Anyone taken their hearing aids to a new Audiologist?

Ask to see another hearing specialist at Costco. They could possibly do better with adjusting the hearing aids for you.

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Which ones are those? All the latest models have available software.

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My hearing aides are a Jabra Pro 10…supposedly one of the newest ones. She is the top person for this Costco…

AFTER I bought new aids because the last pair weren’t working correctly- 1st pair around 6 grand and the newer ones over 7 grand, I was told the old pair could be sent for repair for 299.00. Agreed and sent them in and they sent back 2 NEW hearing aids. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have bought the second pair. Plus, at that price, I still have to pay each time I go to get the tubes changed 60.00 and the last time, one of the new hooks (another 30.00) never tightened correctly. For two years now, the tube in my right HA will not stay in no matter what and my aid has actually fallen on the floor more than once because of it.
I don’t mind buying the aids, but want the option of replacing my own hooks and tubes/filters. I can’t afford 60-90.00 a minimum of twice a year for that. And, read that they should actually be changed more often. I would, if I could buy them and do it myself. Can’t find Resound Linx 2 LS88 tubes and hooks anywhere online. Feeling stuck!

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Indeed not. I’ve already made significant concessions in performance for a balance that is preferable to me. I just need to get out of a cycle of Audi making fitting changes that are one step forward two steps back.

Reading the great replies, it’s comforting to know that there’s hope. There are good audiologists after bad, out there.

@Ipreferthequiet

does your ReSound Lynx² LS88 look like this ?
A

If the hearing aid have the ear hook (like in the picture above) then you can purchase normal hearing aid thick tubes. The changing of the tubes can be done by yourself.

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Yes, only a greyish look. I know I can change the hooks and tubes myself. The problem is finding them. Especially at a decent price. The audiologist should be kind enough to send some with me, even for a price, but doesn’t. Not paying 90 bucks just to have them changed, and the right one had the wrong hook and tube on it (still does). I mentioned the tube sliding out all of the time and they still put the non-thick ones in. The hook on that one was never snug tight and would flip all over the place.
I have the back up aids, so took the one off of it, including the ear mold and switched it out. Much better. I just want a place I can get the correct ones. So far, only at Lloyds Hearing, but they want 5 bucks for one hook and 3 bucks for one tube! That’s too much, but will do it that way if I have to.
I have to believe the hooks and tubes for mine also fit other brands, but not sure which ones that would be, part numbers, etc.
I have the hook in the cart with Lloyds, but not the tube. I think they put the wrong size tube in the right one as well. I wasn’t sure if I am supposed to get thick or extra thick.
My hearing loss is profound and I am at the limit now, whereas the next step can only be cochlear implants, and I won’t do that. I take very good care of my aids and do have the back up pair- so I’m not worried if I offend her or step on her toes by replacing parts myself.
These do have the filter in them, but I took it out on one side (probably not the best move)- it was interfering with better hearing. They go in an electric dryer every night.
I appreciate your replying to me. Thanks!

For the Costco products from Phonak, they can be changed by the standard Target. There is not a different version for products like KS9, KS10.

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I have until December to get a.refund!

I have KS10s and now I am with a Phonak audiologist. He is brilliant and I now have a Roger On too. Definitely worth asking if an Audi will see you, just be polite and ask.

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This is brilliant advice for communicating with all doctors and receptionists. They’re typically overworked and deal with a dozen assholes every day. Don’t be one of those! and things will go much better for you.

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Just remember that someone came in last at audiologist school…
Even a “top audi” at some place can still be a dud.
FYI. The audi i use said he wouldn’t work on Costco aids

Theres loads more Audis out there. Mine was brilliant, was quite excited to find he could use Phonak Target software for the KS10. He’s since reprogrammed, got me custom tips, REM and I now have the Roger On too.

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@mr.smithster

It’s worse in the UK. Audiology is largely unregulated here, so someone can advertise as an audiologist after a short course. Thankfully, mine has 30+ years experience and a University degree in the subject.

He did, however, say that I’m his first customer, to show him how to use the Target software :slight_smile:

I certainly won’t tamper with his fitting settings. My attempts on my Marvels “work” regarding speech recognition, but do sound a little crude.

Peter

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@PeterH

My friend is an audiologist and qualified but lacks the qualification to work as an NHS audiologist as they require another qualification of some sort.

Can’t remember what but they have to do the audiology degree and then something else on top to work in the NHS.

This was a few years ago she told me tho.

@PeterH

Training for new HAs is seriously limited tho and the time of each appointment really lets the NHS down.

Should add tho I have actually seen my friend since she moved up north as she got a job with UK Phonak HQ.

My guy is ex NHS. The last girl I saw at NHS, probably wasn’t a qualified audiologist, although she didn’t make that clear.

Excellent, getting a job with Phonak. You’re right, by the way. It’s a little unfair comparing NHS with Private, as they are allocated so little time for each appointment. I do get annoyed when people say NHS aids are rubbish though, then rush off and spend £3000 at Specsavers for their advanced aids which are probably the same model!

I was chatting with my Audio for an hour on Tuesday, and all I wanted doing was amending some of the streaming settings. He agreed that generally the NHS inly allocate time for First Fit. Such a shame when Marvels are so good.

When I got home, I finally plugged the Paradise into Target, and changed the fixed programs. I just have:

Startup: Music
Comfort in Echo (with most of the sliders off)
Autosense4

Obviously, Roger/TV Connector/Bluetooth etc cut in when needed.

I found Speech in Car and Speech in Noise, weren’t much different to Comfort in Echo, so I removed them :slight_smile:

Peter

I’ve had 3 sets of Phonaks provided by 3 audiologists. Worn hearing aids for about 20 years.
First: excellent; sold her business to Listen Up Canada, and I left.
Second: awful (I heard worse and worse with each visit, and stayed far too long.)
Third: awful (tried to set up my hearing aids for two years; wife said “you hear worse” after every visit)

All were near normal retirement age. Except for the first I wonder if the other two hadn’t bothered to stay up to date with modern smart hearing aids?

DaveL

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The two audi’s I’ve seen have been half my age and I’ve been very surprised to see them struggling with the fitting software, hunting for where to make changes, as well as not making good decisions for changes. I think it’s just the same in all professions, there’s a smattering of middle of the road and few really good ones. But with adiology and fittings, middle of the road doesn’t cut it.

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