Hearing Aid advice

[txdon]

Mike, can you plug your remote into your computer and hear the computer through the hearing aids?

Computer - hardwire to remote - remote streaming to hearing aids.

 

[tkappeler]

Whew. We dodged a bullet. My daughter has Phonak Naidias also and are about 6 years old. Hers went through the washing machine last week. Put them into a bag of rice and ... a working!!

 

[txdon]

Whew. We dodged a bullet. My daughter has Phonak Naidias also and are about 6 years old. Hers went through the washing machine last week. Put them into a bag of rice and ... a working!!

That's good to know. The Dr. also suggested the bag of rice over night for any water accidents.

Costco has a 3 year replacement policy (free-included), but will replace each one only once.

 

[mikim]

Mike, can you plug your remote into your computer and hear the computer through the hearing aids?

Computer - hardwire to remote - remote streaming to hearing aids.

No -- Just the basic remote. Keep in mind I got the cheapest set they sell. I popped an extra 200 for the phone clip, but did not for the TV streamer or wife mic. My aids were 1000 each plus 200 for the phone clip. With mine each accessory was an extra charge. If I had gotten the remote2 with TV, phone clip, and wife mic, the total would have been closer to 2600. AND - I can attest to their warranty practices. I lost my left one at MD Anderson and they replaced it no problem. I also had an issue with the right one not working right - they sent it in for repair/replacement and it's fine now.

 

[newbury]

Bird,
I agree. I doubt if many have seen a true audiologist with a masters degree or higher plus the technical certifications to fit hearing aids. Audiologist Definition
They used to warn that a person with suspected hearing loss or tinnitus see a medical doctor first, Eye, Ears, Nose and throat, to be sure it wasn't just wax build up or some more serious medical problem. I think most companies that sell hearing aids, in most states, require you to sign a waiver, if you have not done so before getting fitted with aids, to protect them against
possible lawsuits.
The training, experience, and desire to do the best job possible for the customer is the most important, as it is in any technical job.

Yes, that can be VERY important.

After my second back surgery I woke up almost deaf in my left ear. I had had a history of "deep wax" and explained so to several doctors. They examined my ears and pronounced it somehow surgery related. Because of my "deep wax" history I had a regime of "washing out the wax" monthly or so, both before and after the surgery. The doctors proclaimed my ears clean.

In the process for getting a hearing aid several months later they finally agreed to do a "deep cleaning" first.

They pulled enough wax out to make candles. They said they had never seen ear canals that deep. After they were done it was days before I got used to hearing the rustle of corduroy pants.

 

[txdon]

Just found another good use for the HA at the gym. TV sound on the Life fitness elliptical can be attached with a double male headphone jack to the ComPilot and streamed from there to my hearing aids. No more wires dangling from my ears.

Question: Does a standard remote usually come with the hearing aids or is it an option? The reason I asking is because I added the ComPilot, and it can act as a remote, but if I don't need streaming a smaller standard remote would fit in a pocket better.

Mike the more options I bought the more they took off the accessory package price. The three options were $350.

 

[jlgurr]

Not sure if this is the right thread to raise this question but I have been following this one with personal interest. Was recently tested at work (Annually) and they detected a STS and sent me to have a follow-up test at the local hospital. The hospital test actually came back worse. Anyway, I am trying to tell the audiologist that there is something "wrong" inside my head (no pun intended) since my ears pop and crackle when I blow my nose or chew, etc. Like how your ears pop when you fly in an airplane or change elevation driving in the mountains. Have any of you had to deal with Eustachian Tube issues? I want to be sure everything is ok before dropping that kind of money on HA's but this asking people to repeat themselves is beginning to drive me batty!

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Bird]

Have any of you had to deal with Eustachian Tube issues?

Not me.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Glad your report was so positive. I would not want to be without any more. No I do not wear my when the rain, on the tractor, etc yet but I know I am just being over protective.

 

[txdon]

Not sure if this is the right thread to raise this question but I have been following this one with personal interest. Was recently tested at work (Annually) and they detected a STS and sent me to have a follow-up test at the local hospital. The hospital test actually came back worse. Anyway, I am trying to tell the audiologist that there is something "wrong" inside my head (no pun intended) since my ears pop and crackle when I blow my nose or chew, etc. Like how your ears pop when you fly in an airplane or change elevation driving in the mountains. Have any of you had to deal with Eustachian Tube issues? I want to be sure everything is ok before dropping that kind of money on HA's but this asking people to repeat themselves is beginning to drive me batty!

Thanks,
Jeff

No I have not had to deal with Eustachian tube issues. If you don't get an answer here you might want to try a hearing aid forum. Did a medical Dr. say if there is any medication or surgery that would relieve the problem?

Also when shelling out the money keep in mind that some state laws (Texas included) hearing aids can be returned within 30 days, be sure to check with your hearing aid dispenser. However at Costco they can be returned up to 90 days later for a 100% refund. Since the Audiologist visit is free and they give you enough batteries you would not be out any money at all if you returned them. (Unless you are streaming all the time ((batteries last half as long then)) then you will only be out the cost of some extra batteries.)

 

[txdon]

I have run into a small problem. When I am streaming from the TV - and ohh it sounds so good - and my wife starts talking to me I have to push the main button on the remote to stop the streaming through the hearing aids. This TV muting process is not immediate and takes about 7 seconds before the hearing aids switch to regular mode. I have to tell my wife: "Wait, wait , wait, ok now, what did you say". Maybe the next generation of hearing aids will eliminate the waiting periods between modes.

