My hearing loss started possibly at least ~10+ years ago. I didn't figure out what was possibly wrong and got a hearing test about ~6+ years ago. I have sensorineural hearing loss. I'm guessing it's at least moderate, because I have BTE Oticons. At that time, they prescribed a hearing aid for my left ear only. I had hearing loss in the left ear at the time, but there was something about it that they said I couldn't use a hearing aid yet. ~2+ years later, I also got a hearing aid for the left ear.

Now that the hearing aids are over 5 years old, and some of the technology has improved. I have started the process of looking for new hearing aids. The problems I have had have had have really worn on me, so I want the best possible hearing aids along with all the best features.

I have a huge problem hearing in noisy places, like restaurants. And, understanding anyone with an accent different than mine is extremely difficult. I also quite often told that I am talking too loud, and I don't realize I'm doing it. (I have the custom ear molds, and I wonder if that's why I'm talking so loud, because their sealing the noise in. Just before COVID-19 shut down all the hearing aid centers here, I went and explore Costco's moderately price hearing aid that is top rated by Consumer Reports. The specialist there said that most people do not need custom ear molds. They are over prescribed. He would sell me one if I insisted, but he wouldn't recommend it. [And, don't knock Costco, this guy was very experienced and knew what he was talking about.] After a free, full hearing aid test, I did a several minute trial of the hearing aids there. He said that if they don't soon better than the ones I had, then I should not buy them. They did not, so I did not.

The brands I'm considering are Oticon, Signia, Phonak, Widex and Resound. [Other than the typical hearing aid problems, I have liked the Oticons. I also have a friend that just got the new Oticons, she loves them and everything she describes about them suggests that I would like them too.]

I would like to find a place that would let me take at least a few minute test of the brands they stock, before buying one for the trial period. That is what Mass Eye & Ear did for me when I got my first hearing aids. One brand was Oticon and the other was either Phonak or Widex. I had a clear preference to the Oticon's and did not like the tinny sound of the other one at all. Before the COVID-19 shutdown, I started calling a few places, and I got very mixed responses about whether they would be willing to do that or now. I'm, of course, leaning towards visiting the centers that would allow me to do this.

The other thing I would like to do is visit a few different hearing aid centers, as most of the centers in the area only carry a subset of the brands I'm interested in exploring. But, my insurance requires a referral by my HMO PCP to go to one of these places. I'm unsure how to handle this with my insurance. I don't know if they would do that. During my earlier discussions with them on a another subject concerning hearing aid centers, it became clear that the person speaking to me knew nothing about what she as talking about.

I would appreciate any and all feedback/opinions on my comments above. I live due north of Boston, a few miles from the New Hampshire border, so, if anyone lives in this area and has specific recommendations on where to go, that would be very welcomed too.

Thanks.

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Good afternoon, My name is AllyE.
I am 60 years old, healthy, average weight, active and work full time as dental technician. I have been wearing hearing aids for 10 years. The first 7 years I was not as diligent, but now I use them religiously.
I feel my true issue is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. I can clear my ears but it only lasts for a few seconds, I seem to be able to hear clearly during those few seconds. I feel fullness and as though my ears are blocked, I also have Tinnitus. My ENT said (several years ago) there was a surgical procedure but the expected improvement was slim. He never told me what the Tx was, but that it was not recommended.
I am now doing my own research and feel there may be something more I can do to improve this situation. I am also looking for the best Clinic in the country to have an evaluation and diagnosis. The Mayo Clinic was one recommendation, but which clinic specializes in hearing? In resent years several procedures have been introduced, one being Eustachian Tube Tuboplasty. Has anyone on this forum had this problem and any experience with this procedure? Any info on this condition would be helpful.. Thank you

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Good afternoon, My name is AllyE.
I am 60 years old, healthy, average weight, active and work full time as dental technician. I have been wearing hearing aids for 10 years. The first 7 years I was not as diligent, but now I use them religiously.
I feel my true issue is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. I can clear my ears but it only lasts for a few seconds, I seem to be able to hear clearly during those few seconds. I feel fullness and as though my ears are blocked, I also have Tinnitus. My ENT said (several years ago) there was a surgical procedure but the expected improvement was slim. He never told me what the Tx was, but that it was not recommended.
I am now doing my own research and feel there may be something more I can do to improve this situation. I am also looking for the best Clinic in the country to have an evaluation and diagnosis. The Mayo Clinic was one recommendation, but which clinic specializes in hearing? In resent years several procedures have been introduced, one being Eustachian Tube Tuboplasty. Has anyone on this forum had this problem and any experience with this procedure? Any info on this condition would be helpful.. Thank you

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My name is Marylou. I am 91 and have some hearing loss (especially on the phone). I have unusual ear canals as they don't go in, but up. I have tried several hearing centers, but none will fit.. I'm thinking of getting a phone amplifier but don't know what kind. Has anyone used one and what do you recommend.

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My name is Marylou. I am 91 and have some hearing loss (especially on the phone). I have unusual ear canals as they don't go in, but up. I have tried several hearing centers, but none will fit.. I'm thinking of getting a phone amplifier but don't know what kind. Has anyone used one and what do you recommend.

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Thank you for your input. Hearing aids are just as expensive as printing ink for your printer. Good to know Costco's service is reliable and affordable. Thanks again.

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Hi Marylou,
I had heard about how good the hearing aids are from Costco. They sell well known brands at a much reduced price. I was reluctant to go to Costco because I have always gone to an audiologist. I called our city's branch of a national group of advocates for the hearing impaired and asked if Costco was a reputable place to buy aids. The Director whom I spoke with told me Costco is where he buys his. Since then I have purchased hearing aids from Costco twice. And both times I was very pleased. The audiologist there will tell you if you are a candidate for ear molds. You probably will not have to pay for this kind of assessment. You may want to take any reports that you have from the ear, nose and throat doctor who provided you with his assessment. The hearing aids I have give me the ability to hook into my TV through my iPhone. The quality I get from these devices is very good. I am hearing impaired and have been so since I was a child. Now in my old age I am profoundly hearing impaired…One other thing…Costco does free check-ups and adjustments to the hearing aids provided by them and the aids they sell are about half the price you would pay through an independent audiologist. Good luck. VM

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Hi Marylou. There are products available. Are you interested in product for a landline phone or a cell phone? Also, if its a cell phone, is it a smart phone?
Tony in Michigan

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