Need Hearing Aids
 

I am in process of buying first hearing aids. My biggest hearing problem is with male voices. With some males it is a severe problem. I have a problem in Tai Chi class. I frequently can not hear the instructor (male). I turn volume on the TV too high for others. I frequently mishear a word that totally changes meaning of sentence in conversation. My husband likes to talk to me from behind me about 2 rooms away or as he is walking away.

On recommendation of a friend, I first saw a NuEar Hearing Aid Specialist who recommends a NuEar Imagine VS Pro. Cost $6500. I called my insurance co. to determine if hearing aids were covered. They referred me to HearPo. I saw an audiologist who recommends Siemens Pure 701 RIC BTE. Cost $4590. I then went to medical doctor for a full ear examination. His audiologist has recommended a Phonak Naida S CRT IX. Cost $ 5200.

Which hearing aid is best for my type of hearing loss? I am told my loss is the opposite of most others. I have been told that the NuEar price is probably negotiable. If it is better aid for me, what is reasonable price? Are the other prices good? Any information or advice is appreciated.

The Phonak and Siemens are both the top of the line. depending on who you ask 1/2 will swear by the Siemens and the other 1/2 the Phonak. Please trial both and give us your opinion.

If I trial the Phonak and return it, I will lose $200. Don't know about non refundable fitting fee from other two if I don't keep the aid. Already paid the MD couple of hundred dollars for ear exam. Would like to avoid return fees if possible. Guess I forgot to ask what features the different aids excel in. Reading this forum, sounds like waterproofing is better on Phonak and Starkey than the Siemens.

If a patient asks me to waive the cancellation/return fee, I will. One, because I want their business, and two, because I'm pretty confident in my abilities and 95% of the time it's a non-issue because they keep the hearing aids (yes, that's me tooting my own horn...toot! toot!).

HearPO is a great program because it usually offers a longer warranty than would regularly come with the hearing aid and you get batteries included as well. I am not a personal huge fan of Siemens, but I have a good friend/colleague who uses almost entirely Siemens and loves them. I'm a bit Phoank person...and have tremendous success with their products. I'd say the cost for the IX's that they gave you is actually quite good, about $400 less than what they'd cost if you'd come into my office for them.

The Smart chip is the newest in the Phonak line. I'm not familiar with how long the Siemens product is.

sorry, I have never paid a cancellation fee.. it never crosses my mine.

Already paid the MD couple of hundred dollars for ear exam must have been a nice exam.

sounds like waterproofing is better on none are waterproof but all claim water-resistance.

I dropped a Rexton Insite CIC (a Siemens brand) in a full glass of water and it took a few seconds to get it out. I shook it out, dried it the best I could with TP, put it in the HA dryer overnight, and it worked fine. BUT, none are waterproof except maybe the Siemens Aquaris.

Consult a few more audiologists in your area and then decide on pricing.