Don,
I signed one as well, years ago.
I'm sure you have researched your hearing problem in great detail, as you have your other medical problems in the past, so you had no hesitation in signing the waiver, nor did I.
Ron
Hearing Aid advice
- Thread starter scesnick
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I signed one as well, years ago.
I'm sure you have researched your hearing problem in great detail, as you have your other medical problems in the past, so you had no hesitation in signing the waiver, nor did I.
Ron
Bird
Rest in Peace
Yep, Ron, I signed such a form for my Beltone dealer and she had explained about seeing an ENT doctor first. But she also has the little camera she can put in your ear (as I suppose most do now) and you can see on a TV screen in your own ear and decide if you want to see a doctor. I didn't.
But maybe that's the reason that crooked ENT doctor with the audiologist in his office billed me for an office visit, even though I didn't even see him at all.
But maybe that's the reason that crooked ENT doctor with the audiologist in his office billed me for an office visit, even though I didn't even see him at all.
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PILOON
Super Star Member
I'll say one thing, following this discussion I'll be 'up to speed' when I see my audiologist and at least sound intelligent.
Great discussion guys.
PS, my daughter also suffered hearing loss. In her case she has had both ears operated on and hears A1 now.
Must say her company insurance plan is A1. !
Great discussion guys.
PS, my daughter also suffered hearing loss. In her case she has had both ears operated on and hears A1 now.
Must say her company insurance plan is A1. !
Bird
Rest in Peace
I'm glad for you and your daughter. I get the impression her doctor was A1, also.
PILOON
Super Star Member
Thanks Bird, LOL she then said that my SIL snores!
We have 2 grand daughters, 18 and 19 and she just now discovers the the SIL snores! LOL
Every now and then she quips, hey I heard that! like it is a new discovery.
We have 2 grand daughters, 18 and 19 and she just now discovers the the SIL snores! LOL
Every now and then she quips, hey I heard that! like it is a new discovery.
Gale Hawkins
Super Star Member
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Glad you guys are getting aids. They can be a pain in the beginning but after having mine and them working well I sure would not want to be without them.
txdon
Super Star Member
The big test for the new hearing aids will be if I can hear crickets. My wife says they are very loud out here. When I tried my last pair of hearing aids in '99 I could not hear them, I think that frequency is gone forever. Anyone out there that couldn't hear crickets before hear them after you get a hearing aid? The brochure says I will be able to hear them again, but then that's what they said last time also.
Gale Hawkins
Super Star Member
- Joined
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- Messages
- 12,426
- Location
- Murray, KY
- Tractor
- 1948 Allis Chambers Model B 1976 265 MF / 1983 JD 310B Backhoe / 1966 Ford 3000 Diesel / 1980 3600 Diesel
txdon I have had a high frequency loss like forever and yes I do hear crickets. It drove me crazy until I adjusted to the 'new' sounds. Adjusting was more of 'self talk' thing in my case to just deal with it. 
txdon
Super Star Member
I got my Costco hearing aids!
The Fitting appointment took about an hour as the Dr. programed my new hearing aids and showed me how to operate the accessories.
I am soooo glad I sprung for the three accessories they really enhance the experience.
First I am no longer asking my wife to repeat what she says, however I still cannot hear crickets.* (see edit)
My wife is pleased with the looks and says from the front and back she cannot see them and at one angle from the side back she can if she is looking for them - they are dark blue and blend in with my glasses behind the ear and the clear thread thickness tube is practically invisible. This color is not the typical hearing aid color and is probable mistaken for a cell phone accessory.
They have really improved the hearing aids in the last 15 years. My last pair back then were returned after the trial period because the background sound were just too abnormal.
While I was being fitted the Dr. moved some paper around and when it creased it sounded like loud pops, I told her and she reprogramed them and then paper sounded normal.
She did fit me for ear molds but they hurt going in and felt large in my ear, The Dr. tried to grind them to fit better but I still did not like the feel, She took off the molds and put dome ends on the hearing aid and they felt much better more like ear plugs but smaller. They will try to make another pair of molds but if I don't like them that part will be refunded in full.
Review of the accessories:
1. ComPilot hangs around my neck and looks like some sort of cell phone accessory or, as I tell my wife, a I've fallen down and can't get up button. It can be worn under the shirt and control buttons can be operated through your shirt if you feel funny about the look.
The ComPilot is the device that allows streaming and bluetooth to the hearing aids. It also controls the volume and programs. (the tiny button on the hearing aids also control volume only) I have three programs 1. automatic 2. crowd/restaurant and 3. car. they all work excelent and with the push of the large button in the middle of the ComPilot I can change programs. I really like the car mode it cancels out road noise and allows voice to be heard clearly.
The middle button also turns on and off TV streaming and answerers phone calls.
