66(M)yr old and had my first hearing test this past October. Have taken the last three months to try and educate myself on ’s since this would be my first pair. Audiologist dispenses Starkey and recommended Evolv aids. Question about tech levels, based on my test would mid tier tech level suffice? From the Aud the difference between middle and top tier is $1000. Being my first pair, struggling on which way to go. Also considering going to Costco in hopes of a lower price point
According to your you have a very steep slope from mild to severe steeply sloping hearing losses can be difficult to fit. My loss goes from mild to profound. I recommend buying the highest level you can reasonably afford.
Costco is definitely an option. You really need to depend upon the skills of the person testing and fitting. I have used Costco for 8 years but, with my difficult kids, am looking for a higher skilled option whic will mean a higher cost.
I suggest to :
if your hearing is severe, the option is best, do not use the . if you want to put style first, then RIC is a little more stylish .
use mRIC for interference below 75 dBHl. it’s better than BTe.
if your hearing is severe, the BTE option is best, do not use the RIC
Ric is the most common and popular types of on the market today which would easily cover the OP’s loss in this regard, having a loss of profound can limit ones options to .
I would add that if you can easily afford them, get the high level with no regrets. If you go for the lower level you may someday regret not having the increased channels and optional processing modes available.
get the high level with no regrets. If you go for the lower level you may someday regret not having the increased channels and optional processing modes available
This is a concise and generally accurate bit of advice, depending on your lifestyle. I upgraded from Oticon More3 to More1, but , in retrospect, More2 would have probably served me just as well.
I think the premium tech level is needed to deal with extreme situations like restaurants and machine shops, etc (that may not be the best example but it’s all I can come up with ATM), but not necessarily middle of the road soundscapes.
And also consider many of us have constantly worsening hearing and those additional options may come in handy. Higher level aids may allow you to wear them for a longer period of time and actually save money in the long run
Also considering going to Costco in hopes of a lower price point
With the type of hearing loss you have, I’m sure there are many affordable options at Costco that can serve your need well. If the KS10 (its most popular model) is really already discontinued like the rumour has it, then the Philips HearLink 9030 would be another good option to consider.
I’m not really suggesting Costco over the Starkey audi you’re seeing. I’m recommending you also check out Costco as well like you mentioned that you intend to.
At least with these Costco models, you don’t need to bother with selecting the tier levels because they just have 1 tier, the top tier.
Those who own the KS10 can correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m under the impression that the KS10 is equivalent to the Phonak Paradise 90, which is their premium level compared to the Phonak Paradise 70, 50, and 30 models. The main thing is that the KS10 doesn’t have the tinnitus feature like the Phonak P90 does.
As for the Philips HearLink 9030, if I recall correctly, there’s only 1 tech level (although there may be different styles), so you don’t need to worry about which tech level to pick.
Yes it’s the same level as P90, KS10 includes the tinnitus feature as well, for whatever reason Costco refused to set it up for anyone (probably the cost in time in doing so)
I concur with you, @SpudGunner. Below are @anytrams56 's , followed by my audiogram, just for reference.
I would characterize @anytrams56 's audiogram as normal hearing in the lows, to a mild loss in the mids (1-2 KHz), and moderate in the mid highs (4-6 KHz) to severe in the very highs (8 KHz). So it’s actually a very gradual slope because between 1-2 KHz it’s very flatly mild. I would characterize it as a mild slope and not a steep slope because of this.
Compare to my audiogram in the second screenshot below, which is a much steeper slope because it slides off heavily from 1-6 KHz, I would say that my loss is probably more of a typical ski slope loss, and I’ve seen even steeper slope audiograms compared to mine very often.
So to summarize, @anytrams56 ‘s slope can hardly be called steep, because compared to others’ ski slope losses, “you ain’t seen nothing yet, baby!”.
Yes, Costco was actually telling people to get it done at any other clinic, they got Rodger sorted as well, to bad KS10 is gone, really was the full 9 yards!
I piped up because it’s daunting and discouraging enough to have to choose without you, who really aren’t qualified to do so, diagnosing the OP as difficult to fit.
Best leave this kind of judgment to science, not to subjective guesswork, is my opinion.
Another opinion for the OP to consider: go to Costco for your first aids ever. Their return policy will cover your 6.
Tennessee
Oticonian/Disposablyte
