It's time...maybe

tonyb

Looking for some suggestions/advice for a topic most older members can relate to....hearing aids.

After spending the last few decades in the construction business, it's become obvious it's taking it's toll. People always ask me, why didn't you wear hearing protection ? My type of business required you to work in close proximity to heavy machinery, traffic, jack hammers, if you can't hear the warnings, or a fellow worker over your shoulder, your life is at risk. Given the choice of which to put at risk, your hearing or your life....I still believe I made the right choice.

Having experienced some slow loss of hearing over the years, like conversations in a crowded place, across a room, people in the back seat of the car, having to turn the TV volume up for dialogue, reality sets in. Funny though, with music....I have zero problems. Maybe because I'm more attentive to it. So went to get the old ears checked out, hearing test....and just as suspected moderate hearing loss is what they classified it as.

Not only do I need one, but 2 hearing aids. I like the ones least visible, in your ear, not behind. These suckers can cost 3g's each.....huh ?? Guy tells me lots of technology in these things. I said really ? More than an IPhone ? Because an IPhone has lots of tech in it for 700 bucks. Oh, and HC insurance surprisingly doesn't cover them either....go figure, right ?

Doing my research now, and I'm finding many who spent the 3g's on certain brands didn't like them. There are no refunds, no home trials, unless you go to places like Miracle ear and you'll pay upwards of 7g's for the services. Such a scam with these things as it appears a handful of companies make these things and others slap their brand name on them and jack the price. I'm not looking for the latest and greatest, put automatic volume adjustment is an option I'd like. Don't need wifi connected to my phone but also don't want to have to manually adjust every time the noise environment changes.

So my questions to all you old timers is, is there certain brands to look for, stay away from ? Any online sites that offer trial periods ? Better pricing ? Do some work better than others ? What's been your experience with these over priced pieces of junk ?

pitdogg2

What?

EndersShadow

@tonyb

I've found that HORNS are by far the most effective...







Want to hear better.... just get a BIGGER HORN

Mike Reeter

Tony, I've been cursed with Hearing Loss and the need for Hearing Aids for many years now, my best advice is to go out and try on as many different styles as you can.

Settle on the most comfortable pair, as you will be wearing these things for the majority of the rest of your life. I have the "Behind the ear" style as the only thing suck in my ear is the soft, pliable, ear piece. These are also the most cost friendly type. The Batteries are less expensive also.

I've had the style of aids that fits entirely in the ear and they were very uncomfortable by the end of the day, but that's maybe just me.

The upside is, you can hear again, I can still remember the first morning I walked out onto the deck and I could hear the birds singing, I hadn't experienced that for years previous.

[Deleted User]

Guys, hearing loss isn't joke material.

Jimbo18

Just turn it up to 11.

Or use the Garret Morris method.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=AwrBTzdb_vlYYhMArDZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyampwdTE1BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjM2OThfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=garrett+morris+hard+of+hearing&fr=yset_chr_syc_hp-s#id=2&vid=867d058194a463f91c35981b0f743dc0&action=view

Mike Reeter

TForan wrote: »

Guys, hearing loss isn't joke material.

Especially when you love good Audio...

Mikey081057

Tony go with the least cost alternative that works for now... 2 years from now revisit again and see what new technology/surgical options can bring.

maximillian

I know Bose isn't loved around here, but they are looking into hearing loss products:

http://hearphones.bose.com

Not classified as a hearing aid, since this would then need all the FDA stuff that goes along with it. It's a first generation product so it has limited availability. You have to go to one of the listed stores to buy them out. Still, you get to try them out so it's less risky than traditional hearing aids, and they cost quite a bit less the options listed. Plus side is that you can use them for music too.

Although I work for the company, I am watching how this product does in the market so I can get a pair for my father. He currently uses a wireless over-ear headset to watch TV.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

tonyb

You guys are funny. Maybe you missed it, but I'm looking for the LEAST visible options, that Bose product doesn't fit the criteria. Thanks anyway.

I realize the behind the ear units have become way smaller these days, but still...a wire coming out my ear is not desirable for me. Nobody with experience on these in-ear solutions ?

Mikey,
That advice is more so what I'm thinking. I'm just afraid if I go too cheap it would turn me off to future purchases. There's a distinction with hearing aids, the kind that just amplify sound, and the kind that adjust and compensate for talking on your cell phone, wind noise....like driving in your car with the window down, reducing tinnitus, etc. I don't need to hear louder, just clearer.....especially with dialogue. I want to try my best at making it a pleasurable experience, so I don't get aggravated and give up on the idea.

The test also showed I have a hard time with words staring with a PH-CH-SH...so I told the wife....don't use those words then. lol. Put a list of words on the fridge, so people know what not to say to me. Besides....we're both Italians, sign language is big in our world.

mrbiron

I was told at a young age that i would need them at 30. Well, i am only a couple years beyond that and my wife tries to have "the talk" with me about them on a monthly basis. Apparently i never hear her...

I do work in construction and my ears take a beating daily. Like you, i need to just face the music and start to consider my options.

My reasoning for not wanting them is because i feel they would "Crimp My Style" and the ladies don't like no hearing assistance

EndersShadow

Tony:

I have nothing of real value or substance to add to this conversation. So I will simply say I'm sorry you (not @mrbiron, just you ) are in this predicament, and bow out.

Regards

heiney9

I was going to insert old f a r t joke hear (pun)......but hearing loss is no laughing matter, especially for us audiofools. I have been taking measures the past 3-5 years to protect my hearing at concerts or any loud events. I wasn't too reckless when I was younger and I didn't work jobs with dangerous levels of decibels.

