lovespaper,
The price seems about $1,400 too high, but I suppose it depends on how many years of insurance, etc, you audiologist is providing with that.
Best, World89
She is just providing the normal 2 year warranty. My other question is do you think that audiologists that work in a Dr.s office approach their diagnosis or do you think someone who only does hearing aids is better suited?
Thanks!
From mistakes I have made in choosing audiologists I have concluded that it is best to choose an audiologist who has at least 8 years of experience (if not more), has a great deal of experience with the particular hearing aids you are buying from them, has enough experience fitting people with your particular type of hearing loss, and is not too proud to call the hearing aid company’s on-call audiologist for programing advice when necessary. Unfortunately there are some audiologists who will simply lie if you ask them these questions, as I found out, to get your business. But I don’t know about your particular question.
I hope that helps.
Good advice to all. So, is it worth $2,200 to eliminate those little, annoying sounds like road noise, the air blowing through the vents in the car and at home…? I guess that is just something I will personally have to decide. Any insight would be appreciated.
I can only say how I personally approach the question of hearing aids and their expense, but you should keep in mind that although I am not rolling in dough, I can afford the most expensive hearing aids out there IF I am careful with my money. I save money between hearing aids so I can afford the next pair.
For me being able to hear comfortably is one of my highest priorities in life. It affects me everyday all day except when I am alone. So I suppose there are two components to this: that I can hear and that I can hear comfortably. The first one is self explanatory, but it sounds like the second one is what you are struggling with right now. For me there would be little debate in my mind that I would pay the extra money for the more comfortable hearing aids. My peace of mind is undermined during the day if I am being annoyed or tortured by my hearing aids, I become irritable and angry, and therefore I am also none to pleasant to be around.
I hope that helps
For that price, you should at least be getting the PA-115s (15 channels and three programs) with a remote thrown in as well. Even then, I think you are paying way too much. I think it will be worth your while to shop around… but maybe that’s the going rate in your area.
As for whether or not the extra $ is worth it… the additional benefit probably does not exceed the additional cost.
Going from PA-105 to PA-110 gives you 10 channels versus 5, as well as an additional program. The extra program only matters if you have a remote because that’s the only way you will be able to switch programs (for example for watching TV, listening to music, etc.).
If your loss is relatively flat, the additional channels will probably not make much of a difference. But if you have a steep slope, then the finer adjustments that the PA-110 (or PA-115 for that matter) will allow, may improve things for you.
I ended up switching from the PA-110 to the PA-115 to allow finer tuning in the highs. Was the extra cost worth it? Hmmm, I haven’t quite decided yet. I’m leaning towards it not being worth it.
Did I notice a difference? Yes…but a relatively marginal improvement. However, considering I will keep these 4 or 5 years…I convinced myself that I would end up regretting it if I didn’t go for the PA-115’s. I’ll decide for sure at the end of the trial.
Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
Thank you for the advice. You both sound like you are very wise and knowledgable and experienced. I am going to shop around a bit and see what I come up with. I will also try to negotiate with her; who knows? She might go for it.
Thanks again.
cindie
Wow…I didn’t know the price quoted to you was not for a 115. That price is definitely way to high. It was $1,400 too high for the 115. You’ll definitely be able to get a better price.
Good luck!
UPDATE: Well, after experiencing the PA-115 in a noisy environment, I have decided that the extra cost WAS worth it. There was a big jump in price (~70%) …which is disgusting on so many levels…but there is a performance boost that I think is worth it given the amount of time I’m in noisy environments.
Hi HA-User,
I am a new comer of this forum.
For PA110, it has 2 available programs; if they are
automatic mode, music mode.
And one TV mode, so it is total 3 programs.
Also, if it is all the same in PA Series like 115.
Thanks
The PA-110 has 2 available listening programs:
- master or “automatic mode” as you call it plus one other from below:
- TV mode (boosts the high frequencies, enhances speech)
- Music mode (gives a boost to the low frequencies, turns off noise reduction)
- Acclimatization mode (if you are a new user that wants less gain)
- or another master mode (where changes are made according to your liking).