The ComPilot is paired to you cell phone and you answer and hand up you cell phone with the push of the middle button. The phone call is streamed to your hearing aids in stereo clarity. When a phone call comes in the ComPilot will announce the number calling (caller ID). This thing works great. I have an older flip phone and it can stay in my pocket the whole time, the ComPilot has a receiver in it that picks up your voice (and streams it to your phone) and my mother said that I sound so clear on it.
2. Remote Mike a.k.a. wife mike is a small wireless clip on mike that my wife can wear, it clips on the collar or blouse. The range is about 30 feet. It works good in the grocery store where I can be ahead of her and she can talk in a regular voice and I can hear here perfectly. This mike makes me think of the little mics the secrete service wears on their lapels. The only problem is that when I talk bak my wife cannot hear me - (now she knows how I felt). If the mic had a ear plug for her that would be another accessory worth the money. When the mike is on, the hearing aids pick up sound only from the mike but a push of the button on the ComPilot mutes the mike and the hearing aids go to normal mode.
3. TV Streaming This little device plugs into your TV and gives perfect wireless stereo sound from your TV. The range is 90 feet. The device also acts as a recharging doc for the ComPilot. When a phone call comes in the TV is muted and you hear the phone ringing in your hearing aids and the hearing aids announce the number calling and you can push the middle button to answer. While you are listening to TV the TV over rides people talking and you have to hit the ComPilot center button to hear the other person talk.
There is really no benefit to wearing the hearing aids while doing chores outside when no one is around unless you are waiting for an important call.
I received 20 batteries and a cleaning kit with the hearing aids. They came with 3 cases (2 hard one soft). It did not come with any drying box the Dr. said to leave the battery compartment open at night and clean the Hearing aids with the kit. She said If they get wet take out the batteries, throw the batteries away and put the hearing aids in a bag of rice overnight.
I am wearing these at least 8 hours a day as recommended for the break-in period and so far it looks like these will be a keeper. I go back for a follow-up visit in 3 weeks to see if the new molds will be useable and also to make any modifications to the program.
My hearing aids are the Phonak Brio R model 312T
The Fitting appointment took about an hour as the Dr. programed my new hearing aids and showed me how to operate the accessories.
I am soooo glad I sprung for the three accessories they really enhance the experience.
First I am no longer asking my wife to repeat what she says, however I still cannot hear crickets.* (see edit)
My wife is pleased with the looks and says from the front and back she cannot see them and at one angle from the side back she can if she is looking for them - they are dark blue and blend in with my glasses behind the ear and the clear thread thickness tube is practically invisible. This color is not the typical hearing aid color and is probable mistaken for a cell phone accessory.
They have really improved the hearing aids in the last 15 years. My last pair back then were returned after the trial period because the background sound were just too abnormal.
While I was being fitted the Dr. moved some paper around and when it creased it sounded like loud pops, I told her and she reprogramed them and then paper sounded normal.
She did fit me for ear molds but they hurt going in and felt large in my ear, The Dr. tried to grind them to fit better but I still did not like the feel, She took off the molds and put dome ends on the hearing aid and they felt much better more like ear plugs but smaller. They will try to make another pair of molds but if I don't like them that part will be refunded in full.
Review of the accessories:
1. ComPilot hangs around my neck and looks like some sort of cell phone accessory or, as I tell my wife, a I've fallen down and can't get up button. It can be worn under the shirt and control buttons can be operated through your shirt if you feel funny about the look.
The ComPilot is the device that allows streaming and bluetooth to the hearing aids. It also controls the volume and programs. (the tiny button on the hearing aids also control volume only) I have three programs 1. automatic 2. crowd/restaurant and 3. car. they all work excelent and with the push of the large button in the middle of the ComPilot I can change programs. I really like the car mode it cancels out road noise and allows voice to be heard clearly.
The middle button also turns on and off TV streaming and answerers phone calls.
The ComPilot is paired to you cell phone and you answer and hand up you cell phone with the push of the middle button. The phone call is streamed to your hearing aids in stereo clarity. When a phone call comes in the ComPilot will announce the number calling (caller ID). This thing works great. I have an older flip phone and it can stay in my pocket the whole time, the ComPilot has a receiver in it that picks up your voice (and streams it to your phone) and my mother said that I sound so clear on it.
2. Remote Mike a.k.a. wife mike is a small wireless clip on mike that my wife can wear, it clips on the collar or blouse. The range is about 30 feet. It works good in the grocery store where I can be ahead of her and she can talk in a regular voice and I can hear here perfectly. This mike makes me think of the little mics the secrete service wears on their lapels. The only problem is that when I talk bak my wife cannot hear me - (now she knows how I felt). If the mic had a ear plug for her that would be another accessory worth the money. When the mike is on, the hearing aids pick up sound only from the mike but a push of the button on the ComPilot mutes the mike and the hearing aids go to normal mode.
