After years of trying compensate by turning up the volume, trying to casually cup my ear to hear better, turning my head when listening to someone speak. Constantly saying pardon me, excuse me, say again, what? … None of it was very effective and my family and friends were getting more and more frustrated with me all the time. Some of them, I’m sure would avoid me so they didn’t have to deal with constantly repeating themselves. Can’t say that I blame them, I was just as frustrated. Finally, I went into a local hearing center for testing to find out what I already knew, that my hearing was greatly reduced in one ear and significantly diminished in the other.
They told me it wasn’t a problem to get back most of what I lost with a HA. Then they told me the price, $8400. I was crushed, it was beyond what I could afford. I left thinking that I would just have to continue to struggle while I try to save up some extra $$. Then someone mentioned Costco and that I should check them out.
Expecting similar pricing, I went in half-hearted. The fitter sat me down and went over things then recommended a Phonak Brio. Ok I thought, lay it on me $7600 - $7800? Nope $1200 each. Still not cheap but I could afford one for now at least!
They got it all programmed and setup for me. Now I’m not an emotional guy, most people would probably describe me as cold and unfeeling, but I have to say when it was turned on for the first time, it just about made me cry. I couldn’t believe all sounds I was missing out on for all these years!
I don’t know if the Brio is a good hearing aid or not but I can say this. I can hear things now that I haven’t heard in 20 years. If it wasn’t for Costco’s reduced price, it would probably have been another 5 years before I had. I’ll continue to put away a few dollars here and there until I can get the other one and enjoy what I have for now.
It saddens me to know that there are many other people out there in the same boat. Needing a hearing aid and having to go without because of the over inflated prices. At least one company is brining them down to a more reasonable level.