Still an analog hearing aid lover..WTH is wrong with me?

MelissaWatt said:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I too still have a couple of my earmolds. I still prefer these analogs- honestly still fighting the blues and it bites! I still think about these all dying on me.
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The threads in this forum are really interesting these days. Melissa, the woman at Lloyd's said if my analog couldn't be fixed they could get something similar. Analog is old technology and can be reproduced in something this small if we're willing to pay for the price. But you've also received other recommendations for analog repair here.

To those who enjoy digitals, I have a decent old memory when emotions are attached to it. I went to a local hearing aid dealer (dangerous* to many people but not to me) and he allowed me or rather wanted me to listen to classical music with a digital aid. I was in a sound-proof room with him and it brought tears to my eyes because the music was so pure. But I understood voices better with the analogs.

I understand waiting and being very concerned about the aid dying. I lived it for so long. Changing religions here just for a moment because it's the silly analogy I've maintained. At Chanukah (the festival of lights), it was all about the Jews being attacked en force. They were in a temple with the odds of surviving against them. They had enough olive oil to keep light in the temple for one day. Miraculously, it lasted eight days. So, that was my analog. It had enough left in it to last maybe five years and miraculously, it lasted seven and my hearing gave out :) . It's just a story and works for me.

In Peace.
 
NYNY said:
The threads in this forum are really interesting these days. Melissa, the woman at Lloyd's said if my analog couldn't be fixed they could get something similar. Analog is old technology and can be reproduced in something this small if we're willing to pay for the price. But you've also received other recommendations for analog repair here.

To those who enjoy digitals, I have a decent old memory when emotions are attached to it. I went to a local hearing aid dealer (dangerous* to many people but not to me) and he allowed me or rather wanted me to listen to classical music with a digital aid. I was in a sound-proof room with him and it brought tears to my eyes because the music was so pure. But I understood voices better with the analogs.

I understand waiting and being very concerned about the aid dying. I lived it for so long. Changing religions here just for a moment because it's the silly analogy I've maintained. At Chanukah (the festival of lights), it was all about the Jews being attacked en force. They were in a temple with the odds of surviving against them. They had enough olive oil to keep light in the temple for one day. Miraculously, it lasted eight days. So, that was my analog. It had enough left in it to last maybe five years and miraculously, it lasted seven and my hearing gave out :) . It's just a story and works for me.

In Peace.
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Good analogy and good thoughts. I think today was just blue cause I knew I would be missing a phone call from my grandmother who just passed in October and I missed hearing her on the phone the way I wanted to hear her for the last six months that I was so messed up. I got through my day. I will message you later when I can.
 
I am an analog hearing aid lover too!

I know exactly how you feel! Ive been buying hearing aids from Ebay so I can get the aids that give you an analog feel. I buy from endeavorxp on Ebay. You can ask him questions about your needs before you buy. I recently got a digital in 1 ear (Siemens Nitro), but still not happy enough to wear it on a daily basis. I still wear my Phoenix 313 (not made anymore) and their replacement.

Cindy
 
windycindy said:
I know exactly how you feel! Ive been buying hearing aids from Ebay so I can get the aids that give you an analog feel. I buy from endeavorxp on Ebay. You can ask him questions about your needs before you buy. I recently got a digital in 1 ear (Siemens Nitro), but still not happy enough to wear it on a daily basis. I still wear my Phoenix 313 (not made anymore) and their replacement.

Cindy
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Cindy,
I am glad to know I am not alone. Fair warning that I tend to repeat myself and may seem like an attention seeker. I love my analog's. They are also no longer made. Rexton mini piccolo 's. I am working through some seasonal depression and now have realized with my therapy that I have anxiety going to see an audiologist now. So far, I have put my analog back in, just worry to much about them breaking even though I have another pair that works. Three more pairs that need to be sent off as soon as there's money to take care of it as well as one more pair off EBay. Call me crazy... It's been a long summer and winter weather is just blah. I will say this to anyone. I want my hearing aids to last me til I die< --- dreaming right?
I hope you are happy with yours and can continue to find them on EBay as well as ️thank you for your resources.
 
I won't call you crazy. We all have our preferred method of hearing whether it's through digital or analog HAs or even a bit of a current nemesis - the CI. It's a personal preference.

At some point, the analogs will have been used one last time for replacement parts only. But that may be some years in the future. It's how capitalism appears to work.
 
Melissa, have you perhaps thought about looking into a different audiologist? I wonder if starting fresh elsewhere would get you better results with the digitals that you are not liking. (Remember, I am not promoting digitals vs. analogs since I have one of each! :) ) I don't know what/where you live and availability for audiologists. I went through a period of switching audiologists several times because I didn't like the molds they made for me, the tubing, and etc. It took me 3 or 4 tries before I settled on one. (And then she left! But I like her replacement, so that's ok :) ) Just food for thought ...
 
AlleyCat said:
Melissa, have you perhaps thought about looking into a different audiologist? I wonder if starting fresh elsewhere would get you better results with the digitals that you are not liking. (Remember, I am not promoting digitals vs. analogs since I have one of each! :) ) I don't know what/where you live and availability for audiologists. I went through a period of switching audiologists several times because I didn't like the molds they made for me, the tubing, and etc. It took me 3 or 4 tries before I settled on one. (And then she left! But I like her replacement, so that's ok :) ) Just food for thought ...
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AlleyCat, do you get your hearing aids paid for through Voc Rehab or fully paid for through insurance? The trouble with switching audiologists frequently is the expense every time we decide we don't like a particular aid. We are charged a restocking fee for the aids we don't want after trial. So discouraging!
 
