"WELL DONE"!, Cliff. Like many of your UA-cam Fans, I stumbled upon you by mere happenstance, and became "hooked" for lack of a better definition. Your videos are thorough, concise, informative, and professional. Who would have known that one needs to have their devices " cleaned" every 6 months? Now! If it's been two years since my last testing , do I really need to have another exam before purchasing? Based upon your savvy knowledge, I think I'm going to purchase a Phonak Marvel M90. 'Continued Success To You. P.S. I may be actually moving to Scottsdale in a few short months. Is your office close ?
I would like to you know what you think of purchasing online through the sites that connect you with an audiologist versus purchasing the hearing aid through the hearing professional.
An ENT doctor I went to recently said he "COULDN'T" give me a printout of my audiogram. I had a question, and he said he had to have me look at the screen. Is this to keep me from buying from an audiologist other than the audiologist associated with the doctor's office?
Doc, you are right about buying on line, today. However; it is the future, you and your colleagues need to sign up and join the future and learn how to make money in the new environment. The manufacturers are designing the new hearing aids to be sold online. The devices can be setup initially from your hearing test, and then customized by direct communication with the audiologists at the online provider. The new devices are made to be serviced by the consumer. The devices can be controlled by the consumers' smart phones and diagnostics will be included in the smart phone apps. Its a changing industry and more to come in the near future.
Hey Bill. Thanks for your comment. I 100% agree with you. There are a lot of audiologists who have their heads in the sand when it comes to where the future of hearing aids is headed. To ignore these changes instead of developing ways to make this transition better for patients would be bad for Audiology and Hearing aid wearers alike. However, if we do it with the intention of "making money in the new environment" we would be doing it for the wrong reason IMO.
On line and over the counter hearing aids are designed for folk with mild and moderate loss---and from my experience the lower half of the wide moderate category is more like the severe than the mild. Fitting aids for hearers with moderate-severe, severe and profound loss is not an easy or one time to get it right thing. More frequently than not they require multiple follow-up visits. I would like to hear more about "locked software" problem that is built into the store brands like Miracle Ear.
oky mr.Olson, what would you do if someone came to your office and said , "I bought these nifty hearing aids on line" would you adjust them for me? would you say ill give it a go! or would you say tuff luck cowboy, I only work on the aids that i sell here! now its going to take your life"s savings! I can only think of one place in the city where i live that might adjust them, because they sell differant hearing aids...
i have one question i recently bought phonak hearing aid as i have lost hearing on my right ear and my audiologist has fixed the hearing aids on both ears how come that i can hear loud sound on my right ear is this normal and it will adjusted as i get used to it on both ears. i know how to adjust increase and decrease volume. Thanks for your advise and went and bought "phonak" and i am very happy. my follow up appointment is coming on two week's time.
I was told that the signia silk x7 and Rexton inox are pretty much the same thing... is this accurate? I feel like I was just being told that because the rexton ones are cheaper and I’d be more likely to buy
I guess that HiHealthInnovations would fall into the private label category? I wore a pair of those between 2013 and 2018. I had terrible experience with those from start to finish. And only their people will look at them (at least none of the ones that I contacted would do so). Those hearing aids may have been cheaper, but I paid for them with suffering with then for all those years.
Dr. Cliff, I have been in the market for new hearing aids and it is a really hard decision to make with all the choices. I think I have it narrowed down and was wondering base on your experience which on do you think would be the best for technology and durability. Here are my top three. Oticon OPN 1, Phonak Adaeo B or Resound Linx Quattro. Please help! I have an Android phone and want the streaming ability.
Phonak is the rock of the group. Oticon is pretty good, and Quattros are too new to tell regarding durability at this point. Quattro doesn't have Android streaming yet so you may need to wait or go with Oticon and get the Connect Clip to stream from Android.
Hi BT. I probably will never be able to do a full review of Costco hearing aids because they are only available to Costco. Bernafon makes Bernafon hearing aids. The William Demant holding company owns Bernafon. William Demant also owns Oticon.
