@DWes17: I would not be dilly-dallying returning those 330s.
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No. I understand that perception, but generally no. Tinnitus usually exists in the spot where hearing loss is, but it’s not the tinnitus that is making one unable to hear, it’s the hearing loss.
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That’s good to know. I have wondered on occasion.
Your story is a perfect example of why people are so frustrated with the hearing aid industry in general. Going forward, I would consider models that can be adjusted remotely, tweaked via smart phones or self-programmed.
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The model being trialled can be fitted by remote care and also has an app for adjustments. This is beneficial once the correct fit and set up has been established.
This is possibly the worst example of ‘self-fit’ you could have picked.
Inverted cookie-bite with potential dead-spot regions in a reverse moderate slope? I’d love to see your phone pick the venting for that, or even the style of HA.
Potential otosclerosis, potential cochlear ossification, that’s before you even consider the upward spread of masking and distortion effects on hearing in noise. Is the loss progressing? Should the client be getting associated medical/ENT advice to diminish other symptoms?
Honestly if this is where OTC leads, then you’re on a hiding to nothing.
CIC - possibly mid-range, with a push-button and a flattish output (music settings) on P1 and constrained MPO, then slightly increased P2, then P3 etc. 1-2mm vent if there’s space
You can throw the overpriced RICs in the bin if it’s not working and still in the return period.
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Thought I would give an update. I returned the 330s to the audiologist. I told her the issues I was having were outweighing the benefits I was noticing. She took them back, talked about the refund process, and that was it. Whole thing took maybe 2 minutes–I waited in the lobby longer than the appointment. And this after an hour long drive to get there. She didn’t offer any other suggestions or different hearing aids that might work better or anything. She really seemed like she couldn’t care less. Oh well, I’m better off somewhere else anyway. 
I’m trying to get an appointment with Univ. of KY Medical Center Audiology but they require a referral so that is another hoop that I’m jumping through with my PCP. I know a couple of people here thought that was a good idea though I hope there wasn’t a misunderstanding. UKy does not offer an audiology degree program so they would not have any teaching audiologists. I would have to go to the University of Louisville for that but that is a further drive and I’d rather go somewhere closer.
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@DWes17: Okay - that definitely was a mistake on my part. I just assumed they would have an Audiology programme. Now, I say look around for someone closer who is a good fit with your expectations.
I apologize for my mistaken assumption.
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No need to apologize! It didn’t even occur to me either at first. It wasn’t until I got to thinking that all of the audiologists that I had looked at had degrees from University of Louisville or somewhere out of state. So yeah, they have a large medical center with an audiology department but there is no audiology degree program. I think I’m still going to try to get an appointment there just to see what I think about them. I do keep going back to the other audiologist that I consulted with already. It was only her in the practice so getting in touch is much easier than a bigger group or office.
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I don’t know much about tinnitus, but my audiologist does; he’s an expert in the field. I talked with him about help for a friend who’s had long standing issues with tinnitus and hyperacusis. From the audiologist, I got the sense that treatment for tinnitus can be complicated and really requires a specialist, not just any audiologist.
A quick google search - for what that’s worth - came up with Kentucky Audiology & Tinnitus Services in Lexington. Their page on tinnitus treatment seems to be comprehensive. They seem to get it. I wonder if it would be worth it to contact them.
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Huh?
https://www.uky.edu/chs/communication-sciences-and-disorders/undergraduate-program
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
In keeping with the standards of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is considered a pre-professional degree program for both speech-language pathology (SLP) and audiology. In order to meet Kentucky licensure and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association certification requirements, it is necessary to complete the Master’s degree for SLP certification or the clinical doctorate (AuD) to receive certification in audiology. The Master’s degree is considered the entry-level point for professional speech-language pathologists, while the AuD is needed to become a practicing audiologist. Undergraduate students intent on majoring in CSD should plan on 6 years to complete both the Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Science/Arts program, and 7-8 years to complete the Bachelor of Health Sciences and the AuD in audiology.
You had basically fired her at this point.
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But it doesn’t say that you can get the AuD at UK. When I looked at their website, I didn’t see it offered there.
