Hearing Aids
 

What experiences have you had with hearing aids centers or hearing aids in general??? Where should I go? Doctor? or Dispenser?? Kinda makes sense to go to a doctor first, right?
PLease comment. I'm very confused:confused:

Check private mess. board

I don't know about adults but for my deaf child I needed to go to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat doctor) to get a prescription for the hearing aids. I would imagine it is the same for adults. Call an ENT first.

ENTs docs aren't usually trained in the dispensing and fitting of hearing aids. They can probably do a great test. After the test you can take the results to an audiologist.

There is also a large debate about the nature of the tests. The debate revolves around background noise. A classic hearing test will be in a sound deadened room. However, folks don’t live in this environment, and the results of the test will vary greatly when done in an artificial environment vs. a real world environment. The closer the test is to the real world the better job of being properly fitted.

Your doctor can refer you to an audiologist...there
 

are all kinds of hearing problems, and all kinds of devices to deal with them. I'd recommend someone to first diagnose your need, and then suggest an appropriate company or device.

I've been tested....
 

... by an ENT office already. There was where I initially found out that I might need them....The main issue is other medical problems that might arise from this. No audiologist or dispenser can treat medical issues like an ENT does... What if I need my ears cleaned - can an audiologist do that??? I doubt if a dispenser can do that either..... just simple yet relevant questions to prioritize and/ or ponder upon.

thanks for the replies

get a low cost set to start with
 

If you are having trouble hearing everyday sounds just go to one of the lowest cost hearing aid dispensers in your area that has been around for at least 3 years. There you can get a decent set of hearing aids for $600 or less. Try them out for a few months then you will know if you want to pay more.

If you cannot find a set of hearing aids for the $600 then email me and I will suggest you fly into my neighborhood and go to the man that has worked here for 9 years now.

Last, ENT Dr's. can rule out some severe problems but they sometimes want to do some specialized work depending on how much or what type of insurance you have. It is you body so be careful out there.

When you talk about having your ears cleaned - are you talking about ear wax? A regualr doctor or the ENT or even over the counter (OTC) ear wax removal kits are available. A doctor will use a small wire hooked contraption that may cause a little discomfort because he/she will scrape the ear drum (tympanic membrane). The OTC stuff is an over night treatment usually and not uncomfortable. What does your audiogram look like if you don't mind my asking? Is you hearing loss frequency specific and bi-lateral (both ears)?

dtf,

Bilateral high frequency. That was the reason for the ENT being my first choice. He can treat me medically and fit as well. aLTHOUGH hearing loss is as simple as it sounds,No punn intented, it may be caused by other things like brain tumor and ear drum perforation. ---- it's peace of mind...

cressida

I do agree with you on the 600 set. Unforetunately, 600 ain't cheap for me. Id' rather get something more advanced and get usedto it, rather than ending up with 2 sets. Remember, they are custom made. noone else can wear them...theoretically:rolleyes:

thanks

My 86 year old mother needs a hearing aid so I sleuthed up this old thread. I can't tell you anything specific about her condition other than her hearing was average (or better) for her age until a plane trip about 9 months ago. Since then, she has difficulty hearing normal conversation and TV but she does surprisingly well hearing over the phone. She's seen her MD several times for this problem but he has not been able to help her.

She finally went to a Belltone office today. Good news was she was able to hear much better with their hearing aids. Bad news was the cost: Good $5800 Better $6800 Best $7800. I was expecting around $2000, but an entry price of $5800 floored me.

Any suggestions?

Beltone
 

sunedog,

Sticker shock, a usual thing with hearing aids now a days- that's why they have thick carpeting:P Don't get me wrong, they WILL justify their price to you. Beltone is a franchise- nuff said. I suggest to find an hearing aid dispensing ENT (ear ,nose , throat). They have multiple departments where they pull their income from. Therefore, they are more flexible in giving you price BREAKS. I personally recommend the following brands: Widex, Phonak and Unitron ( not in any order of preference). prices should be somewhere between 3k-4.5k depending on frills.Just like a car- accessories make the price higher. 2k dollar aids they are out there but might be risky. You will also be enthused to go internet buying due to prices are substantially lower- beware because if your mother needs adjustment, it will be a headache to get that "contract dispenser" to go back to you without extra charge. It is the experience and the support of the dispenser that would make this whole process a success. BEST OF LUCK

Belltone is a very premium priced brand, but not the best around. Shop around. Go to 2 or 3 offices and see what they offer.

Also, I’d strongly suggest having her go to an ENT. She may have plugged estuation tubes or some problem with the ear drum or related. A sudden change in hearing indicates a problem. While it is probably not severe, anyone would owe it to themselves to check closely. Ears are nothing to ignore. I could share a couple of horror stories of seemingly minor problems that caused people their hearing in one ear. I had one such problem myself, and it caused a 20% reduction in my hearing in one ear.

Thanks, both of you.