Just got hearing aids fitted for bilateral hearing loss. I've not been hearing well for so long I'd forgotten how much noise there really is out there.

I gotta remember to keep reminding myself that this is a good thing. It is nice to hear birds again.

It IS a good thing! I just got hearing aids about six weeks ago, and I'm taking to them like the Bionic Man! They have Bluetooth connectivity to my phone, and not only can I adjust the levels, but I can stream phone calls and audio directly.

I can sit and eat lunch listening to the radio without disturbing anyone. They're great!

If you don't mind my asking, what kind and roughly how much?

I need them, but can't bring myself to spend $7k for a set.

I believe last year Congress passed legislation permitting OTC sales of hearing aids to bring down the rip off prices but so far, I have not seen much effect.

quote:

Originally posted by fpuhan:
It IS a good thing! I just got hearing aids about six weeks ago, and I'm taking to them like the Bionic Man! They have Bluetooth connectivity to my phone, and not only can I adjust the levels, but I can stream phone calls and audio directly.

I can sit and eat lunch listening to the radio without disturbing anyone. They're great!

Picked up Mine on Dec. 29th, and have the same features. Took a few days to get used to but love them now.

PHPaul, I got mine at Costco for less than half of that.

Sadly, no Costco in Maine.

Had a neighbor in Pennsylvania who bought a very expensive Hearing Aid. Claimed sounds were so clear he could hear a mouse wearing sneakers running across the parking lot.

I asked him what kind is it.

He looked at his watch and said: "It's a quarter to three".

(thought this was a thread about the dangers of phone sex)

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
If you don't mind my asking, what kind and roughly how much?

I need them, but can't bring myself to spend $7k for a set.

Go to Costco! I used to wear Miracle Ear aids. But when the seller wanted nearly $8K for a new set I decided I could live with the old ones.

One the way home we decided to stop at Costco and see what they had. Best set of Phonak aids was less than the cost of ONE of the Miracle Ear aids.

I hate having to wear them, but at least I can hear, even if I sometimes turn them off.

11 years in the 3AD with all the tank gunnery, artillery fire, 10s of 1000s of small arms fire, grenades, etc etc etc and no ear protection.

Mine have a remote as well as the adjustment on the aids themselves.

I think I said I hate them, but hate not being able to hear more.

quote:

Originally posted by NK402:
I believe last year Congress passed legislation permitting OTC sales of hearing aids to bring down the rip off prices but so far, I have not seen much effect.

Not sure what OTC for hearing aids means but Costco has been selling them to the public for years. And they have a new "house brand" that their technician tells me is pretty damned good, too.

AIR cost about $1600 for the set.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
If you don't mind my asking, what kind and roughly how much?

I need them, but can't bring myself to spend $7k for a set.

These are Starkey Qi i2400 Micro RIC, cost was just under $2600 per ear.

I believe there are only three manufacturers of hearing aids, regardless of the marketing name. I have molded, in the ear aids by a company called Audibel. I think the parent company is Starkey. Mine have Bluetooth for the phone and even streaming for the TV. I had Blue Cross Blue Shield for health insurance. They paid a large portion of the cost.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Sadly, no Costco in Maine.

Might be worth a drive! Email/call the one nearest you and see what they have to offer!

Helluva lot cheaper than miracle ear stuff.

Not to mention that service on aids is free at Costco, too.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Sadly, no Costco in Maine.

Ride that motorsickle to Vermont or New Brunswick or one of them places.

Be sure to schedule them on your homeowners policy in case of loss. Can save you lots of $$.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
If you don't mind my asking, what kind and roughly how much?

I need them, but can't bring myself to spend $7k for a set.

Get the test and see how much the locals will charge you. Decide if a road trip to Costco makes sense. The audiologist wanted $7k. Costco gave me close to the same setup for $1800.

Does Costco give hearing tests to see if you could use an aid?

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Does Costco give hearing tests to see if you could use an aid?

Yes they do. I had my hearing tested by an audiologist at DR. office. Costco tested me again in house (free of charge) and got the same results on the test. The hearing aids were less than half the price the other place wanted.

The hearing aids have, I think a 3 year warranty and a two year you lose or damage them they replace them at no charge as well. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Does Costco give hearing tests to see if you could use an aid?

Yes. They do a complete test, no charge.

The audiologist then fit (fitted? What's the past tense?) me with a test pair of hearing aids and told me to wander around the store, do my shopping, etc., and report back to him.

No charge for any of the audiologist services.

No charge for normal maintenance of the hearing aids, putting in new domes, etc., for as long as you own them.

The only cost is the hearing aids that you buy, and batteries. Speaking of batteries, even if you don't buy your hearing aids at Costco (you'd be a fool not to, if you have the opportunity), you can buy your batteries there. $8.49 for a card of four dozen batteries. You can't beat that!

I have some Resound Linx2 that I got from the VA in Aug. I can adjust them with my iphone. They gave me the phone clip for phone calls and the TV streamer to hook up to my TV.
I hate them when I'm talking to someone, sounds like I have ear plugs in ears can't really tell how loud I'm talking. I don't wear them too much but I make sure I have them when we go to the movie