I started down the hearing aid road last year and started off by reading every thread I can find here. I purchased the Kindle version of the book a member here recommended to understand hearing aids, I searched consumer reports and other online resources.

I found a local audiologist to get my hearing checked. I get that almost every year from my employer, but I chose this place for a specific reason. First, the person who ran it/performed testing is a doctor and second it was a small, local, Christian business. I was glad I chose her, I explained my hearing issues and she tailored my test to that. Her sound booth was new and much better than anything I have ever been tested in. Part of the test actually checked hearing with background noise. It would have someone talking and then gradually add in background noise until you could not hear the person talking. Just like in a crowded place like a restaurant. She was able to see the point where I could no longer hear the person talking to me.

Once I had my results I went back and forth between Costco and Audicus. I wanted the completely in the ear aids (this would help with my day job where I need to have hearing protection). I tried Audicus first due to cost (they were about half of what online prices showed). I ended up with the Mini 1. Their whole process was good if you are sure what you need. I was not since these were my first set. The in the ear one I picked showed up and were programmed by my hearing test. The app they offered gave a little customization but was limited. I had an online video consult where they adjusted them remotely. They still did not help where I needed it the most (in loud areas like restaurants). They do offer video consults where they see how they are doing and adjust them remotely. It got to the point where I needed to sen them in for them to make adjustments they could not remotely. I decided that I needed face to face help so I sent those back and got a full refund. I would use them again now that I know what I want.

I decided to go to Costco so I went to them and tried setting up an appointment while handing them a copy of my hearing test. They refused to use my hearing test and wanted to do their own. That removed them from the picture. I got my hearing tested by a doctor and did not want a lesser trained person ignoring the test that was done. I am certain that the hearing test I had already done was better than what they had in the store.

So I did what I should have at first, bought them from the place that did my hearing test. Fortunately I started a new job and they cover hearing aids once every three years. I still paid about 3k for them (since my deductible was not met). The doctor let me try their totally in the ear canal version which looked identical to the ones from Audicus (except they were much more).

After a few weeks and multiple adjustments they were not working like I wanted. I need better hearing in crowded place as and where multiple people are talking. When I went in for my second follow up the doctor gave me an over the ear set to demo along with the totally in the ear versions. The over the ear were great and ended up being what I went with. So I ended up with Resound Vivia 7. The app gives a lot of customization for different areas (outside versus in, windy, targeting speech clarity or noise reduction). They are rechargeable and so far, wearing them all day I have not been able to run the batteries down. They offer Bluetooth hearing connected to IPhone or IPad so you can use them to watch videos or listen to music from the IPhone/Ipad.

So I finally have a set that are working and thought I would share since I looked here first when I dove into the hearing aid abyss.

I think there were some new things I experienced that hopefully will help others looking or who are reluctant.

It took a year and a half to get Hearing aids from the VA once I decided that was the route I wanted to go. My wife nagged me enough the I caved (She was right). It has been life changing. They aren’t perfect but they are probably an 80% answer. They have definitely helped with my tinnitus.

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:
It took a year and a half to get Hearing aids from the VA once I decided that was the route I wanted to go. My wife nagged me enough the I caved (She was right). It has been life changing. They aren’t perfect but they are probably an 80% answer. They have definitely helped with my tinnitus.

I could get them from the VA but I could not even get registered with them. I tried online and it said they could not find me in the system. I will wait until I have no option but to use them before I do. If I recall, Resound is the brand (or one of) used by the VA. For now I will use my employers insurance. I will retire in about 4 years so I will get one more set before I retire. I use my health savings account to pay for them and my employer gives me $1500 a year for that so in reality I paid about $1500. A small price to pay to not have to deal with the VA (I have friends.co-workers that use them and I even know a VA doctor so I get first hand accounts).

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:

I could get them from the VA but I could not even get registered with them. I tried online and it said they could not find me in the system. I will wait until I have no option but to use them before I do. If I recall, Resound is the brand (or one of) used by the VA. For now I will use my employers insurance. I will retire in about 4 years so I will get one more set before I retire. I use my health savings account to pay for them and my employer gives me $1500 a year for that so in reality I paid about $1500. A small price to pay to not have to deal with the VA (I have friends.co-workers that use them and I even know a VA doctor so I get first hand accounts).

