I purchased my two aids at different places (due to insurance coverage). The one for my affected ear has been the best--and I had it adjusted a couple of months ago. Just 'tweaked a bit'. The other one I was doing pretty good with but felt it might be a good idea to get it 'tweaked too'. The one who does it is very good--and understands hearing loss as he has a 'cochlear implant' and understands what I am telling him. However, he tweaked it and I found it was making 'sound' not seem natural. So, I went back for another visit. Still am having issues--really difficult (not to hear), but to understand dialogue on TV or even when folks are talking around me. Have to keep asking to repeat with folks--and TV being up louder doesn't help. In fact it seems too loud lately. So, today I'm going back to either get it tweaked or get a new one. With insurance it will cost about$600! It's only 2 years old and in my better ear. Wondering if anyone here has had the problem when getting aids purchased at two places or for any reason has had problems with their hearing aids and the sound, like TV or just having conversations seem hard to understand or sound 'off'--voices seem high pitched and my own voice doesn't sound natural to me either.
I don't have two different aids. But do know that how the audiologist adjusts the sounds makes a huge difference.
I agree totally with that! I think it is the adjustment that I had (that I probably didn't need) has caused the problem. I want to have it put back to what it was the first time I went to see him. My husband is so frustrated with my dealing with this that he thinks a new aid is the answer. I really want to try putting it back like it was first--just to see. This is a 2 1/2 year old hearing aid. Not an old one. The other ear has had one for 4 years and still works well--but it cost much more, even with insurance. I have not been happy with this one due to the inability to have it 'go back to original settings' when you open the battery door. Sometimes you have to play around with it and I'm never sure if it's back to the original setting. The one in my bad ear, resets to the original setting automatically when you open the battery door. That makes it nice when you are struggling to 'get back to normal setting'! Anyway--I see him this afternoon. Hoping for a solution. I'm really not a 'happy camper' right now. Thanks for your comment.
Decided, after adjustments and getting 'closer to being a bit better', I then tried a new one and at the urging of my husband, decided to get it. I can return it in 60 days for a full refund if not satisfied. So, we'll see. I also have my older (2 year old one) that has been adjusted and did seem better for me so I can go back to it too. We'll see how this one does. Tonight I hear a bit better but I want to play with it in volume control and various situations and especially watching TV.
The HA that i have is considered "entry level" it has only 3 programs, it is easy to switch from one to another. No remote or anything like that. BUT because of the audiologist that I had, this one works much better than the first one I tested from somewhere else that was a "better" aid with more bells and whistles. But I know it is all because of the audiologist. She was awesome, I could say "it sounds tinny" or "it has an echo" or "it sounds like the radio with no bass" and she would tweek it. She also had me come in weekly for about a month just to continue to fine tune it. Good luck!!
Thanks , so glad your hearing aid is working so well. As of this morning I am thinking it's going to 'work' ok. the audiologist worked and worked with me on my old one and then yesterday trying out this new one. He said, and I agree--you only need 2 programs--'normal' sound and 'sound to adjust 'down' the surrounding noise in those areas that are loud. Also, I have 6 volume levels--he set the normal at 3rd and said I'd use it the most but when I needed more volume to take it up and less, to take it down. There are to tiny buttons on top of the aid and when you use them they 'talk to you' LOL! Saying, 'volume one, volume two, etc. all the way to volume 6 maximum! The programs do the same. A voice says--'program one' where you keep it most of the time and in noisy situations you can, if you need to, switch to 'program 2' and the voice confirms where you are. Love that. I kept getting lost with the other aid, not know if I was in one area or another. LOL So, we'll see if the TV voices and personal voices around me have a good sound. That is the main thing. My own voice and TV voices and others had a 'tinney sound' and a static sound--like when you don't have the station coming in clear on a radio station--it's maddening! Sure hope this is the answer. Will let you know. Thanks again for the input from all of you.
nicmiger: I have decided to wear the new HA for a few days in all situations. Then wear the old one a couple of days. Then decide if I keep this one or take it back. It has just two programs. The one it is originally set for and one for when I am in loud places. He could have set it for 3 but I don't need that! And it has 6 volume settings. He set it at 3 to start out. It has two tiny buttons, one for programs and one for hearing levels and a voice that tells you where it is--that helps, because you forget where you are! He also had 'tweaked' my old hearing aid and I was about ready to say that's better, I'll try that, but we started testing this new one and my husband encouraged me to get it. I have 60 days to decide. Probably will not need that long at all. Today I tried switching back and forth watching TV and go soooo nervous doing that and decided to just do one aid at a time. Then decide. Hope you are doing ok with yours and I will soon know which one is best for me. Just wanted to update you and others on the board who deal with hearing aid adjustment.
yanksgirl, I don't know about hearing aids but you might want to check out my new thread on MAV http://menieres.org/talk/index.php?topic=2032.0 if you can look over onehorses post, I thought of you since you are so medication sensitive and can't tolerate Migraine meds. This device might help w/o any meds.
I think it is a good idea to try each one separately. Just make sure that you are using each in "similar" situations. Meaning comparing one hearing aid's performance in a crowded restaurant vs the other at home watching TV. Whichever one you decide, I would just make sure that they know you want to come in a couple of times over the next 4-6 weeks and continue to fine tune as needed. Good luck! OH one other thing - having the audiologist switch out the dome itself was a HUGE difference for me. I have smaller ear canals and when they moved to a "mini" dome it improved the hearing aid right then, no other settings. Forgot to share that piece in case it is another question to ask and/or try!
Yes, he actually switched out the dome on the old one before I got this new one and that helped some. It does make a difference. I'm trying this new one for a week--in various situations and using various levels of sound and the two programs. Not too happy with sound in general for any length of time. Am constantly changing it. Gets on my nerves-- Beginning Wed. I plan to use my older hearing aid--that he also had adjusted before I decided on this one, and see if maybe it's better. Sort of nerve wracking for sure. Will let you know how this turns out. Again thanks to everyone for the suggestions.