Good Evening,
Due to having tinnitus, my doctor sent me to an audiologist. I went to the appointment and she completed some tests and told me they give clients hearing aids the same day so they have them when they leave the appointment. After the tests, she told me I needed hearing aids due to my tinnitus and high frequency hearing loss. She did not go in detail about what was a good range or what my results yielded or give me any printed results/reports. She also refused to look me in the eye during the entire discussion. It was very awkward, but since my doctor who I trust sent me there and they have a great rating, I figured it was just me. She offered me three options for hearing aids (ReSound OMNIA 5, 7 and 9). She calibrated the ReSound OMNIA 9 for my ears and told me it would be $7,000 for them or I could go to a lower set that was not as good, but if I did not like it, I could return them within the 30-Day trial period. I selected the ReSound OMNIA 5 for $5,000, but even as I was leaving they still wanted me to go with the ReSound OMNIA 9 instead, but I explained that I do not have any funds and I will have to get a loan for the Omnia 5. It has only been two weeks and I have only noticed a very slight difference when I turned them on (unless they are turned up very loud). When it is normal, there is not much difference versus when I mute them. Plus, when I look online, the same pair only costs between $2,000 and $3,000 per pair. I have not been wearing them lately because it also seems to cause some conversations to be muffled. I have never bought hearing aids before and need advice on this situation. Are you supposed to get a second opinion before making a purchase or are all the tests the same? Is this how testing typically works? Also, if I do buy hearing aids at an online store, do local audiologist calibrate them, if needed? Any help/opinions are appreciated.