Most favored hearing aid for audiophiles

Well, it's been a good while since my last post on this issue, and i am trying to get used to the Widex (top model) for music. I must agree that there may be more that I don't like than I do. There are many music programs though that may help with this experience. In the end, frequency adjustment is only the beginning of correction, and I couldn't tell you about the other aspects of this device. It has been two weeks so far, in general, yes they do their job, but it is almost tempting to get a 33 band EQ that may sound better and do it that way. I do have my hearing tests starting from an early age to present. I used to have Superman hearing, and as cool as it was, it also could be quite annoying.

Although the same Widex Evoke didn't work well for me, their tech support was great. I had a number of technical questions about them that i didn't think my audiologist would be able to answer. They were excellent at getting back to me with answers.
Oticon tech support, on the other hand, didn't bother to read my email and blew me off, telling me to contact my audiologist. My audiologist is not a tech geek about hearing aids, though.
If you are unable to decide between brands or don't care which brand you use, avoid Oticon. Their tech support is useless and the company is too big and wealthy to care.

There is no audiophile hearing aid. There are a lot of HAs available from the major manufacturers, though.
I started on this journey myself recently. I tried Widex Evoke hearing aids because Widexhad a reputation for good sound but I didn't like the way they reproduced music from my home system. With some recordings, they could be very harsh and place it sounded like sandpaper on metal. Other than music at home, they worked well.
I discussed it with my audiologist after a four week trial and she thought I might like Oticon Opn S HA better than the Widex. I've only had them for a day but so far my home system sounds a lot better then with the Widex.
I think you just have to start by trying HAs by a major manufacturer and see how it goes. You usually get a four to six-week trial manufacturer before buying. As you get to the end of the trial period, if you don't like the HAs, discuss with your audiologist and try a different model or brand.

I did a lot of research trying to find an audiophile HA, pored over hundreds of internet discussions, read numerous articles on how to get your audiologist to set up your HAs correctly for music but have found that it still trial and error. A lot like buying speakers - every speaker is different and not all speakers' sounds appeal to everyone.
I have read that some people love the old analog HAs reproduce music. Analog HAs are very rare now - many have transitioned to digital. I have seen recommendations for analog HAs using the K-AMP circuit for music. One example of this would be General Hearing's Simplicity model. It cannot be customized to your specific hearing loss. It comes pre-programmed for what they consider a typical hearing loss. They're available on Amazon. I haven't tried them, though. My audiologist gave me a funny look when I mentioned them; she obviously didn't think much of them.

A simple amplifier won’t make speech more intelligible with the background of amplified noises. I recommend Petralex.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_aid_application

 Looking just a bit  into my comments should lead you to realize that I am slamming the whole idea of flagging just about anyone here. That leaves the readers to decide for themselves the value of the content (and it's source) to begin with.
  On a related comment to this thread, yes, absolutely, there are MANY who have the same number of senses as they should who don't use them. 
   Lastly, when it comes to my hearing, wisdom of its beauty set in many years ago.

Disagree with Slaw and 4krow in this. Plenty of people with perfect vision cannot 'see' well because they are not observant or don't know what they're looking for. Likewise plenty of people with perfect senses of smell and taste cannot appreciate subtle nuances in foods, wines, whiskey etc.

The same is true with hearing. Does hearing loss impact certain abilities to discriminate? Of course. But that is no worse or better than the wide range of abilities to 'hear' that exist even among those with perfect hearing. 

So such a 'flag' would be meaningless and useless.

I do agree with 4krow that there should be a flag for the mentally ill. Unfortunately I think 'audiophilia' qualifies. So we'd all be flagged.

Grow older and wiser my friend.

Slaw,

 Oh I totally agree with your thinking... Actually to the point that Every Agon user should be required to get a hearing evaluation before their first post. After all, many have hearing and don't realize it. Then there are the mentally ill. They too, should be flagged, so we know the source of the comments being made about audio equipment. Not stopping there, the people with giant egos, or bunches of tightly wrapped BS/marketing talk, will no longer be allowed here. Not being mean, but someone just had to say it.

