I agree that ZCT is one of the best professionals on this forum. When I was looking for options after my failed trials, he was one of two professionals that responded to my thread. He was the only one that took the time to PM me, review my complete audiogram, and give me advice.
That’s primarily why I now have Micro Tech aids. They are a Starkey brand. I called the Starkey dealers listed on Starkey’s site and they did not sell Starkey. Starkey’s toll-free number directed me to my current professional when I advised them of the dealer situation.
Yesterday I went to our local Sams and was tested by an Audiologist.
No surprise I need a hearing aid. She suggested a SIE 64 channel for about $3500 a pair 90 days return
I went to Costco they had a Siemens about the same price but I do not think the person giving the test is a Audiologist.
It’s been widely discussed recently on this forum (including references to scientific papers) that there is little benefit once you go beyond 8 channels. 12-16 is about the max you’d need. And frankly it is a hallmark of cheap crappy technology that tries to offer 24-64 channels on the hearing aid to make them sound cool.
While the CPU in the hearing aid is figuring what to do with 64 channels of sound (and keep in mind your hearing test was probably of just 10 frequencies) it isn’t doing certain other useful things that might give you a better sound.
I just looked on the web site, and I think it looks cheap and ugly.
I’m not even a fan of Siemens; I’ve always thought they were like the Volkswagen Passat of hearing aids; decent, reliable, well built, but nothing amazing. But I’d say in the real world the Siemens would kick that sorry little Liberty’s ass :eek:
As for audiologist versus HIS, that’s another debate. But (and I mean no disrespect here), an audiologist that ends up working at Sams Club is unlikely to be top of their game. There are much more rewarding career opportunities out there, so it’s hard to imagine what happened that would put them working there.
From aesthetics of the design of HA, I feel the Liberty hearing aids are, by far, the worst. Now, appearance doesn’t necessarily mean much to people…but a hearing aid’s comfort level on the ear definitely plays into it’s acceptance by the wearer. And all things being equal, if a hearing aid that costs $3600 looks nice or doesn’t, I’ll go with the one that looks nice.
As for channels, it’s been said before that extra channels does not necessarily make for the best hearing aid. I’d put more value in money spent on additional features like more advanced noise reduction, sound filtering, accessories available. I know the Unitron hearing aids work very well for the patients I have wearing them and they come with accessories at no additional cost depending on the technology level selected.
My professional preference is Phonak, but that’s just me. I haven’t worked with Siemens in years. The best thing to do is look at which professional you feel the most comfortable with and give their hearing aids a go. Don’t put all your money on something just because it’s less expensive, especially if the difference may only be $400. Try their hearing aids and if they work for you then great! If not, try something else with that provider or go somewhere else.
I am a HA user, about 6 years, and all I have used is Siemens. Since they initiated them, I figured they would be a safe choice. Also, I had confidence in my HA specialist. He didn’t try to sell me the Rolls Royce when all I needed was a Chevy. He was a Siemens dealer and couldn’t offer anything else. He has been exemplary in after purchase service. However, my next HA will not be a Siemens, too much feedback. I have the Pure 500 and noted for poor feedback control. Other Siemens models may be OK. For other recommendations there are a number of providers here on the forum who share their experience with various other brands. Much of is already here on the forum. Do some searches. Yes cost is important to most of us, be sure to understand why some choices are less expensive. In the long run initial cost is not always the final cost. Good luck!
dirtold
thanks for that advice
As a matter of fact you folks are very helpful to a newbie who up until yesterday swore he did not need a hearing aid.
In fact when I went for my test the lady said what’s your problem? I said I don’t have a problem it’s the people talking to me do…they don’t talk loud enough
The Liberty hearing aids are also marketed online for self programming as “America Hears”, I believe. If their quality is like Hearsource (an America Hears competitor), the aids do not have advanced features.
Many here are happy with the Costco aids if the professional is reasonable.
10 years ago, I started with a Siemens CIC aid. It was OK, but needed to be sent in for repairs a couple of times during the 3 years I used it.
Be careful with the Phonak professional. Apparently, many Phonak professionals have issues programming their newer Spice chip aids. A trial can let you know if that is the case. Apparently, the Phonak professionals here are very skilled.
In the price range you were looking at ($3500-$4000), you might look at Starkey and read up on their X Series RIC product. The X 70 should fall in that kind of price range.
I believe that you’ll find it remarkably superior in appearance. It has a dual nano coating for both oils and moisture (most good aids can resist moisture these days, but oil and sweat can still harm them because unlike the Starkey product they have a single nano coating layer, rather than dual).
I think the Voice IQ system will help in noise, and Starkey still have the most advance feedback cancelling system in the world.
Starkey is an American company, unlike the other mainstream brands that have been talked about.
Starkey is also sold as Audibel and Microtech, same product in a different box basically.
Of course it is hard to be specific without seeing your test results, but based on the types of aid you have been recommended already, I’d be surprised if the X Series wouldn’t work for you.
They also do that same technology in the Xino aid, which is the smallest of it’s kind in the world, yet has the same functionality as the larger aid.
Anyone want to offer a suggestion as to a suitable make and model HA that would help with my hearing loss? I have steeply sloping moderate to profound in my right ear and mild to moderate-severe in my left. Do I need a high powered HA or is that not necessary? My audiogram and word recognition are as follows:
While I was researching aids I saw a chart that had about 6 columns
Brand Name, Hearing Aid Model etc. Then under Total Channels I saw that some models had 4 channels & 4 bands while others either had just bands or just channels.
In layman’s terms what is the difference (if there is one) for bands and channels
Also while doing some research I found out that the volume on the Siemens aids can you can only adjust the volume with a remote. Which I think is sold separately
Thanks
If you are in the US, you can look up Starkey dealers here entering your zip code in the upper right. I would call any dealer they show to see if they sell Starkey. the two listed for my area did not. You can also call Starkey here for a referral. That’s how I found my Micro Tech dealer.
