Hearing aids..

[Draco]

Next time get a hold of my dad at Georgetown hearing aids...he'll take care of you without trying to sell you on something.

True that Danimal.

[White Falcon]

Call the VA and make an appointment for hearing loss. I had to go to Dallas VA twice to get it done, but it saved me about $5000.00. I have always had Very Good service from the VA.

[zero-in]

Here's a man who has an opinion!
Any comments on the quality of the testing and the hearing aids sold at Costco or Sam's Clubs compared to a private audiologist's practice for those on a budget (or just cheap in my case?)

The professional and their knowledge base of the physiology of hearing, acoustic mass versus acoustic signal interaction, extent of loss and patient expectations in light of loss and auditory processing capabilities indicated by their clinical findings...all of theses factors differ fr0m person to person. Optimal functioning with a hearing aid is variable from individual to individual. The final processor of the acoustic signal coming out of the hearing aid is not within the hearing aid itself, but the auditory process capabilities within the temporal and auditory processing capabilities of the brain. And those processes and their efficiency depend on the amount of auditory deprivation from hearing loss that the brain has experienced before intervention, and that is variable to the point where you can say no two people will benefit from hearing aids in exactly the same way. This is why it's critical that you get a professional to go over these dynamics with you, and honestly, your dispenser/ professional at Costco, Sams or a chain store will not take the time. Now there are and I know of exceptions to this rule. My .02 cents

[SaltwaterSlick]

I have a dear friend who also is a Dr. level audiologist and he worked me over doing the evaluations for me to find out what I needed. I started years ago when I asked him to make me some of those "shooter's ears" that cut off when a loud noise is received. He fitted me with a pair of ESP's and those things made me aware of just how bad my hearing was. He eventually convinced me to let him fit me with some serious hearing devices. Make a long story short, I am on my 3rd. generation of Audibel hearing devices. They are programmed based on your auditory needs... The latest version is controlled by my smart phone, and I can control the auditory profile and the sound quality is serious high fidelity. Like posted above, go to a professional. For those of you in the Conroe area, I can highly NewSound in Conroe northwest corner of 45/105. Talk to Marshall.

[SaltwaterSlick]

To give you an idea of what to look for in quality, if the "hearing aid" has knobs, you don't want it. It is basically an amplifier and will drive you nuts. will have feedback whistle, amplify background noise, everything. You need something that is capable of filtering "noise" from your auditory receptors and give you the best chance of hearing what you want to hear. mine are the "RIC" version as they are small and discrete, but still have the electronics benind the ear giving the best options for overall hearing quality.

[Blackmouth]

My wife is a Hearing Instrument Specialist at an ear specialist in San Antonio, just started the hearing aid thing earlier this year but has been on the clinical side with them for 10+ years. She looked at the Costco stuff and had issues with them but I would be putting my foot in my mouth if I told you what they were.

She said you get what you pay for when it comes to HA's.

This is not a typical ENT or hearing aid practice, they deal with ear and skull based issues such as tumors, balance, hearing, etc. My explanation for them is when an ENT has questions, they go to these guys.

If interested, I can send you their info.

[zero-in]

To give you an idea of what to look for in quality, if the "hearing aid" has knobs, you don't want it. It is basically an amplifier and will drive you nuts. will have feedback whistle, amplify background noise, everything. You need something that is capable of filtering "noise" from your auditory receptors and give you the best chance of hearing what you want to hear. mine are the "RIC" version as they are small and discrete, but still have the electronics benind the ear giving the best options for overall hearing quality.

"RICS" (Receiver in the canal") are the way to go as they are flexible and can programmed to fit all extremes of hearing loss plus they are an open fit instrument ie. reduces the occlusion effect since they don't require a full occlusion of the ear canal.

[WCI]

I am to a different audiologists this week just for a second opinion. These babies are high and I am a bit concerned it the last exam I received was legit.. Thanks for all the suggestion..

Wilk

[Burnadell]

I am on my second pair. My Phonak's cost ~$5000 and are worth it, but no hearing aid is going to correct your hearing to perfect. They help, and it takes awhile for your brain to adjust to hearing with the assisting devices.

[coker737]

If your a VET, you can get them there free.

That is IF you have a Service Related Disability. I retired with 10% Tinnitus and 10% total hearing loss. Too many **** engine runs on the B-52 Flight line I guess.

Check with your nearest VA Hospital or a local VSO to see if you qualify.

I believe even if you are not Service Related you can get them at a reduced price. Worth looking into.

[WCI]

It looks like the halo ones are the ones, They should be in this week 6000.. This is crazy

[WCI]

I had the Starkey Halo's arrive today. The doc offered a 30 day trial period. They are controlled by my IPhone.. Amazing.. Funny the things I can now hear and even funnier are the things I want to tune out..

Thanks for all the advice and experience..

Wilk

[Tmag]

I need to get the ringing out of my ears. Too many years of the cymbals did a number on me.

[White Falcon]

I am not service related and received mine at NO COST. Check with your local VA!!

That is IF you have a Service Related Disability. I retired with 10% Tinnitus and 10% total hearing loss. Too many **** engine runs on the B-52 Flight line I guess.

Check with your nearest VA Hospital or a local VSO to see if you qualify.

I believe even if you are not Service Related you can get them at a reduced price. Worth looking into.

[bearintex]

I need to get the ringing out of my ears.

So much this........ maddening sometimes.