I just had a hearing test, and they phoned back to tell me that I had some loss. When they get back to me officially on paper, I'll let you know what the recommend.

I have classic noise notch hearing loss and use middle of the road Oticon Rita2. I keep them in while using the music as wallpaper and when I sit down for a session I take them out. It’s incredible how much improvement I get when I just cup my hands behind my ears. I have often thought about this solution. https://www.amazon.com/Dixie-Hear-Cups-Non-Electric-Amplifier/dp/B0794FGGN8/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&...

  Thank God the regulation wall is finally coming down! It wasn't that I wouldn't spend dear cash on a product that would actually do a decent job for me. It is more about the idea that hearing loss is one of those things that insurance companies have ignored as best they could, and the retailers of hearing aids seem to have priced them stratospherically out of many peoples reach. A short time ago, my mother got a new set for herself, and it has changed our relationship (for communication). Now, on to music, I have tried a few hearing aids, and love how the sales pitch assures you that you must 'get used to them'. Really? MP3 hearing aids, is that what we need to get in tune to? I see more and more progress being made since headphones and the like have gotten more popular. Now, turn that effort to the 'new' hearing aid business and get more affordable products made, with reasonable music reproduction as well.

Bose is coming out with some interesting stuff for hearing aid.  Apparently deregulation of hearing aids is coming so there should be a lot of new products and testing methods hitting the market in the coming years.  There were a number of hearing health companies at CES this year showing some interesting things.  

All the negative comments about the impact of hearing aids on listening acuity and how aging ears are inferior to young ones overlook the fact that the way our brain and ears function is adaptable and we can develop capacity to compensate for shortcomings in frequency response. I would urge anyone interested to view Paul McGowan's perspective on the matter. In addition to what Paul mentions, I have read many times of how aging conductors may have diminished hearing capacity but yet their abilities to discern what is happening in the orchestra remain as acute as ever because of the brains ability to compensate for hearing losses. Poll a group of audiophiles with "excellent" measured hearing at an audio show and there isn't going to be unanimity about what sounds best because there's much more to hearing than having an auditory system with a sixteen year old's frequency response. 

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4-Mo5yHuZY

I get it and am not trying to be mean but it seems to me that anyone who uses a hearing aides that posts here regarding sonics or equipment differences that have made a sonic impact should be flagged as such users.

go to a reputable Audiologist to start with and have a complete testing done to determine exactly your loss. Hearing aids are now computer set to match your loss to the best extent possible. Starkey makes very good hearing aids. Your loss may well determine the type of mold you need. Having used aids for over 60 yrs and love my music i can attest to what i have just written. Good luck

I've recently trialed Siemens Silk, Widex CIC and Phonak titanium. Of the three, the Widex although bulky and stick out of the ears, so less discrete, gave the clearest sound and the best balance. I could hear the harmonics on guitars and other instruments while the others seems thin and distorted and the voices muffled.  Could be that I haven't got the others properly setup so I don't want to criticise the other products. I've had aids from both in the past. I just wondered if anyone else had any experience of these?

Thank you gtsnyder! I have had them adjusted a few times, but now I will make an appointment and specify that that they be adjusted with music as the number one priority before I change brands based on advertising only

I got top of line phonak. I paid full price at audiologist but Costco has similar for 1/3 the price. Made listening a pleasure again and decided to upgrade all my equipment. Highs go first as hearing declines and the hearing aids brought it back. I'm sure not as good as good ears, but night and day for me

I have had great luck with top line oticon ...but ....only after extensive adjustment to turn off the digital compression etc...secret was to find an adiologist  who understands there AIDS and willing to work with you after your fitted...I have been very fortunate in that regard
i have two of 4 programs customized for music listening.They work great ....

Trolls not welcome... Starkey brought out a series of hearing aids this March claiming they were designed for music lovers. I wonder if anyone here  owns them or has demoed them. I can only tolerate my present very expensive Oticon's for speech as they seem to make the best analog sound like the worst MP3 ...

