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Best/worst hearing aid brands?

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@thanks2 said:

In fact, many ethical questions have been raised about Doctors who also own Drug Stores…

In Germany, this was prohibited over the past 800 years :stuck_out_tongue: . It was decided for the first time by Frederick II, before 1250 AD.

"Many of his laws continue to influence modern attitudes, such as his prohibition on physicians acting as their own pharmacists. This was a blow to the charlatanism under which physicians diagnosed dubious maladies in order to sell useless, even dangerous “cures”.

Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor

Frederick II (Italian: Federico; German: Friedrich; Latin: Fridericus; 26 December 1194 – 13 December 1250) was King of Sicily from 1198, King of Germany from 1212, King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor from 1220 and King of Jerusalem from 1225. He was the son of Emperor Henry VI of the Hohenstaufen dynasty (the second son of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa) and Queen Constance I of Sicily of the Hauteville dynasty. He was one of the most powerful figures of the Middle Ages and ruled a vast area...

In reply to @thanks2

Most manufacturers of aids seek to have the professional dispensers push their brand over others. One way to seal the dispenser’s loyalty is to offer incentives of one kind or another…usually volume discounts.

This of course is designed to warp the dispenser’s recommendation from what is best for the consumer to what is best for the dispenser (and the mfg.)

Look guys and gals: These Audiologists and Dispensers retail a product just like any other merchant. We should not be surprised if some (most?) act like merchants.

Prior to 1977 the principal professional audiologist organization flat out considered it unethical for their members to sell aids. They recognized the poptential conflict of interest generated, thereby.

Some how the 1977 classification of aids as Medical Devices resulted in a gold rush by dispensers to sell merchandise along with professional diagnostic/fitting services. And that ladies and gentlemen is the system we have today. Ed

As many business owners out there would know making a quid and providing an highly ethical service is not mutually exclusive. In fact i think it’s more profitable in the long run to maintain high ethical standards (no matter what business type you run).

In reply to @ed121

@ed121 said:

Most manufacturers of aids seek to have the professional dispensers push their brand over others. One way to seal the dispenser’s loyalty is to offer incentives of one kind or another…usually volume discounts.

This of course is designed to warp the dispenser’s recommendation from what is best for the consumer to what is best for the dispenser (and the mfg.)

Look guys and gals: These Audiologists and Dispensers retail a product just like any other merchant. We should not be surprised if some (most?) act like merchants.

Prior to 1977 the principal professional audiologist organization flat out considered it unethical for their members to sell aids. They recognized the poptential conflict of interest generated, thereby.

Some how the 1977 FDA classification of aids as Medical Devices resulted in a gold rush by dispensers to sell merchandise along with professional diagnostic/fitting services. And that ladies and gentlemen is the system we have today. Ed

Ed:
A friend of mine (a retired audiologist) told me that back in his days
selling 2 HI was consider unethical…

In reply to @ed121

@ed121 said:

It has been my experience in other business fields that brands that have loose distribution policies tend to get knocked by certain retailers regardless of the product’s intrinsic quality.

Siemens will sell their aids to almost any dealer…even Ebay merchants.

Hence, audiologists and dispensers that wish (or need) to maintain high gross profit margins will shun those brands that fail to protect them by widely distributing their products to dealers who do not want (or need) those high gross profit margins.

My personal experience is that Siemens builds high quality products fully the equal of the best available from the other manufacturers.

Perhaps, we should examine the underlying motivations of those who knock a widely accepted brand. And also be aware of the emotional bias of those that tout a brand they own and like. (= I bought it, I like it, my sense of personal self worth and judgment is wrapped up in this purchase.)

Unfortunately there is no objective unbiased system of testing hearing aids available. No Consumer’s Report Magazine. Ed

I haven’t heard of any new aids for Siemens. One audi told me that they are not as they used to be. Is that true?

@stream2525 said:

I haven’t heard of any new aids for Siemens. One audi told me that they are not as they used to be. Is that true?

siemens was up for sales not long ago. It created a lot of uncertainty many of their
top minds are now working else where.

However, they are getting about 500 million for RD and to buy some distribution channels…

In reply to @hearnow

@hearnow said:

Rant warning: I am not a fan of Siemens Hearing aids as they have been nothing but trouble for my clients and I (and for a lot of my collegues) and their feedback management is absolutely useless. I have spoken with technicians who have advised me that Siemens hearing aids corrode much more easily internally compared to other brands, despite their supposed moisture proofing. I have fitted many Siemens hearing aids in the past (working for employers who only offered Siemens), but now steer well clear of them as this has been a continuing trend even in their latest models (which I have tried to my dismay after the reps convinced me these issues were solved). Siemens hearing aids are supplied by many practices as they offer some of the largest bulk discounts (up to 60% off wholesale!) in the industry. These are just my personal experiences and resultant bias though as there are quite a few people who are very happy with their Siemens hearing aids.