Thank you! Bernafon technology sounds similar to the Oticon open technology and it is it is the same manufacture as suspected. Not sure about the audiologist who work at Costco. I assume it depends on the store and the person you see on any given day. I am in the market for a new set of hearing aides. I tried out the Oticon open and loved the way it handled the various environments and how fast it changed to adapt. I couldn't notice it changing, and the sound quality was exceptional. Probably has a lot to do with the audiologist being exceptional too. I haven't been able to try out the Resound Linx 3d's. But, I want to use my Android phone and go directly to the phone without a clicker or a middle device and I want to stream music and other devices like the tv. I have not bee able to ever hear what that sounds like. Very hard for me to talk on a smart phone. I have profound loss. I hear that Android has added G.722 codec for HA support the the next generation of smart phones. It's coming soon and will be previewed to the the Android 8.1 (preview 2). This will open up many more choices for purchasing HA's in the near future! I don't want to get sucked into paying for iPhones again! lol.
It is useless to say that people have the choice of buying online or going to an audiologist because if you say that the software is proprietary (and only you own it) people will be forced to go to the audiologist. It is normal for the device purchased online to not be customized because if you keep the software to yourself, people will not be able to customize it themselves.
Top of the line only $2000? How come the first place I went to wanted $5000+? I didn’t buy them because of the extreem cost and when they hooked me up to the computer with the corrections I needed, I couldn’t tell any difference .
So, I think I have identified a contradiction here concerning the fitting of HA's. You have hammered the concept of REM's for any HA. Makes perfect sense. However, you also say that 70% of audiologist/hearing techs DON'T validate with REMs. Okay, so then how is that 70% of paying full price to those offices that don't do REM's, any different than buying your HA's online? If they are not matching the script to the actual programming in-office anyway, then in reality, you are dong no better than getting HA's online (less expensive though) and them doing the best they can with the "program it and mail it" service they have. Why don't more audiologist do REM's when fitting? I would think this is something that is clearly taught in training to become an audiologist.
You're preaching to the Choir BeachGunner. I got so sick of preaching REMs to providers that I just decided to teach consumers instead. REMs are taught at nearly every single AuD program, yet for some reason, not all of them do these as a standard of care. Not sure about Hearing Instrument Specialist training, since most HISs aren't formally trained. You are right to a large degree regarding the initial programming of a hearing aid. If a clinic doesn't verify the fitting, then it is impossible to improve the fitting beyond what online tech support could accomplish. However, there are a number of in-clinic functions that can be accomplished from expedient cleanings, preventative maintenance, device repairs, diagnostic testing, cerumen management, identification of ear related conditions, and aural rehabilitation. There is definitely value in having a local clinic for support.
Agree. I'm going to go with a local audiologist, but right now I am in the process of deciding who that is going to be. I was referred to the in-practice audiologist from the ENT I saw, and she is supposedly well versed with tinnitus management, so we shall see. I'm certainly going to question her on the REM's issue. I can't tell by visiting their practice webpage if they do them or not. Anyway, thanks again for all the great information. I like the fact that you changed tactics and are now educating guys like me on REM's. It will certainly force practices to either up their game, or lose business.
Hi Rick. I haven't personally worked with any Hi Health Innovations hearing aids, so I can't give that many specifics on their products. However, they appear to have some budget conscious devices. While they will not have the same features and capabilities of more expensive hearing aids and well known brands, they could provide some benefit. As always, it will largely depend on if the hearing care professional you see is using best practices when fitting the devices. This includes Real Ear Verification to ensure you are meeting your prescription, fitting a proper dome or ear mold to ensure that the sound doesn't just leak out, and using validation measures to ensure that you are perceiving benefit in your day to day environments. It also does not appear that they offer any assistive listening devices such as TV or Phone Streamers, or remote microphones.
Appreciate your reply. Their owned by United Health Care; inwhich I have my medicare health care plan with. I've uploaded a current hearing test and are ready for me to order. They'd be programmed for me.
This is the #1 problem with these types of companies. UHC attempts to cut costs by circumventing "Best Practices". I guarantee the hearing aids will not be programmed exactly to your prescription. The only way to ensure you are meeting your prescription of amplification is to have them programmed using Real Ear Verification. Will you get some benefit?...Maybe, but you won't get max benefit. I wish you the best of luck regardless.
