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| Hearing Aids | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 14 2014, 11:09 PM (389 Views) | |
| haili | Apr 14 2014, 11:09 PM Post #1 |
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Gold Star Member
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I am getting hard of hearing and my daughter thinks I should get a hearing aid. I had my hearing tested about 5 years ago and probably should have got them then, but didn't because of the cost. It seems like anything any good would cost a couple of thousand dollars. Also, people I know that have them still seem to have hearing problems, especially in restaurants and crowds. I know I have to give in and get them eventually but about how much do they cost these days in Ontario and do people like them? Some don't wear them much of the time. |
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| Trotsky | Apr 14 2014, 11:30 PM Post #2 |
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Big City Boy
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Bob has worn them for the last decade and has 2 pairs. They are a LOT better than they used to be. He takes them out only for sleeping, bathing, and swimming. He has a weaker ITE (in-the-ear) and a stronger OTE (over-the-ear.) They do a good job. These things are SO overpriced that practitioners should be jailed instead of "licensed." In addition to first cost, they require considerable upkeep and a steady stream of overpriced batteries as well. They are also a lot more fragile than one might expect. His last pair would have cost about $6,000-$7,000 and the older pair about $4,000 but the VA gives them to Veterans gratis, including the lifetime stream of batteries. haili, Does Ontario kick in with the cost? If not I have one recommendation: wait as long as possible. Edited by Trotsky, Apr 14 2014, 11:31 PM.
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| Durgan | Apr 15 2014, 12:18 AM Post #3 |
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Veteran Member
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Think twice or more about getting a hearing aid. There is no reason for the high cost of hearing devices. Try a simple one first- meaning buy one off the shelf. Most of the medical hearing industry is a scam. Of course if you have the shekels- buy one. It is guaranteed to not be used. For years I was hard of hearing. About 15 years ago the doctor flushed out my ears and, since then I have no issues with hearing. I use to have issues with hearing particularly individual conversations around a table, now no problem at all. Also now I seldom attend such social gatherings. Also as you get older hearing at a functioning level is not really an issue except maybe an annoyance. Durgan, the Doctor has spoken. |
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| Trotsky | Apr 15 2014, 01:07 AM Post #4 |
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Big City Boy
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haili, Not a recommendation but you MIGHT want to consider something like this: https://www.mdhearingaid.com/shop/hearing-aid-comparisons/#.U0vO-6NOX8E |
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| Darcie | Apr 15 2014, 01:40 AM Post #5 |
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Skeptic
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I have had two hearing aids since 1988 when I damaged my hearing by taking Ibuprofen. How true about improvements, when you don't hear properly you sort of recede into yourself and don't take part in a lot because you can't hear. Another problem of uncorrected hearing loss is your balance. I find that my balance is improved a lot when I wear my hearing aids. I live alone and don't wear them if I am not with others, but I have to say that I am grateful they are available to us. It is worth every penny, in Quebec Health Care pays for one aid and the other you have to cover yourself. In Ontario I do know that if you are of lower income the Trillium Fund does help with hearing aids up to a certain amount and with glasses as well. It is worth asking. I agree about the cost Trotsky, it is prohibitive. |
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| Trotsky | Apr 15 2014, 02:32 AM Post #6 |
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Big City Boy
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:MapleLeaf: Does QHC give out all RIGHTS, all LEFTS or is it random? ROFL. I existed on one ear (surgical fix) for 25 years pretty fine before I decided to do the other. Might have been a mistake because I cannot hide from snoring. |
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| Darcie | Apr 15 2014, 03:15 AM Post #7 |
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Skeptic
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You get to pick which one, if your partner sits on the left you can get to pick the right and say you didn't hear what they said. laugh123 |
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| Trotsky | Apr 15 2014, 04:02 AM Post #8 |
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Big City Boy
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That's why I so valued hearing in ONE ear. I was able to put the good ear into the pillow and sleep like a baby. |
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| imjene | Apr 15 2014, 04:06 AM Post #9 |
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Gold Star Member
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I also wear hearing aids in both ears. I got them from Costco and have had very good service. They cost about $2100 four years ago or so. If you are a member there, you can go back for free evaluations. I am due for one soon as I feel they may need to be adjusted for hearing again. They help a great lot, but are not perfect. There is a small adjustment for hearing better in crowds or from background noise. Of course, those with quiet voices are still a bit of a problem and if someone whispers to me, forget it. I just cannot make out what they are saying. I am not sure that they are able to adjust the hearing aids to hear whispers. It is amazing to me that such a small instrument can be so fine tuned. I am not sure the technology reflects all of the cost, but I would say that if you can afford it, get the best that you can. Some people have more trouble adjusting to them, but it was very easy for me. Good luck! |
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| Darcie | Apr 15 2014, 04:12 AM Post #10 |
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Skeptic
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I got mine from Trillium, and I get free adjustments and check-ups every six months, or if something is not working I just go in and they fix it. I also get a hearing test every year and they even clean out the wax I seem to get in my left ear. I have nothing to complain about when it comes to service. I do have difficulty with sound differentiation, but that is because of the neurological damage I had, not because of the hearing aids. I also have adjustable hearing which works quite well. The cost of mine were $2,800 approximately 2 years ago. |
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| erka | Apr 15 2014, 05:09 AM Post #11 |
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Gold Star Member
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A hearing aid is in my future. Two years ago, Costco did a hearing test and the results was my hearing was good generally but much better in lower tones (no sopranos for me). The price at Costco was lower than expected ($2,000 range) and it used batteries as well as being chargeable, with a handheld control (my Dad was always fumbling with the miniscule controls in his aid) |
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| haili | Apr 15 2014, 05:23 AM Post #12 |
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Gold Star Member
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Thanks for your input everyone! The cost is scaring me off but eventually I'll have to give in. They did a show about rip offs at CBC and those things cost less than $1 to make. It seems like they are gouging people and $2,000 is a lot of money for me with my income. No wonder Canadians are in debt! |
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| Delphi51 | Apr 15 2014, 05:37 AM Post #13 |
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Member title
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Modern hearing aids are quite complex; probably similar in complexity to a smartphone, but not mass produced in the same volume so the the Costco price is probably reasonable. I bought a pair of $69 cheapos for MIL several years ago and she didn't use them. I tried them myself and they were not good. Now MiL has a good pair from Costco and she never uses them, either. The only guy I know who is very happy with his told me that it is very important to get them early; when you get older and used to not hearing well, it is very hard to adapt to the hearing aide. |
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| Darcie | Apr 15 2014, 07:05 AM Post #14 |
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Skeptic
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I defy any old person not to wear their hearing aids and suddenly hear all the birds singing. Amazing after not hearing them for years and forgetting about how beautiful they sound. |
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| haili | Apr 15 2014, 12:03 PM Post #15 |
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Gold Star Member
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I can hear the birds singing but have trouble with people who talk fast. I think I must lip read a lot too since it's hard to hear anyone I'm not looking at. Sometimes I hear the wrong word and it doesn't make sense; then I answer with a comment that doesn't make sense! Yes, the person who tested my hearing a few years back said it's better to get them early while it's easier to adapt. We don't have a Costco in town but have a couple of hearing clinics. One of these days I'll break down and go again. |
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