Re: Suggestions for hearing aids

[Guest guest]

Your audiologist should listen to your concerns and be trying to find the

absolute best hearing instruments for your son regardless of the brand. If it

seems like your

audiologist steers you in any particular direction as far as brands, it should

be because he/she thinks that brand gets the best results. I went through this

same

decision making process when selecting my daughter's first pair of hearing aids.

I did extensive research on the internet, so I knew that there were many

different

brands, models, and feature combinations. When our audiologist recommended the

Phonak P2 AZ hearing aids (by the way, I made it clear to her that cost was not

an issue

for me - I simply wanted the best), I did not just immediately accept that

decision. I asked her why she recommended them. Then I proceded to drive her

crazy with

" Well, what about these, and what about these, and what about these, ...? " . She

took the time to tell me the pros and cons of every single make and model that I

mentioned and why she thought the benefits of the Phonaks outweighed the

benefits of the other makes/models. Nine times out of ten she had tried the

models I mentioned

to her and could tell me specifically what she and her clients liked and didn't

like about them. She also told me that because the technology in this arena is

developing so rapidly, she would let me know immediately if something better

came on the market.

The bottom line is that you need to be very comfortable with the decision you

are about to make and you can't be comfortable until you have all of your

questions

answered - and your audiologist should be more than happy to take the time to

answer them.

The s wrote:

>

>

> I have asked this before, but I am down to specifics now....

>

> My son is in the process of getting new aids, and I know that the vendor we

> will be seeing distributes mostly the Phonak brand. He currently has Phonak

> Pico Fortes but one of his audiologists doesn't feel he is getting a lot of

> benefit from them. He has had these aids for four and a half years and they

> are the only pair he has ever had.

>

> He has a " profound " loss in one ear and " severe " in the other. Does anyone

> have any suggestions on specific aids we should be looking into, within the

> Phonak line? I am not really happy that we are limited to specific brands,

> but I realize that's the way it works...although if I knew for sure a

> different type of aid would benefit him more, I would find a vendor that

> distributes it.

>

> I guess my biggest problem is that I feel we are being herded like cattle

> through this process and that no one is listening to my concerns or trying

> to make sure we are finding the proper aids for him. We had started the

> application process for state funding and were told that would limit our

> choices, so then I didn't send in the app. but started looking for

> alternative funding sources. Now they are contradicting themselves about

> that and I am ready to pull out my hair.

>

> Any suggestions would be welcomed and appreciated.

>

> Thanks, S.

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/14/1999 10:33:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

dehahn@... writes:

<< There are audiologists on this list, I'm sure you'll hear from one soon.

>>

Really I wish one of them would tell me what these darn results mean LOL I'm

sooo impatient when it comes to waiting. =)

Tammy

[Guest guest]

At 03:33 PM 9/14/99 -0400, The s wrote:

>

>

>I have asked this before, but I am down to specifics now....

>

>My son is in the process of getting new aids, and I know that the vendor we

>will be seeing distributes mostly the Phonak brand. He currently has Phonak

>Pico Fortes but one of his audiologists doesn't feel he is getting a lot of

>benefit from them. He has had these aids for four and a half years and they

>are the only pair he has ever had.

>

> He has a " profound " loss in one ear and " severe " in the other. Does anyone

>have any suggestions on specific aids we should be looking into, within the

>Phonak line? I am not really happy that we are limited to specific brands,

>but I realize that's the way it works...although if I knew for sure a

>different type of aid would benefit him more, I would find a vendor that

>distributes it.

>

>I guess my biggest problem is that I feel we are being herded like cattle

>through this process and that no one is listening to my concerns or trying

>to make sure we are finding the proper aids for him. We had started the

>application process for state funding and were told that would limit our

>choices, so then I didn't send in the app. but started looking for

>alternative funding sources. Now they are contradicting themselves about

>that and I am ready to pull out my hair.

With a profound loss, even though it's just one ear, you're most likely

going to need power aids, of which the Pico Forte are one of many. As aids

go, they are not considered expensive or rich in technology. They do have a

lot of gain, and have been around for a long time. The next step up the

ladder with Phonak would probably be the Novo Forte E4, which is a power

programmable. It has three strategies which can be programmed to best match

your son's loss.

There are audiologists on this list, I'm sure you'll hear from one soon.

