First pair of hearing aids - Help!

[Guest guest]

We've always had Phonak products, so I can't be of much help here. Ian

trialed an Oticon aid when we were picking his new ones, but I can't remember

which one. He picked the Phonak Valeo.

However, part of picking the aid has to do with the specifics of your

child's particular hearing loss. Is it SNL, conductive, or a mixture? Also,

the

shape of the hearing loss -- cookie bite? Sloping up or down hill? Flat across?

All those will be a factor in which aid is appropriate.

Our Ian started with a mild/moderate loss and his first aids were analog,

not digital because his loss is/was conductive. The Phonak Pico Fortes were

little work horses that could stand up to the abuse of an active little boy and

his specific combination of concerns were what made them a good choice. There

was no need for tons of options or the expense of digitals when what Ian

needed was basically power to push past his malfunctioning middle ear.

And that solution would not work for most of the other kids on this list.

Ian's loss was/is conductive and that alone would make our choice different from

most others'.

I know this post isn't terribly helpful, but since we've been through this

choosing of aids process twice, as a mom, I worry about comparing apples to

oranges and want every kid to get the aid that best suits them. I'm sure your

audi is steering you towards a good and appropriate aid.

And I'm sure you'll get feedback from other parents about Oticon as a

company, if not that specific model of aid. Also if you have any additional

questions about the audi's recommendation or what other manufacturers might be

appropriate, then call and ask! This is a big decision, not to mention an

expensive one. So, don't be shy, call and ask questions.

Best -- Jill

[Guest guest]

Well it didn't take long and I have a 'real' question for the group.

My dh Ken visited the audi with Madeline today to get earmolds done,

and also reviewed options for the hearing aids. The audi was strongly

recommending the Oticon Safran. Presumably we could get any Oticon

product from her. She also mentioned carrying GN Resound products but

said that they didn't have tamper resistant battery drawers and so

were not suitable for kids. Unfortunately, Ken didn't ask if they

carried any other brands.

For your reference, my daughter has been diagnosed with a mild to

moderate hearing loss that is fairly flat across frequencies. Here

are my questions:

*Is the Otican Safran a good choice?

*Are there other Oticon products that might be better for her loss, or

a better value?

*Are there other brands/models that we need to consider, to the point

we should be calling around to other audi's to see what they carry?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Kramer

dh Ken

dd Madeline (19 mo, mild-moderate)

[Guest guest]

The Oticon Safran is brand new, so you may not get many responses from the

group. Our audi was considering it for my son in June when he got his first

pair of aids. But when she researched it she decided instead on the Oticon

Syncro. My son has a moderate bilateral loss and he is 2 1/2 years old. She

also considered the Phonak Savias. You'll find lots of info on the Syncros and

Savias if you search the archives.

Good luck!

Sherry

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

Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 9:48 PM

To: Listen-Up

Subject: First pair of hearing aids - Help!

Well it didn't take long and I have a 'real' question for the group.

My dh Ken visited the audi with Madeline today to get earmolds done,

and also reviewed options for the hearing aids. The audi was strongly

recommending the Oticon Safran. Presumably we could get any Oticon

product from her. She also mentioned carrying GN Resound products but

said that they didn't have tamper resistant battery drawers and so

were not suitable for kids. Unfortunately, Ken didn't ask if they

carried any other brands.

For your reference, my daughter has been diagnosed with a mild to

moderate hearing loss that is fairly flat across frequencies. Here

are my questions:

*Is the Otican Safran a good choice?

*Are there other Oticon products that might be better for her loss, or

a better value?

*Are there other brands/models that we need to consider, to the point

we should be calling around to other audi's to see what they carry?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Kramer

dh Ken

dd Madeline (19 mo, mild-moderate)

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[Guest guest]

Hello,

I have a rather jaded perspective because I did not get enough

information prior to making the decision of which aid to buy. And

it turns out that we bought the wrong aids because I was not

informed enough and did not ask enough questions and my audi did not

treat my whole child. She only treated his hearing loss.

I do agree that the audi makes the recommendation based on your

childs hearing loss, but also based on their personal theory on

hearing aid fitting. There is a lot of variety out there in the

world of audis.

