When I got my More 2 set in Feb, the audi set them for me at 85% of target (I needed to get used to them and 100% sounded too loud and literally made me feel pressure on the sides of my head). She did some tweaking plus moved them to 100% on the second visit. She then did the REM; she said she doesn’t like to to REM until the HAs are at 100% of target. That’s how it worked out for me.
With your hearing loss, I’d expect that you had trouble distinguishing between s and f, but with the HAs they should be fairly well distinguishable in most situations. Sound should seem less muffled in comparison to without HAs. You should hear the ticking of a clock or watch that wasn’t audible before. Low frequency sounds should seem about the same (in volume and distinctness) as before, but sharp high-pitched sounds should be much more crisp and pronounced.
When my wife first began complaining that I was asking her too often to repeat herself, I obtained one used HA via ebay and had it programmed by a local audi. My high freq loss was probably in the 50-60dB range. I could tell some difference, but I certainly wasn’t picking up a ton more sound; the difference was rather subtle. Fast forward to now… my hearing has worsened, and the difference with versus without is hugely obvious to me. And I rarely need to have my wife repeat herself. I’m not missing much dialogue from the streamed tv shows or from DVD movies, either. These current HAs with the current adjustment are really doing the job well. The More and the Real are similar enough that I’d expect you to hear well with the Real set also, assuming (1) they’re at 100% of target and (2) your brain has had time to adjust to hearing sounds it may have forgotten how to interpret.
I will say this, though: if you still aren’t hearing well with ANY set of HAs by the time the possible-return time is about up, by all means take them back and try some other brand and/or other audi. If you have to go to a different place, get your hearing tested again, and get fitted with another brand or whatever, it is definitely worth persevering. And rather than the More, if I were you I’d look into trialing a Widex or a Phonak, if it comes to that; a different brand will have a different way of presenting the sound, but the More and Real probably would not sound all that different to you (if programmed the same).
I think too many people do not persevere. Interesting story: today I saw my regular doctor and he asked how I liked my HAs. When I told him I heard great and was happy, he was surprised. He said most of his patients tell him they don’t think they hear any better with them! That makes me feel sad for their sakes. And sad for the doctor, who said it was discouraging him from getting some even though his wife tells him he needs them! I recommended the place I went to; I hope he gives them a try.