My dad is a vet with severe hear loss. The VA he goes to tried to fit him for hearing aids but he complains of that high pitched ringing. I assume the aids are not fitting him well or they are generic. He lives in Palm Springs, can you recommend a specialist there?
The VA only fits the best hearing aids from the major manufacturers that they work with. If the high pitched ringing is tinnitus then he is likely part of the 40% of individuals who do not receive relief with hearing aids. If he was fit to his prescription with real ear measures, then he is unlikely to receive additional benefit from going to another provider. However, I will check within a professional forum to see if there are any good providers in that area.
I am a vet and used Audiologists in several different VA Centers over the years. If the professional you got was not a good fit ask for someone else. It's done all the time. We all have people we hit it off with better than others. My 60 some years experience with audiologists is one size doesn't always fit.
My husband tried hearing aids but he complained that they did not make the sound clear they just amplified the sound. He is a musician should he have a specific hearing aid?
Hi Annalise, there are many factors when it comes to using hearing aids successfully. While he does need a good hearing aid capable of treating the type and severity of his loss, chances are, the hearing aids he tried were not fit or programmed properly for him. All hearing aids require very specific programming to an individuals hearing loss prescription, and must be verified using Real Ear Measurement. "Clarity" is often affected by High frequency amplification. "Volume" is affected by Low frequency amplification. If he was fit/programmed improperly, he would not perceive additional clarity from his devices.
So my mom has hearing aid and it was expensive, like several thousand about 6 years ago. She has never really liked it. She doesn’t think that it has ever been adjusted correct. She doesn’t like going to deal with it any more. I’m wanting to try something online to give her some hope...... is this a bad idea?
If your mother was a candidate for hearing aids, she would have received benefit if it was fit and programmed correctly by the professional she went to see. Based on your comment, it sounds like the devices were never adjusted appropriately. If ordering a hearing aid online is the only way she would consider attempting hearing aids again, I would say it is worth a shot. Just know, a properly adjusted hearing aid using Real Ear Verification will always outperform a hearing aid that is sent in the mail without a proper fitting. Any chance you could send me a copy of her most recent hearing test so I could see if she is still a hearing aid candidate? cliff@appliedhearingaz.com
I would strongly suggest you try other providers. Personality connection is very important. The Hearing specialist has no way of knowing what we are experiencing if we don't tell them. Trust and open communication with the hearing professional What may be a super one for me may not be for you. Connection is key.
Not even close. An amplifier increases volume of all sounds. Some of them emphasize the gain in the high frequencies, but their lack of customization and features provide limited benefit, if any benefit at all. One research study I've read even indicated that based on cost/benefit that some companies that manufacture hearing amplifiers should actually pay you money to wear them because they decrease hearing performance.
It is basically the older version of the ReSound Smart App for the LiNX version of their hearing aids. Beltone dispenses private labeled ReSound hearing aids that are locked.
Hi Nena, it sounds like either the hearing aid is malfunctioning, or is programmed incorrectly. However, it is important to know that hearing aids amplify all sounds and some can be annoying until your brain acclimates to the change in volume. I highly recommend you consult with an audiologist to have them do testing on your device to determine the problem.
few hundred to few thousand? What about the ones from deal extreme for 5$? Now were talking price differences between x100 and x1000, for that money it should have siri, alexa and cortana installed and free flat rate internet... You get the ones with rechargeable battery for 20$ while my mother-in-law has high quality name brand that cost almost 1000$, paying for expensive batteries and she still can't hear that much better... I know that 5$ and 10$ ones are total crap, just like normal headphones that cost 2-5$ are total crap, however, I have 50$ headphones that are just amazing, it's "just" x10 cost. Why do "brand names" for this cost between x100 and x1000... it just don't make any sense, it's a money grab if you ask me.
