Anyone here knows about hearing aid?

[question everything]

Yes, I probably can benefit from one in each ear. Just had my hearing examined and the high frequencies (or were they the low ones) my hearing deteriorated which, apparently, is common as we age. (I just read that Bill Clinton has one in each ear. Wonder how much his sax playing contributed).

Anyway, the person who administered the test and who can fit me with the aids said that prices could be from $1500 to $3500 for one!

And now I see a full page ad in the local paper for an aid called "the bug" which is well hidden inside the outer ear, and they have a promotion this week for $695!

So I wonder how much I should put in our MedFlex account..

Thanks

[napi21]

1. Did you check the internet? When I have questions about how

people like or dislike things, I google "hearing aid ratings" or "best hearing aid".

It will also be interesting to see what info you get here on DU.

[uppityperson]

2. DU has a deaf and hard of hearing group, link here... we have posts in there

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=381

Come on over as there are a couple discussions in there about it also.

[question everything]

5. Thank you. While I often check what groups are available on DU

it never occurred to me to check for this group.

[uppityperson]

3. First of all, there are "specials" often, so don't rush out. Second, make sure

you get tested by a decent place. I generally distrust places that test AND sell them as it can be a conflict of interest.

Thirdly, get a recommendation from friends as it is not just the type aid, or the cost, but the service afterwards that can make a big difference.

That said, I went to a local audiologist rather than a hearing aid place, due to recommendations. I checked the hearing aid place pushed me hard to "buy now!" while the audiologist was very helpful in advice and getting me fixed up in an economically viable way.

I wanted to get behind the ear type, the largest and most visible type, for a couple reasons. First, I WANT people to know I am hard of hearing, not just totally weird. Secondly, the ones inside your ear, the smaller ones, are more apt to last shorter, to short out due to humidity in your ear.

That said, I couldn't afford any at all, but my audiologist sold me, at cost, ones used to show people how they looked. They were handled in the office for a yr or so, but had never been in anyone's ear. $400 each rather than $1000 really helped. They are in the ear ones, not the teeny tiny ones, but the next step up so you can't particularly see them.

Next ones I get will, hopefully, be the behind the ear type since they will last longer.

Oh yes, smaller ones take smaller batteries which don't last as long. Mine last a week where larger ones in larger aids last a month. Costco is a great place to buy batteries as they can be spendy. My audiologist gives them to people who can't afford them, but I do Costco.

[question everything]

4. Thank you for a detailed response

Yes, I went to an audiologist. Part of an ear, nose and throat office. I wanted to see a physician but the schedulist suggested to start with an audiologist. This was precisely my reason. I did not want to get to a place that is in the business to sell.

Your reasoning about size makes sense. I am not trying to hide it, I just want something comfortable that will not fly when I am on the treadmill, for example (a reason why I continue to wear contact lenses).

[uppityperson]

6. If you are going to wear when working out and sweating,

get ones that have the electronics outside your body. Then there are digital ones, and programmable ones, and ones with a volume, and ones that automatically block really loud noises, and.....

[hedgehog]

7. Why are bluetooth phones so inexpensive, and hearing aids so expensive?

[question everything]

8. I think that hearing aids have more room for personal adjustments

for the individual ear, and they have to be sealed to protect from seat, for example.

I have never used bluetooth but I think that there it is one size fits all.