Has anyone heard of a hearing aid that is specifically for people with Meniere's? Or ones that are better--not just more expensive? I have one that I've had for 5 year and it's in my affected ear--only 30% hearing there. It has 'opened the ear to sound' but doesn't really make it better. But without it in, that side is 'completely shut down for me'. So it does help--cost was $1400 after insurance. This new one, due to my hearing getting very poor in the other ear, cost was $600 and I hear everything louder and it has 6 levels to adjust to, but things are distorted. I just had another audiogram and after Prednisone my hearing had improved somewhat, so had the aid adjusted, but the hearing quality is still very poor. I have to use closed caption--alot for TV and my land phone and cell are on speaker and not really hearing well on those either. So, now I'm researching and finding some hearing aids 'sound like' they are better for folks with Meniere's. But--my insurance will only cover the one place for me. And, I've used up that for the next 2 years on this new aid. I am wondering if checking out another hearing aid is a good idea--but have to consider the cost--or just 'deal with it' and do the best I can. If someone knows of one that is better for those of us with Meniere's, I hope they will share it with us here. Thanks.
This was my argument when my ENT said I should consider a hearing aid. When my symptoms get bad, the hearing in my left ear gets worse but what I can hear is distorted. A hearing aid would just make the distortion louder. I don't know if there are any hearing aids that could "clear up" the sound a little bit, especially since the distortion is happening inside your ear.
I had the same problem with my hearing aid... distortion. It never helped me. I hope that you find relief with whatever you end up using.
An interesting thing happened. At church tonight, I used one of the ear mic's provided by the church and we have a really good PA system there. I used it in my better ear and the sound was good but really was better with my hearing aid--since our sound system at church is so good. So, I thought I'd try it in my 'affected ear' the one that only gets sound thru it but not much quality hearing. About 30% left and I've had the shunt surgery done on it. Well, the amplifier opened the ear and I could hear 'just fine'! So--that tells me, that some hearing aids 'must be able to be adjusted' if a sound system amplifier can be. I plan to ask my ent doctor--and the audiologist at his office. There's still hope guys. Surely a hearing aid is 'out there' that can be more help to us with this condition if an amplifier to a P.A. system can help one hear again. I'll let you know what I find out--if anything.
I was ''totally amazed'! And yes, if I find out something more in Sept. when I see the audiologist, I'll certainly let everyone here know.
That must have been a sweet moment. How wonderful to know that is possible. I'm meeting with an audiologist next week to talk about a hearing aid, so this is of great interest to me, too. Do you know if your hearing aid has different frequencies adjusted to different volumes?
By the Bay: my expensive hearing aid is one I've had almost 5 years now--for my affected ear with 30 % hearing left. It is the one I mentioned in the post above that suddenly had hearing with the P.A. amplifier in my ear. It can be adjusted and I plan to get it adjusted (have had that done about 3 times and it is long overdue). Plan to get it done in Sept. after the latest audiogram. This new one is a cheaper--just under $600, and it has 6 levels of volume but nothing that I know of for clarity. Things are just louder, not clearer. So, I'd suggest asking your audiologist if yours (when you get one) has that capability. I plan to ask the same question of mine. Let us know what you find out please. Thanks.