The ones you are referencing are not hearing aids, they are personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs). They increase the sound of all frequencies, much like turning up the volume of a TV. For most people with hearing loss (High-Frequency Loss), this causes an upward spread of masking which just makes things louder but not clearer. This is just one aspect of how a cheap amplifier is no where even close to as good as an actual hearing aid that can be frequency shaped specifically to one's hearing loss. Hearing aid batteries can cost a low as $2.50 for a month supply so I'm not sure I really understand your comment about "expensive batteries". Also, if you thing the $5 - $10 PSAP isn't just a money grab, you are mistaking. Hearing aid companies have two missions, turn a profit and help people hear better. Just like ANY company in the world, they have a responsibility to make money just like you do in your profession. If you feel they charge too much, so be it, but this has allowed them to produce products that blow away hearing aids from prior years thanks to the massive amount of money they put into research and development.
I understand your point, but it's absurd. I'm a hardware design engineer and I also get questions from customers like "why does your device cost as much as a smartphone?". We make specialty devices sold in hundreds of pieces instead of millions like the ones made in China, so we gotta turn profit somehow, right? Nevertheless, costing 1000 times more than "cheap crap version" is absolutely absurd. Galaxy S8 Bill of Materials totals to $300 and you get the phone for $800. (not even a x3 profit!) Total cost of all electronics and materials inside of the most expensive hearing aid is less than $100 guaranteed, and that's for the ones with wireless charging, bluetooth and everything your heart can imagine. Cost of material for "basic version" that would only have a rechargeable battery and a USB port for charging and EQ upload is probably less than $10. For a normal "poor" person, they would pay $100-$200 for this and it should be an equivalent of BMW and the company making it would still have x10 - x20 profit.
I don't disagree about the hardware costs with you. Nor can I argue your perception of value about any product that exists on the market. But a professionally fit hearing aid isn't just about "cost of materials". Once you start playing the "cost of materials" game, everything is way overpriced. Better products aren't made by just calling China and telling them to make something better and smaller. If you really want to see what goes into making hearing aid technology, visit one of the major hearing aid manufacturers so you can see what really goes on when developing a hearing aids, custom products, and warranty service. Then go to a hearing aid clinic to see the how they diagnose, fit, program, and provide years of service for patients with hearing loss. Then let me know what your perception of this value is. Until you completely understand the full scope of treating hearing loss, this discussion is moot.
I think that in couple of years (maybe a couple of decades even, there are a lot of technically illiterate old people that just need the service), there will be a $100 product and young people will tune it themselves via smartphone or something similar. I'm trying real hard to find something good for my mother in law and I found Oticon OPN... The cost is like two years of saving all the money we have left after paying the bills, food and mortgage, it's really ridiculous, maybe I live in the wrong country... Finding any data and even the price is sometimes hard, I feel like It's like "if you ask the price you can't afford it"...
Not sure what country you are in, but there are programs like Starkey Hear Now for individuals who literally can't afford hearing aids. If you live in the US call 800-328-8602, or outside the US call 866-354-3254.
Ask to Anamika then people like me would do without, 1800 for entry level on SS is not possible, I have a pair for eBay Siemens pure BTE RIC that completely gave me the gift of hearing. They do need programmed but if I can’t afford that I don’t have to watch the news with the TV as high as 75 to barely hear it while the wife goes crazy. It would be nice if the government wouldn’t pass laws to keep the prices high so only the few could afford the works.
GREAT video to help us understand more about the land of heating aids! THANK YOU! I personally appreciate your notes!
"WELL DONE"!, Cliff.
Like many of your UA-cam Fans, I stumbled upon you by mere happenstance, and became "hooked" for lack of a better definition.
Your videos are thorough, concise, informative, and professional. Who would have known that one needs to have their devices " cleaned" every 6 months? Now! If it's been two years since my last testing , do I really need to have another exam before purchasing? Based upon your savvy knowledge, I think I'm going to purchase a Phonak Marvel M90.
'Continued Success To You.
P.S. I may be actually moving to Scottsdale in a few short months. Is your office close ?
U r so right
I would like to you know what you think of purchasing online through the sites that connect you with an audiologist versus purchasing the hearing aid through the hearing professional.
Can you suggest a top 5 budget name-brand hearing aid?
yeah I want to know too
Thank you for the very informative videos.
