Welcome to the forum, great your trying to help your father to get some hearing aids, first off could you post an audogram (hearing test) so we could offer some helpful tips, as it’s not a one size fits all!
Do you have a Costco wholesale in your country? That would be a great place to start, if not used on eBay is another position you could take, the software and hardware are easy enough to get
Do not bother with aliexpress they will not be helpful.
Apple air pod’s are cheap as well, possibly able to test in store if they are suitable.
Agree that it’s best to avoid aliexpress.
Suggestions. If you have your father’s audiogram, post it. (Top of page, click on FORUM, then My hearing Tests)
If Costco is an option their hearing aids are about $1500 US.
If that’s not an option, do you have EBay or something like it to be able to purchase used hearing aids?
Also some organizations (Lion’s Club in US) can provide hearing aids to people who can’t afford.
I’m not sure you won’t get any fakes. Apart from the tonal audiogram (that graph usually accesible below our usernames), it’s worth asking your father if he has been tested for Word Recognition Score (WRS) in quiet or QuickSIN or similar.
@Yellow_Bird: We’re asking you to post dad’s audiogram because, before recommending any device, we need to know whether dad’s hearing loss is mild, moderate, severe, or profound, and detailed numbers about that as well as any other issues revealed in testing. Buying aids without matching them to test results is less likely to help dad.
There are inexpensive (as in a few hundred US dollars) devices available without a prescription that may work reasonably well for milder losses. But I have a feeling you wouldn’t be asking for help here unless dad’s loss was greater than that, in which case, the inexpensive devices may not be a good buy. Buying aids that couldn’t match his loss would be like buying under-powered eyeglasses.
Also… if he’s had severe or profound hearing losses for a decade or more that have not been effectively treated with hearing aids, he may have limits in cognitive ability to process speech. It can be a use-it-or-lose-it situation. Some people are in such denial about hearing loss that by the time they’re finally ready to try aids, even the best aids for them may result in what they perceive as louder gibberish, and they throw the new aids in a drawer and give up. This doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying; it just means that more help as from a cognitive hearing specialist and a commitment for patience and extra effort from dad is needed as well as the right hearing aids.
Where is dad (city/country)? This also narrows the options.
Does he like/use/want aids that he can adjust with a smartphone app, or is he generally reluctant to use high tech devices?
As someone whose parents have passed but had to deal from a distance with their aging including hearing loss, you have my sympathy. It’s a challenge.
p.s. Your English is very good, better than many of us native Yanks and Brits, so no apologies needed there.
Apple Airpods Pro 2 have been able to function as hearing aids for a while but we all seem to be waiting for an update from Apple as they have just received permission from the FDA in the US to sell as over the counter hearing aids. I am using them as I have mild to moderate hearing loss and they work well for me.
If your dad’s hearing loss is mild to moderate it is possible to buy an older iPhone much, much cheaper than a new one to set the Airpods up. They do work without the phone once they are set up.
The main downside to the Airpods as hearing aids is battery life. I managed to get 7.5 hours out of mine a couple of days ago before I had to recharge but Apple says it’s typically six hours. They charge to full in under and hour. My plan is to buy a second pair when I start to use them all the time. Still a lot cheaper than normal hearing aids.
As others have said who have far more experience than me, without knowing the problem your dad has and how bad his hearing is we can’t help you that much.
@Yellow_Bird, be patience with hearing loss. It is not like supermarkets! In this Forum, there are a lot of good people who is willing to help you. Give yourself a couple of months or more, then you decide which is best for your father.
It all starts from the Audiogram and then which types of hearing aids are suitable. Then the HA’s need programing to fine tune it in order it is suitable for your father.
In the US, Costo provides a 6 moths trial period for testing for a small fee.
Just be patience. Your father is having hearing loss for a few years. Take your time.
Purchase a cheap pair of hearing aids from eBay for about $200 and $300, get a device to connect the aids to your computer, and learn how to program them on your own.
The required software is available on this forum. Many kind folks are here to assist and mentor you.
Yes BUT $4000.00 in YOUR Country is Cheap compared to USA where they run from$4K to over $7,000.00,anyway Ive bought at least 7 Pairs on Ebay,some used some New Signia,Resound,Miracle Ear,Beltone etc 90% Rechargeable and all Receiver in the Ear and ALL less than a Year Old from Parents etc who passed away or never used them and got many extras.On Ebay theres many people who Program them according to your Audiogram,just Pay for the Service (about $100) and Mail them in with Charger and Audiogram,they come back tuned up and ready to use regardless who they were prescribed for.Miracle Ear and Beltone are difficult for a 3rd Party to Program as they have exclusive Hardware But ALL Signia and Rextons can be done cheap.I have many extra sets of 2021-2024 Models.What Country are you in?
I am from Spain people earn 1000 -1200 dollars a month and everything is very expensive, you can hardly save. 4000 dollars is crazy. We would have to ask for a small loan and I want to avoid that.
Thank you very much for your support. I appreciate it, I am going to post a new post to help me interpret the audiogram first.
Then I will be able to fill in my profile information.
Are there any tutorials on fitting devices in this forum?
I have responded to your other post, which may help you to understand your Father’s loss better.
I’d suggest you keep this thread going to continue your enquiries regarding options.
Based on the audiogram, his hearing loss is in the range of moderate heading into severe. His lifestyle would be a very important consideration in trying to identify whether he would get much benefit from the previously mentioned solutions such as the Apple AirPods Pro 2 solution. If he lives quite a solitary life with mostly one on one conversations with people, then his needs would be much less demanding than if he leads an active social life with lots of interactions. The latter case would most likely need the sophistication of prescription hearing aids rather than the cheaper options.
Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean an outlay of $4000. Most brands have a range of levels of technology from basic to premium, with basic ones costing much less than premium, including 3-4 years warranty and after sales support. In addition, depending on any other issues he has, it may be worth looking into whether he would qualify for any disability support from the State. On top of that, some companies may offer an age- related discount, if he is aged 60+ or 65+ depending on local rules. Finally, a portion of the cost may possibly be claimable against income tax if he pays that.
Finally, others have already mentioned the possibility of buying a used set of aids from eBay. That would need you to get involved in the DIY field and, while it’s possible, it would involve other costs such as programming device etc.
@Yellow_Bird Welcome to the forum. Costco has been suggested already, I hope your dad and you live reasonably close to one of these stores. Even if you have to travel a couple of hours they would be your best option, and very worth while.
Good luck.