Any Hearing Aid users here? I'm having trouble.

[leftieNanner]

My hearing got to the point where I needed some help.

First I tried the Costco brand hearing aids. They drove me crazy because I could hear my hair. I returned them.

Now I have purchased the Eargo brand aids (fully inside the ear) and am having a lot of trouble adjusting to them. They make the inside of my ears itch and tickle. The sound is better, if a little tinny.

I have 45 days to decide whether to return them or not.

Any thoughts?

[True Blue American]

1. I know one thing

You have to actually retrain your brain. You have grown used to not listening. Patience is needed. I have heard people say they can not wear them because people talk too loud. They do not. You are just hearing them for the first time.

Take your time. Like anything else it takes time.

Biden signed an EO this week so Pharmacies can sell them over the counter.

[leftieNanner]

3. The Over-the-counter thing also has me thinking

I paid $2,500 for these things - and it's possible I could get something OTC in the near future for a lot less.

Thanks for the tips about being patient. I have had to remind my husband to lower his voice because he has gotten accustomed to "shouting" at me in the past.

[True Blue American]

23. People think their

Full hearing will be restored. That will not happen unless you have patience. But they have improved so much over the years.Amazing how they have developed.

[pbmus]

2. I use oticon in the ear, and find them more than adequate.

Oticon.com

[leftieNanner]

4. Thanks for the suggestion

That style of hearing aid has the microphone behind the ear like the Costco ones. Hence - hearing my hair.

I'll keep working at it.

On edit: I see that they also have the in-the-ear ones.

[True Blue American]

24. Keep in mind

The difference in hearing loss and what caused it. Nerve deafness is different than other kinds. I hate to say it but a good Audiologist can guide you.

Many people are happy with the COSTCO Audiologists. I would not presume to tell you. First of all I do not know how severe your loss is or what caused it.

I do wish you luck. Keep in mind you get what you pay for. Do you have insurance? Many plans cover them.

[secondwind]

19. I have used Oticon also. No problems.

[Scottie Mom]

5. Get a good audiologist.

Last edited Sat Jul 10, 2021, 07:35 PM - Edit history (1)

And get aids that are fitted to your ear canals - whether CIC or over the ear. If your ears are sensitive, lubricate the aid with ear jelly before inserting. Also get aids that can be adjusted by an app on your phone.

I’ve worn hearing aids for a long time. They are like eye glasses - need adjustments and re-fitting regularly.

I like CIC better than over the ear. But IMO, do not get the tiny ones. Also, I recommend rechargeable ones.

[leftieNanner]

6. Good Tips

The audiologist I saw (other than the Costco guy - who was great) was a bit of a used car salesman. He kept trying to steer me towards the $8,000 ones!

These ones that I bought online did not involve any fitting and I'm having trouble figuring out whether I have them in correctly or not. They are rechargeable, though. So none of those tiny batteries.

I may need to go a different route. Thanks for your input.

[Scottie Mom]

12. You're very welcome.

Also with the adjustable aids, you not only have volume control, you have different programs. I can have my cell go directly to my aids. The sound is wonderfully full and clean on my calls. This is so great!

Hearing Aids — It’s like learning to use anything new in your life. You do not immediately have a mastery over the object.

Edit for typo.

[leftieNanner]

16. My husband reminded me

That it took a long time to get used to wearing contact lenses back in the day.

But then that was easier when my 14 year old self's vanity was involved!

[Scottie Mom]

17. Been there and done that, too!

Now, I stopped wearing the contacts all together!

With the aids that you can adjust with an app on your phone, you can turn the volume down so that when you first get them, the sound will not overwhelm you.

I have both CIC and over the ear. The over the ear have the ear pieces that we fitted to my ear canals by doing molds. I find that getting good molds made is the most important part of getting really good results with you aids.

Here's a hint: Keep your mouth relaxed when they stick the mold gunk in yours ears to make the impression of your ear canal. Notice if you grimace, the shape of the canal changes. Don't smile...just be totally normal with no tension in your face. That hint, I learned the hard way!

Please feel free to message me any time with any questions. I have worn aids for about 20 years. Glad to help anyone else thru the process. My hearing loss is severe. So if I can use aids successfully, I think anyone can.

[True Blue American]

25. Perfect advice

Whether you get in canal or over the ear also depends on your hearing loss. Many now have 3 year warrantees.

My rechargeable just went back because they did not charge long enough. Good until 2023. I also have WIFI.

Another problem up is wax build up. Can make a big difference.

[DavidDvorkin]

7. I have in-the-ear hearing aids from Costcto

These are the ReSound brand. They're extremely good. Excellent sound quality.

This is my third pair. My first pair was from a good independent audiologist. All of them made my ears itch somewhat. It's an annoyance, but I can live with it.

[leftieNanner]

10. May I ask how much they cost?

I understand that they need to be replaced every few years and I need to pay attention to the price.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. It's been a while, but I think they were around $1800 total

That number seems low to me, but that's what I seem to remember.

Costco has a range of prices and functionality.

[leftieNanner]

14. Thank you.

I need to give Costco another try. The audiologist was great.

[Scottie Mom]

18. It's important to like your audiologist and feel comfortable.

You need to be around someone with whom you feel totally comfortable. Hearing aids are a necessity. In some states (I'm in California) with hearing as bad as mine, if it cannot be adjusted, I could be denied a driver's license.

[True Blue American]

26. Starkey has a 3 year guarantee.

Completely free.

[The Wizard]

8. Widex are the best I've tried.

[Tomconroy]

9. I know my hearing isn't great.

My insurance covered them so I tried them for several months. They were over the ear. They didn't seem to make any difference. Then covid and the masks came along. Every time I took the mask off the hearing aids would come off. Too much hassle. I may try again someday but not soon.

[leftieNanner]

13. I'm on Medicare and there is no coverage for hearing aids

which makes ZERO sense. So this cost is 100% on me. If I'm going to spend the money, I want them to work.

Thanks for your input.

[Tomconroy]

15. Without the insurance coverage

I would have waited until my hearing is a lot worse.

[True Blue American]

27. Do you have Medicare Advantage?

Most cover.

[tblue37]

20. I use Beltone digital behind the ear aids. They're expensive, but they work well.

I've had them for 11 years.

[leftieNanner]

21. Thanks for the information

How often have you needed to replace them?

I've heard every two or three years. And boy does that get expensive!

[tblue37]

22. I've never replaced them. Their gain can be adjusted as my hearing gets worse. I do have

them cleaned every couple of years.

[True Blue American]

28. That is important.

[True Blue American]

29. You do have to take care of them.

A good Audiologist would make that clear.