Just got back from my trip to Starkey headquarters in Minneapolis. It was definitely an experience and I am glad I went. I spent a whole day there at their office and got to meet and talk to some of the Soundlens experts. What was interesting was that some of the engineers and audiologists on staff were also Soundlens users, so we were able to communicate on the same level on some aspects of my concerns. Again, the main reason why I made the trip there to Starkey was because I couldn’t get the fit just right with my previous audiologists. I do not blame them–this is a complex hearing aid to fit since every ear is different. As I sat at the table with other patients waiting on their appointments, I found out they were also Soundlens wearers and we all again had something in common to talk about. The issues they had were also fit-related(!). The neat thing about Starkey (I admit I was a little embarrassed when it was my turn) was that the work was all open-- you actually get to watch other patients have their ears clean via video, as well as a live view of the fitting/molding process. The staff was friendly, but they sure were busy with orders coming and going. I was there a whole day for everything from a new hearing test, ear cleaning, one-on-one discussion with an audiologist, impressions, fit testing, and software tweaking. This was the kind of care I needed if I was going to pay top dollar for these things AND have them be such a huge part of my social life. Might as well go to the source and get it done by experts. I believe I got a good fit and I think the software has been tweaked to make it more comfortable for me to wear them (I had issues with my voice sounding “tinny” when talking–this required Starkey to bring down my low frequencies [no problem since I have good lows] , they also made the vent hole larger).
Unfortunatley, there was a huge setback: I seem to have gotten a congestion/sinus issue with my ears and they have been plugged up the entire day I was at starkey. This may have affected the ability for me to get a great fit. I tried to pop my ears and drink hot tea, take a hot shower, etc but nothing worked. The “plugged up” sensation seemed to have been exacerbated by the impression process and they are STILL plugged up as I write this. The impression process was a little painful as the ear pressure was altered during the removal of the mold (I think, not 100% sure yet). It may be due to the fact I also flew in an hour earlier and my equilibirum was not yet back to normal? I expect this to clear any day now.
To the audiologists reading this post: There were some audiologists that brought some of their patients along with them. ONe had 2 customers he flew with to Starkey. I thought that was nice. I’m sure it’s not practical for all audiologists to do this, but I can tell you that these patients are customers for life for this audiologist.
The other thing I liked about the Starkey visit was the free breakfast and lunch for patients in the cafeteria, as well as the free transportation from the airport to Starkey (though some Starkey reps also dropped off the patients at the airport, but since I didn’t request it, I took a $20 shuttle ride to the airport). There’s also the nice discount from Starkey at the local 4 star Marriot ($90/night) which also provides free shuttle transportation to Starkey! All in all, it was a very cheap trip for me (cheap southwest tickets at $50, not including points I had from a credit card), especially considering the importance of getting the aids fit just right and to my level of satisfaction. The trip also put me in direct contact with a rep that will personally expedite all my future deliveries and needs.
I admit, the jury is still out on the Soundlens, but part of that is due to the fact my hearing loss is so severe and I am right on the borderline. What I do know is that I’m happier now than I was with them prior to the trip.