An ENT doctor I went to recently said he "COULDN'T" give me a printout of my audiogram. I had a question, and he said he had to have me look at the screen. Is this to keep me from buying from an audiologist other than the audiologist associated with the doctor's office?
Doc, you are right about buying on line, today. However; it is the future, you and your colleagues need to sign up and join the future and learn how to make money in the new environment. The manufacturers are designing the new hearing aids to be sold online. The devices can be setup initially from your hearing test, and then customized by direct communication with the audiologists at the online provider. The new devices are made to be serviced by the consumer. The devices can be controlled by the consumers' smart phones and diagnostics will be included in the smart phone apps. Its a changing industry and more to come in the near future.
Hey Bill. Thanks for your comment. I 100% agree with you. There are a lot of audiologists who have their heads in the sand when it comes to where the future of hearing aids is headed. To ignore these changes instead of developing ways to make this transition better for patients would be bad for Audiology and Hearing aid wearers alike. However, if we do it with the intention of "making money in the new environment" we would be doing it for the wrong reason IMO.
On line and over the counter hearing aids are designed for folk with mild and moderate loss---and from my experience the lower half of the wide moderate category is more like the severe than the mild. Fitting aids for hearers with moderate-severe, severe and profound loss is not an easy or one time to get it right thing. More frequently than not they require multiple follow-up visits.
I would like to hear more about "locked software" problem that is built into the store brands like Miracle Ear.
Karl Hallsten good response. I would like to hear more about it too. This whole industry is more confusing than buying a used car!
Buying online might be the future, but only if you can prove "your " integrity. I haven't been sold I on it yet...
oky mr.Olson, what would you do if someone came to your office and said , "I
bought these nifty hearing aids on line" would you adjust them for me? would you say ill give it a go! or would you say tuff luck cowboy, I only work on the aids that i sell here! now its going to take your life"s savings! I can only think of one place in the city where i live that might adjust them, because they sell differant hearing aids...
I adjust online hearing aids all the time. I even help with aids that can't be adjusted.
i have one question i recently bought phonak hearing aid as i have lost hearing on my right ear and my audiologist has fixed the hearing aids on both ears how come that i can hear loud sound on my right ear is this normal and it will adjusted as i get used to it on both ears.
i know how to adjust increase and decrease volume.
Thanks for your advise and went and bought "phonak" and i am very happy.
my follow up appointment is coming on two week's time.
I'm not sure I understand your question.
@@DrCliffAuD I think he's looking for free advice on getting his existing hearing aids adjusted; Not a lot to do with the thread!
I was told that the signia silk x7 and Rexton inox are pretty much the same thing... is this accurate? I feel like I was just being told that because the rexton ones are cheaper and I’d be more likely to buy
I guess that HiHealthInnovations would fall into the private label category? I wore a pair of those between 2013 and 2018. I had terrible experience with those from start to finish. And only their people will look at them (at least none of the ones that I contacted would do so). Those hearing aids may have been cheaper, but I paid for them with suffering with then for all those years.
Yes, unfortunately your options are very limited with those devices which is compounded by technology that just isn't that good.
Dr. Cliff,
I have been in the market for new hearing aids and it is a really hard decision to make with all the choices. I think I have it narrowed down and was wondering base on your experience which on do you think would be the best for technology and durability. Here are my top three. Oticon OPN 1, Phonak Adaeo B or Resound Linx Quattro. Please help! I have an Android phone and want the streaming ability.
Phonak is the rock of the group. Oticon is pretty good, and Quattros are too new to tell regarding durability at this point. Quattro doesn't have Android streaming yet so you may need to wait or go with Oticon and get the Connect Clip to stream from Android.
Thanks for Understands.
U
Would you do a video on Costco brands such as Bernafon's Zerena's? Who makes them anyway?
Hi BT. I probably will never be able to do a full review of Costco hearing aids because they are only available to Costco. Bernafon makes Bernafon hearing aids. The William Demant holding company owns Bernafon. William Demant also owns Oticon.
