First time hearing aid buyer

[gregzic]

Well I have an appointment for this Friday, but I am thinking of cancelling that.

There is another ENT hearing center about an hour away from me. I think I will make an appointment with the ENT and get a second opinion and schedule an appointment with their audiologist. They sell most of the major brands of HA’s so it will give me more options to try.

I will definitely keep you informed.

[SpudGunner]

@gregzic: Wee Duncan MacPorcq performing a precision catscan, with the assistance of Nurse Muffin.

[dankailo]

Lip reading is very difficult in a multi-racial country like Malaysia. I am able to lip reading the common language locally ( at least 50-60%).

Would a BTE Phonak Paradise UP with earmold or power dome be worth a trial before considering any other options? Still check with Kevels for his opinion.

Thanks

[dankailo]

Thanks, @joanhawsey, Insurance does not cover CI. Long wait in our hospital. CI is out of my budget.

Thanks for your kind feedback. Have a nice evening.

[SpudGunner]

@dankailo

Still check with Kevels for his opinion.

@dankailo: Probably would be more effective if you tagged @kevels55 this way …

[Neville]

@SpudGunner

Wee Duncan MacPorcq performing a precision catscan

Fine name for a cat

[tenkan]

@SpudGunner

Lots of folks come here with preconceived notions and “push back” if it’s not what they want to hear. That’s not so satisfying …)

Mate, can I just say that I 100% agree with this statement.

[gregzic]

That has always been a pet peeve with me.

Someone comes to asking for advice, you give it to them, then they spend the next hour telling you why your wrong.

[Zebras]

@gregzic

The Phonak website says that the Lumity and Naida are both for up to Profound hearing loss. But you think the Naida will be more powerful and work better for my situation?

I thought the better model would sound better since it has the speech enhancer, echo block, and more tuning channels. Plus it has the tap control which I thought would be useful.

The Lumity only goes to 105 dB so not all of the profound range.

Also with your hearing loss you may find the rechargeable battery doesn’t last you the whole day as more hearing loss, means more power so will drain more quickly.

I really would go with the Naida P90 UP as then you have the backup in case you loose more hearing and no issue with battery not lasting the whole day.

[SpudGunner]

@Neville

If you think that a CI might EVER be something you pursue, it’s important to continue to amplify that right ear as much as you can to try to maintain nerve activity. But it sounds to me like a CI is more difficult and expensive in Malaysia than it is in other places.

@dankailo: Not that anyone has asked for my opinion on this, I shall offer it, notwithstanding.

Advances in the science of audiology are being made on such a regular basis that - in your case - keeping those auditory nerves stimulated and as active as possible is an investment in keeping your options open.

Other, more affordable technologies may be just around the corner … meanwhile - get the UP aids!

[dankailo]

For 2023, I will surfing surfing and check the UP (only choice now) Phonak. Trial it before buying. Even Voluisano also suggests Phonak esp for the right ear.

Thanks

[dankailo]

Kevels55 is helping me to keep an eye on UP Phonak & Roger On.

[gregzic]

Thanks Zebras, I will definitely look into that. Hopefully they will allow to try them before purchasing.

As a new user I am sure it is going to take me some time to get adjusted and find what sounds best to me.

Like everyone has said, we all hear different so what works for one may not work for another. But all the advice I have received from all of you has helped to narrow down the field.

[Zebras]

@gregzic

As a new user I am sure it is going to take me some time to get adjusted and find what sounds best to me.

I’m sure you know but HAs don’t return your hearing to normal.

With your loss, you’ll still expect to struggle in certain situations but HAs do help loads.

[Zebras]

@gregzic

Some people love the Tap Control but I see so many people say it gets activated by mistake even on the strongest setting and end up turning Tap Control off so I don’t think you’ll be missing out on much.

[gregzic]

If they will at least help me understand my family better in our home, that would be a huge help.

The tap control sounds like a plus, but I could see it get frustrating if it does not work properly.

[aliakhtar]

hi I think my loss is similar to yours…I had been using starkey CIC since 2008. my recent choice was Picasso 1200 series. very discreet yet have enough power for me. starkey always had most powerful CIC around. if discretion matters to you then this would be choice.

[SpudGunner]

@aliakhtar

if discretion matters to you then this would be choice.

@aliakhtar: Have you looked at the guy’s audiogram? With a loss like that, I don’t think “discretion” enters the picture!

[aliakhtar]

my loss is near same. i found oticon was giving me too much gain and went back to starkey. i like their e-stat formula.

[SpudGunner]

@aliakhtar

my loss is near same.

@aliakhtar: It’s hard to say, since you haven’t posted your audiogram.