Chris

<< Christofer deHahn..................Manager, EDA Systems and Test >>

<< Quantum Corporation...........Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, USA >>

[Guest guest]

Dear s

I don't know if I am coming in midstream in this discussion, but why are you

limited to the Phonak

brand of hearing aid? Just a few months ago we were doing this same activity

(ultimately we ended

up with an implant), but andra did trial with the Widex Senso Power digitals

and with the Impact from AVR.

We were able to get a 90 day trial with each set, which was a wonderful treat.

We liked the Impact so much

we bought one to go on her non-implanted ear. If I were in the market for

hearing aids right now I would definitely look

into the digitals that are available.

Hope I haven't caused more confusion,

Jeane

---------------------------

[Guest guest]

<A HREF= " http://members.tripod.com/listenup/impact-avr.htm " >AVR's ImpaCt

Hearing Aids</A>

http://members.tripod.com/listenup/impact-avr.htm

Link to explaiin AVR ImpaCts.

Also, give a call - at - 1-800-GO-BTE-FM.

She will be able to tell you if there is anyone near you who can let you

have a trial. If there isn't, she MAY be able to set up a trial through your

audie.

Remember, YOU can get the hearing aids YOU want. Become an informed

consumer. I am not saying the Phonaks are not good, they ARE. My son liked

them, but he preferred the ImpaCts. (Mind you, he was only 5 at the time,

but he was pretty savvy as to what worked for him).

I have also heard, from other parents, about how good the Widex Senso's are,

some kids are getting AMAZING results with those and they are 100% digital.

BEFORE you purchase, you have to be comfortable with the choice you have

made. I'm sorry, I forgot how old your son is........Is it important for him

to have an FM? or DAI (direct audio input) of some kind for school? This may

be one reason she is pushing the Phonaks, the Microlink FM which comes with

them is one of the best on the market (for the moment). BUT AVR ImpaCt has a

little FM boot too, can't swear for the quality if comparing the two, but we

have that for my son and it works well. No body unit (well, not for him,

anyway, Mom has to wear the mic, smile).

I wish you luck, and don't be afraid to ask questions! OH, if you want to

ask the opinion of a board full of audiologists, try this link:

<A

HREF= " http://www.audiologyawareness.com/hhelp/qna/archive/index.cgi?reconfigur

e " >AAC Q & A Board Archives Configuration</A>

http://www.audiologyawareness.com/hhelp/qna/archive/index.cgi?reconfigure

You will see " Submit Question " under their banner, click there and you are

off! Don't know how long it takes to get a reply, I just read them.

Slan for now, Orla

[Guest guest]

I don't know if I am coming in midstream in this discussion, but why are you

limited to the Phonak

brand of hearing aid?

**The dispensing audiologist I was referred to does not distribute Widex or

ImpaCts. I was told I would need to be referred to a different vendor in

another city for those. One of the concerns I have is that I would like to

be able to look at different brands without bouncing from vendor to vendor

but I don't know how that's possible. I was told that buying hearing aids is

like shopping for a car. You can't buy a new Toyota from a Chevy dealer, and

so on, and different vendors fit different brands. At least that's the way

they put it to me.**

If I were in the market for hearing aids right now I would definitely look

into the digitals that are available.

**I asked about digitals, but I am not getting much info about anything. I

was told an analog programmable is just as effective as a digital. But quite

honestly, I don't know anything about how they work or which would be best

for him. When we got his first set they just did it all and we didn't know

enough to question it.**

Hope I haven't caused more confusion,

**No you haven't. All the responses were helpful...I appreciate it.

Thanks, S.

[Guest guest]

>

>With a profound loss, even though it's just one ear, you're most likely

>going to need power aids, of which the Pico Forte are one of many. As aids

>go, they are not considered expensive or rich in technology. They do have a

>lot of gain, and have been around for a long time. The next step up the

>ladder with Phonak would probably be the Novo Forte E4, which is a power

>programmable. It has three strategies which can be programmed to best match

>your son's loss.

**What you just mentioned is another issue that I have. The audiologist that

actually tested his hearing told me that Pico Fortes are normally fitted on

infants and toddlers, and now that he is 6 they are not appropriate for him.

But the vendor said that they fit Pico Fortes on adults, and it is not

accurate that they are necessarily inappropriate for him.