Ya bdp my wife likes complete silence .well its not always silent in my head lol .. There have been times i have thrown some jazz in the ole bose headphones and went to sleep .. When it comes to tinitus its all about trying to relieve the focus on it . Ya right huh .. I know im gonna stir it up by this comment. But in my state we have medical cannabis high cbd edibles kick tinitus ass .. They dont get you high .. Also try backing off on salts in general . If your ringing or hissing is constant well thats permanent. I would suggest a hearing test .a real one ..

I hear ya oleschool. Though getting a pair of those molded ear plugs made (which allow 5-10-15-20dB attenuation via little changeable discs) made in my early 30's, a certain amount of permanent damage had already been done (thanks Jimi!). My tinnitus is severe enough that I need to have music playing while trying to fall asleep, the "tape hiss" noise playing 24/7 in my head otherwise preventing it.

     Being a musician for 40 yrs tintinus is a real thing , I also have been diagnosed with menieres in my right ear ( they say its from so many ear infections from being a surfer my whole life I'm 49) .Its tough because ripping the volume can make my ear right ear just sizzle for an hour 100db ish' ( like being on the wing of a plane). Thats probly the main reason I havn't went crazy anymore with my system( crazy to gon memebrs lol).I usually have some type of ear protection when i am playing guitar( thats can be 120db easy).Get your hearing tested I am lacking some low end in my right ear(menieres damage).Honestly if its bad you may think of running some type of eq and setting it for your ears screw everyone else.. 
Your not alone buddy there are alot of people who love music and have hearing loss,sometimes i find it draws people in because they appriciate it more regardless of there hearing .It's just not "Coooll" lol... to talk about it here..I know alot! I mean alot of musicians who are dam near deaf (Townsend is almost deaf)  hearing damage is permanent !!.I am militant about having ear protection on my daughter from birth till now at 19mnths she love her headphones at the shows and festies its amazing to see infants and children just getting drilled with 120db its plain stupid...
good luck

I should also recommend the idea of digitally manipulating music to suite your hearing loss.

You can alter files directly, or use something like a miniDSP or nanoDSP to alter the sounds on the fly. You are probably going to get much better fidelity this way than with most hearing aids.

It's also reasonably straight forward to make custom speaker crossovers if you know the parameters of your hearing loss.

Best,


Erik

I'm afraid I have no knowledge first hand, but I read ages ago that Dan D'Agostino of Krell fame used them. I wonder if anyone wants to reach out to him for advice?

Erik

Basic Samsung phone gives the best sound of what I tried. Galaxy 7 is not bad. No, I don't have this kind of things, I just like good audio quality wherever it is. Did you notice that some people speak like a good loudspeaker while others like a crap loudspeaker? Most speak somewhere in between. I don't mean just over the phone, I mean in person.

Many people texting me instead of calling for obvious reason. My hearing isn’t best since birth. Therefore I usually crank volume control. Loud music I hear much better than telephone conversation.

I've tried them, but they turn music into cheap plastic.  Went round and round to try to get to a good place, but the audiologist said that although the electronics of the good ones go from 20 - 20,000 hz, proper miniature microphones haven't been invented...maybe to 6 k or so on the top, and 100 or so in the bass.

This question was addressed a few years ago, I think in the forums here.  The consensus seemed to be that the one remaining analog provider of hearing aids was making the only hearing aid that sounded musical, but, I don't recall the name of that manufacturer, sorry.   

Yep. @goldenear1948, I am also interested in what others are using/doing. 

The effect of the tinnitus for me has meant there are very few moments during the day/night when music or audio of some kind isn't playing.

Being alone with the cicadas can get claustrophobic. 

Hopefully you'll get some helpful responses beyond turning the volume up or the use of an ear horn. If 1948 was your year of birth I can sympathize with you on age taking a toll on your hearing. I was born in 1949 and have had gradual hearing loss accompanied with tinnitus. I've been considering the use of hearing aids and would also be grateful for suggestions on brands.

It depends on what exactly is impaired. Volume control can help in some cases, so can tone controls, also choice of music etc.

Oh the irony of the OP's username...

my favorite aid is volume control.