1. I contacted a VSO (Veteran's Service Officer) and he guided me through the process to get in the system. Took a while, but painless.

2. The CBOC in Bangor is amazing. Zero problems with Primary Care, Eye Care or Audiology. Perhaps they're the exception but I have absolutely zero complaints about the care and communication recieved.

3. The only issue I have is that hearing aid repair requires them to be sent to Denver and I can be without them for a week or 10 days. I've had to send them in twice in 3 years due to battery failure. They do provide postage-paid boxes to ship them.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

I contacted a VSO (Veteran's Service Officer) and he guided me through the process to get in the system. Took a while, but painless.

I have not used any VA services yet, partly inertia, partly I have no idea where to start.

How did you find the VSO? Is there a website? Or ???

In Central Florida, you can contact a VSO through the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs by calling (727) 319-7440, and they will return your call within 24 hours.

The VA issued me a wonderful set of Oticon hearing aids. The audiologist was a great guy, very patient and accommodating.He spent quite a bit of time adjusting them for me. When I returned to my car, I heard a bunch of birds in a ruckus and wondered what they were chirping about, then I realized it had been a very long time since I could hear that frequency. I have almost always received excellent care from VA hospitals across several states. The one local to me now is staffed not only by VA MDs but also MDs from the nearby big name university teaching hospital/med school. Ditto PHPaul, every state has an office that is run by the state, but advises veterans about federal VA benefits.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:


So I did what I should have at first, bought them from the place that did my hearing test.

That was my first thought when I started to read you went to Costco and another place.

I really recommend using the County Veterans Service Office. Many counties across the country have them; Google "CVSO". When I finally called and went in, the officer took copies of whatever document I had and had me sign two forms (he said he'd fill them out for me). Less that a week later I had an audiology appointment and a few weeks later went back to get fitted with hearing aids. That was several years ago and I have another appointment next month to get retested and some new ones.

I had Siemens in-the-ear in 1982 and they were easily dislodged and sometimes lost.

Now I use behind-the-ear Whisper available at Walmart.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
So I ended up with Resound Vivia 7. The app gives a lot of customization for different areas (outside versus in, windy, targeting speech clarity or noise reduction). They are rechargeable and so far, wearing them all day I have not been able to run the batteries down.

I have had a pair of Phonak Audeos for coming on five years now. The people that I got them through were not convenient nor knowledgeable enough to keep me happy. My right side HA recently stopped working so I took the opportunity to switch to a local hearing center that participates in the Best Practices as outlined by Dr. Cliff Olson of YouTube fame. Both gals are PhDs in Audiology. I had a whole new test done and they were able to get my currently disabled HA working again. She talked to me about how the technology has advanced since I got mine and how I could benefit from a newer pair. I need to save a bit more money but I'm going to take the plunge.

Here is where I'll ask about your experience with the ReSound Vivia. I told her that my Phonaks have helped me a great deal but the sound I perceive is more artificial; it doesn't sound like using your own ears. She looked at me and said, "Tinny?". I told her yes. She said that is how Phonaks are and that i would be much better off switching to either Oticon Intent or ReSound Vivia. She's leaning toward the ReSound as she feels that they have a more natural sound. What is your perception of the sound through the Vivias? If they are more natural, I will probably go with those. I am certainly liking your description of the app customization. My phonaks really don't allow you to change much of anything.

I also went the best practices route. Had to drive to Colorado Springs to do it. Yes, its expensive, but how else are you going to know. Really know what the aids are providing without probe tube measurements.

I've now gotten three sets of hearing aids from the VA since, IIRC, 2012.

All took just under a week from the time I walked into the Audiology section at Bay Pines VA (they don't have appointments, AFAIK, just walk in).

Of the three sets, I liked the first and the current set-the second set was ReSound and the others were Phonak. The second set was just not as comfortable, IMO. Though the VA gave me batteries by the box, a rechargeable set would be more convenient.

My current set of Phonak are wonderful, not a problem at all, rechargeable and discreet. My doc gave me a Pocket Talker 2.0 that I can stick in my vehicle and will have if I don't wear my hearing aids (often I leave them at tthe house if I am going to the grocery store or somewhere I don't want to listen to a lot of noise.

