I am a firm believer that HA manufacturers (like cell phones) over the past few years have added features to make their products more attractive to us.
In strictly calm situations, one-on-one conversations are no better today than they were 6 years ago.
However, they have tried to improve performance in difficult situations (speech in noise) but it remains subjective as to how much progress has been made.
They took our neckloops (streaming devices) away and incorporated Bluetooth etc directly into the HA’s but made them bulkier to do it!
In short, I believe the improvement curve has flattened out.
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I’m no professional or audi, but if you posted an audiogram it would give folks a better perspective of where you’re coming from. I have total CINDERBLOCK ears - can not go without my aids from the moment I wake up till I turn the lights off at night. Hey, I’d even wear them during sleep, but feel I should let my ears air out a bit.
If you are really struggling - even in certain situations (restaurants, soft spoken people, in a car, large meetings, etc.) - then it’s definitely time to check out some of the new aids on the market. Some brands seem to work better for folks than others. I am in the Phonak camp as I seem to get a full, rich sound without a lot of BRAIN interaction to fill in the blanks. I also like the dedicated Music program (I call that “dumb ears” as it doesn’t tinker with any noise management) and being able to stream hands-free with phone, laptop and TV.
On top of which, I replaced an older pair of battery operated Phonak Marvel aids with the latest rechargeable (HATE THAT OPTION) Phonak Lumity Life aids. The speech comprehension improvement actually shocked me. It was so natural and so EASY! I rarely struggle to hear folks in most situations. But even so, comprehending speech in LOUD places prompted me to add the Phonak Roger On V2 to my growing collection of EAR GEAR.
I think the most vital component is WHO FITS THESE AIDS for you. Cuz if you get someone who isn’t on your wavelength, doesn’t listen to you, couldn’t be bothered with your issues and goals, you can spend a lot of money for no value.
Costco can have great fitters, but you’d need to try it out with their very generous trial. Let us know how it works for you.
Thank you. I will have to get my my audiogram from Costco and I will post iy.
What you say makes me think my best option is to try a new pair as I do have difficulty with low talkers and in restaurants. I find myself many times having to strain or say “what did you say “.
Thank you all again for your time and support
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No harm in trying a new set out–if you can get them programmed reasonably well, in order to get a true sense of what they can do! And, you may discover there are other areas of hearing life that have gone missing, and you didn’t notice because it all happened very slowly.
in short: trialing new aids involves two parts: choosing the new aids, and then having them properly fitted. The first part is a no brainer: established brands are all very good. The second part is harder to judge.
I can’t find it but someone posted a thread where they said they had older aids and when he took them to his audiologist , the audi reprogrammed them and he was amazed at how well they were working. You might want to see if having them reprogrammed helps first.
I found the thread. Its worth reading
Thank you for the information however I did have my hearing tested and aids reprogrammed at Costco in May. Didn’t help, or if it did then not noticeably.
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Very interesting batch of replies here. Will add my experience. Bought my first set of hearing aids, the Widex Evokes, in 2014. I just got a new pair of Oticon Mores a few months back. I was astonished at how little improvement there was.
I worked for 30 years in the entertainment biz as a composer. I know how things sound more than most people. The changes in performance in the techonolgy I used to score films and TV were exponential during my working days. I expected a big bump up in performance. There was little discernible difference.
Actually, because of the comb filtering in Oticons it makes playing music or hearing music more difficult (for me.)
I am sorry I didn’t really test them out during the trial period. They cost a fortune.
Take advantage of those liberal return policies at Costco. Go to as many different audio places you can - noisy restaurant, concert, small gatherings, business office with glass doors and walls. Let your brain adjust to them.
Then go back to your originals. Se if you hear much of a difference.
Make your decision.
Take audiograms regularly.
I still have my Evokes. They work great. I still will use them.
Because of my sensitivity to audio I have gone forward and purchased the new (also really expensive) Widex Moment HA. They really made a difference. I am still testing them out, but I plan to keep them.
And Costco is a great place to purchase. I would also look at the (FINALLY) over the counter HA. Check them out on Amazon. You may find something better for you that costs half (or more) than other offerings.
