Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Hearing aids - tell me about 'em

"I'm the guy who worked in a related business (electronic shooting plugs)"

Which ones do you recommend?

I'm in a financial position in life where I can afford the best hearing aids regardless of the cost. I went to Costco for mine. Completely satisfied. Not at all necessary to pay more.

I've been out of that business for a decade, so I have no clue whatever is okay, better, or best now. But the company I worked with is excellent. LINK

I am totally deaf in one ear and have about 30-35% in the other. Regular hearing-aids won't work. I've been fitted with bi-cross hearing aids; one side picks up sound on that side and (Bluetooth) transmits it the other ear piece which is a combination receiver and hearing aid. They cost about $4,100 of which health insurance paid $2,500.

I do hear better, but I also hear all sounds louder. In a crowded restaurant (or other noisy place), I have to remove them so I can focus on someone talking to me.

I went to COSTCO and was very impressed with the technician's professionalism and honesty. She told me (following a hearing test) that I needed a bi-cross hearing aid and that COSTCO didn't offer them. She suggested several audiologists who did. COSTCO is a good place to start.

I think Rocky did.

Yes. He just posted that above. Sorry I forgot it was you, RR.

Thanks

I have heard the same thing, no pun intended.

I've had my hearing checked by Specialist MD's several times. They all said the same thing. Don't let anyone sell you hearing aids because with your problem all it will do is make what you hear and don't understand louder. You still wont understand it. Different types of hearing problems for different people. I'd say get your hearing checked by someone that isn't going to make money from selling you hearing aids first. Find out if you will benefit from them before you plunk down hard cash for something that might or might not help.

Uncle Sam AKA Veterans Administration, gives me a new set every five years along with free batteries for life

I've been told the same thing by a couple of MD's, but it was quite some time before the technology advanced to where it is today.

Also, if you go to Costco, if you decide you don't like them, no problem.

Although I'm a veteran, I'd rather pay out of pocket than even try to get something from them. I've never been to the VA for anything.

Lots of recommendations for COSTCO, including from one of my employees, so I will start there. Thanks, guys.

Hearing aids were the first time in 20 years I went to the VA. Tricare does not cover them. It actually was not that bad, no different than going to a regular doctor/specialist. Saved a bunch as well.

I just got new resound hearing aids from Costco. 2 months ago. My hearing is really bad. I payed 2600.00. Bluetooth is great. The resound rep just happened to be there when I ordered and I ask her about the batteries holding up in the rechargeable hearing aids and she said , go with the regular battery powered ones because in a few years the batteries in the rechargeable get to weak to last all day. This is my second set of resounds from Costco and the batteries in my new one last 10-12 days , the old ones only last 6-7 days. My wife’s insurance pays 50% on mine.

Those really small in the ear hearing aids are very easy to loose if you sweat at all . Mine go behind the ear but still small enough know one I have them.

My wife and I both go to a regional provider call Acute Hearing. I beleive they primarily sell the Nu Ear line of hearing aids. I have set that ran about $6,600 about 4-5 years ago. 9 or 16 channel tuning for various frequencies. Wife's set cost about $7,700 two years ago. She has the blue tooth for phone conversations, etc...

I would not be without them. Definitely could not do my job without them (constant meetings, FTF and on the phone).

"They all said the same thing. Don't let anyone sell you hearing aids because with your problem all it will do is make what you hear and don't understand louder. You still wont understand it."

I'd find different specialists. I've heard that too but not from any ear specialists. I think I read a comment on the Campfire one time that your brain will atrophy and you won't be able to identify sounds you haven't heard in a long time. Unless you have serious memory problems that's just not true. I got my hearing aids in August (I was 76 then) and I've been very deaf since Army basic when I was 21. When I got my hearing aids I was told that it would take me a while to get used to them but it didn't. Went I walked outside of Costco and heard birds chirping (hadn't heard that in many years) I was very happy. When I got home I was able turn my TV volume down from 90 to 45. After that when I heard sounds that I hadn't heard in many years I knew exactly what they were. I will say things don't sound exactly like they did (especially music) but they're still easy to identify.

huh ?

The only time mine are an issue is in loud places, say at a restaurant table with several folks. Still hard to track the one at the end of the table due to all the other noise amplified. They do take some getting used to. When I first put it on... Whole new world again.

I've had Starkey hearing for 7 years and I have NO complaints. My insurance covered 75% of the cost so I guess I was lucky. I only pay an annual maintenance fee for anything/everything that has to be done during the year. My wife really likes my hearing aids.