When I first started this thread, I believed that diy was the most cost-effective and convenient way to get good results from hearing aids, and about 2 years later I still think it’s the way to go.
In my opinion satisfactory hearing results are not the result of buying the latest wiz-bang aids, but comes from doing a good job of programming what you have. When I started I spent a lot of time making changes, sometimes 10-15 in a single day, but after finally arriving at settings that work for me, I left them alone, just cleaning the tubes and domes at bedtime with an alcohol prep pad, and changing the 312 batteries every 6 days.
I occasionally check for Phonak Target software updates, and connect my hearing aids not to make adjustments, but to assure myself that everything is going to work in case I need to make some changes in the future. Why fix what isn’t broken?
For those who are afraid to purchase used aids off places like Ebay or Craigslist consider that there are repair facilities that will completely overhaul a hearing aid for a little over $100.00 each. You just have to look around. If you factor that into the price and compare it to the cost of new aids, it’s still a screaming bargain.
I plan to keep the hearing aids I presently am wearing along with my backup aids I purchased locally from Craigslist. The only thing that possibly could make me look at new devices is if the FDA gets off their dead a…, and finally allows the sale of OTC self programing aids, which should be a total game changer completely disrupting the way folks are getting ripped off by the existing system.
I feel the same way about eyeglasses too, which is why I am one of the original customers of Zenni Optical, which allows me to play around with the perscription online to suit my needs.
No one really knows what you need better than yourself.
Thank’s for reading my rant, next time I’ll tell you how I really feel.
I am in my 80s, and being very tech savvy and computer literate, I like being in charge.
