Buying Hearing Aids on line - a positive experience!
MtnTraveler
'HearSource' and there were no replies. That made me happy because if
anyone had even heard the slightest negative rumor about the company it
would be in keeping with Usenet to slash and trash the place!!
So I went ahead and bought a pair of BTE self programmable 'Symphron'
hearing aids from them. The cost was about 1/3 to 1/4 of what was being
touted to me by local audiologists plus the advantage of being able to
direct the fitting to my own needs and wants, in the comfort of my own home.
'HearSource' sent me my hearing aids (pre-fitted based on my audiogram,)
a USB connector, and the software to properly adjust the hearing aids. I
played around with the software on my own, but for the initial 'custom
fitting' it really needs the help of a trained audiologist to teach you
what each setting in the software does. The software has a 12-band
graphic equalizer, gain control, compression control in four discreet
bands, threshold control in four discreet bands, feedback cancellation
control in four steps, several different mic settings (omni, cardiod,
super cardiod, T-coil,) and a few others, all individually controllable
while I was wearing the hearing aid allowing me to hear the changes in
real time as they were being made. There is also a comprehensive
'Auto-help' that is based upon 'human language' such as 'my voice sounds
like it's in a bucket' or 'the sound of dishes rattling is too sharp,'
then fiving several different ways to correct the problem.
The "Symphron" hearing aids can have four different programs that can be
set for users needs. I have mine set to 'normal with omni mic,' 'crowded
noisy restaurant with directional mic for the person across the table,'
and 'Telephone with T-coil.' I haven't set the fourth program yet. I'm
waiting to see what I want in the future.
When I had enough playing around with the software on my own, I made an
appointment with an audiology tech from HearSource who called me and
then spent TWO AND A HALF HOURS ON THE PHONE WITH ME helping me dial in
my hearing aids for exactly the sound quality I wanted. He patiently
explained what each control in the software did, and how that affected
the sound quality I was hearing. Then, after we set up a remote access
for him, he was able to adjust all the settings in the software on my
computer as I watched and I could hear the difference that each change
made as they were changing. Better or worse, go back and try something
different, better or worse, "a little too sharp when I hear the 's'
sounds," better or worse... As the changes were being made and the
sound getting more and more to my liking, I was also learning to use the
software so in the future if I want to make further changes I can do it
easily myself. But if I want, I can alway call 'HearSource' and a tech
will spend what ever time is needed to dial me in!! The result was a
sound quality that I have never experience with hearing aids before.
Even when playing the guitar!
I wore hearing aids for 12 years before I got these new ones. They were
Starkeys and very good. But the sound quality was absolutely nothing
compared with these new ones. With the Starkeys the only way to adjust
them was to go back to the audiologist or be without them for a few
days, then hope that the sound would be better. I had basically no part
in the fitting process other than trying to tell the audiologist what my
problem was. How do you describe some of the sounds we hear??? The idea
of having 'user programmable' hearing aids is fantastic, and to be able
to purchase them on-line at a quarter of the price most hearing aid
stores sell for made the whole thing that much sweeter! I am one happy
camper!!!
(And no... I don't work for HearSource. I'm just a very satisfied customer!)
dsi1
No doubt there are users that would enjoy programming their own aids
however, most folks don't want to deal with sliders and up and down
arrows and bands. My guess is that the programming will have to be
greatly simplified to maybe a few yes or no questions. I think this
certainly be done. Truth is that a lot of the folks doing hearing aid
programming don't know what they're doing either.
xp
"dsi1" <ds...@spamnet.com> wrote in message
news:8jcDm.26936$cL1...@newsfe20.iad...
>
> No doubt there are users that would enjoy programming their own aids
> however, most folks don't want to deal with sliders and up and down arrows
> and bands. My guess is that the programming will have to be greatly
> simplified to maybe a few yes or no questions. I think this certainly be
> done. Truth is that a lot of the folks doing hearing aid programming don't
> know what they're doing either.
Can you clarrify please...when you make that last statement, are you talking
about the "professionals"?
If so, how can I recognize this situation and what should I do about it?
MtnTraveler
> No doubt there are users that would enjoy programming their own aids
> however, most folks don't want to deal with sliders and up and down
> arrows and bands.
It not something that they are 'required' to do. It's an option that
comes with the package. For folks who don't want to mess with the
sliders, the hearing techs can do it all for them while they listen as
the changes are made in real time and report what they feel the sound
has become. "Tap your ring against the glass and tell me how that
sounds." "OK... how about now?" "How does your own voice sound? Too
much boominess? Echo? Sound like you're speaking inside a barrel?" "OK
-- now how does your voice sound? Better but still not quite right?"
"How about now?"
Folks don't have to lift a finger if they don't want to make the
adjustments them selves. They can just be content with having a very
customized sound quality and saving a few thousand dollars. I figure I
saved at least $3,000-$4,000 myself (which I don't mind at all) and know
that in the future as I age and my hearing changes, either I can make
the corrections myself or I can have the hearing tech make them for
me... without having to leave the comfort of my own home. (I don't mind
that either.)
