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Home > Archive > Hearing loss support > June 2006 > New to the Group - New to Hearing Loss
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New to the Group - New to Hearing Loss
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| Mom of 2 2006-05-09, 11:22 am |
| Hello All
I was diagnosed with Mild/Moderate hearing loss almost a year ago and
have been trying to fake it without hearing aids for a while now. I am
sure you guys all know the excuses but I am starting to feel worse
about not hearing than worrying about being vain. I am 38 I have two
little boys and my 6 year old told me he would hear for me the other
day. That was really bad.
So, all of which to say, I need to figure out which type of hearing aid
to buy. The audiologist suggested the Widex Senso Diva. Clearly, I
have no one in my life who has every been involved with this before. I
am the first one in my family with hearing loss. Any thoughts? I was
reading some other postings and I hadn't even thought about
batteries...they only last 3 or 4 days! Wow, this is all Greek to me
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| Mom of 2 wrote:
> So, all of which to say, I need to figure out which type of hearing aid
> to buy. The audiologist suggested the Widex Senso Diva.
Hi - and welcome to the group that no one wants to join!
I suggest you visit an "audiologist" and not a "dispenser". There are
good and bad practitioners in both categories, but "audiologists" have a
masters degree or better in the field, and by definition have a better
education in audiology - reducing your risk. Don't hesitate to shop
around for someone with whom you can work (not for price, but for
attitude, years of experience, equipment, physician relationship).
You'll be evaluated, and if the audiologist is at the highest level of
professionalism an otologist (MD) referral will determine whether
there's a medically-correctable problem. I'll catch static for this, but
believe there is a statistical incidence of such conditions that justify
my saying it.
Assuming the problem is properly addressed by one or two hearing aid(s),
you'll get a broad spectrum of services from the audiologist. The
specific aid that is recommended will have more to do with the
audiologist's comfort with the fitting software than with your hearing
problem, as quality aids are generally alike. No professional wants to
fumble around, so they tend to focus on just a few brands.
You may not like the looks of them, but consider the behind-the-ear
(BTE) design, for a variety of reasons. Actually, they're quite small
and hidden these days. They have longer-lasting batteries, are more
easily fixed, a loaner can be provided when one breaks, and they have
resale value.
All major brand hearing aids are about the same and use about the same
technology. All digital hearing aids cost less than $100 to manufacture;
the audiologist pays about $1,100 and charges you $2-3,000. That's not
important. What you're buying when you visit an audiologist is
professional services - the hardware is incidental and only a small part
of the total fee. Cost is amortized over years, too.
You can negotiate, but remember that the price we pay is mostly for
services, not hardware.
Don't hesitate to be demanding - you will probably return several times
to get "adjustments" until the aid(s) feel(s) just right and sound(s)
good to you.
Good luck!
Ike
(not in the business)
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| Thomas Bunetta 2006-05-09, 11:22 am |
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"Ike" <binarydotike@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:0l18g.6650$yM.2360@tornado.socal.rr.com...
> Mom of 2 wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi - and welcome to the group that no one wants to join!
>
> I suggest you visit an "audiologist" and not a "dispenser". There are
<snip>
I guess you didn't read the part you snipped, Ike.
Tom
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| Thomas Bunetta wrote:
> "Ike" <binarydotike@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:0l18g.6650$yM.2360@tornado.socal.rr.com...
> <snip>
>
> I guess you didn't read the part you snipped, Ike.
> Tom
>
Sure I did...
Some folks use the terms interchangeably. Also, that material was
clipped from a HOHnewbie-intro I wrote for a retirement community
newsletter years ago.
Best,
Ike
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| Mom of 2 2006-06-04, 9:08 am |
| Thanks so much for your reply Ike. It certainly gave me information
that I hadn't considered before. I will check into the credentials of
the people (I did get a second opinion) who evaluated me and make sure
that they were indeed audiologists. Both did say I needed hearing aids
in both ears and both had suggested either the CIC or ITC. I am also
glad to know that price really isn't about the device but service
because without that knowledge would have gone for the best price.
if you think of anything else just throw it in there!
Thanks again!
Donna - Momof2
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| Thomas Bunetta 2006-06-04, 9:08 am |
| The CIC style has a three times higher repair rate than other in the ear
types...
Tom
"Mom of 2" <foster-family@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1147708979.987167.115760@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks so much for your reply Ike. It certainly gave me information
> that I hadn't considered before. I will check into the credentials of
> the people (I did get a second opinion) who evaluated me and make sure
> that they were indeed audiologists. Both did say I needed hearing aids
> in both ears and both had suggested either the CIC or ITC. I am also
> glad to know that price really isn't about the device but service
> because without that knowledge would have gone for the best price.
>
> if you think of anything else just throw it in there!
>
> Thanks again!
> Donna - Momof2
>
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| but you feel better about yourself.
mikey
"Thomas Bunetta" <advanced@ewol.com> wrote in message
news:0fOdnV6gkrTuMvXZnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@ewol.com...
> The CIC style has a three times higher repair rate than other in the ear
> types...
> Tom
> "Mom of 2" <foster-family@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:1147708979.987167.115760@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
>
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| <if you think of anything else just throw it in there! >
Pretty sound stuff in this thread. I would add two things: BTE aids
worry women less because they are less visible. An men can, if they
care enough, change their hair style to achieve the same result. I
never bothered.
