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Elderly father uncertain whether worth upgrading hearing aids - feedback wanted

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My father (89) is in two minds about whether to get new hearing aids. He currently has “Specsavers Advance 817 Digital” which were apparently good quality ones when he got them in 2019.

He has been thinking about getting new hearing aids because he has difficulty in busy environments, especially pubs and cafés where some people chatter loudly. To get round this problem he simply turns down the volume, but then he has difficulty conversing with me.

Today he went to a hearing aid place which tested him in some way. The audiologist suggested that the latest hearing aids are much improved on older ones, but they’d cost €5k+.

He can easily afford €5k+, but he’s talking about whether the money could be better used on other things (he said “taxis for when we go on holiday”). We’re wondering whether the latest hearing aids are a game-changer these days.

I’m guessing many others here have similar dilemmas (and of course what to spend money on is to a fair extent a personal matter). At the moment I just want general feedback as I have zero understanding of hearing aids.

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If he’s set on it won’t be a big change. But keep the money saved because he’s over the average lifespan of hearing aids anyway and his could break down at any time.

If he’s looking at switching styles, then yes I’d expect a bigger difference.

There is a subgroup of people who, based on the type of hearing loss they have and shape of their ear, do really well with . There is another group, usually larger, who might do better in something else but choose the CIC for discretion, yes. I don’t know which group your father falls into, but if he’s struggling in noise he may wish to try something else.

CICs are tiny and generally for this reason defeatured compared to other styles. Because they are defeatured, updates don’t effect them as much.

In reply to @limerickman58

Just my 2-cents’ worth here, but I tend to replace my aids every 4-5 years. That is specifically due to the noticeable advances in technology and performance newer aids deliver.

I’m 70, currently super happy with a 3-yr old model 312 Phonak Lumity Life aid. I actually prefer the battery aids cuz they give me DAYS of charge to live off the grid and not worry about having to charge up my aids. You can see from my I wouldn’t be able to hear a fire alarm go off without hearing aids IN.

So, given that your dad’s aids are already pushing 7 yrs old, I’d encourage him to put himself in the hands of a qualified audiologist - see if they recommend a VERY comfy behind-the-ear model. The ones I wear are in fucshia or caribbean blue - LOVE the colors! But with custom titanium molds and ear wires that fit snug to my ear, NO ONE can even see them unless I wear my hair in a shower cap, lol.

Main thing is to be open to explore a different style that really CAN deliver on: speech clarity in loud places, Bluetooth stability, use of hearing aid-compatible listening accessories, phone app convenience, etc. I’m guessing there are a dozen current models that would get a better job done for your dad. Hope you can steer him along that path! :slightly_smiling_face:

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