redownload the app or disconnect the aids, none of which is a major task but an annoyance especially when using the phone or trying to talk to someone. I use the background noise reduction which helps but not much. The sound is generally ok but I found much clearer after I got custom fitted ear molds. They held the aids much more firmly, hence improved sound. The TV adapter is a real help. Much better sound when watching.. I think if I could redo I would also give the Phonaks a try but all in all they are ok. All any hearing aids do is amplify the sound and so don't expect a miracle.. try at least 2 or 3 brands.

Jump to this post

I had Oticon aids for 4 years, but just switched to Phonak aids which I like better because I seem to hear better even when there is a lot of noice or multiple voices around. I also got the TV adaptor which works fine providing great sound via bluetooth connection. It is true that when other bluetooth connections are activated such as iPhone 14 cell phone or audible.com audiobook, they can interrupt current hearing aid connection.
Don

REPLY
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Dec 9, 2023
In reply to @chud2 "I have a pair of Oticon Real 1's. Previously I had Widex Beyonds, which I had..." + (show)
@chud2

I have a pair of Oticon Real 1's. Previously I had Widex Beyonds, which I had for 6 years and before that Phonaks. The Oticons are, according to the vendor and other audiologists in this area, the best offered, second to the Phonaks. I can't say I am totally satisfied but they give better sound than the older Widex. These retail for about $7,000 but I got a pair for $4,300 because they are demos. Yes they are new and have the same features but do not carry any warranty or replacement guarantee. My vendor does that for 3 years and I am fine with that. The sticking points for me are the bluetooth that disconnects from my iphone and the app at least 2 or 3 times a day which means I have to restart the phone or redownload the app or disconnect the aids, none of which is a major task but an annoyance especially when using the phone or trying to talk to someone. I use the background noise reduction which helps but not much. The sound is generally ok but I found much clearer after I got custom fitted ear molds. They held the aids much more firmly, hence improved sound. The TV adapter is a real help. Much better sound when watching.. I think if I could redo I would also give the Phonaks a try but all in all they are ok. All any hearing aids do is amplify the sound and so don't expect a miracle.. try at least 2 or 3 brands.

Jump to this post

Most of the major brands of hearing aids that have been mentioned in this conversation are of excellent quality. There are different levels within each brand. They are all capable of including BlueTooth and telecoils; two features I strongly suggest you insist on when purchasing hearing aids. Then insist that the provider takes time to help you learn how to use both features effectively.

A couple other things can be helpful. One is having a manual volume control that allows you to control the volume. Automatic volume control can be annoying. It sounds like a good idea until you need to turn down the volume in a specific setting. The other thing is having professionally fitted ear molds rather than the ear buds that are not custom fit. Many people find that those ear buds pop out. They work well for other people.

It's important to understand that the success of hearing aids depend greatly on the skill of the person who is fitting them. It's also extremely important to be allowed a sufficient amount of time to try the product(s) in as many situations as possible. That trial time varies considerably between providers. Be sure to ask about it. And don't hesitate to return the hearing aids if they are not working well. They often can be adjusted, and that trial period can be extended.

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