Thank you! Bernafon technology sounds similar to the Oticon open technology and it is it is the same manufacture as suspected. Not sure about the audiologist who work at Costco. I assume it depends on the store and the person you see on any given day.
I am in the market for a new set of hearing aides. I tried out the Oticon open and loved the way it handled the various environments and how fast it changed to adapt. I couldn't notice it changing, and the sound quality was exceptional. Probably has a lot to do with the audiologist being exceptional too. I haven't been able to try out the Resound Linx 3d's.
But, I want to use my Android phone and go directly to the phone without a clicker or a middle device and I want to stream music and other devices like the tv. I have not bee able to ever hear what that sounds like. Very hard for me to talk on a smart phone. I have profound loss. I hear that Android has added G.722 codec for HA support the the next generation of smart phones. It's coming soon and will be previewed to the the Android 8.1 (preview 2). This will open up many more choices for purchasing HA's in the near future! I don't want to get sucked into paying for iPhones again! lol.
It is useless to say that people have the choice of buying online or going to an audiologist because if you say that the software is proprietary (and only you own it) people will be forced to go to the audiologist. It is normal for the device purchased online to not be customized because if you keep the software to yourself, people will not be able to customize it themselves.
Top of the line only $2000? How come the first place I went to wanted $5000+? I didn’t buy them because of the extreem cost and when they hooked me up to the computer with the corrections I needed, I couldn’t tell any difference .
So, I think I have identified a contradiction here concerning the fitting of HA's.
You have hammered the concept of REM's for any HA. Makes perfect sense. However, you also say that 70% of audiologist/hearing techs DON'T validate with REMs.
Okay, so then how is that 70% of paying full price to those offices that don't do REM's, any different than buying your HA's online? If they are not matching the script to the actual programming in-office anyway, then in reality, you are dong no better than getting HA's online (less expensive though) and them doing the best they can with the "program it and mail it" service they have.
Why don't more audiologist do REM's when fitting? I would think this is something that is clearly taught in training to become an audiologist.
You're preaching to the Choir BeachGunner. I got so sick of preaching REMs to providers that I just decided to teach consumers instead. REMs are taught at nearly every single AuD program, yet for some reason, not all of them do these as a standard of care. Not sure about Hearing Instrument Specialist training, since most HISs aren't formally trained.
You are right to a large degree regarding the initial programming of a hearing aid. If a clinic doesn't verify the fitting, then it is impossible to improve the fitting beyond what online tech support could accomplish. However, there are a number of in-clinic functions that can be accomplished from expedient cleanings, preventative maintenance, device repairs, diagnostic testing, cerumen management, identification of ear related conditions, and aural rehabilitation.
There is definitely value in having a local clinic for support.
Agree. I'm going to go with a local audiologist, but right now I am in the process of deciding who that is going to be. I was referred to the in-practice audiologist from the ENT I saw, and she is supposedly well versed with tinnitus management, so we shall see.
I'm certainly going to question her on the REM's issue. I can't tell by visiting their practice webpage if they do them or not. Anyway, thanks again for all the great information. I like the fact that you changed tactics and are now educating guys like me on REM's. It will certainly force practices to either up their game, or lose business.
What do you think of Lively brand?
Generation old tech, 3 tier tech level, dispensing model that can't follow all published Best Practices. Price is low though.
Hi. Any comments on Hi Health Innovations hearing aids? Thank you.
Hi Rick. I haven't personally worked with any Hi Health Innovations hearing aids, so I can't give that many specifics on their products. However, they appear to have some budget conscious devices. While they will not have the same features and capabilities of more expensive hearing aids and well known brands, they could provide some benefit. As always, it will largely depend on if the hearing care professional you see is using best practices when fitting the devices. This includes Real Ear Verification to ensure you are meeting your prescription, fitting a proper dome or ear mold to ensure that the sound doesn't just leak out, and using validation measures to ensure that you are perceiving benefit in your day to day environments. It also does not appear that they offer any assistive listening devices such as TV or Phone Streamers, or remote microphones.
Appreciate your reply. Their owned by United Health Care; inwhich I have my medicare health care plan with. I've uploaded a current hearing test and are ready for me to order. They'd be programmed for me.