My suggestion would be to read everything that you can on hearing

aid options, fittings etc. The actual manufacturers put a lot of

information on the website about this. Go to Phonak.com and other

manufacturers that parents on the website might recommend.

generalhearing.com Oticon.com

I personally love the sebotek that 's daughter is trialing.

Especially for a kid with mild/moderate that might have a lot of

useable hearing that is blocked by earmolds. She posted a link to

read about those aids, as the manufacturer does not have anything

for consumers.

Kay has information/links on listen-up.com and you will find good

information at hearinglosshelp.com (or maybe .org)

Then, start asking your audi questions. If she is unable to answer

your questions, or unwilling to let you try specific product, then

try a different audi. I know that it is hard because of all the

time the appointments take in addition to just getting appointments.

You can start with a free trial of the aids your audi is

recommending, while you are researching. Make sure she understands

that you may or may not purchase those aids. Usually it is no

problem.

I would ask the audi what all the options are for your child and

then research each one. If you don't get a response from the audi

that indicates she will work with you in a way that is acceptable to

you, then find another one that will. It is too important too

accept less than what you need in services from her.

And that is everything that I wish someone would have told me. Of

course, you can clearly see that I like to be involved in the

process, and maybe, for some parents that would never work. I do

know that I am the one that knows my son the best, and that my

observations of his hearing aid response and use were not considered

in our audi's final recommendation.

Hope something here was useful. The great news is that your

daughter will be far ahead of the game, just in the fact that you

are on this listserv and already actively advocating for her needs.

Best wishes in your journey.

Tracey

PS A belated welcome. I am Mom to , 10 years old, bilateral

mild/moderate mixed HOH video game loving boy. and also 3.5

years, called destructo boy for good reason.

[Guest guest]

Good for you in being so savvy early on. The first pair of hearing

aids my infant daughter received from her then audi at House Ear

Institute were a pair of Oticon Adaptos--See link below.

http://www.adapto.oticon.com/eprise/main/Oticon/com/SEC_AboutHearing/Le

arnAboutHearing/Products/SEC_Adapto/AboutAdapto/_Index

The Audi said that the Adaptos were a favorite b/k they offered a high

quality sound, but did not have all of the bells and whistles of the

DIVA Sensos--which she felt a small child did not need.

Oticon as well as the other big name hearing aid companies (i.e.,

Phonak, Widex, Siemens, Starkey, etc.)do a lot of outreach to

pediatric audiologists and pass out a lot of company swag (e.g., brand

character stickers, pens, etc.). However, these big companies are not

the only or best game in town.

Soon after we had the Oticon Adaptos BTEs, we discovered that using

the BTEs on our infant daughter was unworkable and opted to try the

General Hearing Instruments soft material ITEs--which has worked

beautifully for our daughter's mild/mod loss.

http://www.generalhearing.com/explore.cfm

Our daughter is now two years old and she doesn't seem to miss

anything in group settings, even in very nosiy settings. Moreover, her

langauge development is ahead of typical hearing peers.

One issue not mentioned in your post is whether the audi thinks your

child's loss is progressive. If so, the audi maybe trying to steer

you toward a BTE make / model that could handle more gain as needed.

Check out this link to familarize your self with some of the most

common brands.

http://www.hearingaids101.com/childrens-hearing-aids.aspx

Best of luck,

[Guest guest]

,

I would strongly suggest that you find out how much work your

audiologist does with young children. Many audiologists, although

qualified to work with any age group have built up a practice that

emphasizes older clients. You will have less work to do over the course

of your daughter's preschool and school years if you are working with

someone who knows a lot about kids.

First pair of hearing aids - Help!

Well it didn't take long and I have a 'real' question for

the group.

My dh Ken visited the audi with Madeline today to get earmolds done,

and also reviewed options for the hearing aids. The audi was strongly

recommending the Oticon Safran. Presumably we could get any Oticon

product from her. She also mentioned carrying GN Resound products but

said that they didn't have tamper resistant battery drawers and so

were not suitable for kids. Unfortunately, Ken didn't ask if they

carried any other brands.

For your reference, my daughter has been diagnosed with a mild to

moderate hearing loss that is fairly flat across frequencies. Here

are my questions:

*Is the Otican Safran a good choice?