I do know from working in our Early Intervention office that all of the

hearing impaired children in our county (at least within the last five

years) are fit with Phonak Pico Fortes and the losses range from mild to

profound. That concerned me to some extent, although maybe it shouldn't.

Thank you for your response, in less than a paragraph you explained that

piece of it more clearly than the responses I am getting right now from my

local sources. Speaking of which, do you know all that from years of

experience w/aids or are there books, websites, etc. I can get my hands on

quickly?

Thanks,

S.

[Guest guest]

When our audiologist recommended the Phonak P2 AZ hearing aids (by the way,

I made it clear to her that cost was not an issue

>for me - I simply wanted the best), I did not just immediately accept that

decision.

**I too, told them I didn't want cost to be an issue or be limited in my

choices of brands but they act like I am just frustrating them with my

questions. I keep getting the " I'll call you back " thing.

I asked about Widex and Impacts because it seems like every vendor within a

50 mile radius of where I live deals with Phonaks. The audiologist that

referred me for new aids had never even heard of the ImpaCts until I brought

it up then she looked it up on the internet while we were on the phone and

seemed unimpressed and said there are others that do the same thing. So much

for research and experience and the willingness to try new things. **

Thank you for responding,

S.

>

>

>

>----------

[Guest guest]

I have been reading the posts about hearing aids with interest lately. Our

daughter was prescribed a Resound hearing aid 21/2 yrs ago. I haven't read

that anyone on this list is using one of them.. Anyone out there heard of

them?

----------

[Guest guest]

Are dispenser here is really wonderful. He sat down with me and explained

all differences and benifits btw digital and analog. My final question to

him.... " if this were your child with the same loss what would you be buying? "

We chose Oticon Digital Aids and so far they have been wonderful.

Oticon has been a great company so far. Sent us a kids pack that included a

bright colored carrying case with a dry aid kit, hearing aids stickers,

helpful books of info, a stethescope (sp) for listen with the aids, and a

stuffed animal for my son. Just that little added touch was nice, made you

feel as though they really care.

I am fairly new so I can only speak for out type of aids. Our next hurdle

is which type of FM.

Good Luck in your choice.

~ and 's Mom

At 06:00 AM 15/09/99 -0400, you wrote:

>

>

>

>

>I don't know if I am coming in midstream in this discussion, but why are you

>limited to the Phonak

>brand of hearing aid?

>

>**The dispensing audiologist I was referred to does not distribute Widex or

>ImpaCts. I was told I would need to be referred to a different vendor in

>another city for those. One of the concerns I have is that I would like to

>be able to look at different brands without bouncing from vendor to vendor

>but I don't know how that's possible. I was told that buying hearing aids is

>like shopping for a car. You can't buy a new Toyota from a Chevy dealer, and

>so on, and different vendors fit different brands. At least that's the way

>they put it to me.**

>

>If I were in the market for hearing aids right now I would definitely look

>into the digitals that are available.

>

>**I asked about digitals, but I am not getting much info about anything. I

>was told an analog programmable is just as effective as a digital. But quite

>honestly, I don't know anything about how they work or which would be best

>for him. When we got his first set they just did it all and we didn't know

>enough to question it.**

>

>Hope I haven't caused more confusion,

>

>**No you haven't. All the responses were helpful...I appreciate it.

>

>Thanks, S.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

>

>BEFORE you purchase, you have to be comfortable with the choice you have

>made. I'm sorry, I forgot how old your son is........

**He is 6, will be 7 in February. He is in first grade.**

Is it important for him

>to have an FM? or DAI (direct audio input) of some kind for school?

**Yes, he has an FM at school. We have borrowed them for home before, like

over the summer, but don't own one to keep at home. **

>

>I wish you luck, and don't be afraid to ask questions!

**Thank you for all the info, and the links. I appreciate all the help

everyone has given. It has given me some direction and focus.**

[Guest guest]

>We chose Oticon Digital Aids and so far they have been wonderful.

>

**Thanks. I checked out their website per his former speech therapist's

recommendation. I appreciate your comments...I have a feeling that the help

I get on this list will be of far more value than that I am getting

elsewhere. We will keep trying! ***

>

..

