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Hearing aid advice?

Pat H

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I knew I had hearing loss in my left ear due to a ruptured ear drum several years ago. I noticed that I was having a lot of trouble understanding some people on TV shows so I bit the bullet and went for a hearin test. Have mild loss in one ear and moderate in the other. Time for hearing aids but they are so expensive. I plan to get some type of behind the ear aids. Any advice/suggestions?
 

presley

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Do you have a Costco near you? My husband got some at Costco a few years ago and they were very expensive, but technology has changed and I think the price has gone down since then. The follow up service from Costco is fantastic. They will clean/adjust your hearing aids for free for life.

We were recently traveling and one of his hearing aids was clogged. We found a nearby Costco to get the one cleaned and they cleaned both and changed the batteries for free, saying that they didn't want our trip interrupted again.
 

artringwald

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Earlier this year, I got my first hearing aids. I got the Phonak Audeo Q90. They have many high tech features, but wow, they were expensive. Not much was covered by Medicare or the supplemental policy. They do help quite a bit trying to follow TV dialog without blasting the volume. Most places will sell them with at least a 30 day trial period. Look for ones that amplify according to your spectrum loss, and not just amplify the whole spectrum.
 

pedro47

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I knew I had hearing loss in my left ear due to a ruptured ear drum several years ago. I noticed that I was having a lot of trouble understanding some people on TV shows so I bit the bullet and went for a hearin test. Have mild loss in one ear and moderate in the other. Time for hearing aids but they are so expensive. I plan to get some type of behind the ear aids. Any advice/suggestions?

Are you or your spouse a federal employee or a federal retiree? You may be eligible under the federal health plan for hearing aids reimbursement.

Costco is a very good place to start. Good luck and please check at least four (4) places.
 

Fern Modena

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I'd start with Costco, too. I don't think you have to be a member to get the hearing aids, but even if you do, it would be worth it. I think they are over an hour away, but still worth it. You make an appointment, don't just walk in. And do it around mealtime and you can get that huge hot dog and a soft drink for $1.50.

I had the most comprehensive hearing exam I've ever had at Costco. Their prices are very competitive (think like half what some others charge). As was mentioned, they will clean them and replace parts such as ear domes (the soft part which goes in your ear) for free. Generally for this you can just wait, or shop for a few minutes. They also sell batteries for a significant savings.

If you are just beginning to look at hearing aids, you might want to look at this forum.

Hearing aids have come a long way over the years. They are small, discreet, and have multiple programs. What does that mean? Well, if I am in a restaurant with lots of background noise, which sounds like a roar to me, I can go to my dining program, and the roar disappears, but not the voices of those talking with me. How they do that, I don't know. I can also control the volume or mute them. In addition, I can connect them by bluetooth to my IPad to listen to a movie or a YouTube. I don't, because it eats up batteries, but I could...

If you get a hearing aid and it doesn't work well for you, TAKE IT BACK! It may just need program adjustment. Or it may not be a good fit for you. Rather than give up, if that happens, go back and get something better.

Fern
 

Don

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Are you or your spouse a federal employee or a federal retiree? You may be eligible under the federal health plan for hearing aids reimbursement.

Costco is a very good place to start. Good luck and please check at least four (4) places.

BCBS Federal Employees Program pays $1250 for each ear. I just got a pair of Phonaks @ $1900 each.
 

theo

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Yessa!

<snip> Look for ones that amplify according to your spectrum loss, and not just amplify the whole spectrum.

Excellent advice. "One size fits all" hearing aids that are nothing but mini-amplifiers of sound across the audible frequency range may be much less expensive, but also much less useful (...some might say bordering on completely useless). You want equipment that addresses your individual frequency range weaknesses.
 
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Pat H

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I have an appointment on Thurs with the audiologist to try a pair for 2 weeks. We'll see how that goes. The nearest Costco is 2 hrs away but after talking to friends who went there, the savings may be worth it.

I have to thank Richard for his invaluable advice.
 

KarenLK

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You should have more than a 2 week trial - it varies by state. I know I had a much longer one, either 30 or 45 days, and Costco gives you 90 days.

Plus, be sure to keep track of things that don't seem right, because usually there are a few follow-ups to correct them.
 

taterhed

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Digital hearing aids are programmed for your spectrum loss. I believe that some can be re-programmed. If you can't afford new, this may be an option for you.

You might research the local craigslist or ebay or ??? and research refurbished hearing aids. Some local audiologists may also sell 'refurbished' units.

Just a thought--I checked for my mom due to high cost and no insurance.
 

taterhed

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You know, if you're on a fixed income and don't have $4000 sitting in the bank, you don't have the luxury of strolling into Costco and dropping the Amex down for a new set of hearing aids.

I'm not joking; there are lots of options for those that don't have unlimited resources or adequate health insurance. Most insurers don't cover hearing aids fully or at all.

I wasn't joking....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...347708-a2e9-11e3-8466-d34c451760b9_story.html
 
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taterhed

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I am not buying them just trying to see which ones work best for me.

Sorry Pat. That was not aimed at you. Hope you have a good experience.
As someone with partial hearing loss, and a mother with major hearing loss in one ear..... It makes quite a difference. I don't wear one yet, but I'm sure it's coming one of these days.
 

WinniWoman

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My husband needs one but everyone keeps telling me spent all this money on them and then never wear them "case they hate them and find them more annoying than anything.
 

Pat H

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Sorry Pat. That was not aimed at you. Hope you have a good experience.
As someone with partial hearing loss, and a mother with major hearing loss in one ear..... It makes quite a difference. I don't wear one yet, but I'm sure it's coming one of these days.

I didn't think it was. I was actually replying to the post about the length of trial time. I should have quoted it to make my response clearer.
 
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