Hearing Aid Model I Wouldn't Recommend

[dougsan]

I didn't see a category like this and thought it might prove useful.

I have been wearing an Oticon Gaia ($1500. +) since March of 2005. The BTE I am currently wearing is the fourth in the last two years. The previous three were rendered useless by excess moisture (I perspire very heavily) after just a few months of usage.

I don't get out too often and can't travel very far when I do, so running back and forth to the audiologist is VERY inconvenient. Also, I am not capable of clear communications most of the time. As a result of all this the last time my hearing aid was replaced and found to be lacking (loud whistling sound heard by other people but not me, too many sounds in the higher region lost, moisture failure) I put it in the drawer and ignored it. At the requrest (!) of my loved ones I am wearing the aid again and having all the same problems.

When I return to the audiologist on 4/20/07 I expect the Aid will be recalibrated and then will fail again a few months later. Given the cost, chucking the Opticn Gaia and getting a different model does not seem to be an option.

To make a long story short, I can't recommend the Opticon Gaia.

[marron]

I'm also having similar problems to you. I perspire heavily and live in a humid climate, but use different brand of aids (more expensive again).

As well as the digital components failing, I have the problem of the ear buds of the open ear fitting often detaching and getting stuck when I need to remove the aids. I need another person then to remove the stuck ear bud with tweezers and once needed to have a medical procedure to remove one.

Does anyone know of answers to either problem - malfunctioning due to moisture and/or ear buds getting stuck due to their expansion from heat. I keep the fittings dry at all times except when they are in my ears.

[Admin]

As for the moisture issues, I would highly recommend using the Dry and Store hearing aid sanitizer and dehumidifier, which I recommend to all of my patients.

Secondly, I would recommend you use a stainless steel cased battery, such as the Power One batteries or I Cell Tech.

We have the products available at: www.localbattery.com (http://www.localbattery.com)

As for the tips...I have never heard of them falling off that easily in the ear! You may need to have those tubes replaced and/or glue them on, using loctite or similar adhesive. Just a small amount should do.

[dougsan]

Admin:
Pretty good suggestion but the problem is not isolated to the battery compartment. The real problem I have is moisture -- more than moisture, actual water from perspiration -- getting in through the programming plug compartment and shorting out the HA. All my efforts to "waterproof" this little plug have failed.

BTW, I've tried the battery options.

[Admin]

If the moisture is just seeping in from everywhere, that is a tough one.

Looks like you have tried what you can to prevent the problems.

[Lawman]

Have you tried the sweat bands? I have never tried them, but some say that they work. They are available at:

www.harriscomm.com Looking under the hearing aid products on pg.2

[aeon]

You might check a hearing aid called Centra Active. It is designed for active (sweating) people and is is either water proof or water resistant. I think it is made by Siemen.

[ZCT]

I agree with Admin. One solution would be to use a dry box. You can get an electronic one or a chemical one. The former costs $40-$100, the latter $10 or less. Both work well.

Also you can have your specialist fit you with stay dry tubing on the mold. This does not get moisture blockages like standard BTE tubing.

Some aids are better than others at surviving moisture. As aeon pointed out, there are some fairly water resistant kinds of BTE out there, if you look.

[GregMG79]

I wear BTE's due to the power I need and also due to moisture inside my ear. By getting BTE's I keep moisture away from the internal components, but I also perspire alot. My nickname from my hearing aid guy is Swamp Ears due to my ability to kill hearing aids. I used sweat bands and it makes the problem worse. It does keep moisture away from the hearing aids, but it also is cloth and traps moisture in the cloth that is...right next to the hearing aid. By holding moisture next to the aid it will kill it. The best product is called super seals. These are rubber covers for hearing aids. I admit they are a pin to put on, but they are the best thing to protect against external moisture (rain, sweat) from my expirience.

[dfischbach]

I have been wearing a centra active since last May. Not very impressed with the water resistant aspect. With heavy perspiration, the aid usually goes out on me. Thinking of switching to a Starkey Zon.

[MarvinMartian]

You might check a hearing aid called Centra Active. It is designed for active (sweating) people and is is either water proof or water resistant. I think it is made by Siemen.I've had a number of hearing aids made by Siemens and wouldn't recommend them. I would seriously consider ANY other manufacturer. Mine have been poorly made, required constant repair and didn't give satisfactory performance.

[Lancaster]

I've had a number of hearing aids made by Siemens and wouldn't recommend them. I would seriously consider ANY other manufacturer. Mine have been poorly made, required constant repair and didn't give satisfactory performance.
I couldn't agree more! I'm repairing myself hearing aids, I think I've repaired more than a thousand (but not the newest models, I admit). Frankly speaking, the Siemens cases are not well designed to protect the inner parts against moisture. In my opinion, Phonak cases are really offering a better protection for the inner parts, they clearly have a better design.