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/15/99 9:13:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time, wog@...

writes:

<< Oticon has been a great company so far. Sent us a kids pack that included

a

bright colored carrying case with a dry aid kit, hearing aids stickers,

helpful books of info, a stethescope (sp) for listen with the aids, and a

stuffed animal for my son. Just that little added touch was nice, made you

feel as though they really care. >>

We got the oticon aides almost a year ago and we didn't receive that

extensive treatment. We just got the black carry case like everyone gets with

hearing aides. I ma glad to see they have changed. Lori

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/15/99 8:10:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time, wog@...

writes:

<< Asl your dispenser at first we got the black one to then I saw a child

witht

he other one went back the dispanser and he said that they need to add

special note that the aids are for a child he called them backand few days

later all the stuff arrived. I >>

Do you remember how long ago this was? We will be coming up on year in

December. Do you think it's too long to ask? lori

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/15/1999 4:02:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time,

4@... writes:

your wrote

<< I was told an analog programmable is just as effective as a digital. >>

,

I would look into this further. When we switched Matheau from Resounds

(analog aids that are digitally programmable) to the Widex it brought him up

around 20 dcb across the board. I think that in our case, the Digital's far

exceed the analog.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/15/99 9:54:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

tonya14@... writes:

> My daughter wore a resound for 2 years, I was very happy with it, since

her

> loss is progressive having the flexibility of a programable aid was great.

> Unfortunately her

> loss progressed to the point where she was having a hard time no matter

how

> they set it. We got a widex senso a few months ago and it's made a big

> difference. Sharon

>

Sharon, does your daughter only wear one hearing aid? I can't remember! I

also have heard good things about the Widex Senso! Also, the Phonak

Microlink boot will be made to fit the widex senso, as well as other brands

of HA's, just not sure as to when it will be available. I have heard that

it will be available for Oticon this fall, but I wouldn't hold my breath!!

Orla

[Guest guest]

Asl your dispenser at first we got the black one to then I saw a child witht

he other one went back the dispanser and he said that they need to add

special note that the aids are for a child he called them backand few days

later all the stuff arrived. It is nice because the case is more

than the black one and he feels as though it is his own. really has made

him more apart of the process instead of just what the process is about. A

little slice of empowerment for him!

~ and 's Mom

At 07:46 PM 15/09/99 EDT, you wrote:

>From: LCorc16@...

>

>In a message dated 9/15/99 9:13:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time, wog@...

>writes:

>

><< Oticon has been a great company so far. Sent us a kids pack that included

>a

> bright colored carrying case with a dry aid kit, hearing aids stickers,

> helpful books of info, a stethescope (sp) for listen with the aids, and a

> stuffed animal for my son. Just that little added touch was nice, made you

> feel as though they really care. >>

>We got the oticon aides almost a year ago and we didn't receive that

>extensive treatment. We just got the black carry case like everyone gets with

>hearing aides. I ma glad to see they have changed. Lori

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

At 06:28 AM 9/15/99 -0400, The s wrote:

>

>

>

> >

> >With a profound loss, even though it's just one ear, you're most likely

> >going to need power aids, of which the Pico Forte are one of many. As aids

> >go, they are not considered expensive or rich in technology. They do have a

> >lot of gain, and have been around for a long time. The next step up the

> >ladder with Phonak would probably be the Novo Forte E4, which is a power

> >programmable. It has three strategies which can be programmed to best match

> >your son's loss.

>

>**What you just mentioned is another issue that I have. The audiologist that

>actually tested his hearing told me that Pico Fortes are normally fitted on

>infants and toddlers, and now that he is 6 they are not appropriate for him.

>

>But the vendor said that they fit Pico Fortes on adults, and it is not

>accurate that they are necessarily inappropriate for him.

>

>I do know from working in our Early Intervention office that all of the

>hearing impaired children in our county (at least within the last five

>years) are fit with Phonak Pico Fortes and the losses range from mild to

>profound. That concerned me to some extent, although maybe it shouldn't.

The main reason Pico Forte's are fitted on infants and toddlers is because

they have a miniature case. It's hard to keep any hearing aid on very young

children, so the smaller the case, the better, and getting high power out

of a small case aid isn't easy. The PF has been doing it for years.

>Thank you for your response, in less than a paragraph you explained that

>piece of it more clearly than the responses I am getting right now from my

>local sources. Speaking of which, do you know all that from years of

>experience w/aids or are there books, websites, etc. I can get my hands on

>quickly?