I have to buy hi-end HA. My loss is in the "profound range
Important to know: I have Bilateral Meniere’s disease comorbid with diplacusis Disharmonica, which is a much different beast compared to age-related hearing loss.
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Low talkers are aggravating. After asking twice, I sit back and eat. I have one friend I only see occasionally who will not speak to be heard🤷🏻♀️
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Generally speaking, improvements in sound quality over the years have been marginal at best. There have been some improvements in reducing background noises; however, that does not necessarily improve overall quality for everyone.
The most important thing is to ensure that the hearing aid is functioning properly, the speaker’s and mics are not damaged. And the next most important thing is to ensure that it is programmed correctly to your needs (both mapping and programs).
If all of that is good, then upgrading will not typically yield significant improvements. One of the biggest reasons to upgrade is for new features such as bluetooth.
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I went to Costco this morning and tried the Rexton and Phillips in the store. The Rexton made me hear every fan, every shopping cart wheel, every piece of loud background sound. The HA specialist adjusted them and I tried the Phillips. Somehow the Phillips sounded more natural to me, different from the old hearing aids I’m wearing (Kirkland 7 years old, I’m told we’re made by Rexton).
I do t know if there is a real noticeable difference between my current heating aids and new Phillips.
One thing I don’t like for sure is that the domes on the new HA’s are not click domes. Seems no one makes click domes anymore. I had issue previously with older heating aids where done came off in my ear- wasn’t fun.
Ordered the Phillips and will give them a try.
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This has to be a frustrating situation for you! This isn’t a solution, more an (slightly rambling) FYI.
As you may surmise from many threads in this forum, the importance of the effectiveness of a audiologist/hearing care professional can have on your experience can’t be overlooked. While Costco prices are beyond reproach, their service is widely questioned.
This may be all the more a factor in your case as you’re hearing loss is moderate and the HAs are only 6 years old. Now if some part is worn out and there’s no repair or replacement options… new would be the only path forward.
Do you know the cause of your hearing loss, how it may have progressed? This is where an ENT might be what you need, before new HAs or HCP.
What is a Click Dome?
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Correction, my current Kirkland hearing aids seem to be 8 years old. Hoping the new technology and AI of new Phillips 9040’s will help. With the 180 day trial period I have nothing to lose.
As far as reliability of the technologist at costco, I find that in the store I go to anyway, they are equal to and in most cases far superior to testing and fitting than the previous big $ private hearing aid centers or professional I had been using before at more than double the cost.
Click domes are the small clear vinyl like covers at the end of the reviver that go into your ears, they actually click in place so they don’t fall off in your ear easily. Had that happen with older heating aids, not fun.
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Thank you for your response. Also I agree with your find about CostCo. I have an excellent tech at my Costco.
I’ve had that happen too. Twice. I better change my domes before it happens again. These little 50 cent widgets are a pain. As the waxguards are too.
Sorry to hear that. I don’t know why they stopped click domes, they took care of a much needed problem.
How did you get the domes out of your ear? How often should fines be changed to avoid the issue?
When the dome came off in my ear I phoned my audiologist in each case.
I don’t know what a “click dome” is. Back then I had open domes.
My domes have a ring that fits around the ring on my receivers.
I change my waxguards more often than others do. I’ve talked to many other seniors who didn’t even know what a waxguard was! The new waxguards on my Phonak Paradise P90’s are awful. They are so tiny I have trouble seeing them. There are fewer holes than my other two pairs of Phonaks had. Seems to me they might get plugged with max more quickly.
Every time I change my waxguards I hear better. I change them once a week. I try to remember to change my domes tonight. I bet mine are about a month old. They are closed domes. I don’t have feedback…
DaveL
Toronto
A click dome is made to connect/click on to the receiver and makes it difficult to pull them off so they don’t fall out . It seems they don’t make that type of receiver anymore to click on.
What did the audiologist do to take the domes out of your ear?
Used a light, and miniscule needle nose pliers.
Your description sounds like my domes are click domes. I have Phonak hearing aids; 3 pairs over 20 years. They are receiver in ear hearing aids; Phonak Audeo Paradise P90’s are the latest, and they are two years old.
I’m hard of hearing. I’ve never heard a “click”.
DaveL