This is the #1 problem with these types of companies. UHC attempts to cut costs by circumventing "Best Practices". I guarantee the hearing aids will not be programmed exactly to your prescription. The only way to ensure you are meeting your prescription of amplification is to have them programmed using Real Ear Verification. Will you get some benefit?...Maybe, but you won't get max benefit. I wish you the best of luck regardless.
My dad is a vet with severe hear loss. The VA he goes to tried to fit him for hearing aids but he complains of that high pitched ringing. I assume the aids are not fitting him well or they are generic. He lives in Palm Springs, can you recommend a specialist there?
The VA only fits the best hearing aids from the major manufacturers that they work with. If the high pitched ringing is tinnitus then he is likely part of the 40% of individuals who do not receive relief with hearing aids. If he was fit to his prescription with real ear measures, then he is unlikely to receive additional benefit from going to another provider. However, I will check within a professional forum to see if there are any good providers in that area.
I am a vet and used Audiologists in several different VA Centers over the years. If the professional you got was not a good fit ask for someone else. It's done all the time. We all have people we hit it off with better than others. My 60 some years experience with audiologists is one size doesn't always fit.
What are the name brands of hearing aids?
There are a bunch of name brands out there, but the 6 major manufacturers are Phonak, ReSound, Oticon, Widex, Signia, and Starkey.
My husband tried hearing aids but he complained that they did not make the sound clear they just amplified the sound. He is a musician should he have a specific hearing aid?
Hi Annalise, there are many factors when it comes to using hearing aids successfully. While he does need a good hearing aid capable of treating the type and severity of his loss, chances are, the hearing aids he tried were not fit or programmed properly for him. All hearing aids require very specific programming to an individuals hearing loss prescription, and must be verified using Real Ear Measurement. "Clarity" is often affected by High frequency amplification. "Volume" is affected by Low frequency amplification. If he was fit/programmed improperly, he would not perceive additional clarity from his devices.
So my mom has hearing aid and it was expensive, like several thousand about 6 years ago. She has never really liked it. She doesn’t think that it has ever been adjusted correct. She doesn’t like going to deal with it any more. I’m wanting to try something online to give her some hope...... is this a bad idea?
If your mother was a candidate for hearing aids, she would have received benefit if it was fit and programmed correctly by the professional she went to see. Based on your comment, it sounds like the devices were never adjusted appropriately. If ordering a hearing aid online is the only way she would consider attempting hearing aids again, I would say it is worth a shot. Just know, a properly adjusted hearing aid using Real Ear Verification will always outperform a hearing aid that is sent in the mail without a proper fitting. Any chance you could send me a copy of her most recent hearing test so I could see if she is still a hearing aid candidate? cliff@appliedhearingaz.com
I would strongly suggest you try other providers. Personality connection is very important. The Hearing specialist has no way of knowing what we are experiencing if we don't tell them. Trust and open communication with the hearing professional What may be a super one for me may not be for you. Connection is key.
Casey Cross am
Are hearing aids and hearing amplifiers the same?
Not even close. An amplifier increases volume of all sounds. Some of them emphasize the gain in the high frequencies, but their lack of customization and features provide limited benefit, if any benefit at all. One research study I've read even indicated that based on cost/benefit that some companies that manufacture hearing amplifiers should actually pay you money to wear them because they decrease hearing performance.
What you think new tech on beltone HearPlus
It is basically the older version of the ReSound Smart App for the LiNX version of their hearing aids. Beltone dispenses private labeled ReSound hearing aids that are locked.
I have one small hearing aid the best,I hear to many noises aroun me, and voices cracking,what to do
Hi Nena, it sounds like either the hearing aid is malfunctioning, or is programmed incorrectly. However, it is important to know that hearing aids amplify all sounds and some can be annoying until your brain acclimates to the change in volume. I highly recommend you consult with an audiologist to have them do testing on your device to determine the problem.
Need diagram and caption coz I'm deaf
few hundred to few thousand?
What about the ones from deal extreme for 5$? Now were talking price differences between x100 and x1000, for that money it should have siri, alexa and cortana installed and free flat rate internet...
