Looks like I'll be getting aids, so I'm adding this forum to my faves.

[TygrBright]

Maybe some of y'all with experience will provide some encouragement/information as well, since I'm a noob on this frequency.

My maternal grandmother started having hearing loss in her 50s, my mother's started in her 60s, so it's not surprising that a visit to the ENT today confirmed what I suspected - I'm experiencing loss of definition against background sound and mild-to-moderate loss in the higher frequencies. The ENT provided a list of local audiology parlors and a referral for deaf aids, and recommended I "not wait too long because we're learning more all the time about how even mild hearing loss untreated can negatively impact quality of life in aging."

After I got home, I did some research and it appeared the ENT was being very moderate in that recommendation. The amount of evidence accumulating that untreated hearing loss has very unpleasant sequelae is kind of skeery.

OTOH, deaf aids? Damn. BTW, thank you tblue, for your posts here and your website. Already looked at some of your excellent articles on denial, adjustment, etc. Much appreciation.

A few random queries that are with me after reading this and that on various non-vendor sites about deaf aid technology:

I should try to get wax guards and frequency transposition, right?

I wear glasses all my waking hours. Do behind-the-ear models, in these days of mask-wearing, constitute the straw that broke the camel's back as far as what my ears will manage to hang onto reliably? I know my Mom complained bitterly about mask-wearing for that reason, but she's 91 and has plenty to complain about. How are all y'all who wear glasses and have BTE aids doing with the mask thing? Should I go straight for in-ear or canal models?

There seems to be an adjustment period and of course it varies. Can all y'all share with me how long it took you to go from "I hate this, it's awful!" to "Thank heavens for my little friends that help me hear?"

I almost always wear headphones of the pad-on-the-ear rather than the cup-over-the-ear variety when working at my 'pute and listening to music. Never did take to ear buds, but I have some for my not-smart phone and my ancient but still functional iTunes doodad that I use on airplanes. What will deaf aids require in the way of different headphone tech?

I don't have a smartphone but I suppose someday I will have no other choice about getting one. Still rely largely on the landline and a flip-phone model from Consumer Cellular for travel and emergencies. Is it worth the money to get all the fancy digital connection capability now? Or should I wait for my next one(s)? Which brings me to...

Apparently the expected working life of even good deaf aids is about five years? Given the buttload of cash they seem to cost, that's a major budgeting issue. I should be planning ahead for the next ones, right?

Glad y'all are here. Feeling alone with this new challenge would not be helpful right now.

hopefully,
Bright

[LakeArenal]

1. My dad got cheap ones and hated them.

My brother got better ones and he’s satisfied.

[Tomconroy]

2. I read Joe Biden is hoping to ad hearing,.vision and

Dental to medicare. Don't know if it would be worth your while to wait and see what happens.
Hearing aids are very expensive

[timms139]

3. I got a set

From Hear.Com . I loved them from the start . I can hear things that I had missed for years . They send a Microsoft Surface tablet and the hearing aids to your home and do the hearing test with that which is a good thing with covid going around . They program them at that time. They are bluetooth which will work through an Iphone. You can get your audio straight from your phone to the hearing aids for calls or streaming. You can adjust them with the Iphone or an android for volume and tone or change programs. Mine came with a charger which will charge them three full times or charge for thirty minutes for five hours use in a pinch. I also received a pocket remote which allows you to change programs or adjust volume. My wife and kids like them because I went from 50 on the tv volume to their range of 25. The phone app also has a setting to help hear mask wearing people better. They are available for help all the time and have a great warranty and replacement if lost for three years and a very low cost for replacement after the warranty expires. Mine are Signia brand behind the ear. they are easy with a mask if you remove the mask straps a certain way. Mine are used about 16 hrs per day before recharging. as far as glasses i learned to let them rest on top of the glasses arms with no problem. They talk to you when you contact them about your hearing problems and match you with a set for your type of hearing problem and not just try to sell a much more costly aid. If you need payments they will do that when you contact them. I payed 46 hundred for them and would do it again if need be. If you have a copy of a recent hearing test they will ask you for that. I got used to mine quickly with no ear canal soreness with the extra small domes. They send me 2 packs of domes and wax guards and a dehumidifier every six months. If they need adjustment because of more hearing loss or you want something to sound better they can do that on the phone or through telecare program in the app. You also get to try them for 45 days to see if you like them before they charge you or your insurance for them. I know this was long but just offering info based on my experience. Oh and I gave them my debit card # when I contacted them without any problems as it is a requirement with them before they send the aids and equipment. If you are like me and wonder if they would help,yes real hearing aids work.Dont buy the cheap ones that are advertised as they only amplify sound and don't process what you hear.

[TygrBright]

4. Thank you, it's good to know someone else's experience. n/t