My one and only pair of hearing aids were not the greatest when they were new and now after 3 or 4 years I desperately need a new pair of top level technology hearing aids. I got turned down for cochlear implant a year or two ago (sorry for indefinite timelines, I lose track when im having so much fun). The audiologist whose opinion trumped that of the surgeon who said he thought he could help me, she prescribed Resound Enzo Q 988 BTE. She was keen to set me up with a pair that are way out of my price range and said NOT TO WORRY about price because i could get a loan from whatever company.
How do i know profit motive didn’t motivate her opinion? Every time i find myself in need of some house repair or medical need its always the same. They say NEVER MIND you can borrow… I’m a person with extremely limited finances who dislikes the ease with which these folks do the loan recommendation song and dance. I try to be a financially responsible person, is it outside their frame of reference that budgetary restraints are a fact of life for some more than others. How glibly they prescribe this that or the other and say money’s no problem, get a loan without any consideration theres a limit to how many DONT WORRY loans til you are in over your head?
Anyway so im considering Resound Enzo Qs she said would fix me right up but the price exceeds $6500.
Also i have a favorable impression of Phonak Lumity with most advanced technology because i need that technology if i hope to rejoin the land of the living I see from my front window.
Im open to any suggestions that offer hope.
When i got my current Audeo Marvel i had no idea of all the choices and negotiations, costs and other factors. So i got a referral thru my Medicare Advantage to see a nearby audiologist who eventually said heres what yoy need and i said OK with trepidation because i had to pay about $3500 up front before my order could go thru. Not having much to go by, and hearing birds again i accepted “these are them”.
Now years later Im somewhat more educated a tiny bit anyway. But my big conundrum right now is how to find an audiologist like some patients describe that let them try hearing aids before plunking down money. I wish i could try various hearing aids and deciding for myself which are best for me.
But i don’t know where to find such a creature. How can i find someone with at least some code of ethics beyond just making the sale. How do i find someone unlike the previous 2 audiologists who tell me having ANY trial hearing aids is unrealistic.
IF by some act of God I get sufficient resources to get another pair they need to be the best because chances are there wont be any new ones later down the road.
SO SHARE WITH ME PLEASE how to find audiologist who actually wants to help me and who will have access however that works, to various brands and technologies i can try?
My last audiologist JUST HAPPENED to have a pair of Phonak hearing aids were next to highst technology. Thats it, take it or leave it or buy the car without being able to take it for a drive.
I have so many demands and pressing issues on my time and the greatest need is that IM IN DANGER OF LOSING CONNECTIONS TO MY FAMILY because we are all tired of having to ask or Being Asked to repeat what was said. Im very isolated in a small town where everyone has family and so I am not needed and have not much in common with. Its about a 3 hour round trip to see family or them coming to see me. Not all that far but far enough that impromptu quick visits (just stopped in to say hi) don’t happen anymore. In addition to miles an advancing emotional distance is taking hold leaving me anxious and uncertain fearful of medical emergencies without a loved one to help figure out how to proceed and ultimately my greatest fear of dying alone. I dont need an advanced directive for medical emergencies if theres no loved ones name i can appoint if none of them will be there. Thats a short explanation of my personal situation.
So i feel i dont have the luxury of time to explore on my own when I hope some of you offer a shortcut to what i need to know to find these elusive individuals in the field of audiology who offer such assistance in search of tools whereby i might reconnect with family or to make new friends that elude me now because my profound hearing loss had made communication most difficult.