Post by: RNKIII on September 24, 2011, 03:03:07 PM
I am in the final stage of selecting / fitting a new set of hearing aids.
They are manufactured by Widex and I can only sum up my reaction to them as "WOW!!"
My hearing loss is described as 'severely / profoundly' limited in both ears, the right more so than the left. These will be the 3rd set of hearing aids I have had over the approx. 12 years that I have had assistance with my hearing. I have been to both my local audiologist and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for exams / tests and MRIs for possible tumors (negative). I began with 'in the ear' models by Odicon and then later progressed to 'behind the ear' models from GN Resound to the current mini-'behind the ear' model from Widex.
These from Widex communicate with each other via a proprietary, Blue-tooth like signal, they also communicate with the 'steamer' that I wear in the same manor. I don't NEED to wear the streamer but it is handy for connecting to blue-tooth devices around me and for other 'adjustments' I can make on the fly. This proprietary signal is significantly faster than blue-tooth and eliminates the possibility of an 'echo effect' in the hearing. It is also significantly shorter in broadcast range, measured in inches/feet. The communication between the 2 aids allows for balancing the sounds presented to my ears in a wide variety of noise conditions. The streamer can be 'paired' via blue-tooth with my cell phone, iMac, iPad, and iPod Touch, so that I can hear the phone conversation and/or music via my hearing aids in a VERY clear and balanced manner. Something I have NEVER been able to do with any of my other aids. Widex also provides a 'gadget' that is plugged into the audio jacks of my tv, so I can listen to that in the same manner without having to 'blast' the rest of the listeners out of the room to hear. I can also, via the streamer, direct the microphones in my hearing aids to seek out sounds forward, left, right, or behind me for specific amplification.... nice when driving and carrying on conversations. The streamer also lets me block out and only present the sounds specifically coming through the streamer, i.e. phone conversations, music, or tv audio, so you can hear those in noisy situations. (my wife refers to it as 'selective hearing loss'). These aids have 2 amplifiers in each aid, one in the usual location in the behind-the-ear portion, and another one in the in-ear piece it self. This secondary one is not turned on as yet, but can be should the 'need' arise' (Believe 'post' was also mentioned in that same sentence) so it 'extends' the useful life of the devices.
The aids communicate with me via 'spoken' instructions, not a series of beeps, etc. So I instantly know then my batteries are running low (usually on a 6-7 day cycle) or if something is interfering with their constant communication to balance..."Partner check". This was a little unnerving the first time I was going down the road and someone/thing says in my ear..."The battery for your left ear is low, please change it at your earliest convenience."
As you can imagine, these are not cheap.... 2-3 fully loaded iMacs come to mind, but the ability to hear birds in the back yard, phone conversations clearly, take part in conversations in restaurants, or just 'normal' conversing with people without having to have them repeat themselves is worth a significant amount to me.
I hope this isn't too long or detailed, but I am SO thankful for their contribution to my life, that I thought I should share...
Oh, yes, if you are in the market for hearing aids.... go to an audiologist.... not a hearing aid sales location.... Audiologists are there to improve your hearing and only sell hearing aids as a means to that end, hearing aid sales locations are there to improve their bottom line not your life.Bob K. rnkiii
Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 24, 2011, 04:36:53 PM
).I finally went to the audiologist who documented my hearing loss several years ago and was fitted with some fairly expensive BTE (Behind The Ear) aids. Another doctor set them up with one program for my first use. I returned in about a week trying to explain the feeling of hearing things by holding a small tube to ones ears; higher freq "white" sounds (cars driving down the street, for example) were totally un-natural. Of course, what did I know was "natural" after hearing these same sounds "incorrectly" for who knows how long? The doctor could make no adjustments that made any difference and seemed to have trouble even understanding what I was talking about.
These things have several 'programs' available, but I simply haven't felt that the doctor can make any adjustments without knowing what I am hearing. I have no idea how one communicates that differently than in my earlier attempts.
Basically, I am not satisfied with this group of doctors, at least the one who supposedly makes the customer happy. Nor am I impressed with the delivery of certain consumables. The ear piece is covered with a very flexible, 'floret' that fits over the end of the output end of the tube. While I don't have an over active ear-wax production, they do occasionally need replacing (never heard [no pun intended] about cleaning these 'florets,' they were simply to be replaced when 'needed'). I've searched the net for replacements to no avail, none that match my brand/model. So I wait until I'm near the office (some 10 miles from my house) and stop in for new 'flowers!' Last time, the receptionist appeared to have no idea what I was talking about. I finally took one of the pieces off my aid and gave it to her. She returned in a few minutes with A replacement. "Uhmn...can I please have another for the other ear?" A few minutes later she returned with ONE more. "This is the last one we have, you should call before coming by next time." My thoughts (and I promise not my weds) were something like "No, you made a good profit on these aids, you told me these 'florets' would be replaced any time I asked, at absolutely no charge. You certainly sell more of these things than just mine, you should, therefore have some basis for managing your replacement inventory better than waiting for me to ask for them and then determining that there are none!" As a matter of fact, the stupid things should be available by mail since a dozen of them might actually weigh an once!
At least I can get the batteries at Wally-World...But I really am happy that you are satisfied with your experiences and I know we have at least one other 'senior' member likewise extremely happy with his, even though they are a different brand. Perhaps one day, I will save up some patience and try again to get some useful response from the group of doctors.
And you're probably right, this may better suit the Community side.
Although these things do plug into a computer for setting the amplification curves... 
Post by: RNKIII on September 24, 2011, 09:19:07 PM
The 'new' aids are 'hard wired' into the ear molds and the amped sound is transmitted to the ear mold encased speaker, thus no worry about aging/stiff tubes having an adverse affect on the sound quality. And there fore less 'down time' meeting with my audiologist for regular maintenance. The new aids also have a 'log' that she can read electronically when I am in her office to relay potential problems and glitches to her before they become REAL problems.
No they don't report my every location and/or movement!!!
Bob K. rnkiii
Post by: george on September 25, 2011, 02:03:54 AM
George
Post by: Highmac on September 25, 2011, 04:20:52 AM
QUOTE
No they don't report my every location and/or movement!!! toothgrin.gif
Can you be absolutely sure about that?
Funny this should come up now - I'm off to the local hospital audiology department tomorrow for a "reassessment" of my hearing. The digital aids I've had for about four years now have, apparently, been superseded by models that can be adjusted for 12 frequency bands, against my present models' four.
These have been great (Oticon - same brand as Dick's IIRC); they replaced very basic analogue models. My right ear is far worse than the left (had surgery on the right one 20 years ago, so it would have been even worse by now). Doubt, however, that my NHS ones will be as super as Bob's
However, while he can choose which hearing aids he likes, I could still buy those two iMacs.....
My twopenn'orth: I think Bob got it right putting this in Tech
Post by: pendragon on September 25, 2011, 06:23:25 AM
Thanks for the post. I am not (yet) in need of an audiologist, but the ravages of time & tide oft do take the toll.
And then, I'll be (even) more responsive re my wife's dulcet tones...
Post by: jchuzi on September 25, 2011, 06:36:23 AM
QUOTE(pendragon @ Sep 25 2011, 07:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And then, I'll be (even) more responsive re my wife's dulcet tones...
My late Uncle Bernie was hard of hearing and therefore wore a hearing aid. Whenever his wife started to annoy him, he would conspicuously turn down the volume. Needless to say, she was annoyed in turn. Post by: Xairbusdriver on September 25, 2011, 04:08:49 PM
The gentleman replied that he actually had not yet told his family about his new hearing skills. But he had made several edits to his Will!