I can't hear [bleep] any more. What kind, where to get, how much money to spend?

WHAT!?? There, that's out of the way. I have great hearing loss as well.

I hope we both learn something.

Starting to think I am in good company. Also waiting to learn something.

Go to Costco. They have aids at $1500 a pair which are equivalent to ones going elsewhere at $5000. I think they are not testing at the moment due to the virus; testing is done in a booth.

If you are a Vet - go to the VA, my neighbor went and got
some at no cost to him. Said he can now hear sounds
he barely remembered. Birds, spring peepers, his
wife nagging...
Old cuss

Holy chit

My daughter got a new pair 2 months ago...$7800


She wanted the super discreet ones though with blue tooth and other premium features, does her music through them, synched to her iPhone.


They’re not like the ones that old retards wear what that look like two jumbo shrimp glued to your ears.

It really depends on your hearing loss. One ear or both, highs, lows or the whole range. They can get expensive, over $5K. I am a vet so I got mine from the VA. Also get free batteries. Some models are rechargeable. Many also have an app on your smartphone that can control them. I no longer have the TV at 25, or the car radio as loud. Hearing things I have not heard in many years. They can be annoying in a crowded setting, they are not selective, they amplify all noise. Glad I got them however, wife says she no longer has to yell at me so I can hear.

Mine are Starkey. Expensive, I Bluetooth phone calls, music and best of all I can tell direction of where a noise is coming from. That is priceless. The support the dealer above anything I’ve experienced

Costco

Mine are Resound, can pair with my phone for calls and music etc. They don't advertise pricing on many hear aids, I have only one in my pretty much dead left ear. It was just over $2K from what i found out.

My original pair was Unisom, worked well, paid about $3500 for them 9 years ago. Current ones are Phonak, Bluetooth to my phone or whatever, also controlled by my phone. I like the new ones better, $1400 at Costco 6 months ago. I would never go anywhere but Costco again. VA is a nice deal if you can prove hearing loss is service related. Good luck with that.

Mine are 4 year old Costco Signature, made by Resound.

Costco

I'm a veteran.. VA turned me down... I can't go, because apparently my family makes too much $..

Nice of 'em..

I HAVE ONE FRIEND THAT REALLY LIKES HIS & ANOTHER THAT WON'T WEAR HIS.

Oops, sorry, I've talked to second friend last.

I think the VA looks at retired Vets and vets that did not retire differently. I was told they pretty much give a retired Vet hearing aids as a matter of course. Years in the Navy working in Boiler and machinery rooms, I have documented hearing loss.

If you live near a Costco check out their hearing aids. I got mine at Costco last August for $2700. That included the exam and the charger. I have the Resound Smart 3D model which was supposed be the top of the line at the time. They had a cheaper model for $1500 but the exam showed that I was "profoundly deaf" in both ears so I needed the more expensive model. They will connect to your iPhone, iPad or iPod and you can control them with a free app called Resound Smart 3D. There are all kinds of settings like restaurant, speech clarity and noise filter. The noise filter works great in your vehicle because it will filter out the vehicle/road noise enough that you can still hear people talking in your vehicle. You can even adjust the bass and treble if you want to. The small receiver goes behind your ear and they color match it to your hair color, if no hair the color match it to your skin color. There is a small wire that goes just in front of your to connect the receiver to the ear canal insert. Nobody ever notices that I'm wearing hearing aids. I"m very happy with these hearing aids. If you want to get the exact ones I have the Costco receipt shows Item # 1350221 Model Preza DRWC RIC Right and Item # 1350221 Model Preza 861 RIC Left.

There is a member on here (Denton?) that worked in the hearing aid biz in some capacity.

Hopingly, they will see this thread.

As said above, VA or Costco. Mine are VA (No questions asked except "What color do you want?) but I have been tested at Costco and was very impressed by the technician's expertise and honesty.

Get rechargeables if you can, and either a small remote or phone controlled. Be sure to mention if you have tinnitus so they can adjust for it.

Edit: I'm the guy who worked in a related business (electronic shooting plugs) and my wife was a teacher of the deaf. So I've had some rudimentary experience in the field.

I got mine at Costco about 4 months ago. I couldn't be happier. I haven't heard this well since I was in my 30s.

"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.

You might give the VA another shot. I'm not a huge fan and tangle with them frequently, but getting Phonak hearing aids was about the easiest thing I've ever done with them. They didn't even check my service-connected-ness. I think so many vets need them they just give them rather than fight it. I'm used to annual fights with them since they often bill my insurance when they should not for the other s/c stuff. Anyway, I'm 48 and really like mine, bluetooth, synch with your phone for controls, podcasts, etc.

My problem was crowds, I couldn't hear shiite at conferences, big dinners out, bars, etc. Plus it's nice hearing birds again, I didn't realize how much I missed. And it's awesome to turn them up when I'm in a tree stand or turkey hunting. They're a bit noisy in the wind or if your sunglasses bump the rocker volume button. But I'll take that downside to hear better.

Oh, and my daughter figured out since they synch with my phone, she walks by me and says "hey google...play Ariana Grande" or some such nonsense and walks off. Then I have to scramble to turn the @#$%! thing off.

Pay the $5K -- it's for a service plan. You get filters and batteries, plus reprogramming. You've forgotten how to hear and the augmentation sounds "wrong'. Programming based on re-testing tailors the aids to your life. Costco may be fine for beginners, but your loved ones need for your hearing to be the best it can be. (Learned all this taking care of my dad.)

