Need hearing aid advice.

[RSKY]

I have known for months that I was going to have to get hearing aids. I just finished a three day treatment for Meniers Disease of the inner ear and have lost 80-90% of my hearing in the right ear and maybe 20% in the left. Been sedated, taken into operating room, having steroids and drugs injected into my inner ear, having to lay on my left side and NOT TALK for three hours while the drugs were hopefully absorbed into the damaged ear parts. For three days in a row no less....

Anyway, I now need advice on hearing aids. I understand that Costco has them reasonably priced but that is a two and a half hour drive. Prices quoted at Shea Clinic were upwards of $5700. I'm gonna look local but one guy at church bought some for $6000 and three years later replaced them with a $300 pair bought off the Internet. Any advice is appreciated.

RSKY

 

[reb]

I have used two sets of Costco hearing aids. I have also used about a dozen over the counter hearing aids. None have worked for me. The Costco sets cost less than $2k. Some folks say they work. Maybe that is a good choice for you.

 

[oldnslo]

From what audiologists have told me the type of aides required depends on the type or frequency range of hearing loss you have. If similar loss across all frequencies the OTC aides may help.

Loss like I have of higher frequencies only it took trying three different styles before I found some that helped enough to justify the cost.

Best wishes on finding some that work for you.

 

[ponytug]

@RSKY sorry for your troubles. That sounds unpleasant.

Folks that I know have generally really liked the Costco hearing aids. However, any hearing aid is going to need testing, programming, fitting, and readjustment over time, so it may not be worth the multiple two and half hour trips. Finding a good technician can make a big difference.

From what I understand of Menier's disease is that is somewhat variable over time, so you may need more adjustment that folks with other types of hearing loss. (I'm not an MD, and don't play one on TV.)

All the best,

Peter

 

[workinonit]

I have vastly different freq loss in each ear. has need to be tuned for this. I've never used Costco and probably never will. I get my Phonaks from a hearing center near me. Last pair was around 3K. They are truly amazing and I couldn't function in the real world without them.

 

[oosik]

Last 4 or 5 months - though I was rapidly going deaf. Audio on the TV was emphasizing the background sound and obliterating speech.

My son and the remainder of the "clan" visited me last weekend. My son finally said - "Dad, how can you tolerate that TV. It sounds like total CRAP". It WAS the TV and not my hearing. Whew!!!!

 

[Oaktree]

Last 4 or 5 months - though I was rapidly going deaf. Audio on the TV was emphasizing the background sound and obliterating speech.

My son and the remainder of the "clan" visited me last weekend. My son finally said - "Dad, how can you tolerate that TV. It sounds like total CRAP". It WAS the TV and not my hearing. Whew!!!!

Is it the tv itself or the programming? I've noticed a lot of modern tv shows mix the background music way too loud, and oftentimes the actors mumble. Drama shows seem to be the worst. Newscasts, documentaries, etc. all perfectly intelligible.
I put an equalizer between the tv and the amplifier and boosted the 2-4kHz (speech) levels and it helped quite a bit.

 

[Oaktree]

I have vastly different freq loss in each ear. has need to be tuned for this. I've never used Costco and probably never will. I get my Phonaks from a hearing center near me. Last pair was around 3K. They are truly amazing and I couldn't function in the real world without them.

Curiously, how long does a set of hearing aids last? Wife keeps bugging me to get my hearing tested. I know I have high frequency loss, but overall it doesn't bother me much. She's always commenting about birds chirping, most of the time I can't hear them.
How does one choose where to get the testing done? Don't really trust the big splashy ads, can't shake the notion they'll find something wrong whether there really is or not. Is it best to get any aids from the same place that did the testing even though it's likely to cost more?

Costco not an option for me either, like the OP the nearest store is several hours away, and in a state that has sales tax so any savings would be minimal, certainly not enough to offset the inconvenience.

 

[oosik]

Oaktree - you are spot on. It IS the programing - not the TV. After doing a little research I found some shows are not bad at all - other's - garbage.

It is abundantly clear that those who do the programing are not forced to watch/listen to what they program.

Two things have developed because of this. My favorite show - Law & Order - I'm getting very adept at reading lips. And pro football - easy to watch muted.

