New Hearing Aids really better?

[Llynn]

My 20+ YO aids still work. They are battery powered and batteries are cheap and widely available. There is, however, no longer any equipment around to modify their settings which is why I looked into replacing them.

These new ones are powered by a rechargeable battery pack which costs (today) $250.00 to replace. The aids must, be sent in with a long waiting time for service. The projected life of my new devices is only 5 years.

Today I got the Tech to completely reprogram them and after nearly an hour he was able to get them to a point where I can stand to wear them. Still, they clearly are built to become obsolete quickly with the expectation that you will simply replace them. I consider them as much a ripoff as hearing aids have always been.

 

[Jules]

For those that like their hearing aids, what brand are they? I guess it wouldn’t hurt to know the brand of those that aren’t liked too.

 

[stretch5881]

For those that like their hearing aids, what brand are they? I guess it wouldn’t hurt to know the brand of those that aren’t liked too.

Mine is Oticon. 3800.00 but I like them very much.

 

[Jeni]

This seems to be a big market with so many saying they fixed things, but reviews say otherwise.
Good discussion for people either considering or replacing.
My spouse hearing aids were about 4k since he got them only a few years ago have had so many receivers replaced or need adjustment.
Was not bad under warranty but last receiver was $125 out of pocket. I hope we do not need to do that as often as we had to while under warranty.

 

[Nathan]

I finally got my hearing aids from the VA a couple months back. They are top-of-the-line latest technology. I can hear my shoe laces rustle as I walk, who knew that they even did that?

 

[CaliS]

I also bought a pair of over the counter Audien 'atom' hearing aids. Only $89 at Walmart. They are also dependent on the environment. Sometimes they help, sometimes not. If there is too much background noise then I hear speech better without them.

For hearing general everyday noises, they're good.

We got a pair from Audien for my husband, more in the $600 range and he loves them. His old pair cost $5000 !!

They stopped working, but were still covered under warranty - and they sent a new pair. So far, he's happy with them.

 

[Jules]

There’s obviously big money to be made selling hearing aids.

 

[BJintheUK]

There’s obviously big money to be made selling hearing aids.

And glasses!

 

[hearlady]

Going to Costco this afternoon to have my new hearing aids fitted. I have an ancent pair that are still working but the technician tells me the new ones are "so much better now". I guess I'll find out in a few hours.

Hearing aids are much better than they used to be. Think of plain wired ear buds and then Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones.
Unfortunately, hearing doesn't get better.