cashs_mom

The hearing aids I have are set up to shut off with loud noises. You can have the set to the sensitivity that you want when you buy them. Mine were originally set way too low. Even starting my car, which admittedly is loud, made them shut down. You could talk to an audiologist about it. It might be helpful.

There are huge variances in hearing aids depending on which ones you buy and how much you are willing to spend so its hard to say which ones will be best for different people. Also, the technology is moving pretty fast. Every time I get a new pair there are new features and new hearing aids. The ones I have now sort of "learn" about the environments you are normally in and adjust to them. One thing I always tell people is that you have to wear them and get used to them. There is a learning curve while your brain learns to process the sounds your ears are now hearing. It can be very irritating at first but you just have to ride it out. When I went back in for my first check up to see how my hearing aids were doing the audiologist hooked them up to her computer and said "Wow, you wear your hearing aids 16 hours a day. No wonder your adjusting to them so well". And, yes, I do wear them from the time I get out of the shower in the morning, until I go to bed at night. I find it much easier that way.

SusieQOH

I have had hearing problems my whole life but I finally got hearing aids 2 years ago. They are fabulous. I had no idea just how much I wasn't hearing. It was truly unbelievable.
I have ringing in my right ear as well. With my aids the ringing is gone- don't know the how of it but it's wonderful.
Mine were 6000.00 for the pair. They fit into my ear canal and the piece goes over my ear with a clear wire so you can't even notice them. My hair covers that part but you still wouldn't notice it when I wear a ponytail.
I also use an Ipod all the time and the earbuds are just fine with the hearing aids- they don't fall out etc.
I am so extremely happy! Now I have no problems hearing and no weird noises like on those old TV commercials.
About twice a year I have them cleaned and checked. No problems since I bought them yet. Only once I accidentally got them wet getting in the shower. I panicked, thinking I ruined them. Took them in- they sent them to Minnesota and I had them back in 2 days. No charge. I was so relieved!

These were my worst problems before hearing aids:
Ringing in right ear (very common with hearing loss. My Dad had the same thing)
Trouble understanding accents, for example British TV shows
Anyone on TV (except baseball or the news which I'd rather not be able to hear haha) The news, not baseball- love that!
Children- could never ever hear kids !!
People who mumble ( my husband and one of my sons does this)
People who speak softly. Forget whispering! Oh my that was hard!
While trying to watch a movie I would hear practically no dialogue. I just heard sounds and an occasional word.

They are worth every penny I paid for them. My insurance didn't cover it but I don't care. I just hope they last awhile.
Good luck!
Oh- the brand I have is Starkey. I get a large supply of batteries on Amazon for less than 20 bucks- last a long time. I need to replace my batteries about once a week. They are tiny.

twogeebs

Thank you so much prism99 for the links. Never thought it would be so hard just making a decision as to what brand or company. I beginning to believe one of the most important things is to have a really good audiologist.

twogeebs

You have all been very kind and informative, thank you so much.

Now to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Will keep you informed.

cashs_mom

It really is.

SusieQOH

Oh yes. I totally agree.

Art4me

I've worn hearing aids for 6 years and am on my second set. I'm fortunate that my health insurance says $3,000 towards a pair every three years. The brand I have is Phonak and I love them. /the ones I have now are rechargeable and I put them in the charger at bedtime and they are ready to go the next morning. I have my old ones that take batteries every week for a backup if I should need it. Without them, I am so hard of hearing that I might as well be deaf. I don't think any hearing aid will restore your hearing to what it was when you were younger, but it is so wonderful to hear most of what is being said now. Marilyn

tranum

Some people's voices have a pitch that doesn't reach my ears. (DD). There's people who mumble or run their words together. (DDIL). There are people who talk too low (DH). There are people who I hear just fine. (DS and DSIL) so I've decided I can hear just fine. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

SusieQOH

Same here. It depends on how people speak. If they speak clearly and loud enough I don't have a problem. Unfortunately that's not many people in my life. Also the TV and children etc etc.

Wanabee Quiltin

My DH and I wear Siemans hearing aids and we do like them. We went to a private company and we had an allowance of $2500 toward hearing aids. After testing us, he told us we would have to pay about $5000 each = $8500. Then a friend told us her DH got one hearing aid for less than $1000 at the local hospital. Made an appointment with their audiologist and was tested and hearing aids cost about $3000. I have an appointment now for testing and fixing the sound on mine next week. She told me they have made tremendous improvements on hearing aids since we bought ours but they cost a fortune. I'm sticking to mine. I had to use 3 different hearing aids before I was happy, I can't use ear buds at all. I have acknowledged that a hearing loss is a disability. People treat me differently because I still can't hear low voices or people who speak too fast. No matter what church we go to, I can't understand what is being said up front on the microphones. People will talk to me and my husband recognizes a look I must have and he asked me "Did you understand what they said?" I hate having this hearing loss but I sure didn't ask for it. I expected it as I had two aunts who were nearly deaf, my father's sister and my mother's sister.