 

[workinonit]

Hearing aids last until the technology runs out for me. The difference between my last pair and this pair was vastly different. These are so much better in terms of amplification and clarity. The Bluetooth technology has gotten so much better also. I typically use a set about 5 years but have gone 7 or 8.

 

[RSKY]

My loss is different from right to left, vastly different. What even some audiologists seem to not understand is that the same tone sounds different from one side to the other. That is why I'm afraid I'm going to have to spend a s##t pot full of money on these things. The audiologist at Shea Clinic set the test pair in my left ear or normal amplification and played with the different setting for the right one on his computer and the results were astounding. Took me two seconds to decide I was getting some hearing aids somewhere. I may shop around and get a $300 set of cheepo ones to wear temporarily until I can get some good ones.

Any advice is appreciated.

RSKY

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I've had concussions and foolishly never wore hearing protection shooting, chainsaw, etc. I've had tinnitus 40+ years, almost deaf right ear especially.
I went to an audiology center who ran all these tests, went back later to try these custom made hearing aids with Bluetooth so all these adjustments by my phone...$6K I believe they were.
I had these $50 ones from Amazon and compared, they were similar. They audiologist tested them saying they were OK so that's what I use which is rarely ever.
I bought a set for 97yo Mom who wears them all the time, they work well for her.
What I like is rechargeable so no batteries, it has a noise filter button and volume control.
Like everything of course you can spend $thousands for a frequency custom set or like this just boost the volume which works.
First step is have ear canals cleaned!

 

[ruffdog]

For my MIL, the large expense of her hearing aids (Muse by Starkey)included all future cleaning, testing, visits, adjustments and did help her. I have found out from others that either the hearing aids work, don't help, or is downright horrible and drives them crazy. Cheap ones may help some people while they may not help other people.

 

[newbury]

First step is have ear canals cleaned!

Professionally!

About 20 years or so I had my first back surgery. When I came out I had gone partially deaf in one ear. Doctors couldn't figure out what happened.
They did an in office cleaning, no help.
Sent me to a specialist, took a couple of months to get the appointment through my HMO. By then I had to be yelled at to hear.
They took out enough wax to make candles.
Coming out of the Drs. office just the noise made by my corduroy pants was LOUD.

 

[5030]

I have known for months that I was going to have to get hearing aids. I just finished a three day treatment for Meniers Disease of the inner ear and have lost 80-90% of my hearing in the right ear and maybe 20% in the left. Been sedated, taken into operating room, having steroids and drugs injected into my inner ear, having to lay on my left side and NOT TALK for three hours while the drugs were hopefully absorbed into the damaged ear parts. For three days in a row no less....

Anyway, I now need advice on hearing aids. I understand that Costco has them reasonably priced but that is a two and a half hour drive. Prices quoted at Shea Clinic were upwards of $5700. I'm gonna look local but one guy at church bought some for $6000 and three years later replaced them with a $300 pair bought off the Internet. Any advice is appreciated.

RSKY

Are you a vet? VA has some killer deals on hearing aids. Myself, I used our Federal Employees healthcare and got a high end set for 60 bucks otd.

 

[etpm]

I hope that the procedures you have had done will help with your Meniere's disease. I have had vertigo for over 30 years now so I know how you feel. I fortunately do not suffer from motion sickness so the dizzyness is mostly just a nuisance. However, I have no balance when it is dark and this IS a nuisance. I need light just to walk. Otherwise I must crawl. Even then I might fall over.
Regarding hearing aids I suggest COSTCO. I got a pair of in the ear rechargeable hearing aids from COSTCO for 2 grand. Expensive for sure. And not convenient for me because I live on an island and must take a ferry to the mainland. But worth it. In Washington State there is no sales tax on hearing aids. I think this is the same for all 50 states.
The hearing aids come with a 3 year replacement guarantee no matter what. So if you lose one it gets replaced free of charge. Same if you put them through the wash. I was told that the useful life of hearing aids is about 5 years. So just before the 3 year replacement guarantee is up get the aids replaced.
The fellow that adjusted my hearing aids was friendly and professional. He told me I will probably need to get my hearing aids adjusted because my hearing and my ears and ear canals will change shape. For 3 years this service is free.
I am truly amazed at how well the hearing aids work and since I got the rechargeable hearing aids I don't worry about batteries. The aids will last about 14 hours before needing recharging, so since I don't need hearing aids 14 hours straight I never run out of batteries.
Since I need to take a ferry to visit COSTCO I understand your reluctance to drive so far. For me it is worth it. I like hearing stuff I haven't heard for over 20 years. And the COSTCO guarantee and service are great.
Eric