Secondly, to check out practitioners in your area, you may find there
is a local support group (SHHH is one). But don't hesitate to approach
people you see wearing hearing aids - even complete strangers. This has
happened to me and, even though I am not an extravert, I find I am
happy to talk about aids and my experience with
audiologists/dispensers. I suppose most of us, like you, put off taking
action and we are keen to help others avaoid that mistake.
And good practitioners (or bad, for that matter) - most of us are happy
to pass on their experience.
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| Mom of 2 wrote:
> Thanks so much for your reply Ike. It certainly gave me information
> that I hadn't considered before. I will check into the credentials of
> the people (I did get a second opinion) who evaluated me and make sure
> that they were indeed audiologists. Both did say I needed hearing aids
> in both ears and both had suggested either the CIC or ITC. I am also
> glad to know that price really isn't about the device but service
> because without that knowledge would have gone for the best price.
>
> if you think of anything else just throw it in there!
>
> Thanks again!
> Donna - Momof2
Hi Donna,
You might be better off with a BTE, some configurations of which are
nearly invisible, and:
BTEs use battery size 13, which lasts much longer than CIC or ITC
batteries. When (not if) the aid breaks, you can get a loaner that fits
your earmold - not possible with CIC or ITC. The BTE controls are easier
to reach and use. In multi-microphone models that provide directional
data to the processor, BTE microphones can be further apart, improving
performance. In BTE, the microphone and "speaker" are further apart,
making feedback easier to control.
Ike
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| > Pretty sound stuff in this thread. I would add two things: BTE aids
> worry women less because they are less visible. An men can, if they
> care enough, change their hair style to achieve the same result. I
> never bothered.
>
This isn't always the case Ken. I have a CIC in one ear and a BTE in the
other. I find the BTE a bit of a problem as I have long hair and am unable
to push my hair behind my ear that has the BTE.
The only truly discreet aids are the CICs. All the others - ITC, ITE & BTE
are all quite visible. (Well, in my opinion anyway.)
Regards, Maree
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| Bill Carroll 2006-06-04, 9:08 am |
| Mom of 2's beautifully-crafted original post has triggered a very helpful
thread. I've been using hearing aids -- BTE on both sides -- for a dozen
or more years but I learned a lot from Ike. Good luck Mom of 2. You're well
along the way already.
--
bill carroll, toronto
lvao@sympatico.ca
"Mom of 2" <foster-family@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1147180445.792043.155490@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
> Hello All
> I was diagnosed with Mild/Moderate hearing loss almost a year ago and
> have been trying to fake it without hearing aids for a while now. I am
> sure you guys all know the excuses but I am starting to feel worse
> about not hearing than worrying about being vain. I am 38 I have two
> little boys and my 6 year old told me he would hear for me the other
> day. That was really bad.
>
> So, all of which to say, I need to figure out which type of hearing aid
> to buy. The audiologist suggested the Widex Senso Diva. Clearly, I
> have no one in my life who has every been involved with this before. I
> am the first one in my family with hearing loss. Any thoughts? I was
> reading some other postings and I hadn't even thought about
> batteries...they only last 3 or 4 days! Wow, this is all Greek to me
>
| |
| Anthony 2006-06-04, 9:08 am |
|
Ike wrote:
> Hi Donna,
>
> You might be better off with a BTE, some configurations of which are
> nearly invisible, and:
>
> BTEs use battery size 13, which lasts much longer than CIC or ITC
> batteries. When (not if) the aid breaks, you can get a loaner that fits
> your earmold - not possible with CIC or ITC. The BTE controls are easier
> to reach and use. In multi-microphone models that provide directional
> data to the processor, BTE microphones can be further apart, improving
> performance. In BTE, the microphone and "speaker" are further apart,
> making feedback easier to control.
>
> Ike
I agree with this. I started with BTE and changed to ITC, but soon
went back despite the cost, because of reliability, performance and
general comfort. I have two sets because if one breaks, especially if
you are away from home, it can be quite a problem. I have Widex Divas
and Oticon Digifocus. I much prefer the latter - the Divas are not so
called for nothing!
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| Paul Revere 2006-06-20, 8:23 am |
| Regarding Vanity. I once asked the Costco Audiologist
who fitted me if she though that people would notice I
was wearing hearing aids. She told me that they would
notice more when I am not wearing them. Her advice
rings true every time my wife or kids admonishes me for
not having them in.
peace
Phil
"Mom of 2" <foster-family@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1147180445.792043.155490@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
: Hello All
: I was diagnosed with Mild/Moderate hearing loss
almost a year ago and
: have been trying to fake it without hearing aids for
a while now. I am
: sure you guys all know the excuses but I am starting
to feel worse
: about not hearing than worrying about being vain. I
am 38 I have two
: little boys and my 6 year old told me he would hear
for me the other
: day. That was really bad.
:
: So, all of which to say, I need to figure out which
type of hearing aid
: to buy. The audiologist suggested the Widex Senso
Diva. Clearly, I
: have no one in my life who has every been involved
with this before. I
: am the first one in my family with hearing loss. Any
thoughts? I was
: reading some other postings and I hadn't even thought
about
: batteries...they only last 3 or 4 days! Wow, this is
all Greek to me
:
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