The PA-115 has 3 available programs:
- master plus two of the following:
- TV mode
- Music mode
- Acclimatization mode
- Comfort mode
- Audibility extender (I believe that’s what it is called. It essentially moves high frequency sounds down into a frequency range that the user can hear if they have little or no hearing in the high frequencies)
- or again, another master mode that can be tweaked to be different from the main master program
Note that you need a remote control to change these programs, otherwise the hearing aid remains in the master, fully automatic mode.
Hope this helps.
You are very informative and I learn more on Passion.
Many Thanks
I live in Thailand and am restricted by only two hearing centers in my town south of Bangkok. I can buy either Widex or Resound and have tried both. I am a new HA user with little to no hearing in my right ear and limited in my left. So I only need one aid. I tried both the Dot 20 and the Passion 115 but was allowed only a one week trial on the Passion. I could only try the Dot while in the sales office.
So I bought the Passion 115. I have had it now for two months. I use the closed dome small size as was suggested by the young lady seller. There is no audiologist in the town. It seems to work fine but I have no comparison. It has certainly improved my life now being able to hear conversations. I did not buy the remote, as after trying it I felt it not worth the price.
Both the Dot 20 and the Passion 115 were close in price, the Passion being just a bit more. So far I am happy with the Widex Passion.
Gary H. (sanmyn@aol.com)
Hi, i am testing the passion 110’s for about 2 weeks now. Before these i tested the Resound be, and the resound Dot, but both of these made an internal noise, that was impossible for me to stand. So now i’m trying the passion 110 in both ears. I’m happy with the devices, but i have a problem with the ear tips. In my right ear there is no real problem, the tip comes out about twice every hour, especially while i’m eating, but i can live with that. The problem is my left ear. That one is a bit smaller, and the smaller open tips are to small, en fall out all the time. The bigger ones are to big, and hurt my ear. Now I have the smaller ones, and they placed an anchor, but now the sound is not as good as it was, because the tip is not deep enough. I really want to buy the passions, but not when they hurt or fall out. Does anyone know how to solve this problem?
I was told that they could make custom ear molds to replace the tip on any earpiece. When I went to my audi. she was able to try about 4 different tips until I found the one that was most comfortable. I had tremendous itching from them in my left ear.
Good luck.
The problem with custom moulds is that it closes the ear. My high and low tones are perfect, so with a ‘closed’ system i cannot be helpen, it must be open. I suspect the wire is too short, friday i will try a larger one, hoping that will help!
Have worn it for about 5 weeks and love it. Am wearing the “open-ear tip”, washing the eartip weekly. Am wondering about the “NanoCare waxguard” and how often it should be replaced. It looks clear, but could there be wax build up which I’m not seeing? How often are others finding they need to change that “waxguard?”
May I know why you rule out Audeo V completely? which version of Passion are u trying?
i am choosing between Audeo V and Passion 115 too. personally did not find too much difference except that Passion sound is more pleasant. but Passion is much more EX
This is a followup to the post I made in February: I have one Widex Passion 110 in my left ear. The right ear is beyond help.
I have had the Passion now for 8 months with no problems. I use a closed tulip medium size and the aid is so comfortable I forget I have it on.
My one complaint is leaking batteries. I live in Thailand and they are possbily affected by the heat and humidity. Some batteries last for 4-5 days but most start leaking a orange substance into the shell within 2-3 days. I have tried the Widex Battery, the Duracell and the Eveready. All leak about the same.
The Passion has greatly improved my life. Now i can hold conversation in a noisy or quiet environment and hear TV pretty well.
I will be in San Francisco in December and intend to have the aid professionally adjusted and maybe try out some other brands for a spare.
I did try the Dot 20 but was not allowed to try it for more than a short time in the seller’s office.
My cost for the Passion 110 was about $1,800. I tried but decided against the remote.
Has onyone had experience with the Dot 20? I would love to hear from you.
Gary H.
sanmyn@aol.com
I was given quotes around and under $5000 Canadian in the last 6 months for a set of Widex 115’s with remote and fittings. Always shop at least 3 different places for price and service. You deserve to know what is going on in your area even if you have to travel into a city center. If you live in the States or Canada i have to say the price being asked of you is WAY TO HIGH.