Hearing Aids?

For those that are just trying on hearing aids for the first time, it will most certainly take awhile to get use to... It feels like having your ears plugged all the time, let alone, we don't realized that you want little movement on the fit of your hearings aids, just like creating a suction... Hearing aids is highway robbery and that is why I recommend COSTCO and use their prices to compare with others out there... Good Luck....

Some thoughts from one who wears hearing aids -

I've been in this audio hobby for nearly 50 years and have worn aids for the past seven. The question of comparing before and after is difficult to answer because for most of us, hearing loss is gradual. Studies show that most adults begin to lose high frequency hearing by our late 20s. Still, I was not aware of my hearing loss until my late 40s. And then I (stubbornly) waited another ten years until it got bad enough where I had to do something about my loss.

As others have noted, significant improvements have been made with these devices in recent years. Three points should be made. First, modern digital aids can be fine tuned at several frequencies between 250 and 8K CPS. Second, sounds can not only be boosted but masking can be introduced to help intelligibility. Third, great PATIENCE must be exercised during the fitting/adjusting process. Expect to make several trips back to your audiologist for proper adjustments. And keep in mind that the industry focuses on speech, not music, so not as much is known for best settings for music listening. I probably went through 3-4 adjustments before we got the full frequency balance of music set for my aids.

After all that, it is certainly worth it for me. And for those who fear they may lose enjoyment of music, let me say I enjoy it more. Plus I have amazed a few non-hearing aid wearing friends with my ability to still distinguish subtle sonic differences in equipment and software.

I enthusiastically agree with those who recommend hearing aids. Curently, I wear behind the ear artificial intelligence aids and am extremely happy with them. Yes, they are expensive. But there simply is no comparison in my hearing with them and without them. My quality of life has improved tremendously as I can now participate in most conversations. As far as music, I enjoy listening almost daily. And I don't have to wear headphones to watch TV anymore! My experience has been even better as my clinic is more of an educational institution instead of a business.

Hoosier1, you make an important point. My initial shopping was at a recommended commercial clinic. I came away feeling it was like visiting a used car lot where they only wanted to sell me their most expensive product.

Then I discovered a speech and hearing clinic at a local university. They have treated me with great care and are sensitive to my wants and needs and recommended the two or three products they felt might work best for me. None of these was the most expensive (although still much more than the $395 specials I occasionally receive in the mail). They have the latest testing and calibration equipment and have always treated me in a professional manner.