I know that when I first began wearing hearing aids, my audiogram was
done by an otolarengologist (I wonder if I spelled that correctly. It
certain fooled my spell checker!) and the fitting done by an audiologist
in his office. Although I did hear 'better,' I was never really happy
with the sound 'quality.' I couldn't explain to them quite what I was
hearing, but the sounds didn't sound 'real.' If I could have heard in
real time the changes that they could make, (assuming that they could
make them) and if I could have participated more closely in the fitting
perhaps I would have been happier. Having programmable hearing aids
doesn't mean you have to program them yourself. It's an option that goes
along with the savings.
Unfortunately, it IS breaking a very traditional mindset. And lots of
folks don't want to break tradition. They want the doctor to do all the
'magic' and they are willing to pay for it. That's fine too. It's nice
that we now have the choice.
Mason C
wrote:
I hope the above is not a company advertising trick. It has that appearance.
In any case, HearSource seems to be a competitor for America Hears:
http://www.americahears.com/Products/HIMain.shtml
Competition is generally a good thing for all of us.
( I have one America Hears BTE and happy after several years.)
Mason C
dsi1
> "dsi1" <ds...@spamnet.com> wrote in message
> news:8jcDm.26936$cL1...@newsfe20.iad...
>> No doubt there are users that would enjoy programming their own aids
>> however, most folks don't want to deal with sliders and up and down arrows
>> and bands. My guess is that the programming will have to be greatly
>> simplified to maybe a few yes or no questions. I think this certainly be
>> done. Truth is that a lot of the folks doing hearing aid programming don't
>> know what they're doing either.
>
>
> Can you clarrify please...when you make that last statement, are you talking
> about the "professionals"?
Yes, most of the people programing hearing aids aren't typically sound
engineer/technician type or are good at diagnosing problems or people
that feel comfortable with computers. The good news is that the
programming software is getting better. The ideal would be to have
idiot-proof programming. I think this is possible and in the future
we'll have a higher percentage of satisfactory fittings.
dsi1
You call it "tradition", I prefer "system that has prevented most folks
from getting the help they need."
I'm familiar with the problems of programing aids indirectly using
graphs on a computer screen or by prompting through the the user's ears.
The problem, of course, is that the computer screen tends not to be a
true representation of the output of the aid in the users ears and most
of the time the user has a difficult time explaining what they're hearing.
Programming at home at a significant savings is will probably increase
because it fills a need. The software however, has to be better and the
interface more intuitive. I'm a bit surprised that it took 2.5 hours of
of the tech's time to program your aids. Makes me wonder if one can
really call it "self-programming."
No matter - in my awesome opinion, the support you got is critical to
having a positive experience. My guess is that most of these companies
will not be able to give you that much time when programming at home
aids takes off. Mostly, they'll sell you the aids and forget about you.
That's my prediction, anyway.
My little suggestion to you is that you listen to your aids with a
critical ear and try to find the points of resonance of the aids. You'll
probably have one or two on your aids. You'll only need to reduce those
points a few dB using the frequency controls. If you do this right,
you'll get an effect of "transparency" in your aids. A very cool effect.
MtnTraveler
Nope. That's why I did NOT include any links to the company. :o)
> In any case, HearSource seems to be a competitor for America Hears:
Yes, and good competition. AmericaHears refuses to ship internationally.
I'm 5,000 miles away from HearSource but that didn't slow them down a bit!
> Competition is generally a good thing for all of us.
It certainly is!
> ( I have one America Hears BTE and happy after several years.)
And that's what really counts in the long run!
MtnTraveler
> You call it "tradition", I prefer "system that has prevented most folks
> from getting the help they need."
"A rose by any other name..." You are absolutely right. It's a good
thing this is changing! It would seem that this help is now available!
> The problem, of course, is that the computer screen tends not to be a
> true representation of the output of the aid in the users ears and most
> of the time the user has a difficult time explaining what they're hearing.
That's what makes 'real time' participation by the wearer so important
to the process. I was able to tell and retell using different adjectives
until the tech understood what I meant, he made the changes, and I could
state what the effects were. If it needed more adjusting, we could do it
right there.
> Programming at home at a significant savings is will probably increase
> because it fills a need.
Saving thousands of dollars certainly filled a need for me!! LOL!
> The software however, has to be better and the
> interface more intuitive.
I am in full agreement with this! It is actually designed for a sound
tech rather than the average person with no sound training.
> I'm a bit surprised that it took 2.5 hours of
> of the tech's time to program your aids. Makes me wonder if one can
> really call it "self-programming."
Actually, most of the time was spent explaining the software and giving
me a tutorial so I could use it by myself latter on. The actual
adjustments took about 30 minutes. I am not a sound engineer so he
needed to explain what the various terms meant and how each control
affected the sound quality I was hearing. We did a "good and bad" change
for EACH control so that I could not only intellectually understand but
also actually hear the differences. It's nice that the company is
willing to spend so much time in customer service. I don't run into that
very often.
> No matter - in my awesome opinion,
Wow!
> the support you got is critical to
> having a positive experience.
