hearing aides

[kennedy759]

kinda gun related, after years of shooting without ear plugs I need a hearing aide, anyone have any luck with the non prescription $200-300 ones on line? I am using ear plugs now, but after shooting I have a problem hearing. I am 69

 

[CitizenX]

Non-prescription will do you little good unless you are experienced with the device settings and other possible accessories that go along with them. There are no one size fits all when it comes to hearing. It's best to see a professional and get a complete hearing diagnostics. Many are more than happy to help and there are many programs they can introduce that can help keep the cost down. At 60, I have the hearing of an 85 yr old rock star. Like you, I don't need ear plugs, but it helps to prevent further damage.

 

[NHT3]

I have pair of these that I really like and the run the model without bluetooth on sale at times for 100..
https://goaxil.com/products/xcor-digital
I also have a pair of Walker Xcel 100 muffs that are the best muffs I've ever owned.. Muffs will always be better than in the ear protection but I've found both of these work very well.

 

[Creedmoor]

WHAT???

 

[bgcatty]

What did you say?

 

[nipprdog]

Non-prescription will do you little good unless you are experienced with the device settings and other possible accessories that go along with them. There are no one size fits all when it comes to hearing. It's best to see a professional and get a complete hearing diagnostics. Many are more than happy to help and there are many programs they can introduce that can help keep the cost down. At 60, I have the hearing of an 85 yr old rock star. Like you, I don't need ear plugs, but it helps to prevent further damage.

Yep. Tried the cheap ones. Don't work well, and don't last long. Went to a good hearing specialist and got a pair for $3600.
Incredible difference.

 

[04FXSTS]

Got mine early last spring and love them even though I didn't think I needed them. The professional hearing test showed me what I was not hearing, no comparison to the OSHA tests I had to take while working. Got top of the line for $6400 but that included insurance and follow up appointments. They are programmed for "everyday", "noisy" and "outdoor" and can be programmed for other situations if needed. Jim.

 

[Michigan Slim]

I almost had to leave a dinner party at the Embassy last night. The background noise was almost painful and I couldn't hear anything anyone said. Well, except for one loudmouth woman.

 

[2in1evtime]

My biological father used to purchase these after market cheap ones, none never really worked, he finally went to a ear specialist and got the prescription kind and they worked great, i wish he had done this long before he did as it made having conversations with him more enjoyable! He has been gone 3 years now though.

 

[BeDome]

My first trip to an audiologist was disappointing.
They told me that hearing aids would do me little good since my hearing was so imbalanced.
One good ear would sense the bad ear's aid through the bone before it was loud enough to help the bad ear.

Lifelong shooter, but I also had a sound reinforcement company for over twenty years, traveling around doing several big concerts every week.

My ears have been abused dramatically for most of my life, even though, during my sound company days, I tried to protect, but it still had to be head splittingly loud for Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple or Iron Maiden concert tours.

Second trip to an audiologist, three years ago, I did more research and chose the top Dr.
Insurance covered $2k but I went with an upscale version resulting in out of pocket at $3K. That got me wireless charging, re-programable as my ears continue to age, tiny in ear product that actually made a huge difference.
And they amplify clean tones without distortion.

During that ten year hiatus between audiologist visits, I did try some CVS shelf units, even in the $200 price range. Almost worthless. They distort!
I'll be 69yrs old next week.

 

[LtScott14]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from those $6000 devices. Costco can do the evaluation, and priced fairly. Mine have a 3 yr warranty for $1800. Your cell phone adjusts them, and after a while its easy peasy.
You would be surprised how much noise and sounds you are missing. Don't wait too long or have the "I don't have a hearing problem" self pride to kick in.
Yes, you need a Cotsco card, and an appointment in the Hearing center.
Good luck.

 

[BeDome]

I had tried several from the audiologist offerings trying to save money, about a week at a time before I got into the upper shelf varieties.

While my mechanical parts are failing, my brain is still overly analytical as to what I am hearing. Part of what made me a highly desired audio engineer in my youth, possibly.

I could not tolerate the distortion inherent to most of the lower grade units.
Also, cry once, these have a lifetime warranty which includes battery replacement every two years.

 

[duanewade]

I've been wearing hearing aids since I was 22 or 23 (am now 68) and lost my hearing (55% left & 45% right) from a childhood illness and extended high fever. I have used Miracle Ear almost exclusively and yes they are expensive (7600 for both) and Costco might be good too but I know from years of experience get the best that you can afford. Mine are fully programmable and filter out a lot of the day to day excess noise. I can control them with an app on my phone and stream and listen to phone calls directly to my hearing aids.

 

[JimmyC1924]

I almost had to leave a dinner party at the Embassy last night. The background noise was almost painful and I couldn't hear anything anyone said. Well, except for one loudmouth woman.

the embassy, are you a senator

 

[JimmyC1924]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from those $6000 devices. Costco can do the evaluation, and priced fairly. Mine have a 3 yr warranty for $1800. Your cell phone adjusts them, and after a while its easy peasy.
You would be surprised how much noise and sounds you are missing. Don't wait too long or have the "I don't have a hearing problem" self pride to kick in.
Yes, you need a Cotsco card, and an appointment in the Hearing center.
Good luck.

I've never been to a cotsco but reading that post makes me want to go tomorrow because I've never heard of a grocery store that sell hearing aids

 

[Ziggidy]

You need to get real hearing aids and DO NOT go to a hearing aid store unless you are swimming in money. Costco has the best deal in town, best service in town and most importantly the best warranty in town. You cannot beat the Costco deal. Personally I have had hearing aids for over 12 years and on my 3rd pair, even though the older ones work. I like bells and whistles!

My wife had Costco for over 5 years and they never stopped servicing then with cleanings and adjustments! Try that at a hearing aid store! Don't like then, return them up to 6 months! 3 Years replacement policy! Forever cleanings!

You won't be disappointed.

 

[Malware]

Dumb question time...when shooting do you remove them, use them for ear pro or wear muffs over them?

 

[BeDome]

Dumb question time...when shooting do you remove them, use them for ear pro or wear muffs over them?

I do, mainly so I can fit in some soft plugs, then cans on top to do a little more.
I've done that for half my life, way before hearing problems showed up.

 

[Ziggidy]

Dumb question time...when shooting do you remove them, use them for ear pro or wear muffs over them?

I remove them and use over the ear muffs. The other option would be to turn them off but still use muffs.

 

[Mongo59]

Go to the gubbermint and tell them you were in the artillery...