Hearing Aids?

[Amethyst]

This is rather exciting. I don't need the aids, since I am retired, but they might improve listening to music, etc.

Certainly would make life easier for those with Parkinson's or osteoarthritic fingers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFC1964 Yes! The hearing aid itself goes into the charger....no batteries involved.

[BuysToys]

I was just diagnosed as needing hearing aids. Even though I don't work and could really get along without them, I decided to go ahead and pull the plug. There have been studies that show a connection with unremediated loss of hearing and dementia. If I can put that off by getting hearing aids, that's an easy enough choice.

[H2ODude]

While on this topic, exactly who would you go to for an evaluation that doesn't sell hearing aids? At 70, my issue is the inability to discern conversations in restaurants or other "noisy" environments, and dialog on TV that has music or other background going. That, and I'm increasingly disturbed by loud noise/music, which seems counter intuitive. I'd gladly pay for a competent evaluation that is not tilted to selling me something of questionable need/value.

[calmloki]

Didn't find the Costco hearing evaluation to be a "sales opportunity" at all. Much better than my visit to a stand alone audiologist's office.

[Amethyst]

According to my pre-pandemic reading, restaurants really are noiser than they used to be - mainly because there is less soundproofing material (carpet, wall padding, padded chairs, tablecloths).

Much younger people than ourselves were finding the noise level uncomfortable, and couldn't converse easily with their partners.

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2ODude At 70, my issue is the inability to discern conversations in restaurants or other "noisy" environments,.

[Born2BRetd]

Another vote for Costco. We had a great experience there. No sales pressure at all. They give you a hearing test and then let you know what your options are but any follow up is up to you.

[Koolau]

I'm having a difficult time hearing TV conversations now. Talking heads are fine, but movies are the pits. It really irritates me that so many movies have music tracks playing underneath (over, I say) the dialog. What's up with that? My fear is that hearing aids would just make it all louder. I can do that now, just by turning up the sound.

5 or more years ago I "tried out" a hearing aid. I hated it. It DID make thing louder. I don't recall that I could "hear" better. I understand that there are aids that emphasize speech frequencies, but if they aren't "user" adjustable (for conditions) what good would they do for MY issues. I CAN hear. I can make TV louder. I can't reduce backgrounds - though, in theory, I guess the new technology claims to do that.

Oh well. I've got 2 or 3 health issues right now, so I'll wait a bit longer on the aids. But I KNOW I need to deal with them soon. YMMV

[REWahoo]

Koolau, see my post #2 above. No risk to try from Costco as you can return them within 180 days for a full refund if you don't like them. They are tuned to your specific hearing needs and are user adjustable to allow you to vary settings based on your conditions/preferences.

I have a similar problem with TV dialog and they definitely help.

[oscar1]

Half the cost of same aids offered by independent Audiologists, better trial period with full refund, better warranty (3 years), better replacement policy (2 years), less sales focus (Costco Hearing Center personnel already get living wage). Many repairs can be done for free with on-site parts. The list goes on.

[FFC1964]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koolau I'm having a difficult time hearing TV conversations now. Talking heads are fine, but movies are the pits. It really irritates me that so many movies have music tracks playing underneath (over, I say) the dialog. What's up with that? My fear is that hearing aids would just make it all louder. I can do that now, just by turning up the sound. 5 or more years ago I "tried out" a hearing aid. I hated it. It DID make thing louder. I don't recall that I could "hear" better. I understand that there are aids that emphasize speech frequencies, but if they aren't "user" adjustable (for conditions) what good would they do for MY issues. I CAN hear. I can make TV louder. I can't reduce backgrounds - though, in theory, I guess the new technology claims to do that. Oh well. I've got 2 or 3 health issues right now, so I'll wait a bit longer on the aids. But I KNOW I need to deal with them soon. YMMV

My Phonak hearing aids have a TV setting which can increase clarity. it helps A LOT!

Good Luck!