There's lots of websites, Kay's is the best. My experience comes from being

an electrical engineer, a deep understanding of audio, sound, and sound

processing, having two pre-pro deaf kids, and no sympathy for doctors and

audiologists that won't answer my questions until I am satisfied that I

fully understand their answers.

Chris

<< Christofer deHahn..................Manager, EDA Systems and Test >>

<< Quantum Corporation...........Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, USA >>

[Guest guest]

At 06:30 AM 9/15/99 -0400, The s wrote:

>I asked about Widex and Impacts because it seems like every vendor within a

>50 mile radius of where I live deals with Phonaks. The audiologist that

>referred me for new aids had never even heard of the ImpaCts until I brought

>it up then she looked it up on the internet while we were on the phone and

>seemed unimpressed and said there are others that do the same thing. So much

>for research and experience and the willingness to try new things. **

That tells you right there the type of individual that you're dealing with.

The Impact is in a class by itself. There's nothing else out there like it.

Chris

<< Christofer deHahn..................Manager, EDA Systems and Test >>

<< Quantum Corporation...........Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, USA >>

[Guest guest]

Our audiologist is also a dealer for ReSound hearing aids. Just because of

that he may be somewhat biased about what he prescribes. And I did wonder

about that initially, but decided that he would only prescribe what he

thought was a very sufficient aid. I think comparing brands of digital

hearing aids is kind of like comparing a Ford and a Chevy. What you have,

if it works for you, is what you sould suggest to others.

----------

[Guest guest]

My daughter wore a resound for 2 years, I was very happy with it, since her

loss is progressive having the flexibility of a programable aid was great.

Unfortunately her

loss progressed to the point where she was having a hard time no matter how they

set it. We got a widex senso a few months ago and it's made a big difference.

Sharon

Floyd and Tish Lavrenz wrote:

>

>

> I have been reading the posts about hearing aids with interest lately. Our

> daughter was prescribed a Resound hearing aid 21/2 yrs ago. I haven't read

> that anyone on this list is using one of them.. Anyone out there heard of

> them?

>

> ----------

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Oticon has, and has had for as long as I've known them (11 years), a

children's program, but the audiologist has to specify when ordering the

hearing aids that they are for a child in order to get all this nifty stuff.

We didn't even get the black carrying case with my son's aids. ;-)

Kay

> << Oticon has been a great company so far. Sent us a kids pack that

included

> a

> bright colored carrying case with a dry aid kit, hearing aids stickers,

> helpful books of info, a stethescope (sp) for listen with the aids, and a

> stuffed animal for my son. Just that little added touch was nice, made

you

> feel as though they really care. >>

> We got the oticon aides almost a year ago and we didn't receive that

> extensive treatment. We just got the black carry case like everyone gets

with

> hearing aides. I ma glad to see they have changed. Lori

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/16/99 9:58:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time, wog@...

writes:

<< I would give it a try the worst they can say is no and I doubt they would

after all they probably want you to buy Oticon again right? >>

Thanks for the idea and I 'll keep you inform. I even have Oticon aides so

maybe they will try to please us. Lori

[Guest guest]

I would give it a try the worst they can say is no and I doubt they would

after all they probably want you to buy Oticon again right?

Your dispenser may not want to ask...depends ours is great though. If not I

would just call Otican myself. Let me know if you get it!

~ and 's Mom

At 08:17 PM 15/09/99 EDT, you wrote:

>From: LCorc16@...

>

>In a message dated 9/15/99 8:10:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time, wog@...

>writes:

>

><< Asl your dispenser at first we got the black one to then I saw a child

>witht

> he other one went back the dispanser and he said that they need to add

> special note that the aids are for a child he called them backand few days

> later all the stuff arrived. I >>

>Do you remember how long ago this was? We will be coming up on year in

>December. Do you think it's too long to ask? lori

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

> I would give it a try the worst they can say is no and I doubt they would

> after all they probably want you to buy Oticon again right?

> Your dispenser may not want to ask...depends ours is great though. If not

I

> would just call Otican myself. Let me know if you get it!

Here is a link to the web page Oticon 4 Kids:

http://www.oticon.com/OtiKids/index.htm

Kay