Been wearing BTE aids for 10-12 years now, started with Siemens (Signa now) for two sets then opted to try out the Oticon More One aids, mostly because they have 96 channels for sound tuning as opposed to 48 with my last set from Signa. They were $7K when I got them 2 years ago.

I like the Oticons best becuase of the tuning ability, and this lends itself to better natural hearing (at least as far as I am concerned). Dealers want you to download and use the app to control them, but the apps are neither designed, nor work well, so I use the "accessibility/hearing aids" feature on my iPhone.

As far as itching I have had that occur a few times but not much anymore. I think the inner ear wall has to get use to having the domes in there.

Next time I go looking for aids, they will have to prove to me that I can get more natural sound than I have today; even with these high-dollar outfits, I still cannot hear some sounds (just ask my wife).

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
I've talked to several who have them. One constant in their experiences to all was some form of disappointment and not being completely satisfied. Mostly they aren't the magic bullet for noisy environments.

Just about everybody we know/knew that got them reported the same experiences. That was one reason I waited so long to get hearing aids.

Then I read The Little Book of Hearing Aids. (Near as I can tell: It was first recommended here by member Joel9507, in 2019.) Anybody considering hearing aids should first read that book, IMO.

It was in that book I found out about Oticon's new (at the time) firmware that addressed the single biggest complaint about hearing aids: The so-called "wall of sound." Oticon addressed it, and addressed it effectively. The author was skeptical. He tried a pair and was nothing short of amazed at how well they worked.

I may have "paid too much" in the judgement of many, but, I don't experience the "wall of sound" effect. I can clearly distinguish conversations in the noisiest of environments. One of the other big complaints about hearing aids is lack of off-axis directional discrimination. With mine I can hear conversations going on around me and point to where they are without looking--even behind me.

One of the tests I did, not long after getting my hearing aids, was went for dinner at the noisiest bar/restaurant I knew: A beer pub, nearby, that has hard flooring, an exposed metal roof/ceiling, exposed metal duct work--you know the kind of decor. Went on a busy night. That place is so noisy that, pre-hearing aids, my participating in a conversation there was mostly hopeless. With the new hearing aids I had no more problem than anybody else.

I consider the "too much" I paid to have been money well-spent.

I have Rextons and have similar experience as ensigmatic. I took my daughter out to lunch last week and we went to a crowded noisy bar (best pizza in MT). No problem with the noise, perfect directionality. I'm really happy with the sound quality.

Goose5: I'm not sure how all vendors work, but Costco has a no questions asked return policy of (I think) 180 days. Try them out. If you don't like them, take them back.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by charlie12:
Domes won't work for me. I had to get custom molds.

Is that because of the itching issue, or some other reason?

I've read that custom molded ones are one solution to my problem.

No it was because they couldn't turn them up enough with domes. The molds work good for my no problems

Some aids have a program feature that allows the wearer to narrow the focus direction, meaning narrowing the directionality to a small area directly ahead. It dampens the sound from behind and the sides allowing you to hear the person directly across the table from you (12:00) while suppressing the sound from behind and the sides.

As to the itching, I sometimes lightly coat a cue tip with steroid anti itch cream and lightly coat the walls of the ear canal, being careful not to touch the eardrum.

quote:

Originally posted by maxdog:
As to the itching, I sometimes lightly coat a cue tip with steroid anti itch cream and lightly coat the walls of the ear canal, being careful not to touch the eardrum.

Yeah, I think I'll try a little cortisone cream in there. It's not intolerable, just irritating. We'll see how it works.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

Then I read The Little Book of Hearing Aids. (Near as I can tell: It was first recommended here by member Joel9507, in 2019.) Anybody considering hearing aids should first read that book, IMO.

That book just arrived today. Let the edification begin.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

I read The Little Book of Hearing Aids.

If you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription you can borrow this book at no charge.

This is not a long read. It can be done easily in one sitting. Learned some things. Two very good links too, but I've learned the prices I've been seeing are for one aid. So, I've shelved this endeavor for the future consideration.

I periodically “boil out” my ears with hydrogen peroxide” from the grocery or drug store. Let air dry before inserting aids. I may also put some OTC hydrocortisone cream or anti itch cream on a Q-tip and coat the inside of the ear canal. Don’t touch the eardrum!

If that doesn’t work, see your ENT Doc or maybe a dermatologist. They may prescribe a stronger cream or have some other solution.

^^^^^^^^^^
An ENT told me not to use Hydrogen Peroxide as it has a tendency to soften the tissues and cause a possible infection. Good suggestion about asking your dermatologist.

quote:

Originally posted by maxdog:
I periodically “boil out” my ears with hydrogen peroxide” from the grocery or drug store. Let air dry before inserting aids. I may also put some OTC hydrocortisone cream or anti itch cream on a Q-tip and coat the inside of the ear canal. Don’t touch the eardrum!

If that doesn’t work, see your ENT Doc or maybe a dermatologist. They may prescribe a stronger cream or have some other solution.

Hydrocortisone is working like a charm. Smear a little on a Q-Tip, swirl it around and I'm good to go.

The body is a funny thing and how it reacts to certain insults. With any luck at all, this won't be a long term thing.

Same problem here with itching. I told my ENT doc about it and told him what I was currently doing but it wasn't working. He asked me if I had psoriasis, I said yes, but it was very mild and mostly not any real problem. He said hearing aid wearers' ears itch because they have psoriasis, not because they're doing anything wrong with their self care and hearing aids. So he gave me a prescription ear drops, made of peanut oil and some kind of steroid. He said only use it when you need it, not regularly, since there is apparently some kind of long term risk of overuse. Well it works. I had stopped wearing them for a while even though I needed them, but with these drops I'm gtg. But I can only use them in bed while laying on my side. I only use it when my ear(s) start itching again with the hearing aids.

After reading The Little Book Of Hearing Aids I have a bit of a dilemma. The author writes insist on Real Ear Measurements or go somewhere else. I've been to three different places here in Pueblo and all of them explained they have abandoned Real Ear Measurements in favor of something one described as Manufacturer Targets. They claim to have had better results with this method.

Anyone here use the Signia Silk 3/5/7 hearing aids? Just had my hearing tested and I am trying to figure out which ones to get.

Phonak Audeo I70 is a second choice but I want in ear.

Check with the VA they are doing Oticon Intents.

If you're not a Vet, shame on you.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by rbert0005:
Check with the VA they are doing Oticon Intents.

If you're not a Vet, shame on you.

Bob

I'd prefer to pay out of pocket than deal with the VA. Also, I don't fault anyone for choosing not to serve in our military. Its a volunteer force for a good reason.

I use the Eargo 7 and got used to the discomfort after a while, these have worked very well for me and are worth the $2500 I spent. Phone app is pretty nice, being able to change programs, raise volume with the phone is handy.

Have you considered maybe you have ear hair that gets tickled?