Many units (like my Resounds) have a "Restaurant" setting that switches off the rear microphones. In theory, that focuses on sounds from the front to help you hear people you're looking at. In practice, restaurants and other public places are awful - with or without hearing aids. If you have trouble hearing people now, it'll be a little bit better with hearing aids, but nothing miraculous.

Mine also have a third setting that adds white noise (I picked rain showers) to help counter tinnitus. I call it the Anesthesia Setting because when I turn it on, I'm a goner. Asleep in seconds. Man, is that nice!

Great thread, this sorry place at it's best.

What do they do with dead people’s’ hearing aids? Does Nana put Peepaw’s in the jewelry box, junk for Jesus, etc?

I would like to try some for bowhunting.

Dr Dre and Ice Cube ruined my hearing.

I have tinnitus in both ears and my left ear just holds up my glasses so I'm overdue for hearing aids.
My question is, what do you guys do when you're shooting? Do you remove them while hunting? Do they have the ability to cancel out loud noises like a gun shot?
Thanks.

I generally take mine out when shooting/hunting and use custom fitted Magnum Ears. They're analog rather than digital, but I can hear well with them and they block gunshot noise wonderfully. I can shoot my .500 S&W and it sounds like a gunshot on TV.

In general hearing aids are all the same with the electronics, the piece that fits in ones ear is unique to the individual. Probably why they never get passed along. Some places may fit a new ear piece and reuse the rest. At the range I take mine off. In the field I just wear them. One shot is not that bad. they do attenuate somewhat depends on the settings.

I got a couple sets of the ol' mans when he died. Supposedly the best the VA had. But I can't find anyone that will refit them to me, so I could get some use outta them......

NEVER wear hearing aids while shooting. There is a safety circuit but it is designed to protect the hearing aid - the level it shuts down at is way above that which will cause you damage. If you liked spending all that money, you just made sure you'll need new ones sooner.

You may or may not get fitted canal pieces, depending on several factors. Mine are open canal, and have only a tiny rubber basket on the end. I could loan my set to others if I and they wanted to. It's possible to have a mold of your ear taken and get new canal pieces made, then have older aids tuned to your needs - but most places would rather not. That's due to hearing aid technology improvements, and also to that fact that a given set may not meet your needs at all. It's a bit like needing a pickup and inheriting a sedan. (And they lose the sale, which means losing a huge HUGE markup.)

" Do they have the ability to cancel out loud noises like a gun shot?"

No!!!

Huh? I guess according to my wife I am in the market for a set. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

"They're a bit noisy in the wind or if your sunglasses bump the rocker volume button."

What brand of hearing aids do you have? I hear almost no wind noise as long as the wind is in my face (like it usually is when hunting) because the receiver is behind my ear. The volume button is about 1/2" from the top of my ear so my sunglasses don't get near the button.

"in a few years the batteries in the rechargeable get too weak to last all day"

How long did you have them before the rechargeable batteries wouldn't last all day? I really like my rechargeable Resound hearing aids. Costco will replace the batteries free for 3 years and after that you have to pay for the battery.

Who know how to stop the itching in your ear canals? Got mine from Costco and happy with them, but can't stand them because of the ear canal itching?

I already had itchy ear canals before I got hearing aids but hearing aids made it worse. I think everybody has that problem with hearing aids though. Costo gave me a small (14 ml) bottle of Comfort Ear which helps quite a bit. Your supposed to put it in your ears at night before you go to bed. Costo keeps it in stock behind the hearing aid counter. They gave me another bottle when I used up the first bottle. I use Hydrocortisone occasionally when they're really itching.

Thanks Victoro, I'll follow this up.

It isn't predictable, though. I find that since I started wearing mine, my canals are less itchy and make less wax. I feared both would be worse, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

The recommendation is to change wax guards and tips weekly. I find that twice a month is plenty, and even then it seems almost a waste at times. They look clean but I still dutifully change them.

Asking my peers about hearing aids (are they worth it? do they help a lot?) brings up one unfortunate response, often repeated. "Yup, I got some at home in the drawer someplace, you wanna try 'em, I'll dig 'em out". There may be a lesson in there somewhere.

That is an unfortunate thing. It takes a little while to get used to hearing aids - over a month for some. Some just give up.

Yes, everything will sound different (That's kinda the whole damn point isn't it?) and they'll be uncomfortable until your ears adapt - a bit like going nose-blind to odors that are around all the time. But after that, wearing them will be (I hate this phrase) the "new normal".

Mine were a bit painful where the tube presses against my ear cartilage. And I couldn't believe how creaky the stairs were - nor how loud it is when I pee! But all that has now passed. I've had mine for just over a year and I could not tell you just when the discomfort ended and when my aids became just another thing I put on in the morning like socks or my glasses. But that did happen.

Rock, I think you nailed it, most of my friends just wanted to please their wives and never gave the hearing aids a fair chance.

We must have different hearing aids. What's a wax guard and tip? I don't have ANY any wax in my ears so that's why my ear canals itch. My aids have have soft ear canal inserts called domes. They're easy to keep clean with the small brush that comes with them. They were never uncomfortable and Costco will replace them every 2 months and test the hearing aids to see if their still functioning like they're supposed to. A friend got his hearing aids a year before I did and got the ones with the hard plastic ear canal inserts that bothered him for while.

I have to wear 'em or not participate in conversation.