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Thread ID: 99433	2009-05-02 00:18:00	Feedback :) about hearing aids	Tony (4941)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
770157	2009-05-02 00:18:00	I'm having a hearing test next week, and I'm pretty sure I'll end up with one or more hearing aids. I'd be really interested in the views of people who already wear hearing aids: Where did you get your hearing tested and what was the experience like, i.e was the company any good? What brand of hearing aid did you end up with and why? Did you try several different ones before you fnally chose, and what made you choose the one you settled on? Do you have a behind-the-ear device or one that fits in the ear? What's this thing about hearing aids and telephones? How much did you pay (if you don't mind me asking)? Any other info/opinions would be welcome. It would also be nice if the "sorry I didn't quite catch that" jokes could be kept to a minimum. :)	Tony (4941)
770158	2009-05-02 00:27:00	Two things that I know about hearing aids, courtesy of my bro in law and sister: 1. You can save around 80% of the cost if you wait for your turn on the waiting list. My bro in law waited 4 months. 2. The best hearing aids are VERY expensive, something like $6,000 NZD. You can see why my bro in law waited! [edit] Just thought of another: 3. Audiologists and hearing aid sellers will have an increase in business for a long time, due to the LOUD volume of iPods, mp3 players, etc. There are a hell of a lot of young people who think they are bullet proof but will wind up with hearing loss sooner than they think.	Strommer (42)
770159	2009-05-02 00:29:00	So did he get his through the public health system, rather than Bay Audiology (for instance)?	Tony (4941)
770160	2009-05-02 00:42:00	So did he get his through the public health system, rather than Bay Audiology (for instance)? Public health I believe. Have just emailed him and will return with the details when he replies. BTW, the doc or audiologist agreed that he needed hearing aids for work. If you cannot do your job properly with poor hearing, then you should be able to get them on the public health system and save heaps.	Strommer (42)
770161	2009-05-02 03:30:00	2. The best hearing aids are VERY expensive, something like $6,000 NZD. You can see why my bro in law waited! Which is why husband walks round saying, What? What? Stop mumbling to me all the time..........and telling me people called (ie Cathy called, he told me Jackie). He is positive he had a call from a lady called Muriwai the other week..........	pctek (84)
770162	2009-05-02 03:42:00	2. The best hearing aids are VERY expensive, something like $6,000 NZD.Yes, scary, isn't it? One of the things I wonder, is whether this is one of those situations where you can get 90% of the benefit for 50% of the price - and I doubt someone selling you the stuff is likely to give you a straight answer. Also, whether you need a top-of-the-line device if your hearing is only slightly off (I think mine is more than slightly off, but it would still be nice to know).	Tony (4941)
770163	2009-05-02 04:01:00	Which is why husband walks round saying, What? What? Stop mumbling to me all the time..........and telling me people called (ie Cathy called, he told me Jackie). He is positive he had a call from a lady called Muriwai the other week.......... Muriwai calling? It was probably a surfie.	R2x1 (4628)
770164	2009-05-02 04:43:00	Tony, If you are a Gold Card holder then your hearing test should be free if you go to the right people. (I was told to avoid Bay Audiology, but then who knows) I managed to qualify for ACC to pay for hearing aids due to past noisy working environments. This was assessed by a hearing specialist (Ear Nose & Throat doctor) who confirmed to ACC that this had been the cause of the majority of hearing loss. I will be given aids to trial soon after the final paperwork (there is heaps) is complete. Don't be too concerned about brands, they all do the same thing with virtually identical configurations. In-ear or behind-ear is really up to you. The size you choose depends on your ability to change small fiddly batteries. Of course the smaller the aid, the smaller the battery so you will be changing them more often. Once I have the final confirmation I will have 3 months trial of whichever aid I initially choose during which time I will be able to trial others if needed. :thumbs:	Richard (739)
770165	2009-05-02 04:50:00	Interesting comment about Bay Audiology - I wonder if there is anyone else with opinions about them?	Tony (4941)
770166	2009-05-02 04:56:00	Which is why husband walks round saying, What? What? Stop mumbling to me all the time I call it Selective Hearing. I do the same to my wife. I can hear it if I really want to, but most of the time i don't. I have to really concentrate though. I am no good in a room with several voices or if there is music. Lost a lot of my hearing many years ago with heavy earth moving machinery and chainsaws. Mother in law in the UK got some very small hearing aids recently, seemingly the newest technology and she says you barely see them at all.	Bantu (52)
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