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Getting new Oticon Real1 aids from VA

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Nothing wrong with that. I spend many years with multiple keyboards and monitors in front of me. When I retired from my IT profession I sold or gave away my computers, windows and Linux operating systems. And I got an iPhone and iPad. Now I have migrated to Android and Amazon Fire tablets and phones.

As for as the difference between the More1 and Real1 aids for me, I have to say speech clarity. I do notice so improvement in wind noise, and most definitely improvement in understanding someone talking when outdoors on a windy day. I am not as startled by sudden loud noise, which is bad with the More aids but doesn’t seem to be an issue with the Real aids.
So I guess the overall difference is comfort in wind and noise when trying to understand what someone is saying.

@cvkemp

I think that the advantage your hearing aids have over my Phonak Paradise P90R’s is that your hearing aids make you more aware of the environment around you. You hear all around.

I like that.

Yes it is much better, I hike in the forest and I really needed the surround sound as we have bear, coyotes and other large animals in the area.

My compensation claim was granted about 15? years ago.
Now they have 3 suppliers. Phonak is one of them.
I’ve had 3 sets of Phonaks in that time.

They don’t supply top grade hearing aids normally. Somehow the dispensing audiologist got me top grade. The second set I couldn’t hear behind me at all. I was truly afraid of being hit from behind by fast loaders I didn’t know were there.

DaveL

That is so wrong in my opinion, the system here only supply the top tier aids to everyone. And also supplies all needed extra equipment and supplies. At first I didn’t know I could ask for what I needed and I bought a lot of my own stuff. I went into the clinic with a device I purchased and was literally schooled n the fact that if I need it as for it at the clinic or email or call to ask about it. I have been supplied with alarm clocks, sound machines, sleeping pillows, and now I have been told the same for my vision requirements.

Thanks.
(My employer stopped paying my benefits 2 weeks before my 70th birthday. So we had a talk. I work for the second largest school board in Canada.)

My fault. I should have figured out how to retire at 55 long time ago. I’m 77 now; still working.

DaveL
Toronto

I actually envy you. I never really wanted to retire. But with my hearing loss I couldn’t continue doing the work I enjoyed. I tried do a different joy I thought I would enjoy doing but I gave it up after a couple of months. Now I do volunteer work at the audiology clinic and even the other clinics in the same building when needed. I help my fellow veterans with getting use to their aids, with connectivity issues, in the Move clinic which work with keep veterans in shape, I have started talking about the way I control my weight and what I eat and when. I have even just been there to help some of them with smartphones, tablets and laptops. I need the stimulation from being among other people. I also volunteer with the local food bank, and even the high school. My first wife was a kindergarten teacher, I lost her to an accident back in 2002. She instilled in me a love of helping kids, something I didn’t have much time for while was working. I am even trying to learn sign language.

That’s why I’m working. 20 years building new schools; additions; renovations. I’ve worked in over 150 schools. I’ve built 12 or so. Have a new one coming. 1000 kids will be there each years for many years.

DaveL

In reply to @cvkemp

Chuck, just wanted to thank you for your service and your input to this forum. Your enthusiasm and energy is an inspiration to me and I’m sure to others on this forum. I have not done any volunteer work for awhile now. I have profound and severe hearing loss. The helped me to get the correct ha and I am grateful to the VA for the help I have received from them. Before 2017 I wore incorrect hearing aids for several yrs and I want to blame my hearing loss for not getting involved with volunteering. I don’t know if the Kansas City VA audiology dept here has volunteers to help veterans adjust to the hearing aids but it is really good idea. I know my VA center does use volunteers just not sure about the audiology dept. It takes awhile to get use to new ha. Most people even though they have difficultly hearing don’t like wearing ha whether you are a veteran or not. This forum has helped me so much. I think, this forum was how I found out about VA hearing aids. Again thank you, Chuck.

@cvkemp, based on your experience and review i decided to try the Real’s and picked them up today. My struggle is in the car where I can’t hear other people at highway speed. Hope the new wind management helps and will report back. So far so good.

Many thanks for sharing your experience.

I wish at least as much success as I have with the Real1 aids.

My wife surprised me with season tickets to the concerts we have here in the community. Friday night was the first concert and it was a Broadway hard rock set of music. You know Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and the likes, the music was great and I only had minor issues understanding the music and singers. I found that by lowering the volume to -3 by the app that could understand the music much better. At this time I only have my general default program, no or MyMusic, I have emailed my audiologist to ask if he thought that one or the other might be better for the concerts. We also have season tickets to the theater shows that are at our theater, and to the lecture series, so she will keep me going to our theater.

Edited

In reply to @cvkemp

@cvkemp said:

The only real unknown is the OTo therm ear mold material. My audiologist recommended it because I have had so much trouble in the past with ear molds slipping and causing feedback and less speech understanding.

I would love to know what these look like in terms of color (clear?) and shape. You are in a really good place, helping your brother and sister vets and FINALLY getting a better pair of backup aids.

Many here simply can’t afford that kind of secondary pair, but I totally splurged on my 2nd pair of Lumity Life aids, and can TOTALLY relate to your comment about wanting backups at least decent compared to the new ones. I also tend to take new aids with a blah attitude cuz they inevitably need several follow-up appts to get them close to perfect. But I wish you ALL the best with the New Oticons!!! Come back and report the pros/cons.

Anyone else out there hear about the oto therm molds?

Edited

My ear molds are clear, and actually look like acrylic ear molds, I have full skeleton ears molds. They do seem to soften slightly after being in my ears for a few minutes. They don’t slip when inserted fully. They have a slightly larger vent than my previous acrylic ear molds. My audiologist said that is because they do fit better in the ear canal.

OK, that sounds GOOD for you! I am allergic to firm silicone and acrylic, so I make do with a soft, silicone double dome that I buy at Amazon. The seal isn’t perfect, but then I just push 'em in 1,000 times a day.

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