[FREE866]

following

[oscar1]

Most reputable major brands (Phonak, Resound, Starkey, Rexton) have TV streamer devices. Puck with HDMI cable plugs into your TV. The puck does Bluetooth to your hearing aids. Device is specific to the hearing aid manufacturer and runs about $250. I use my iPhone to toggle between TV streamer and normal listening mode. I mute nearly all commercials. And even mute the wife periodically! ��

[calmloki]

My set of hearing aids linked to a phone call in the house while I was in the garage building. Perfect clarity, but weird as could be - the other person's voice seemed to be coming from inside my head, rather than from some point outside my left or right ear.

[nwsteve]

Bumping this tread with another Costco "Attaboy". Facemasks finally got one oy HAids. Had no success using the "find my HA" feature as battery of the loss was apparently on its last legs. HA was 21 mon old so was expecting to pay out of pocket to replaced. Called Costco to order replacement and much to my surprise learned our purchase included 36 mon loss/damage with -0- deduct insurance.
Went into store signed some paperwork and was told 1-2 weeks for replacement to arrive--it actually came in 5 days and got an appointed to pu for next day.
Not sure how anyone could do better--new HA for my model are nearly a $1000 ea!

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmloki Didn't find the Costco hearing evaluation to be a "sales opportunity" at all. Much better than my visit to a stand alone audiologist's office.

Same here. When Costco evaluated my hearing loss, they said I need to see a specialist since they can't help me. They did not try to sell me anything.

[Katsmeow]

DH had a hearing evaluation with a private audiologist who wanted to sell him these extremely expensive hearing aids. We researched then and they are fine hearing aids.

But, he went to Costco and went through their process (very similar results) and they suggested a Jabra hearing aid which was several thousand dollars less. He tried the expensive brand in the office of the audiologist and walked around Costco with the one they suggested. He felt they were both fine, but liked the one at Costco slightly better not even considering price. He ordered them and gets them in a few weeks

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo Koolau, see my post #2 above. No risk to try from Costco as you can return them within 180 days for a full refund if you don't like them.

This is true, but you can allow do it one time if you plan to re-buy from Costco. DH specifically asked about this. He can return them within 180 days and get a full refund and then get something else from Costco. However -- if you return the 2nd pair -- he was told he could not thereafter buy hearing aids from Costco.

This bothers me a bit. That is, let's say he just doesn't like the pair he is getting next month and he returns them and gets something else. Let's say there is something seriously wrong with the new pair (not a warranty issue -- they are just bad). If he returns them (which he would want to do) then he is done with ever getting hearing aids from Costco. That is a really pretty heavy penalty. I understand them putting some limit on it but this seems pretty harsh since there can be many totally legit reasons for needing to repair a pair of hearing aids.

[Sunset]

I understand Costco's limit of 2 returns and you are done buying hearing aids from them. After all, it cost's Costco money to accept returned ones. They can't sell them to the next person.
With a 6 month try and return time frame, there are quite a few folks who would return their hearing aids after 5.5 months so they could buy the new version that just came out.
Some folks would return them just because you can get new ones.

People visiting Hawaii, will go to Costco, buy mask and flippers, swim for a week and then return them for a refund. People will abuse a return policy unless limits are put in place.

[Amethyst]

You have brought up a memory from my early years at work. A middle-aged secretary in one office where I worked, was a clothes horse. Everything matched, and she never wore the same outfit twice. She wasn't married. Naturally, the rest of us wondered how she afforded all these new clothes.

I forget who spilled the beans. The woman routinely bought outfits and returned them, easy to do back then. When stores in the area started tightening their return policies, we joked that she was personally responsible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunset People visiting Hawaii, will go to Costco, buy mask and flippers, swim for a week and then return them for a refund. People will abuse a return policy unless limits are put in place.

[Koolau]

I keep reading that putting off hearing aids is a bad idea. Apparently, waiting too long blunts the potential good outcomes. I have on my "to do" list a Costco evaluation first of the year. Then, probably a BTD for both ears. I hate the idea of hearing aids, but if they work, I'll deal with it. YMMV

[ncbill]

So what are the newly approved much cheaper alternatives called again?