HEARING AIDS..... WHAT ??

[Tim Horton]

Does anyone have experience with ...over the counter... hearing aids.. ?? ??

With a little research they seem to go from a bit less than $100 to about $300 a pair.. I imagine the variable being the type of loss you have compared to the next person..

For a long time now I have lived with a significant hearing loss.. Diagnosed many years ago as ..high frequency.. loss... I have to presume this has been caused by too much gun fire, heavy construction noise, and wind in your face from motorcycles and small plane flying... My worst issue seems to be if people are speaking turned away from me or with multiple people talking in an area, I can hear them but can't always understand the words... My total hearing loss is obviously significantly more now as I have aged..

I understand hearing aid technology has advanced a lot in recent years to treat more types of loss than the last time I had a test.. Thinking a minute here tells me it could have been as much as 20 years ago when I was last tested.. Anyway..

Looking into aids from most places seem to be about $3000 US a pair and north of that figure.. On top of that, many places also want to nick you $300 US plus for a test..

Facts, details, experience, opinions ?? ??

 

[Supervisor42]

Does anyone have experience with ...over the counter... hearing aids.. ?? ??

With a little research they seem to go from a bit less than $100 to about $300 a pair.. I imagine the variable being the type of loss you have compared to the next person..

For a long time now I have lived with a significant hearing loss.. Diagnosed many years ago as ..high frequency.. loss... I have to presume this has been caused by too much gun fire, heavy construction noise, and wind in your face from motorcycles and small plane flying... My worst issue seems to be if people are speaking turned away from me or with multiple people talking in an area, I can hear them but can't always understand the words... My total hearing loss is obviously significantly more now as I have aged..

I understand hearing aid technology has advanced a lot in recent years to treat more types of loss than the last time I had a test.. Thinking a minute here tells me it could have been as much as 20 years ago when I was last tested.. Anyway..

Looking into aids from most places seem to be about $3000 US a pair and north of that figure.. On top of that, many places also want to nick you $300 US plus for a test..

Facts, details, experience, opinions ?? ??

I too am in the same boat, and will be watching this thread.
Been watching OTC aids for a while.
I don't need much help ($K) but I definitely need some help.

 

[Caribou]

The longer you wait the less effective hearing aids, of any kind, will be. Your brain forgets how to interpret sounds when there is no input for an extended period.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

The cheap OTC hearing aids simply amplify sound. All sound.
I too have high frequency loss, most likely as a result of gunfire and explosions.

I was given a very extensive hearing test by the VA and ultimately provided with a pair of aids that are computer set to help the specific frequencies I have lost.
Totally different than those that simply amplify ALL sound.
They cost the taxpayers $5,000. Thank you all!! And I’m serious!!

I also have tinnitus, but there’s no fix for that.
Mine are 7 years old, and worn out, in fact the right one quit altogether.
I have an appointment with the VA for a new pair. The latest ones are Bluetooth enabled so I’ll be able to use my cellphone without putting it on speaker.

Don’t waste your money on the cheap ones, you will not be happy and probably will end up not even using them.

 

[SLC]

Does anyone have experience with ...over the counter... hearing aids.. ?? ??

With a little research they seem to go from a bit less than $100 to about $300 a pair.. I imagine the variable being the type of loss you have compared to the next person..

For a long time now I have lived with a significant hearing loss.. Diagnosed many years ago as ..high frequency.. loss... I have to presume this has been caused by too much gun fire, heavy construction noise, and wind in your face from motorcycles and small plane flying... My worst issue seems to be if people are speaking turned away from me or with multiple people talking in an area, I can hear them but can't always understand the words... My total hearing loss is obviously significantly more now as I have aged..

I understand hearing aid technology has advanced a lot in recent years to treat more types of loss than the last time I had a test.. Thinking a minute here tells me it could have been as much as 20 years ago when I was last tested.. Anyway..

Looking into aids from most places seem to be about $3000 US a pair and north of that figure.. On top of that, many places also want to nick you $300 US plus for a test..

Facts, details, experience, opinions ?? ??

Yes. They suck. And don't let them kid you that they are not amplifiers but true hearing aids. They are not. There are true hearing aids over-the-counter that you can customize to your loss using your smart phone. Not cheap, but cheaper than prescription aids.

 

[Tootsie]

Not over the counter, but next level. Costco, currently about 1500 for a pair. Generous money back guarantee. I like mine, but have gotten in the habit of not using them. There’s little worth hearing anymore.

 

[Supervisor42]

The cheap OTC hearing aids simply amplify sound. All sound.
I too have high frequency loss, most likely as a result of gunfire and explosions.

I was given a very extensive hearing test by the VA and ultimately provided with a pair of aids that are computer set to help the specific frequencies I have lost.
Totally different than those that simply amplify ALL sound.
They cost the taxpayers $5,000. Thank you all!! And I’m serious!!

I also have tinnitus, but there’s no fix for that.
Mine are 7 years old, and worn out, in fact the right one quit altogether.
I have an appointment with the VA for a new pair. The latest ones are Bluetooth enabled so I’ll be able to use my cellphone without putting it on speaker.

