You have to actually retrain your brain. You have grown used to not listening. Patience is needed. I have heard people say they can not wear them because people talk too loud. They do not. You are just hearing them for the first time.

Take your time. Like anything else it takes time.

Biden signed an EO this week so Pharmacies can sell them over the counter.

I paid $2,500 for these things - and it's possible I could get something OTC in the near future for a lot less.

Thanks for the tips about being patient. I have had to remind my husband to lower his voice because he has gotten accustomed to "shouting" at me in the past.

Full hearing will be restored. That will not happen unless you have patience. But they have improved so much over the years.Amazing how they have developed.

Oticon.com

That style of hearing aid has the microphone behind the ear like the Costco ones. Hence - hearing my hair.

I'll keep working at it.

On edit: I see that they also have the in-the-ear ones.

The difference in hearing loss and what caused it. Nerve deafness is different than other kinds. I hate to say it but a good Audiologist can guide you.

Many people are happy with the COSTCO Audiologists. I would not presume to tell you. First of all I do not know how severe your loss is or what caused it.

I do wish you luck. Keep in mind you get what you pay for. Do you have insurance? Many plans cover them.

Last edited Sat Jul 10, 2021, 06:35 PM - Edit history (1)

And get aids that are fitted to your ear canals - whether CIC or over the ear. If your ears are sensitive, lubricate the aid with ear jelly before inserting. Also get aids that can be adjusted by an app on your phone.

I’ve worn hearing aids for a long time. They are like eye glasses - need adjustments and re-fitting regularly.

I like CIC better than over the ear. But IMO, do not get the tiny ones. Also, I recommend rechargeable ones.

The audiologist I saw (other than the Costco guy - who was great) was a bit of a used car salesman. He kept trying to steer me towards the $8,000 ones!

These ones that I bought online did not involve any fitting and I'm having trouble figuring out whether I have them in correctly or not. They are rechargeable, though. So none of those tiny batteries.

I may need to go a different route. Thanks for your input.

Also with the adjustable aids, you not only have volume control, you have different programs. I can have my cell go directly to my aids. The sound is wonderfully full and clean on my calls. This is so great!

Hearing Aids — It’s like learning to use anything new in your life. You do not immediately have a mastery over the object.

Edit for typo.

That it took a long time to get used to wearing contact lenses back in the day.

But then that was easier when my 14 year old self's vanity was involved!

Now, I stopped wearing the contacts all together!

With the aids that you can adjust with an app on your phone, you can turn the volume down so that when you first get them, the sound will not overwhelm you.

I have both CIC and over the ear. The over the ear have the ear pieces that we fitted to my ear canals by doing molds. I find that getting good molds made is the most important part of getting really good results with you aids.

Here's a hint: Keep your mouth relaxed when they stick the mold gunk in yours ears to make the impression of your ear canal. Notice if you grimace, the shape of the canal changes. Don't smile...just be totally normal with no tension in your face. That hint, I learned the hard way!

Please feel free to message me any time with any questions. I have worn aids for about 20 years. Glad to help anyone else thru the process. My hearing loss is severe. So if I can use aids successfully, I think anyone can.

Whether you get in canal or over the ear also depends on your hearing loss. Many now have 3 year warrantees.

My rechargeable just went back because they did not charge long enough. Good until 2023. I also have WIFI.

Another problem up is wax build up. Can make a big difference.

These are the ReSound brand. They're extremely good. Excellent sound quality.

This is my third pair. My first pair was from a good independent audiologist. All of them made my ears itch somewhat. It's an annoyance, but I can live with it.

I understand that they need to be replaced every few years and I need to pay attention to the price.

That number seems low to me, but that's what I seem to remember.

Costco has a range of prices and functionality.

I need to give Costco another try. The audiologist was great.

You need to be around someone with whom you feel totally comfortable. Hearing aids are a necessity. In some states (I'm in California) with hearing as bad as mine, if it cannot be adjusted, I could be denied a driver's license.

Completely free.

My insurance covered them so I tried them for several months. They were over the ear. They didn't seem to make any difference. Then covid and the masks came along. Every time I took the mask off the hearing aids would come off. Too much hassle. I may try again someday but not soon.

which makes ZERO sense. So this cost is 100% on me. If I'm going to spend the money, I want them to work.

Thanks for your input.

I would have waited until my hearing is a lot worse.

Most cover.

I've had them for 11 years.

How often have you needed to replace them?

I've heard every two or three years. And boy does that get expensive!

them cleaned every couple of years.

A good Audiologist would make that clear.