I have a friend who just got hearing aids with the help of an audiologist. $6500 and he will spend several sessions "training". He told me they are Oticon brand--not sure about the spelling. Is this the route you took? You can also buy very high quality hearing aids from places like Costco that are supposedly similar for about $1500, but then you are left on your own for learning how to use them with a phone app. And then there are the online offers for $100 "revolutionary" aids that claim they are just as good. I've lost some of my hearing and need to get tested. My main problem is understanding conversation when there is background noise. I wonder if it's worth it for me to spend thousands of bucks. Advice??
Well, my health insurance has a deal with a certain chain of hearing stores, HearUSA, so I got hearing aids worth 5-6K for $1800 out of pocket. I think you can get similar ones at Costco for about what I paid, and they have audiologists on staff who will help you. The two most important things, I find, are rechargeable (so you don't have to deal with tiny expensive batteries) and Bluetooth capability so that you can pair them with your phone, which increases functionality 2-3X. I believe good hearing aids are starting to have technology to help you find them if you lose them, which (for me anyway) would be huge!
Thanks! So yours are in ear, without the external part that fits behind your ear? I can imagine those would be easy to lose. My neighbor just told me that he wants to get the latest hearing aids that also translate languages for you! At some point, I imagine our phones will morph into tricorders!
I have a friend who just got hearing aids with the help of an audiologist. $6500 and he will spend several sessions "training". He told me they are Oticon brand--not sure about the spelling. Is this the route you took? You can also buy very high quality hearing aids from places like Costco that are supposedly similar for about $1500, but then you are left on your own for learning how to use them with a phone app. And then there are the online offers for $100 "revolutionary" aids that claim they are just as good. I've lost some of my hearing and need to get tested. My main problem is understanding conversation when there is background noise. I wonder if it's worth it for me to spend thousands of bucks. Advice??
Well, my health insurance has a deal with a certain chain of hearing stores, HearUSA, so I got hearing aids worth 5-6K for $1800 out of pocket. I think you can get similar ones at Costco for about what I paid, and they have audiologists on staff who will help you. The two most important things, I find, are rechargeable (so you don't have to deal with tiny expensive batteries) and Bluetooth capability so that you can pair them with your phone, which increases functionality 2-3X. I believe good hearing aids are starting to have technology to help you find them if you lose them, which (for me anyway) would be huge!
Thanks! So yours are in ear, without the external part that fits behind your ear? I can imagine those would be easy to lose. My neighbor just told me that he wants to get the latest hearing aids that also translate languages for you! At some point, I imagine our phones will morph into tricorders!
No, I have the part behind the ear, but sometimes lose them anyway. Mom said I would lose my head if it weren't screwed on...
Thanks for your honesty Dan. I'm also a hearing aid ambassador. It's hard to understand why people don't want to hear better.
I like "hearing aid ambassador". Hadn't thought of it like that, but apt.
Thanks Dan, I am an advocate for aiding one’s hearing…life is so much better now, and I can hear most bird singing.
Love your stories Dan and I’m also in the process of getting some hearing aides.