I am 83 years old, with a mild hearing loss on the higher frequencies .( which more often than not makes hearing women a bit of a challenge…).
I already have a hearing aid on one ear upon an audiologist exam, but I hardly ever use it because it doesn’t make much of a difference.( Fortunately it didn’t cost me anything because it is covered by the Canadian government Health insurance plan) Normally it would cost almost $ 2000.
I have just found found that I could get OTC a hearing aids from Amazon anywhere from $ 300 to about $ 500 for both ears.
The problem is that the Amazon devices offer Bluetooth technology and require a smart phone or an Android device, which I don’t have.
!. Do I really need one or can I control the settings ( volume, frequency adjustments, etc ) directly from the hearing aid on the ears, without a Smart Phone
2.What kind of basic sound controls do I get without a Smart Phone app.?
3. Generally, are these rechargeable OTC hearing aids recommended for a decent sound qualiity?
Thanks
It depends on wether you want OTC aids for calls or not. If you don’t, then you can still use them for streaming from your TV, PC HiFi etc. as long as the device you want to stream from has bluetooth 4 or higher, although you may only be able to adjust the volume from your aid. Actually some non smart phones are equiped with bluetooth, but probably with a lower version. Sound quality maybe questionable. I’m sure other forum members will also chip in with advice.
I don’t know but my take is that an OTC hearing aid from Amazon would be a waste of money. You don’t give any specifics but I’m also guessing that all or nearly all the controls are through a phone app (which you don’t have)
I think time and money would be better spent seeing an audiologist. They might even be able to recommend an OTC hearing aid that would be suitable.
Elehear Beyond: Hands-On Expert Review It says the tone and volume can be adjusted from either aid, although I don’t know if you require the app. to do so. There’s also a 45 day trial period.
I would recommend that you go back to the audiologist from the government health plan. He/she may be able to adjust your current hearing aid to work better and determine if a hearing aid for the other ear would really help. If so they may be able to get you another aid or set of aids through the government plan.
I am not ready to invest on a Smartphone or equivalent cheaper brands. I wonder whether I can setup the hearing aid through the computer. Is there a PC Windows 11 App for this? Thanks
There must be a Windows 11 PC App for this . Which one, if you know? Also,I suppose there is some cable ( USB) running from the Hearing Aid to the PC, but I am a bit in the dark. about this. I also suppose I can keep adjusting the sound settings through the PC, if need be, until I get the right sound in the hearing aid. Thanks again
I just started using a smart phone in the last year. Before that I had a flip phone. The difference in my hearing is amazing. I am no longer struggling to hear the conversation on the phone. Previously I had a telephone coil and it did work with the flip phone but the conversation was not as clear and I had to rely on turning the volume up high.I now have a cheap android phone and it works very well with my aids.
NO, the aids would connect to the computer via Bluetooth, just as the phone would. No wires at all.
But you need to confirm that your PC BT is working, that you could figure out the paring and settings on the computer, and that the BT is modern enough… a version of BT as required by the aids.
BUT I think you would find it mentally and socially stimulating to get a cheap android phone.