My gf calls me an old man when we go to concerts as I normally use earplugs. Right now I still have excellent hearing except during the cursed allergy season when my head/ears/nose is stuffed.

Good luck on your quest Tony, lots of good technology out there, just takes some research and user feedback.

H9

agfrost

Do as much research as possible; try to find ones that you'll actually use. Saving a kilobuck on hearing aids you don't like will leave you with something expensive and unused! Your professionals should be able to tell you what various models can do, you can choose based on features/comfort/how well they 'disappear'...

My father-in-law (lifelong carpenter who apprenticed in a shop in Germany next to LOUD machinery with no protection as a teen) had become increasingly withdrawn and unable to participate in conversations, etc.--He just got a pair of aids that can be adjusted via a phone app (!!) to account for different needs. So the talk about tech packed into them is no joke! Anyway, now my mother-in-law needs to ask him to turn the TV louder (and trust me, it used to be BLARING!). So major improvements can be had!

I wish you well in getting your hearing back to(wards) par--I suspect I'll be making that same choice in the next 20 years as I have some deficit at this point in my life.

txcoastal1

Right behind you Tony. Between construction, fire alarm inspections, and shooting, I'm good now but know my day is coming.

The worst part is when the wife asks "Did you not hear what I said" and you won't have an excuse

Jimbo18

I have had a high frequency hearing loss since I was in middle school, and it doesn't have to be all that high either. And now, for a long time, any kind of background noise, washes out what I am actually trying to hear. Half of the time when I talk to people, I am augmenting my hearing with lip reading.

Unfortunately, being "hard of hearing" is annoying to other people. That's the worst part. If you have poor eyesight or are blind, they take pity on you or, at the very least, make allowances for your handicap. If you can't hear well and they have to repeat themselves, they get angry.

I hope you can find some affordable option for your problem, Tony.

pitdogg2

Go talk to your ENT Dr. before you go talk to the folks who are wanting to get you into their best profit margin piece. I know it would be my first step.
If you have already been there then just ignore this

mrbiron

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Right behind you Tony. Between construction, fire alarm inspections, and shooting, I'm good now but know my day is coming.

Those fire alarm inspections are killer. I love when walking through with the fire marshal's and they always say,
"i want the alarm at max setting!"
But sir, my ears are already bleeding...

decal

This is exactly why I wore hearing protection for 30 years in the offshore oil and gas industry. I just turned 60 and still have very good hearing. Proper hearing protection blocks out noise not sound.

[Deleted User]

This innovative Australian company is a world-renowned leader in hearing implants and are very well regarded .

Willow

just be sure not to sign up for their app as they may listen in on your life

tonyb

Willow wrote: »

just be sure not to sign up for their app as they may listen in on your life

Or send me subliminal messages to vote for who they want. lol The more research I do, the more I understand there isn't a whole lot of options.

I just thought some of you old timers might have some personal experience with these things. I've done the Google thing, stuff all looks the same, reviews are suspect at best so there are no real due diligence avenues left to take, aside from shooting in the dark and hoping for the best.

I'm somewhat surprised too, not like hearing aids are anything new, they've been around a very long time. Maybe I'll wait a bit longer, it is aggravating for people trying to have a conversation with you but I have a quota of people to piss off on a daily basis.

Mikey081057

I always get a kick out of the Miracle Ear commercials on the radio... That and the braile on the drive up ATM's

cfrizz

Sorry, you are in this condition Tony. Yes it is expensive to get hearing aids/glasses. Every time I need to get my eye script updated it costs me up to 1000.00!

I need two pairs of multi focals, one pair to wear while the second one is being made. and two pairs of readers one for home and one for work.

The most important thing is to find something that is comfortable to wear. Quite frankly, If I have to choose between looking uncool vs actually hearing the world and conversations around me, I'm going with hearing!

It's also a hell of a lot better than standing a foot from someone, and shouting at the top of your lungs at them just so you can hear your own voice. Now THAT is beyond annoying!

Gatecrasher

I never realized just how expensive hearing aids were until my Father finally got one.

I'll call him this weekend and find out what kind he has and how he likes it.

If it were me though I'd be more concerned with performance than how stylish I looked wearing it.

BlueFox

I wonder if you can get an in-ear aid that gives super hearing. That would be great for listening to the stereo, evaluating cables, etc.

MrBuhl

Opened up my Dad's entire world, (Shop teacher, tank commander) once he finally got them, always said it was the best decision he ever made. He had little in ear jobbies that he had to manually adjust the volume on, but didn't seem to bother him. That was 10+ years ago, what you seek is out there.

Wish the Mrs. would get one, she gets pissed at ME because she can't hear... huh?

tonyb

Performance is an issue with these things, as well as reliability. Nobody wants a hearing aid that makes everything sound like a Monoprice cable. I also see that getting 4 years trouble free from these things is an achievement. Most have a 2 or 3 year warranty though. Just have a hard time wrapping my head around spending that kind of cash for something that might last 4 years. Like buying a new Cub Cadet every 4 years, wouldn't that piss you off ?

Maybe Matt Polk will get into hearing aids and create an SDA one.

pitdogg2

tonyb wrote: »

Maybe Matt Polk will get into hearing aids and create an SDA one.

Then there's that uncool cable running behind your head

tonyb

pitdogg2 wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

Maybe Matt Polk will get into hearing aids and create an SDA one.

Then there's that uncool cable running behind your head

True dat.....don't want to feel like I've been assimilated into the Borg collective. I've heard once you start wearing these things, you have a craving for Bingo halls, 50% off night at Olive garden, and reruns of Phil Donahue.