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I have used an audiologist at U of K for 15 years. Never anything but extremely competent, empathetic and forthright. If additional skill sets are need then those surgeons and doctors are right in that department. I would not change for love nor money. Now, ultimately, like most things it gets personal. Credentials are easy to research. My experience tells me that the Audi is more important than the brand of hearing air. They are not trying to ‘sell’ you anything, they are trying to help you.
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Now that you mention it, I had seen this when I was looking around. I think I ruled it out since they are not in-network with any insurance companies. Might be something to think about but my tinnitus is not terribly bad right now.
Yep.
I took this as they offer an undergraduate degree for people pursuing Speech Language Pathology or planning on going on for an Au.D degree but it does not appear to me that they offer an Au.D.
Thanks for this! Would you mind sharing the name (DM if you don’t want to share in public)? I have an appointment with my primary doctor tomorrow and I can ask for a referral.
And I think you are 100% correct that the Audi is the most important aspect.
In my experience, too many audiologists look at an audiogram and simply program the hearing aid to fill in the missing frequencies. If it were that simple we would all be delighted with our hearing aids. I might get some negative feedback over this, but try a reputable online provider that can adjust your hearing aid remotely. You can request and receive many adjustments in the time it would take to visit your audi for one adjustment… and you would experience the results immediately in your normal environment.
I’m sort of not going into justifying this, but if you think that’s all Audiologists take into account in meeting your needs, the I’ve got a Bridge to sell you.
Also, if your fitting is falling short, remote adjustment is about the last thing you need: like throwing darts in the dark.
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I think it really depends on the audiologist as to how much effort they take with the fitting. And there is a responsibility on the user to be understanding of the limitations. Like most everything in life there is give and take.
I know in my experience there has been a huge learning curve and I’m still confused. Doesn’t help that I’m too intimidated in the presence of a medical professional to speak up and be more assertive. I know I shouldn’t be intimidated–I’ve had ample evidence that a lot of them don’t have a clue about what they are doing. Or they think they know more than the patient and so don’t end up listening to the patient. (I’m talking more about some of the “doctors” I’ve seen lately that I’ve not been impressed with but it applies in a lot of different scenarios.)
To give an update on my situation:
I did end up going to the University of Kentucky. I’m still not completely happy but it is much better than the last place. Before seeing an audiologist, they set me up with an appointment with an ENT who I really liked. He at least wanted to make sure that my hearing loss wasn’t something bigger like a tumor or an autoimmune disease. I have neither, at least per their tests. I had numbness in a couple of fingers and wrist pain that was not due to carpal tunnel and so ended up getting referred to a rheumatologist as they thought I might have rheumatoid arthritis. All of those tests were negative too except for the general inflammation markers, SED rate and C-reactive protein. But I digress.
I’m now seeing an audiologist at UK and I like him though he isn’t the most friendly person. He did a very thorough hearing exam including determining the frequencies of my tinnitus. He set me up with a set of Resound Omnia hearing aids and did real ear measurements. I actually preferred the Widex feature-wise and usage-wise but they don’t offer those. The Resounds are at least programmed better than the last audiologist programmed the Widex’s. I do kind of like the “sharing” of the sound between ears (can’t remember what that is called). I have been having some weird feedback issues on occasion that are somewhat annoying. I haven’t been back yet to see what he could do about that. He did not program them for my low frequency loss due to possible occlusion and is focusing more on dealing with the tinnitus. He said he overamplified some of the high frequencies in my tinnitus range. Overall, they sound much better and don’t annoy me. The sound is a little too tinny/bright at first but I mostly get used to that after a few minutes. I do wish that there was a good solution or at least compromise to the low frequencies. I’m enough of a perfectionist that since I know I have loss there, I would like it corrected. 
But on a serious note, the added low frequencies did improve music so I am missing that. C’est la vie, I guess I can’t have everything.
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I’ve lived with a severe loss since age 6 and have worn hearing aids successfully since then through graduate school and a rewarding profession dealing with the public in a wide range of environments. I’ve worked with good audiologists and horrible audiologists. For the last 20 years I’ve worked with self-programmed and remote programed aids, and couldn’t be happier… and saved thousands of dollars and hours of time in the process, so don’t tell me what I need - and keep your bridge.
The original poster has an incompetent audi who IS throwing darts.
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