Annie09Z said:
AlleyCat, do you get your hearing aids paid for through Voc Rehab or fully paid for through insurance? The trouble with switching audiologists frequently is the expense every time we decide we don't like a particular aid. We are charged a restocking fee for the aids we don't want after trial. So discouraging!
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Hm ... I didn't know about the restocking fee. I've always paid for the HAs myself with the exception of one. Insurance doesn't cover them either. Do all audiologists charge this restocking fee? That's a new one for me, but then again, I've always gone with the first one I trialed, so I don't think that ever came up.
 
AlleyCat said:
Hm ... I didn't know about the restocking fee. I've always paid for the HAs myself with the exception of one. Insurance doesn't cover them either. Do all audiologists charge this restocking fee? That's a new one for me, but then again, I've always gone with the first one I trialed, so I don't think that ever came up.
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I'm quite sure all do today, but not positive. I thought maybe as a working person yours were paid for by VR. I've always paid for my own too and haven't gone the audio route for a long time. Buy my analogs online, always been happy with them. I've heard about restocking fees from various forums.
 
Restocking fee: Not all dealers or hearing aid dealers charge the fee and you have to ask. I've told enough people to find out what the return policy is before purchasing anything.

I know times have changed and companies are doing what they need to in order to get more money from us. But as of earlier this year and at a couple dealerships, there was no restocking fee so long as you did what you were told and returned it on time. It doesn't hurt to ask or say something to the effect if there's a fee, leave. I was helping a friend in this expensive, highly-marketed, and confusing digital HA business.
 
NYNY said:
Restocking fee: Not all dealers or hearing aid dealers charge the fee and you have to ask. I've told enough people to find out what the return policy is before purchasing anything.

I know times have changed and companies are doing what they need to in order to get more money from us. But as of earlier this year and at a couple dealerships, there was no restocking fee so long as you did what you were told and returned it on time. It doesn't hurt to ask or say something to the effect if there's a fee, leave. I was helping a friend in this expensive, highly-marketed, and confusing digital HA business.
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Thanks that's good to know, we can always try negotiating! :lol:
 
Well, this was good to learn. Because I had been posting that it is only a matter of time before the analog I have dies. It's 10 years old! So I will need to keep this in mind when I have to make my next purchase.
 
NYNY said:
I won't call you crazy. We all have our preferred method of hearing whether it's through digital or analog HAs or even a bit of a current nemesis - the CI. It's a personal preference.

At some point, the analogs will have been used one last time for replacement parts only. But that may be some years in the future. It's how capitalism appears to work.
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You are more than welcome to call me CRAZY~! After having a discussion with my audiologist in Missouri, very small town, that I grew up in. He said.. what ever makes you comfortable. It is your hearing, we can only suggest and help.
 
My digitals that I tried this summer had no restocking fee as long as I turned them in by the date.
 
MelissaWatt said:
My digitals that I tried this summer had no restocking fee as long as I turned them in by the date.
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Yeah, Ii have never had a restocking fee either. It's just part of the service where I am to get to trial the aids.
 
That's what I thought. I'd never heard of this restocking fee before. I was surprised!
 
I think in some of the other places.. maybe like Wal Mart, Costco, or Sam's Club might have a restocking fee. When I returned my digitals all I paid for was the service to the audiologist that I was working with on the phonaks. I got all all of my money back on that.
 
AlleyCat said:
Well, this was good to learn. Because I had been posting that it is only a matter of time before the analog I have dies. It's 10 years old! So I will need to keep this in mind when I have to make my next purchase.
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AlleyCat: Keep that sucker tuned-up and dry. If I can have an Oticon go through the washing machine and still work, there's a bit of hope out there.

Isn't this just ridiculous? It's the American cycle. There was a product out there within an affordable range of many (analog aids) and someone decided they weren't making enough money off the public, so we're pushed into nothing and can't hear because of high prices.

In an ironic twist, does this become a form of, "Give me an analog hearing aid or give me deafness."
 
MelissaWatt said:
I think in some of the other places.. maybe like Wal Mart, Costco, or Sam's Club might have a restocking fee. When I returned my digitals all I paid for was the service to the audiologist that I was working with on the phonaks. I got all all of my money back on that.
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I'm not surprised about the stores, MelissaWatt, and I'd still walk away with the fee. Yup, paying for audiology services is a bit new (well, compared to my lifetime) and they should be paid for their time. With analogs and a little understanding of the aid, you can add the correct settings (thus not incurring audiologist fees).

Also, if you want me to call you crazy and I feel what you're going through, you're going to need to call me crazy to an exponential power. You're no crazier than anyone else. Take that!
 
NYNY said:
AlleyCat: Keep that sucker tuned-up and dry. If I can have an Oticon go through the washing machine and still work, there's a bit of hope out there.

Isn't this just ridiculous? It's the American cycle. There was a product out there within an affordable range of many (analog aids) and someone decided they weren't making enough money off the public, so we're pushed into nothing and can't hear because of high prices.

In an ironic twist, does this become a form of, "Give me an analog hearing aid or give me deafness."
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This is what needs to be shouted out to the companies out there that aren't' listening to the mass~! Give me liberty or give me death~!

""Give me an analog hearing aid or give me deafness.""

Who says we can't have what we want when we like what we hear.
The price for these digitals are outrageous ~! That is why I think I had so much sticker shock and some of them were priced higher than a tv.. ugh! I think I was "sheltered" :eek2:
 
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