*Are there other Oticon products that might be better for her loss, or

a better value?

*Are there other brands/models that we need to consider, to the point

we should be calling around to other audi's to see what they carry?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Kramer

dh Ken

dd Madeline (19 mo, mild-moderate)

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[Guest guest]

I ditto 's post. But also, the Oticon Safran is an aide designed for

kids. Its supposed to have great digital sound quality but not a lot of bells

and whistles that kids can't operate. Should have DAI or direct audio input for

an FM. Even if you don't need/use it right away, you will more than likely

want it in the future. Also telecoil is important. Not sure if these are

standard or not on Safran but I'm sure they are available.

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say " Thanks! " to everyone who sent me their thoughts

about our hearing aid purchase. They were really helpful. Madeline

will be getting her Oticon Safrans on Monday, and then the fun of

getting her to wear them begins

dh Ken

dd Madeline (20 mo, mild/mod SNHL)

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say " Thanks! " to everyone who sent me their thoughts

about our hearing aid purchase. They were really helpful. Madeline

will be getting her Oticon Safrans on Monday, and then the fun of

getting her to wear them begins

dh Ken

dd Madeline (20 mo, mild/mod SNHL)

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to say " Thanks! " to everyone who sent me their thoughts

about our hearing aid purchase. They were really helpful. Madeline

will be getting her Oticon Safrans on Monday, and then the fun of

getting her to wear them begins

dh Ken

dd Madeline (20 mo, mild/mod SNHL)

[Guest guest]

>

> I just wanted to say " Thanks! " to everyone who sent me their thoughts

> about our hearing aid purchase. They were really helpful. Madeline

> will be getting her Oticon Safrans on Monday, and then the fun of

> getting her to wear them begins

>

>

> dh Ken

> dd Madeline (20 mo, mild/mod SNHL)

>

Wonderful!

This is the same that my Daughter's getting. Are they the " Newest "

for Children?

The pair she is wearing now are Oticon Digi Focus2.

What Color is she getting?

My Daughter ordered the " Hot Pink "

[Guest guest]

>

> I just wanted to say " Thanks! " to everyone who sent me their thoughts

> about our hearing aid purchase. They were really helpful. Madeline

> will be getting her Oticon Safrans on Monday, and then the fun of

> getting her to wear them begins

>

>

> dh Ken

> dd Madeline (20 mo, mild/mod SNHL)

>

Wonderful!

This is the same that my Daughter's getting. Are they the " Newest "

for Children?

The pair she is wearing now are Oticon Digi Focus2.

What Color is she getting?

My Daughter ordered the " Hot Pink "

[Guest guest]

>

> I just wanted to say " Thanks! " to everyone who sent me their thoughts

> about our hearing aid purchase. They were really helpful. Madeline

> will be getting her Oticon Safrans on Monday, and then the fun of

> getting her to wear them begins

>

>

> dh Ken

> dd Madeline (20 mo, mild/mod SNHL)

>

Wonderful!

This is the same that my Daughter's getting. Are they the " Newest "

for Children?

The pair she is wearing now are Oticon Digi Focus2.

What Color is she getting?

My Daughter ordered the " Hot Pink "

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Based on what I've heard, these are the latest Oticons designed for

children. The speech recognition features are supposed to be the

best. Since Madeline is still little and this is her first pair of

aids, the audi recommended getting a " boring " color so they wouldn't

seem like a toy. So we went with dark brown to match her hair. I'm

sure she will want something more exciting when she gets a little

older...hot pink would go with her wardrobe well

> >

> > I just wanted to say " Thanks! " to everyone who sent me their thoughts

> > about our hearing aid purchase. They were really helpful. Madeline

> > will be getting her Oticon Safrans on Monday, and then the fun of

> > getting her to wear them begins

> >

> >

> > dh Ken

> > dd Madeline (20 mo, mild/mod SNHL)

> >

> Wonderful!

> This is the same that my Daughter's getting. Are they the " Newest "

> for Children?

> The pair she is wearing now are Oticon Digi Focus2.

> What Color is she getting?

> My Daughter ordered the " Hot Pink "

>

>