 

[texas42]

Hearing loss is a difficult issue and takes a good professional to help you if you have anything other than slight hearing loss.
I tried several hearings aids - cheap to expensive and although they all helped some it wasn't until I found a good audiologist that really knew what she was doing did I get the help I needed.
I worked Heavy Construction all my working life and as such was subjected to loud sudden noises over many years. My hearing loss is in the 75 to 80 % range.
I now use a set of Resound Hearing Aids that are specifically adjusted to my particular issues and these help ememsely.
My point is a knowledgeable audiologist is the key to hearing again if you suffer from significant hearing loss.

 

[RSKY]

I hope that the procedures you have had done will help with your Meniere's disease. I have had vertigo for over 30 years now so I know how you feel. I fortunately do not suffer from motion sickness so the dizzyness is mostly just a nuisance. However, I have no balance when it is dark and this IS a nuisance. I need light just to walk. Otherwise I must crawl. Even then I might fall over.
Regarding hearing aids I suggest COSTCO. I got a pair of in the ear rechargeable hearing aids from COSTCO for 2 grand. Expensive for sure. And not convenient for me because I live on an island and must take a ferry to the mainland. But worth it. In Washington State there is no sales tax on hearing aids. I think this is the same for all 50 states.
The hearing aids come with a 3 year replacement guarantee no matter what. So if you lose one it gets replaced free of charge. Same if you put them through the wash. I was told that the useful life of hearing aids is about 5 years. So just before the 3 year replacement guarantee is up get the aids replaced.
The fellow that adjusted my hearing aids was friendly and professional. He told me I will probably need to get my hearing aids adjusted because my hearing and my ears and ear canals will change shape. For 3 years this service is free.
I am truly amazed at how well the hearing aids work and since I got the rechargeable hearing aids I don't worry about batteries. The aids will last about 14 hours before needing recharging, so since I don't need hearing aids 14 hours straight I never run out of batteries.
Since I need to take a ferry to visit COSTCO I understand your reluctance to drive so far. For me it is worth it. I like hearing stuff I haven't heard for over 20 years. And the COSTCO guarantee and service are great.
Eric

I've never had to crawl in the dark but I must hold on to a wall or something to position myself. There are now night lights everywhere in our house that I used one excuse or another to position not admitting to myself that I simple couldn't walk thru the house in the dark without falling. From your post I think you understand what I'm talking about. Thirty years ago the doctor convinced me to have major surgery and get a shunt placed in my skull by proving his to me. He had me put my back against the door to his office and do the drunk walk, heel to toe, toward him. I made it fine. Then he positioned me against the door, had me close my eyes, and do the same thing. Wife said that after the second step I started leaning and the doctor caught me as I fell over on the third step. Without a visual reference I had no sense of balance. Absolutely terrifying when you are in your thirties with a family to support.

On the plus side I can walk across a 4x4 five foot above the ground with no problems or dizziness. I guess because I have no worry about loosing my balance since it is already gone. That original doctor said I got my balance from my eyes and the muscles in my neck?!?!

I have a few local places I'm going to check out but the two hour drive to Costco is beginning to sound better and better.

RSKY

 

[dodge man]

What will insurance/Medicaid cover? I think the higher quality ones do work better but I have no personal experience.

 

[ponytug]

I think that hearing aids are a bit of a moving target at the moment as OTC (over the counter) ones were recently approved, and cellphones with ear buds are able to do some amount of amplification / differential frequency shifting. With more AI on phones, there is the possibility of using a phone to better parse the syllables for a better hearing, but we aren't there, yet.

I do think that the key is finding someone that can measure your particular hearing loss/deficiencies so that the hearing aid can best compensate for any given issues in any particular ear. On top of that there is the issue of fit in the ear canal that ties into both comfort, and effectiveness. So,... until you have a bank of personal experience in what works for you, I would find someone skilled at it "local" to you, wherever local is. I would also be bold about asking around what neighbors / friends have used or are using.

(And no, I'm not a doctor or audiologist.)

All the best,

Peter