Now THATS someone I can agree with! I get slammed often for my grudge against Siemens. But I fit many patients with their products, and besides their connectivity, their aids are almost always sub-par if you have a high-frequency loss (unless you LIKE listening to whistling and squealing all day). :frowning:

dr. amy

In reply to @xbulder

@xbulder said:

it is more profitable in the long run to maintian ethical standarts, a large % of my clients are refer by other clients.

I absolutely agree.

Another point is that if you find an audi/dispenser who offers SEVERAL brands, its less likely that they give in to the volume discount business model. It would be nearly impossible to offer 4 different manufacturers and buy in volume from all of them!

Also, although MDs don’t own pharmacies, they are subject to being swayed in a similar fashion when sticking to specific pharmaceutical companies when prescribing. Any pharmaceutical company/manufacturer will find a way to flirt with you whether it affects your bottom line or not…

dr. amy

In reply to @dr.amy

My old hearing aids from the are Siemens and I know what you are saying. I could hear the TV better with out my aids as well as music. I believe that due to the aids being that the aids were blocking the good part of my hearing and it really did not do much for what needed to be increased other than distort it. My aids now are so great that I forget I have them. For the first time Sunday morning at Church I was able to sing the hynms and still hear the beautiful voices of the ones around me.

In reply to @hearnow

@hearnow said:

My favourites in order are Phonak, Unitron, Oticon, Widex, Starkey, Resound.

Rant warning: I am not a fan of Siemens Hearing aids as they have been nothing but trouble for my clients and I (and for a lot of my collegues) and their feedback management is absolutely useless. I have spoken with technicians who have advised me that Siemens hearing aids corrode much more easily internally compared to other brands, despite their supposed moisture proofing. I have fitted many Siemens hearing aids in the past (working for employers who only offered Siemens), but now steer well clear of them as this has been a continuing trend even in their latest models (which I have tried to my dismay after the reps convinced me these issues were solved). Siemens hearing aids are supplied by many practices as they offer some of the largest bulk discounts (up to 60% off wholesale!) in the industry. These are just my personal experiences and resultant bias though as there are quite a few people who are very happy with their Siemens hearing aids.

Thank you!!! So it was not just me being picky not liking the Pure 500’s and saying that they were tinny, unnatural sounding. :smiley:

I based my comments on which I have found to give super repair service (rapid repair and return):

I have found Phonak and Oticon to be really excellent in this category.
My family experience with Widex is average, and Siemens is poor

I started out with Widex Senso Diva’s 8 years ago, then tried America Hears, and lately have worn GN ReSound Pulse’s. Tomorrow I pick up a pair GN ReSound Live 9’s. I like hassle-free heating, and that’s what the ReSound’s do for me. No switching programs or adjusting volume or any of that. Just put them on and go.

Like cvkemp said, it’s all about what works for the user.

In reply to @cvkemp

@cvkemp said:

It is not about what is the best or worst it is about what works for the HOH using the aids.

I always read this , but don’t understand the reason why something would work for me and not work for someeone else when we have the same hearing loss.
There must be something deciding on this. Maybe future researches can find out more on this.

In reply to @dr.amy

@dr.amy said:

Now THATS someone I can agree with! I get slammed often for my grudge against Siemens. But I fit many patients with their products, and besides their connectivity, their aids are almost always sub-par if you have a high-frequency loss (unless you LIKE listening to whistling and squealing all day). :frowning:

dr. amy

Not from this quarter you won’t.

I don’t rate them at all.

While we all have our pet peeves against one company or another the truth of the matter is very simple:

The Best is the manufacturer that:

  1. Fits your Hearing needs
  2. Sounds good to you the wearer
  3. Fits your hearing wants, connectivity or no
  4. Fits your financial needs

The Worst is the HA manufacturer that

  1. Does not meet your Hearing needs
  2. Does not sound good to you the wearer
  3. Does not fit your Hearing wants, connectivity or no
  4. Does not fit your financial needs

Just my 2 cents

@roberthamden said:

While we all have our pet peeves against one company or another the truth of the matter is very simple:

The Best is the HA manufacturer that:

  1. Fits your Hearing needs
  2. Sounds good to you the wearer
  3. Fits your hearing wants, connectivity or no
  4. Fits your financial needs

The Worst is the HA manufacturer that

  1. Does not meet your Hearing needs
  2. Does not sound good to you the wearer
  3. Does not fit your Hearing wants, connectivity or no
  4. Does not fit your financial needs

Just my 2 cents

I agree :rolleyes:

In reply to @stream2525

@stream2525 said:

I always read this , but don’t understand the reason why something would work for me and not work for someeone else when we have the same hearing loss.
There must be something deciding on this. Maybe future researches can find out more on this.

There is ALREADY a lot of research on this.

An is a very simple test : it can NOT precisely explain the cause of your hearing loss … or the best way to help deal with it.

A pure tone hearing test certainly does NOT predict how your brain handles SPEECH.

So, a hearing aid fitted to an audiogram will work well for most people … but there will always be some people for whom more fine tuning is needed … and some users will NEVER be happy with hearing aids.

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