The Pocket Talker works great, but it is too obvious for me to use in public, earphones, a cord from them down to the body that has the mic.

But sitting at home and watching TV it works great and so far fine on phone calls, too.

The current hearing aids are better, though.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by Mboroman:

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
So I ended up with Resound Vivia 7. The app gives a lot of customization for different areas (outside versus in, windy, targeting speech clarity or noise reduction). They are rechargeable and so far, wearing them all day I have not been able to run the batteries down.

I have had a pair of Phonak Audeos for coming on five years now. The people that I got them through were not convenient nor knowledgeable enough to keep me happy. My right side HA recently stopped working so I took the opportunity to switch to a local hearing center that participates in the Best Practices as outlined by Dr. Cliff Olson of YouTube fame. Both gals are PhDs in Audiology. I had a whole new test done and they were able to get my currently disabled HA working again. She talked to me about how the technology has advanced since I got mine and how I could benefit from a newer pair. I need to save a bit more money but I'm going to take the plunge.

Here is where I'll ask about your experience with the ReSound Vivia. I told her that my Phonaks have helped me a great deal but the sound I perceive is more artificial; it doesn't sound like using your own ears. She looked at me and said, "Tinny?". I told her yes. She said that is how Phonaks are and that i would be much better off switching to either Oticon Intent or ReSound Vivia. She's leaning toward the ReSound as she feels that they have a more natural sound. What is your perception of the sound through the Vivias? If they are more natural, I will probably go with those. I am certainly liking your description of the app customization. My phonaks really don't allow you to change much of anything.

Yep, my in the ear were like that, the sound was not natural. The sound of these is much better, before it was annoying just hearing my own voice while I spoke since it sounded weird. I had not even thought about that with these since it stopped happening. See if they will let you do a trial, I think you will like them.

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:
Yep, my in the ear were like that, the sound was not natural. The sound of these is much better, before it was annoying just hearing my own voice while I spoke since it sounded weird. I had not even thought about that with these since it stopped happening. See if they will let you do a trial, I think you will like them.

I'm so glad to hear you verify this. It's not that I don't trust the doctor (she has listened to the various brands to know how they sound) but she doesn't need hearing aids and hears the sounds differently than those of us that need them. It's nice to hear a report from someone actually using the product. Also, they do have a nice trial period. With my Phonaks, I had a 30-day, money-back, trial period. At this place, she said they have a 75-day trial!

My current set of phonaks are at end of life, I can't hear as well as I used to with them and they don't hold a charge for a full day. When I got them the audiologist said they were one of the best available. I have an appt for a new hearing test and will consider phonaks and others depending on what I learn going forward.

But when I first got them and my brain relearned how to hear, good lord I thought I went to hearing heaven, it was stark.

I'm still confused about the avail technology for listening to TV, it's a little confusing still. Or going to the movies, or listening to announcements at the airport etc. something about coil technology, but I still don't know how to make all that work automagically, more or less, with hearing aids.

I went back to disposable batteries when my rechargeables wouldn't hold a charge.
The rechargeable batteries only lasted me about a year; they were exactly the same size as disposable batteries.

It's really not a problem changing the cheap batteries once a week.

Great information in this thread. Thank you all. Seems like a good audiologist is the best way to start the journey.

I have my second pair by Starkey. The technology in these is far better than even 10-12 years ago in the first set. I get them from and am monitored by Doctors of audiology. My hearing loss is from measles when I was very young. I never knew what good hearing was until I got Starkeys. My hearing made me 4F in 1970. I had signed for the AF after getting my greetings letter. My shooting coach and mentor was a retired LTC who had been there and advised me to sign on at AF.. I flunked the physical at the hearing booth. They sent me home on the spot

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

In Central Florida, you can contact a VSO through the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs by calling (727) 319-7440, and they will return your call within 24 hours.

That's a problem. Phone calls don't work worth a poop for me, because hearing impaired.

I can make an outgoing "phone call" using Florida's relay service; a relay operator gets in the middle. Operator speaks to and listens to the party that I "call" and operator types back and forth with me. Works OK if I make an outging "call" but there's no way to receive an incoming call.

For stuff like this, I need to communicate in writing. Email, or a website that has a "chat" function.