Hearing Aids?

[oldnslo]

In my previous post I stated the incorrect information on a possibly company that works with some insurance companies. Tru hearing is the correct name. Sorry for the senior moment. I would recommend using your own gut instincts on how well an audiologist listens to your concerns and then presents options with explanations of benefits of each option. Agree on lots of cash to lay on the counter so do your very best on making an informed choice on what is the best fit for your lifestyle needs and budget.

I.e.: Bluetooth for connect to phone, different volume settings options, directional focus, noise dampening, etc.
For me like a lot of others talking on the phone was next to impossible and it is a large part of job.
Noise dampening and directional focus in crowds helps some to perform the noise discrimination another poster talked about.


BIGGEST deciding factor for me was having 30 - 60 day trial period. If the aides do not work take them back and get them adjusted or try different style. Took three sets before I bought my first pair. First two sets just didn't work in the areas I needed them the most. Even the sets I have purchased required a trip or two back to the audiologist to fine the programming for certain conditions.

Sig,
wishing you the very best on a tough decision that can really help improve your interaction with people.

TruHearing: Get affordable hearing aids

TruHearing works with health plans to offer low out of pocket costs on hearing aids. Ask a Hearing Consultant if your insurance qualifies: 844-319-3988

www.truhearing.com

 

[newbury]

Not to get into politics BUT
Biden's been pushing for cheaper solutions for hearing aids. Mainly by not requiring consumers to get them from a doctor or a specialist.
If this shakes out it may quickly turn to like glasses. Often cheap drugstore readers will work fine, versus the 200 prescription glasses.
/edit - link Biden pushes for cheaper over-the-counter hearing aids in sweeping executive order

 

[ruffdog]

The MIL had $3k hearing aids from the doctor and all the visits (every 6 months) were covered at no cost. They would clean them and adjust them.

 

[Sigarms]

Mainly by not requiring consumers to get them from a doctor or a specialist.
If this shakes out it may quickly turn to like glasses.

I'm confused. A long time ago you could buy hearing aids off a TV ad.

Online now just as well...

Shop Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, with telehealth included.

Our Lively Bundle offers everything you need for better hearing — all for half the average price.

www.listenlively.com

I don't consider Costco a a doctor or even a specialist per hearing aids, and yet they sell them, and own one of the largest markets in selling hearing aids.

 

[Sigarms]

The MIL had $3k hearing aids from the doctor and all the visits (every 6 months) were covered at no cost. They would clean them and adjust them.

From the Ear Nose Throat specialist I visited (in a medical building, part of a local hospital health care) when I needed to have wax removed from my one ear, they even offer a 3k set and offer unlimited (as long as you own them) cleaning and adjustments.

Thing is, Costco will do the same thing for you.

At the end of the day, I'd like to trust a medical specialist in a field of study that is going over my medical issues over a hourly employee at Costco. BUT, you still have the huge price difference.

I started off leaning towards costco, but the more and more I think about it, may prefer just to go with the 12 month same as cash option knowing I may of gotten bent over for what I paid for LOL

From the 80's

Got to admit, they got better now LOL...

After talking with my wife this morning on our walk, at the medical office when they got my mother in laws her hearing aids, she (MIL) brought her sister in so they could fine tune the devices (SIL talks "soft" believe me). Sometimes you do pay for service and not the product, hard part is differentiating between the two (this is VERY true when it comes to HVAC work which I'm somewhat familiar with).

 

[PILOON]

Keep in mind, with both doctors office and Costco where I checked, the hearing aids have a bumper to bumper warranty for 3 years with nothing out of pocket. Then you also have various "accidental deaths" (I call em) where if lost or destroyed, minimum out of pocket expence.

It's after 5 years of ownership (it seems) that you could be SOL depending on the technology and what the manufacturer is doing per it's product line.

Yes Cosco does have advantages.
Like when my grinder blew a disk and engraved my glasses
Cosco replaced them with a new pair free under a warrantee plan of some sort.
Not once but also 8 years ago when a stone bounced and knocked my new specs off of a branch that I had hung them on in order to protect them from just those rocks.
OK, not cheap but many side benefits.

 

[goeduck]

If you have specific, unique or considerable hearing impairment, I agree, I would be seeing a top rated doctor.

For many of us it would seem there would be a sound proof booth in a drug store or senior center with hearing muffs where you follow the prompts as to what you hear that would do the job. Maybe it can dispense your hearing aides as well.... okay maybe not that.

 

[Sigarms]

Yes Cosco does have advantages.
Like when my grinder blew a disk and engraved my glasses
Cosco replaced them with a new pair free under a warrantee plan of some sort.
Not once but also 8 years ago when a stone bounced and knocked my new specs off of a branch that I had hung them on in order to protect them from just those rocks.
OK, not cheap but many side benefits.

If the product is under warranty, as long as you know what is covered per the written warranty, it should be covered.

From what I've seen between comparing Costco vs the hearing aids from the medical office, the warranty per replacement and work is pretty much the same. The only advantage costco has from what I can see vs the medical office is they (costco) gives you at least 3 months to return to product at no charge, where as the medical office is 60 days, but after they program the hearing aids after the first day, it's a $300 restocking fee.

I can only assume when you bought your glasses from Costco and when the issue with your glasses occured 8 years ago, the glasses were still under the time frame of the written warranty?

 

[Gator6x4]

The key in my opinion of buying hearing aids or being checked for hearing loss is to make sure you are being tested by a Certified Audiologist.

I don't think I would purchase a set of hearing aids from a TV Commercial.

What is an audiologist?

Audiologists are experts in hearing care and hearing loss. They work in a wide variety of settings, from clinics to hospitals to private hearing aid practices.

www.healthyhearing.com

 

[PILOON]

If the product is under warranty, as long as you know what is covered per the written warranty, it should be covered.

From what I've seen between comparing Costco vs the hearing aids from the medical office, the warranty per replacement and work is pretty much the same. The only advantage costco has from what I can see vs the medical office is they (costco) gives you at least 3 months to return to product at no charge, where as the medical office is 60 days, but after they program the hearing aids after the first day, it's a $300 restocking fee.

I can only assume when you bought your glasses from Costco and when the issue with your glasses occured 8 years ago, the glasses were still under the time frame of the written warranty?

In both cases my glasses were very recent purchases at their respective time frames
Actually the 8 yr event occurred within the first week of purchase ant that's why I had removed them as I was very sweaty.
A s to written warranty, I never saw one and had simply asked them to order (by phone) me a new frame but when came time to pay the said 'no charge' they are under warranty!
I remembered that when my later pair suffered that shattered grinder disk damage and was pleased to get a whole new pair of specs.
As luck had it my still usable older ones were in my car so I left the damaged pair and blindly made it back to the car and drove away. Within a week they called and I had my new pair to wear.
LOL, I still have that old pair and I now use them when grinding or welding, 'just in case'.