Seeking advice on choosing hearing aid brands

N

namy83

New Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I'll start of saying sorry for posting this in the wrong area if it doesn't belong here.

So, I've been partially deaf most of my life. As a kid, I didn't care too much about anything. I was the "Crazy" kid who popped fireworks close to myself, having firework wars, loud music, and stupid friends who dumped me in the back of a car trunk with a subwoofer and locked me in.

Last year, I finally owned up to being partially deaf and saw someone at Miracle Ear. Seemed to be a good "doctor?" and explained most everything to me. He recommended me getting hearing aids which go in the canal. I could get over the ear, but where I work, I constantly need to be putting on ear muffs for some of the noise that is generated while we're in the area.

I was thinking about setting up an appointment with Miracle ear this week to finally get fitted and get most of my hearing back. However, did some googling on on ME and this forum came up with a few posts stating that ME devices have frequent problems. I would like some input on what brands of hearing aids, ITC specifically, are more reliable and somewhere in the middle of the price range between best and worst. I will be using my tax refund to fund this, so most of it is not out of pocket, but I will also check with my insurance company.



Thanks!
 
dude, ME? don't go there, instead, real audi+right hearing aids=a great team

btw, I found Oticon and Siemens pretty realiable (I had my old Siemens aid when I was a baby and I still have it 2day which still works! Oticon: worn them since 05 and now)
 
ITE hearing aids always have more problems and need more servicing than BTE. Other than that, it would be really a good idea to go to a reputable audiologist and not just a mall or department store hearing aid fitter.
 
I kinda trusted the dude because he was wearing hearing aids and sounded like he really wore them. I'll look around for some audiologist in my area and see.

Safarigirl, were/are your HEs ITC or BTE?
 
I was going to say just experiment, but ME is not very reputable.
You'd be better off going to a REAL audi, who will fix you up with appropriate hearing aids etc.
The key with hearing aids is experimenting. Everyone responds differently to different brands and types.
 
I believe almost all the ha users have bte's they're the most reliable and last longer
 
namy83 said:
I kinda trusted the dude because he was wearing hearing aids and sounded like he really wore them. I'll look around for some audiologist in my area and see.

Safarigirl, were/are your HEs ITC or BTE?
Click to expand...

Look at her picture, they are BTE aids.

I would stay clear of ITE aids, 99.9% of people would tell you to stay clear of them.

I personally would stay clear of ME as well and go with a proper Audi.
 
ME is just garbage. I would look to more established brands which any good audi would be able to give you insight on. Make an appointment to see someone in your area and discuss your needs. He/she should be able to provide the best guidance based on your loss and what you're looking for.

Laura
 
Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

Run the opposite direction from M.E.!

I'd suggest staying with trusted brands like Phonak, Oticon, Siemens,Widex, Starkey etc.

Also make sure you're seeing an Audiologist with a min. A doctorate in Audiology (AuD.) AND who carries more than one brand.

The ear I use a HA in is a perfect candidate for ITC - but I specifically choose a BTE for it instead. Much more reliable, better technology for your money, last way longer and honestly they're more comfortable too.
 
Great, thanks for all the good information. I will be scheduling an appt for this week using my insurance company.

Thanks!
 
So I went to Beltone and checked with them. They said the same thing about my deafness that ME said. I look on here and Beltone is similar to ME, so I guess I should stay away. Anyone have a good recommendation for a good Audiologist in (West) Houston.
 
I'm of the same opinion -- go to a real audi that will find you a HA that is appropriate for your loss. My mom was going from audi to audi right now because she has come into a mild/moderate loss, and doesn't know what to do. Her kid (me! :) ) has always had a severe/profound loss so my HAs aren't the same as what she would use. But she has asked lots of questions, both from me and from the audis she's gone to. She has settled on using my audi (probably because I love my audi that much! :lol: ). Sorry I can't help with the Houston area, but I'm glad you are looking for an audiologist. Good luck!
 
namy83 said:
I'll start of saying sorry for posting this in the wrong area if it doesn't belong here.

So, I've been partially deaf most of my life. As a kid, I didn't care too much about anything. I was the "Crazy" kid who popped fireworks close to myself, having firework wars, loud music, and stupid friends who dumped me in the back of a car trunk with a subwoofer and locked me in.

Last year, I finally owned up to being partially deaf and saw someone at Miracle Ear. Seemed to be a good "doctor?" and explained most everything to me. He recommended me getting hearing aids which go in the canal. I could get over the ear, but where I work, I constantly need to be putting on ear muffs for some of the noise that is generated while we're in the area.

I was thinking about setting up an appointment with Miracle ear this week to finally get fitted and get most of my hearing back. However, did some googling on on ME and this forum came up with a few posts stating that ME devices have frequent problems. I would like some input on what brands of hearing aids, ITC specifically, are more reliable and somewhere in the middle of the price range between best and worst. I will be using my tax refund to fund this, so most of it is not out of pocket, but I will also check with my insurance company.



Thanks!
Click to expand...

70 Complaints and Reviews about Miracle Ear Hearing Aids

check this out , this some of the complains people have about Miracle ear'
They got busted years ago for false advertising , they said their HA would help anyone with a hearing lost. and this is not true. My HA has a push button to talk on the phone and I hate it! If I touch my HA my mistake while putting on my hat and hit the button and will not hear a thing .
I liked the HA that had the little switch that uses to talk on the phone.
 
whatdidyousay! said:
70 Complaints and Reviews about Miracle Ear Hearing Aids

check this out , this some of the complains people have about Miracle ear'
They got busted years ago for false advertising , they said their HA would help anyone with a hearing lost. and this is not true. My HA has a push button to talk on the phone and I hate it! If I touch my HA my mistake while putting on my hat and hit the button and will not hear a thing .
I liked the HA that had the little switch that uses to talk on the phone.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I read about them and not going to ME. Just looking for good audiologist in my area.
 
I saw an ad on TV for Miracle Ear a few days ago. The ad had no CC and it showed a man getting a hearing test while sitting a desk and not in a sound proof booth . And the guy giving the hearing test was nodding his head 'yes' each time the guy heard a beep. The ad would be great for a SNL skit .
I had plently of hearing tests and they where never given this way. I would not go to Miracle Ear for hearing aids.
 
Back
Top