OT: hearing aids

[gasparama]

Today, I finally went for a hearing evaluation which indicated (as if I didn't already know) that I'm hard of hearing. After the order for hearing aids was placed, it dawned on me that I had not researched this topic or joined a hearing aid forum. Any advice, hearing aid recommendation (in case these aren't what I need), or forum recommendation would be so appreciated. This is so exciting, but I'm quite undereducated about hearing aids.

[Jeeper]

http://www.hearingaidforums.com/

Jeeper

[mayondair]

I use one hearing aid( something viral) I see a doc and audiologist a a large university teaching hospital. In my experience with hearing aids, you get what you pay for. It is a bit of an adjustment, not like your natural hearing , and I had several tweaks.finding an audiologist to work with is important, so is the hearing aid itself. I use a very small digital model that sits above my ear, with 2 micropnes for directional info, a thin wire to my ear canal with the speaker attached. No molded earpiece that looks like chewing gum ( definitely not stylish ), you would really have to look in my ear to see it. I have a noisy work environment, , lots of background noise, and I need to be able to converse with customers. I would avoid the big chains like Beltone , they do not have a reputation for service, and their equipment is not the best. They kind of remind me of the DME wh wants to charge big bucks for not so hot equipment and never have to see you again As for the evaluation, I hope you had a full test with a licensed audiologist in a soundproof room( takes 30-45 min). If not, I'd get one, the report should include a graph for each ear showing your speech comprehension and hearing at dirrernt frequencies.

[gasparama]

Thanks, Jeeper. I joined. If I have chosen the wrong hearing aids, at least there is a 45 day period for making a return.

Mayondair, I ordered something called Starkey s series iQ 11 WI. That's a mouthful. I just wish I had checked with other users before making my order. We'll see what happens.

[Jeeper]

I agree with mayondair. I went to an ear nose and throat specialist who has several audiologists on staff. The doc even wears hearing aids. I tried a mid price range hearing aid and decided on a higher end pair. I have not been disappointed. I did go with the regular sized behind the ear aids because of my specific hearing loss and because the larger battery will last longer.

Good luck.

Jeeper

[gasparama]

The company that I used is quite busy and popular, but there is no ENT on staff. My ears are normal, so perhaps, I'll get all the care needed from this place. That being said, seeing and ENT first would have been a wise move!