3. TV Streaming This little device plugs into your TV and gives perfect wireless stereo sound from your TV. The range is 90 feet. The device also acts as a recharging doc for the ComPilot. When a phone call comes in the TV is muted and you hear the phone ringing in your hearing aids and the hearing aids announce the number calling and you can push the middle button to answer. While you are listening to TV the TV over rides people talking and you have to hit the ComPilot center button to hear the other person talk.
There is really no benefit to wearing the hearing aids while doing chores outside when no one is around unless you are waiting for an important call.
I received 20 batteries and a cleaning kit with the hearing aids. They came with 3 cases (2 hard one soft). It did not come with any drying box the Dr. said to leave the battery compartment open at night and clean the Hearing aids with the kit. She said If they get wet take out the batteries, throw the batteries away and put the hearing aids in a bag of rice overnight.
I am wearing these at least 8 hours a day as recommended for the break-in period and so far it looks like these will be a keeper. I go back for a follow-up visit in 3 weeks to see if the new molds will be useable and also to make any modifications to the program.
My hearing aids are the Phonak Brio R model 312T
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tkappeler
Platinum Member
thank you for the detailed review!!! Glad they are working out for you.
txdon
Super Star Member
Since I am retired and don't need hearing aids on a daily basis for work, the hearing aids would be not be useful on about half of the days. However with the accessories I can utilize and enjoy the TV and the phone calls on a daily basis which makes the cost effective for my use. On days like today when I will be on the farm all day, I wear them in the morning and then in the evening. Even though the TV is louder, with just the hearing aids, it is slightly distorted, (echoey with our high ceiling). With the "Streaming TV" accessory the sound has perfect clarity and is in stereo, it is a Wow! - close caption is not needed.
Bird
Rest in Peace
Sounds good (pun intended), Don. I think Phonak is also the brand veterans get from the VA, but I don't know about the model.
txdon
Super Star Member
I don't believe it, I walked outside tonight and for the first time in 20 years I CAN hear crickets!!!!! These hearing aids are amazing!
Bird
Rest in Peace
You're lucky, Don. I hear crickets all the time and have for about 34 years. The doctor calls it tinnitus.
mikim
Veteran Member
Don-- sounds like you got a couple more goodies than I did. I have a remote that I seldom use, and I didn't get the TV add on - I have a set of muffs from radio shack for the TV. They block out Trevor's noise for me that the hearing aid gizmo wouldn't do. I really like the phone clip, I clip it on my collar and don't worry about what it looks like....everybody has electronics plugged in to them nowadays. The one thing I noticed about my aids is that they make my truck rattle more. Using the phone clip does use more battery though. If I don't use it they last a week no problem....if I use it 3 days - all day - I replace batteries on day 4 or 5.
txdon
Super Star Member
Mike, I switch to the car mode program while driving and it shuts out road noise but not voice. It make the car seem so quiet. The ComPilot has a jack that a phone clip can plug into if I wear the ComPilot under clothes, I might look into that phone mike clip with winter and jackets right around the corner.
I expect the battery low level to go of anytime. The Dr. also said about 3 days when your are streaming of bluetoothing.
The TV streaming automatically lowers the sound input from other sources and I have to stop the streaming to hear. I can see where the muffs would cancel all external noise out but I can also see the HA being more comfortable.
I expect the battery low level to go of anytime. The Dr. also said about 3 days when your are streaming of bluetoothing.
The TV streaming automatically lowers the sound input from other sources and I have to stop the streaming to hear. I can see where the muffs would cancel all external noise out but I can also see the HA being more comfortable.
Test to be sure the car mode doesn't silence sirens coming up from behind too much.
Telling the state trooper, "Sorry sir, I didn't hear you coming" doesn't avoid a ticket
Sirens are usually high frequency so they shouldn't be blocked but you never know. Next time you go to the fire station you can find out.
Ron
txdon
Super Star Member
Ron I heard an ambulance (before I saw it) in Austin about the same time as my wife heard it, so I think I'm OK there. Thanks, I was wondering the same thing also.
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
My son has Phonak Naidia hearing aids. They are digital and programmable and can get wet. In 1st grade we discovered he had about a 50% hearing loss, and for several years he had "normal" analog hearing aids. After these broke several times, we took him to a deaf school in DC to get his current ones, they sell them without a markup. He has the bluetooth thing to wear around the neck, but doesn't like using it. He does have a dryer that he puts them in at night.
txdon
Super Star Member
Buckeyefarmer, does he have a remote or a ComPilot. I read that you can take the lanyard off the ComPilot but then streaming and bluetooth would be disabled but you could put it in your pocket and use it as a remote for programs and volume.
