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Getting new hearing aids, looking for rec's

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I was using costco ’s for some time, the last was the Oticon version but stopped that in fall of 2021 after they no longer helped very much. I had just completed cancer tx and chemo is known to decrease hearing.

I have been using Oticon from a local Audiologist since early 2022. I started with a loaner set, the Oticon level 1 (highest grade) and ended up buying the level 2 as they sounded just as good. I did not go back for any check ups and wonder if I had done so isn’t it normal for them to increase the input? It’s currently at 60…I’ve just begun trying it louder but haven’t really settled in on a newer vol.

Tomorrow I’m getting another eval at another provider and am eligible for a new set of HA’s. This place offers Phonak and Winex as their primary. On occasion they offer Starkley.

I’m retired so I only have to deal with loud background when I go shopping - but my current setup isn’t really adequate…I could / should have played with the input more…but I’ve been sick - recovering from cancer treatments… I don’t watch TV but we listen to music and I have trouble hearing it as good as my wife does. We do some streaming and I do have trouble making out the voices when people are singing (think AGT, etc). The other place is walking outside and hearing people clearly, lots of wind here.

So thoughts on the 2 main brands: Phonak and Winex and different levels?

Also thoughts on dealing with the “sales picth” ? I hate them as much as car salespeople.

Thanks!

Jim

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If you hate the “sales pitch,” I’d go back to Costco. Unless music is a big deal for you and the choice is between Widex and Phonak, I’d go with Phonak. Sticking with Oticon would be fine too if it’s an option. If aids aren’t helping it takes returning to the audiologist/hearing aid fitter to get them right. Doesn’t matter what hearing aid you get if that doesn’t happen. Regarding level if you’re not in noise enough to worry about it, the lowest level will deal with quiet just fine. I don’t know you listen to music. If you can stream it via bluetooth, any modern aid should handle that just fine. However there are different versions of bluetooth. Make sure whoever’s selling to you understands what you want to stream from.

Thanks MDB.

So a bit more about Costco, the Audi there kept telling me that one program does it all and the aid she was trying me to get only had one program…when I was asking about the different program options as I had on prior aids. Well she was wrong of course and when I tried to see another person there she called me at home and pressed that I needed to see her…and she is the manager. So the Oticon I got from the audiologist place works fairly well. And I do plan to get another set, but am limited to the 2: Phonak and Winex. While I do stream music, I also listen to it from speakers. voice in crowds is not often but is important when I need it as well as voice in the wind.

THanks, Jim

ps I am only interested in aids with disposable batteries…

I have had Widex in the deep past but are now extremely happy with my Phonaks (Audéo P90- today I’d pick a Sphere, mostly for their mammoth rechargeable capacity). They are total Bluetooth monsters, though I also use their TV streamer. I was initially not happy at all with how they had been programmed, went (you need Noah hardware and Target) to unleash their full potential.

Costco only sells prenimum level aids, unfortunately they don’t yet have a Sonova product comparable to the Phonak Spheres. If you are looking for something like the Spheres (which is what I have) I suggest you check out the ZipHearing website. They offer a set of Phonak Spheres (or most other premium aids) for about $3,800. That includes fitting and adjustments by a local audiologist for one year plus a 45 day no questions asked return period. I have purchased from and was very happy.

If you feel adventurous you can also decide to fly to Paris and buy a pair of Spheres for around 3.000 $. The 4.600 $ saved will generously pay for flight and hotel (plus sightseeing!). You could also mail-order them from a place like The Netherlands (similar prices, but you will be hassled by US customs, and no initial fitting).

The downsides are that you probably cannot benefit from the extended fitting-adjustment- cycles (yes, those are included in that French price), which typically take weeks. Apparently Phonak will honor the warranty on these devices wherever you live, but you will need to have them returned by a local (US) audiologist (based on what I read in this Forum).

Such an approach would work best if you are willing to complete the fitting yourself- but even if you would pay a local audiologist to complete the process near where you live you would save tons of money.

Had a new hearing eval last month, which shows worsening hearing. I’ve updated my .

The audiologist initially recommended Phonak Infinio. Pricing wise I’d want to stay with the 70’s. Does the sphere really offer that much more to the non-sphere?

Still thinking about the widex for music listening.

My home speakers are lower range in price, but are very good in sound, M-Audio AV40. I won’t be going to any concerts anytime soon as well).

So perhaps the Phonak’s are good enough for music and I don’t really need the widex?.

The web site said the Allure Puresound are for new users and mild hearing loss. I believe my hearing loss is more than mild but the audiologist thinks they would work for me…hmmmm. She also said I could use the SmartRIC. I’d be using the 330’s due to trying to keep the prices down.

So, SmartRIC 330 vs Allure 330 vs Infinio 70 with and without the sphere? I will trial them of course but I’m on an island and it takes alot to get to town.

TIA,

Jim

I’m just guessing but I’m thinking with that you’ll end up in open domes and any of those aids will likely do just fine.

Interesting- this suggests to me that Phonak and other manufacturers do not have a policy of selling their devices at vastly different prices to different countries based on their per capita income (a common practice for new medicines, and a service like Netflix, for instance). Thus the bulk of the costs of buying at most places goes to salaries for fitting them, at USD 3,000-4,000 per sale (this confirms a recently published breakdown of HA costs that I posted here earlier).

I understand the salaries of, say, neurosurgeons, who have spent years and years in tough and expensive medical training (not to mention the liability insurance they pay). Less so for those in HA “clinics”, who do not need a medical degree and undergo just 1-3 years of training, not unlike plumbers…

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