Don’t waste your money on the cheap ones, you will not be happy and probably will end up not even using them.

Well, not everybody can get Uncle Sam to step up and cover a $5K bill so we have to shop.
This OTC one seems to have the most reviews which means thousands of people have bought them.
Sure, they are just amplifiers, but that is all most of us need.
https://www.amazon.com/EarCentric-Rechargeable-Ear-amplification-Cancellation/dp/B09K1RKQS6

I like the rocker switch for volume control so you don't have to take it off to tweak it.

 

[TMT Tactical]

I have severe hearing loss. Last year I had a cochlear implant on my right ear and I have a hearing aid for my left ear. Trust me, none of the OTC hearing aids will help if you have severe hearing loss. Been there done that. Having all sound amplified is worse than not having the aids. The amplified sounds that you normally hear will drown out the other sounds. No aids or implants can replace your normal hearing. Guard against hearing loss.

 

[Pearl]

The cheap OTC hearing aids simply amplify sound. All sound.
I too have high frequency loss, most likely as a result of gunfire and explosions.

I was given a very extensive hearing test by the VA and ultimately provided with a pair of aids that are computer set to help the specific frequencies I have lost.
Totally different than those that simply amplify ALL sound.
They cost the taxpayers $5,000. Thank you all!! And I’m serious!!

I also have tinnitus, but there’s no fix for that.
Mine are 7 years old, and worn out, in fact the right one quit altogether.
I have an appointment with the VA for a new pair. The latest ones are Bluetooth enabled so I’ll be able to use my cellphone without putting it on speaker.

Don’t waste your money on the cheap ones, you will not be happy and probably will end up not even using them.

You shouldn't thank us! THANK YOU for your service!! Veterans should be getting everything they need, not illegals, Iran, Ukraine, etc.!!

 

[Magus]

You shouldn't thank us! THANK YOU for your service!! Veterans should be getting everything they need, not illegals, Iran, Ukraine, etc.!!

Combat vets shouldn't have to pay taxes or have to sweat health care either. they offered ALL for the country on the altar of war, they deserve it 1000% more than a bunch of foreign freeloaders.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

The VA audiologist wrote right on the paper work that my hearing loss is “severe”.
But since I never got an exit physical (a scam common to Vietnam returnees getting out) I can not prove my hearing loss is service related. So, no 10% disability pay. But they do provide my aids so I’m good with it.

VA motto: Deny, Deny, Deny, Until They Die.

 

[Dani]

I am just happy to see some of you guys actually admitting you may have a hearing problem. Hunny is still in denial.

I have severe hearing loss. Last year I had a cochlear implant on my right ear and I have a hearing aid for my left ear. Trust me, none of the OTC hearing aids will help if you have severe hearing loss. Been there done that. Having all sound amplified is worse than not having the aids. The amplified sounds that you normally hear will drown out the other sounds. No aids or implants can replace your normal hearing. Guard against hearing loss.

That is what my Mom's husband has been experiencing with his hearing aids. . . "Having all sound amplified". He tends to hear all the background noises verses the actual conversations if we go to a restraunt.

 

[Supervisor42]

I am just happy to see some of you guys actually admitting you may have a hearing problem. Hunny is still in denial.

That is what my Mom's husband has been experiencing with his hearing aids. . . "Having all sound amplified". He tends to hear all the background noises verses the actual conversations if we go to a restraunt.

I'm hoping that more members with moderate hearing loss will chime on this thread about OTC hearing aids.

 

[backlash]

My wife bought hearing aids at Costco.
They are programmed to her specific hearing loss. Hers are rechargeable so no batteries to buy or install. Batteries can add a lot to your cost.
The cost was $1400 and worth every cent. The hearing test was free with our membership
I get mine from the VA and they are the best money can buy.

 

[Dani]

I am just happy to see some of you guys actually admitting you may have a hearing problem. Hunny is still in denial.

That is what my Mom's husband has been experiencing with his hearing aids. . . "Having all sound amplified". He tends to hear all the background noises verses the actual conversations if we go to a restraunt.

And his is from a hearaid specialist.

 

[TMT Tactical]

I just finished an appointment with my audiologist. She reprogrammed my implant. I have four programs to select from on my implant. I had the audiologist set one program to match my wife's voice frequency. The second program is strictly human voice frequencies. The final two are for crowds and general noise environments. My brain will need several months to adapt to the new programming but I am hopeful.

During my hearing loss journey, I went from Costco hearing aids to very expensive hearing aids and finally to the implant. Protect your hearing, as no electronic devices will work as well as what you started out with. Do not delay in getting your hearing checked and certainly do not delay in getting the help that is needed. Time is not on your side. Act now!

 

[backlash]

Protect your hearing, as no electronic devices will work as well as what you started out with. Do not delay in getting your hearing checked and certainly do not delay in getting the help that is needed. Time is not on your side. Act now!

Even a one time exposure to a loud noise can damage your hearing forever.
Once it's gone it's gone forever.