Return my hearing aids now?

V

Victor

Senior Member
Location
midwest USA
I have hearing loss in both ears, mainly one Took tests at MD and 3 audiologists. So I bought Beltone aids for 3000. and it turns out that my ear inside is so small and narrow that they fall out all the time, even after the audiologist does it. Hard putting them in also. I have the smallest possible aids and the doctor has patiently worked with me for over 2 months. She finally made ear molds for me, but I have not got 'em yet. I am too unique. I have nicely asked or suggested a refund (minus 600.00 fee) and she reassures me that I need them in the future . I am past the one month deadline for returns. With my solitary lifestyle, the aids make little or no difference, daily, in or out. Even with the volume up. I don't go out much either any more. A loner. My conversation is mostly on the phone and in stores.
They are supposed to help prevent dementia...I doubt it is proven. At this point, is it too late or inadvisable for a refund?
 

Jules said:
JMO, if the company can’t make something that fits you properly, you should have the bulk of your payment refunded.
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That would be my opinion, also. If a hearing aid company can't make a good set of aids for that much money, there's something wrong with that company.
I don't know about hearing aids....we hear good...but we frequently get "Junk Mail" from Beltone. That, in itself, makes me suspicious.
 

Victor said:
I am past the one month deadline for returns. With my solitary lifestyle, the aids make little or no difference, daily, in or out. Even with the volume up. I don't go out much either any more. A loner. My conversation is mostly on the phone and in stores.
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Yeah, but for hearing aids that work. They never delivered those, so their end of the bargain wasn't fulfilled. Tell them to refund your money, or you'll get a lawyer.
 
I've been there.
One of the reasons I haven't tried more hearing aids is exactly what you're experiencing. Once they have your money, they try very hard to keep it; after all, they don't make money by refunding. Their sales people are well trained. You are being strung along, then they'll try the
"We've done everything we can for you" & the "You have used up your cost on our services" bit.
I did try a pair of hearing aids from one company that said they would send a sample pair for me to try before I buy.
LOL - the sample pair were non-functioning plastic shells - that cost them a few cents to make.
 
So I finally got my ear molds for my narrow ears and I am not wearing them. They seem to fit okay but
I do not need them, I am that alone. All day every day except for when I go to stores. And then I don't always hear the fast talking mumbling, whispering young clerks.. They do not care when I tell them I can't hear.
Boondoggles, $3000 semi-worthless gadgets for me! I hate thinking it is a waste of money. The MD. and audiologists are nice enough and say I should wear the aids all the time, anyway. Or my hearing will get worse.
I will probably really need them about 1% of the time. Also on vacations and special events.
Oh yes, now I can hear things I never wanted to hear--noises.
Do you understand this? Do you feel this way?
 
My experience is with a $1450 dbl set from Costco, I've never been happier. Fit properly, get them adjusted and cleaned at no cost every two years. Had them 5 years and would be lost without them. Family is happy now I can join in discussions without needing repeated subjects. At that price they were half the cost of the other 3 models they showed me.

They are still not very good with 'speed' talkers, and whistle when I try to use head phones.
 
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Beware of hearing aid companies. Where I live there are at least 1 on each block; almost as much as Cannabis shops. Most of them will tell you that you need hearing aids for sure. I got mine from Costco because their prices are the best. You can pay an arm and a leg for them.
 
Victor said:
So I finally got my ear molds for my narrow ears and I am not wearing them. They seem to fit okay but
I do not need them, I am that alone. All day every day except for when I go to stores. And then I don't always hear the fast talking mumbling, whispering young clerks.. They do not care when I tell them I can't hear.
Boondoggles, $3000 semi-worthless gadgets for me! I hate thinking it is a waste of money. The MD. and audiologists are nice enough and say I should wear the aids all the time, anyway. Or my hearing will get worse.
I will probably really need them about 1% of the time. Also on vacations and special events.
Oh yes, now I can hear things I never wanted to hear--noises.
Do you understand this? Do you feel this way?
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I do understand.

You can't really fault others for not caring about your hearing loss if you are not willing to try and help yourself.

IMO you should make putting in your hearing aids part of your daily routine and try to get used to them.

Don't give up, Victor!
 
Victor said:
I have hearing loss in both ears, mainly one Took tests at MD and 3 audiologists. So I bought Beltone aids for 3000. and it turns out that my ear inside is so small and narrow that they fall out all the time, even after the audiologist does it. Hard putting them in also. I have the smallest possible aids and the doctor has patiently worked with me for over 2 months. She finally made ear molds for me, but I have not got 'em yet. I am too unique. I have nicely asked or suggested a refund (minus 600.00 fee) and she reassures me that I need them in the future . I am past the one month deadline for returns. With my solitary lifestyle, the aids make little or no difference, daily, in or out. Even with the volume up. I don't go out much either any more. A loner. My conversation is mostly on the phone and in stores.
They are supposed to help prevent dementia...I doubt it is proven. At this point, is it too late or inadvisable for a refund?
Click to expand...
I have the same problem, but the company I deal with makes a form to fit the ear so that the aid lays against both the temporal and maxillary bones. With this, one can hear just fine. The get easier to insert as well.
 
@Victor my situation is very different from yours, but as a very young child I had to deal with hearing aids, testing, and even discussed the Cochlear Implant. They quickly found out that none of these things would restore my hearing at all at an early age, but I imagine my mom had to deal with bills when I was a child.

As for your situation you probably do not need to wear the aids on a regular basis now, but there is some merit to what the Audiologists are saying that in the future not wearing them your hearing could possibly worsen.

As for Beltone they have been around for quite some time and have been distributing hearing aids for a long time. The company however doesn't have the best reputation with clients and the use of the products.
 
Victor said:
Boondoggles, $3000 semi-worthless gadgets for me! I hate thinking it is a waste of money.
Click to expand...
If you wear them when you drive and hear a siren at an intersection they may pay for themselves really well! Or in the house if you are in a tornado area and the tornado sirens start, that would be useful to hear. Though if you are just hearing your cat hack up a hairball then I guess some noises we can do without :)

I wouldn't worry about the money, 3000 is not abnormal amount and you might like them better with time.
 
Victor said:
So I finally got my ear molds for my narrow ears and I am not wearing them. They seem to fit okay but
I do not need them, I am that alone. All day every day ...
Click to expand...
From what I understand, hearing loss can cause depression, isolation, make you lose the desire to participate in social activities, and may lead to cognitive disabilities. If you continue to not wear your hearing aids, it may exacerbate your feelings of being alone.

I would give them a try and see if life doesn't improve for you.
 
I already have depression isolation and no desire to participate in social activities. My mind is sharp. The hearing aids depress me, knowing that they seem to have little effect in my solitary life. The Beltone people have been very nice and helpful.
 
Have you tried a different type of hearing aid other than Beltone? There's a lot of new ones out there, like Eargo, Miracle Ear, etc.

You might try a support group for people with hearing loss. They may have valuable information to deal with the depression you are going through.

My dad lost his sight and his hearing when he got older, so I know how sad you must be feeling. Please don't give up on hearing aids. You will find the right ones for you.
 

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