You get the ones with rechargeable battery for 20$ while my mother-in-law has high quality name brand that cost almost 1000$, paying for expensive batteries and she still can't hear that much better...
I know that 5$ and 10$ ones are total crap, just like normal headphones that cost 2-5$ are total crap, however, I have 50$ headphones that are just amazing, it's "just" x10 cost. Why do "brand names" for this cost between x100 and x1000... it just don't make any sense, it's a money grab if you ask me.
The ones you are referencing are not hearing aids, they are personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs). They increase the sound of all frequencies, much like turning up the volume of a TV. For most people with hearing loss (High-Frequency Loss), this causes an upward spread of masking which just makes things louder but not clearer. This is just one aspect of how a cheap amplifier is no where even close to as good as an actual hearing aid that can be frequency shaped specifically to one's hearing loss.
Hearing aid batteries can cost a low as $2.50 for a month supply so I'm not sure I really understand your comment about "expensive batteries". Also, if you thing the $5 - $10 PSAP isn't just a money grab, you are mistaking. Hearing aid companies have two missions, turn a profit and help people hear better. Just like ANY company in the world, they have a responsibility to make money just like you do in your profession. If you feel they charge too much, so be it, but this has allowed them to produce products that blow away hearing aids from prior years thanks to the massive amount of money they put into research and development.
I understand your point, but it's absurd. I'm a hardware design engineer and I also get questions from customers like "why does your device cost as much as a smartphone?".
We make specialty devices sold in hundreds of pieces instead of millions like the ones made in China, so we gotta turn profit somehow, right?
Nevertheless, costing 1000 times more than "cheap crap version" is absolutely absurd.
Galaxy S8 Bill of Materials totals to $300 and you get the phone for $800. (not even a x3 profit!)
Total cost of all electronics and materials inside of the most expensive hearing aid is less than $100 guaranteed, and that's for the ones with wireless charging, bluetooth and everything your heart can imagine. Cost of material for "basic version" that would only have a rechargeable battery and a USB port for charging and EQ upload is probably less than $10.
For a normal "poor" person, they would pay $100-$200 for this and it should be an equivalent of BMW and the company making it would still have x10 - x20 profit.
I don't disagree about the hardware costs with you. Nor can I argue your perception of value about any product that exists on the market. But a professionally fit hearing aid isn't just about "cost of materials". Once you start playing the "cost of materials" game, everything is way overpriced. Better products aren't made by just calling China and telling them to make something better and smaller. If you really want to see what goes into making hearing aid technology, visit one of the major hearing aid manufacturers so you can see what really goes on when developing a hearing aids, custom products, and warranty service. Then go to a hearing aid clinic to see the how they diagnose, fit, program, and provide years of service for patients with hearing loss. Then let me know what your perception of this value is. Until you completely understand the full scope of treating hearing loss, this discussion is moot.
I think that in couple of years (maybe a couple of decades even, there are a lot of technically illiterate old people that just need the service), there will be a $100 product and young people will tune it themselves via smartphone or something similar.
I'm trying real hard to find something good for my mother in law and I found Oticon OPN... The cost is like two years of saving all the money we have left after paying the bills, food and mortgage, it's really ridiculous, maybe I live in the wrong country...
Finding any data and even the price is sometimes hard, I feel like It's like "if you ask the price you can't afford it"...
Not sure what country you are in, but there are programs like Starkey Hear Now for individuals who literally can't afford hearing aids. If you live in the US call 800-328-8602, or outside the US call 866-354-3254.
Hearing aid should never be bought online... best results come with consulting professionals
Ask to Anamika then people like me would do without, 1800 for entry level on SS is not possible, I have a pair for eBay Siemens pure BTE RIC that completely gave me the gift of hearing. They do need programmed but if I can’t afford that I don’t have to watch the news with the TV as high as 75 to barely hear it while the wife goes crazy. It would be nice if the government wouldn’t pass laws to keep the prices high so only the few could afford the works.
This whole industry seems to have been built to scam customers. Terrible.
This is out of date. Much has changed.
" Buy a name brand"
Horseshit to the nth' degree!