Comments on: Hearing Aids, hearing gadgets, hearing.

By: kim

kim — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:54:03 +0000

I have to say I actually did comment a guy on his hearing aids once, not too long ago. He had absolutely the coolest looking earmolds I had ever seen. They were GOLD–I’m sure gold plastic– but still it was so cool looking. And so I told him, “WOW! I LOVE those!” This was at a party too, where not many people with hearing loss were. In fact, I think we were the only two people wearing hearing aids. And he was SO COOL looking in sunglasses and those earmolds. I was really envious. But the thing is, I wouldn’t bother getting something like that because my hair would cover it.

By: Michele

Michele — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:47:23 +0000

Great blog, Pearl!!! It is disappointing that hearing aids have not followed the trend in getting better and cheaper, as technology advances. My first try at hearing aids was an ITE aid recommended by my then audiologist. I didn’t have success on that first attempt, as I had lost much of my hearing by the end of high school and I am thinking an ITE aid was not best suited for my need. I am sure the ITE was recommended more for someone my age, than for the maximum benefit, as a twenty-something female was assumed to be focusing on vanity over benefit, but that has never been the case with me. I always wanted the benefit of hearing, but just never got it with a hearing aid. I would wear a hearing aid as big as a hat if it worked.

All hearing aids that I have tried after that first ITE one have been BTE, as my next audiologist told me the truth, that BTE give better results. Still no benefit with BTE, but I got all the sales pitches when trying them over the years. Why would you even need marketing tactics and gimmicks with hearing aids? I think it is criminal that audiologists are even allowed to make a profit on hearing aids, and I was surprised by this information, and as I said previously, it made me feel a little stupid that I didn’t know this before.

And I will never figure out why a hearing aid is not considered a medical device??? Does anyone think people would wear hearing aids for any other reason than to enhance their hearing??? Why does my insurance pay for eye glasses and orthodontia??? Is not hearing more important than straight teeth??? Sigh… It is not a perfect world, for sure.

By: Wokamuka

Wokamuka — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:16:05 +0000

I often wonder about the “lucrative” properties of being hard-of-hearing - it’s finer points being marketed, falsely, toward the Cochlear Implant-potential population.

It’s not all roses being hard-of-hearing. It, certainly, wouldn’t be “almost” hard-of-hearing.

That’s what it is. That’s what makes me speechless.

By: Penquin

Penquin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:22:22 +0000

I don’t have the ergodynamic cool looking hearing aid! I have a plain gray colored behind the ear aid that I love.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:56:49 +0000

LOL - your last comment Pearl had me in stitches. I will make sure I comment on your ‘cool’ hearing aids at the con

Paul - does the price of those hearing aids include someone to make you breakfast in bed every morning? If not - it should! I find thats criminal that people have to pay that sort of money to help one hear.

Cheers
Robyn
(who at least gets govt funding in nz to pay for these)

By: kim

kim — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:34:36 +0000

I need new aids soon. I have been going to the same audi for more than two decades, but next time I plan to go to Costco. I completely agree with you about the price of hearing aids. They just keep going up while all other technological stuff comes down in price. They’re nothing but plastic and wire. I asked my audi about this in the past, becaues ya know– I can buy a fully loaded laptop that does so much more than a hearing aid for less than half the price of an aid. He tried to tell me it’s because the aid is “so small” and also that it’s because the aids amplify sound digitally and it’s new “special” technology. Then I pointed out that the Ipod also “amplifies” sound digitally, and also does so much more than hearing aids. Cost of an iPod? You can get a ’shuffle’ for 50.00 and the new 80 gig for 250.00. This technology isn’t “new.” It’s all BS– all of it!! It’s a crime it’s not covered by insurance either.

By: Penquin

Penquin — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:37:10 +0000

Well actually, I have to take back on one point. There are audiologists who will make $1,000 per hearing aid. Where u shop makes a difference too. If I go to Park Avenue in Manhattan vs. Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, I will probably see a difference in price tags. I guess we need the audiologists to back the clients and go up against the manufacturers as well.

By: Penquin

Penquin — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:35:14 +0000

It’s not the audi we should be blaming for the sticker shock, its the manufacturers who make the ridiculous profits of 200-250%. They leave the audiologist with a small profit by allowing them to fix their own prices on top of the initial profit that the companies are making. The audi knows the prices are high and they are usually making a small few hundred profit. The manufacturers sell it to the audi at a high price to start.

By: Paul S

Paul S — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:26:38 +0000

It’s (according to the Audi - and I cannot but agree) because I’m so variable. Today I can hear you, tomorrow I can’t. I need the most flexibility that’s available, so it’s leading edge technology. I knew that when I went in, but like you, I was shocked at the price tag. Criminal is a good word for it. Someday, the Man will pay.

Paul S (AKA: LifeWrecked)

By: Penquin

Penquin — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:20:39 +0000

OH MY GOD, $2,900 an aid? At that price, I hope those things can repeat what others are saying when u can’t hear? This is so illegal it should be front page news.