I’ve talked with 2 hearing aid centers about Widex products and I’m getting more and more uncertain about which model might be best for me. Can someone please give some real world feedback on using a Dream 330 vs. Unique 330 (or the 110 or 220)? I understand the Unique line offers more automatic operation, but my latest audiologist prefers the manual capabilities offered in the Dream line. From a pricing point of view (TruHearing) I like the Dream 330. Thanks.
I’ve worn both in the 440 model and currently have settled on UNIQUE. I am not sure what manual capabilities the audiologist prefers in the DREAMS over the UNIQUE. While the UNIQUE aids do have the ability to switch soundclasses automatically, that can be shut off if desired. In addition you still have the ability to switch between programs manually. I have one program with the automatic soundclass switching enabled and the others without so I can control what I want if necessary. I find the Speech Enhancement on the UNIQUE just terrific and I think they are better in noise as well. Can you test both? You may find with your level of loss that the DREAM works just fine.
With that audio-gram you don’t need aids.
I agree with Doc. You don’t need expensive aids designed for profound hearing loss.
If you are getting them for the tinnitus, the same sounds are available in the app stores. You can use it with ear buds to see if getting aids helps. Otherwise, inexpensive PSAP (Amazon etc.) can give you modest amplification in challenging situations. As mentioned, you have test results that are very close to normal.
Thanks everyone for your comments. Tinnitus (ringing) is the main reason I’m looking at HAs now. But prior to it I had difficulty understanding speech in environments with background noise. So much so that I avoid social situations like this and it’s become worse over the recent years. Understanding words on TV is also difficult at times. So with onset of tinnitus I thought I would try to help both with a HA and improve my quality of life.
I’ve been listening to white noise with apps, etc. and I also have a demo pair of Unitron HAs with tinnitus masking. It’s a big relief when I’m wearing the HAs but it doesn’t entirely mask the ringing in quiet environments. I can’t say for sure how much it’s helping me in social situations because I haven’t had that opportunity, but I think it’s helping.
I plan on trying an on the ear bluetooth earphone to just mask the tinnitus but this solution is far more obtrusive if I have to wear these most of the day. If I were to go with a HA, I’m leaning towards the Widex Unique Fusion and maybe the 220 because my hearing loss is very mild and may not need all the benefits of a 330 or 440.
Thanks again for your comments.
You might consider a neurologist or ENT. Your situation is rather unique. An audiologist can’t address your issues although they’ll be happy to sell you aids.