 

[pacerron]

Not sure if this is the right thread to raise this question but I have been following this one with personal interest. Was recently tested at work (Annually) and they detected a STS and sent me to have a follow-up test at the local hospital. The hospital test actually came back worse. Anyway, I am trying to tell the audiologist that there is something "wrong" inside my head (no pun intended) since my ears pop and crackle when I blow my nose or chew, etc. Like how your ears pop when you fly in an airplane or change elevation driving in the mountains. Have any of you had to deal with Eustachian Tube issues? I want to be sure everything is ok before dropping that kind of money on HA's but this asking people to repeat themselves is beginning to drive me batty!

Thanks,
Jeff

You probably need to have it checked out further by an Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat doctor.
You might be blowing your nose too hard and clogging your Eustachian Tubes or have an infection there.
I used to blow my nose too hard and would get similar to what you described.
Your really not supposed to blow your nose..... Just let it drip or use your sleeves by pointing diagonally to the sky while saying, "See the pretty moon; see the pretty stars."
You might also have a jaw alignment problem.

Is your work place a noisy environment? Sounds like it might be if they are required to give you an annual test.
Ron

 

[jix]

JIGURR:

Going to see an otolryngologist (ENT doctor) is a necessary step for you. Catarrh (noises in the ear canal) is usually caused by swelling of the eustachion tubes that drain the inner ear into the throat . The swelling can be caused by a number of things, but none are serious and they can all be cured by medication...in rare cases minor surgery may be necessary if the tubes are blocked by scar tissues from a past infection or a dental issue such as wisdom teeth that have moved in the jawbone.

One thing that you can do is to drink extra water each day, so that the body can thin out the mucous in your ear membranes around the eustachion tubes, thus promoting drainage. Gargling at night with a little warmed slightly salted water will also help, sometimes, if the blockage of your eustachion tubes is at the exit point of the tubes inside your mouth.

Do take the time and expense to visit an ENT specialist. I doubt that this problem is caused primarily by noise in your work environment Catarrh is usually another blessing of age, but not to worry, it is not serious..it is just another darned nuisance

................ (From previous post. quoted)...You probably need to have it checked out further by an Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat doctor.
You might be blowing your nose too hard and clogging your Eustachian Tubes or have an infection there.
I used to blow my nose too hard and would get similar to what you described.
Your really not supposed to blow your nose..... Just let it drip or use your sleeves by pointing diagonally to the sky while saying, "See the pretty moon; see the pretty stars."
You might also have a jaw alignment problem.

Is your work place a noisy environment? Sounds like it might be if they are required to give you an annual test.
Ron[/QUOTE]

 

[mikim]

I have run into a small problem. When I am streaming from the TV - and ohh it sounds so good - and my wife starts talking to me I have to push the main button on the remote to stop the streaming through the hearing aids. This TV muting process is not immediate and takes about 7 seconds before the hearing aids switch to regular mode. I have to tell my wife: "Wait, wait , wait, ok now, what did you say". Maybe the next generation of hearing aids will eliminate the waiting periods between modes.

Maybe a function of bluetooth? I notice on my phoneclip that when I answer a call I need to do a 4 or 5 count before they can hear me.

 

[txdon]

Maybe a function of bluetooth? I notice on my phoneclip that when I answer a call I need to do a 4 or 5 count before they can hear me.

Bluetooth delay, that makes sense.

 

[oldpilgrim]

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.

The VA has several brands. Mine are Siemens.

I think Phonak is on their list but not sure. They give you the brand that best suits the Vet's individual issues.

I've had mine for about a year. It's amazing what I wasn't hearing.

 

[Jim Shooz]

N Have any of you had to deal with Eustachian Tube issues?

Thanks,
Jeff

I'm going through problems with my Eustachian Tubes right now. Had a cold about 6 weeks ago and the tube to the left ear got blocked solid and is not clearing. Audiologist thinks that as a result I now have an inner ear infection. But at the same time I suspect the left hearing aid is giving up the ghost. (intermittently) Off to the Doc tomorrow to get some antibiotics to eliminate infection possibility. Then if no improvement I'll look at getting the hearing aid checked out.

 

[newbury]

Not sure if this is the right thread to raise this question but I have been following this one with personal interest. Was recently tested at work (Annually) and they detected a STS and sent me to have a follow-up test at the local hospital. The hospital test actually came back worse. Anyway, I am trying to tell the audiologist that there is something "wrong" inside my head (no pun intended) since my ears pop and crackle when I blow my nose or chew, etc. Like how your ears pop when you fly in an airplane or change elevation driving in the mountains. Have any of you had to deal with Eustachian Tube issues? I want to be sure everything is ok before dropping that kind of money on HA's but this asking people to repeat themselves is beginning to drive me batty!

Thanks,
Jeff

YES

JIGURR:

Going to see an otolryngologist (ENT doctor) is a necessary step for you.<snip>

Definitely see a specialist and get more opinions. Like I wrote I had several doctors going to fit me for a hearing aid before one found it was real deep wax.

 

[jlgurr]

YES

Definitely see a specialist and get more opinions. Like I wrote I had several doctors going to fit me for a hearing aid before one found it was real deep wax.

Thanks everyone. I am calling an ENT specialist TODAY.

 

[txdon]

I'm still in my 90 day trial period and I went back yesterday to get the ear molds and a tune up on the HA. It did not go well.
The molds were VERY hard to get in and had to be sent back a second time. When they were in the hearing, I'll have to admit, was even better. This time they are going to make a softer type and cut down on the part that were hitting again the ear going in.

After the adjustment for wind noise and upped the volume by 2 knotches the HA were sounding good but then I heard a booomp (a one second alarm like sound) in the right ear followed by the left ear cutting out and then followed by a new four tone up the scale (bing, bing, bing, bing) on the left HA. I called Costco and they said to bring them back in and they will have to be sent off and returned in about 10 days. I'm not happy about the extra trip to Austin (140 miles RT) and 10 days with no HAs. But these are mechanical so stuff will happen.