It's what prompted me to write this message...
> My guess is that most of these companies
> will not be able to give you that much time when programming at home
> aids takes off. Mostly, they'll sell you the aids and forget about you.
> That's my prediction, anyway.
Possible. I do hope that you are mistaken.
> My little suggestion to you is that you listen to your aids with a
> critical ear and try to find the points of resonance of the aids.
As I said, I'm NOT a sound engineer. Please be so kind as to explain
what 'points of resonance' are and which controls would be use to adjust
them.
dsi1
>
> As I said, I'm NOT a sound engineer. Please be so kind as to explain
> what 'points of resonance' are and which controls would be use to adjust
> them.
Sorry about that. The aid in the ear will act differently from the
straight electronic amplification of the circuit in frequency response
due to the volume of air between the tip of the aid and your eardrum.
What this means is that you'll have certain frequencies that are louder
than others. It's these frequency peaks that are partially responsible
for the sensation of being in a barrel. This is called the occlusion
effect. Generally you correct for this by reducing the frequencies below
500 Hz. You adjust this by using the sliders for the frequency response.
It's standard practice to reduce low frequencies to counteract the
occlusion effect however, there's other points in the frequency response
that will tend to be affected also. Generally, it'll most likely be in
the 1.5 - 2KHz region.
In the end, it's probably better to adjust for maximum speech
comprehension. My suggestion is just something you can try since you
have the means to.
MtnTraveler
"Points of Resonance" was a term I hadn't heard before. "Occlusion
effect" was the term that the tech was using and with which I was
familiar. We spent quite a bit of time discussing that, as it had been a
problem with my old Starkeys that the audiologist wasn't able to
rectify. HearSource had pre-fitted my Symphrons with the 250k and 500k
about one notch lower than the audiogram suggested so there wasn't much
to correct for us in that regard.
Fieldcar
about 3 years now. I have found this product to be far superior in
sound quality to that of my previous Beltone hearing aids. I first did
business with hearsource via the internet when they repaired my
Beltone hearing aids for $99. Beltone themselves quoted me $400. I
had a very positive experience with Hearsource and so I gave them a
try with my new hearing aid business (what a concept, happy customer
returns to same company with more business). I have been extremely
happy with their products and more importantly their service. They
have been very responsive to my requests and needs. They did do the
initial sound settings of the aids before they shipped them to me.
Just like all hearing aids I presume, I wanted them "tweaked" a bit.
They did this remotely for me while I was on the phone with them. I
could not have gotten into my car and driven to the Beltone office
faster.
If you think that adjusting your own hearing aids is too hard, then it
probably is. I personally think that most people can do it. I paid
$2300 for two hearing aids, the programmer, software, cords, etc. I
saved about $4000 compared to local hearing aid shop quote. I see the
price has even come down a bit from what I paid.
Ever notice, when someone puts something good about Hearsource on the
internet, someone else comes along and says that you must work for the
company and then posts a comment about AH and then puts up the AH
link.
Hearsource now even has a blog, video tutorials, and forum for us
hearing aid self-programmers to support one another in their "Support
Services" section. http://www.hearsource.com
dsi1
>
> Ever notice, when someone puts something good about Hearsource on the
> internet, someone else comes along and says that you must work for the
> company and then posts a comment about AH and then puts up the AH
> link.
I have not noticed this but it would be a reasonable assumption that you
work for Hearsource because promoting that company seems to be your only
concern.
As it goes, I have no comments on you-know-who and won't put up a link
to you-know-where. Sorry about that. :-)
MtnTraveler
> Fieldcar wrote:
>
>>
>> Ever notice, when someone puts something good about Hearsource on the
>> internet, someone else comes along and says that you must work for the
>> company and then posts a comment about AH and then puts up the AH
>> link.
>
> I have not noticed this
I've seen it three times now, and I've only been dealing with the
company for about a month now. Once right here last week. (I'm surprised
you didn't see it.) I guess they think that's the way to improve business.
> but it would be a reasonable assumption that you
> work for Hearsource because promoting that company seems to be your only
> concern.
Is there the possibility that the reason for posting is to share
something that works well with other folks? After all, that's what
Usenet was created for. It's just a shame it has turned into something
so combative.
MtnTraveler
> If you think that adjusting your own hearing aids is too hard, then it
> probably is. I personally think that most people can do it.
I do too. At first I thought the software that came with the HearSource
hearing aids was too complicated, but after their tech rep explained the
meaning of the terms and how each control affected the sound quality I
realized that it actually pretty easy! I'm one of those people who can't
program a VCR myself, so if I can understand the fitting process I think
anyone can. But all that is really irrelevant...
If you can't program them yourself, as you said, a tech rep can program
them for you without your even leaving your home! One doesn't HAVE to do
it themselves. It's an option. In today's world, it's nice to have options.
> Hearsource now even has a blog, video tutorials, and forum for us
> hearing aid self-programmers to support one another in their "Support
> Services" section. http://www.hearsource.com
That in its self is a great help. Other people, not techies, discussing
how they adjusted their devices, or how they adjusted to their devices,
is interesting. It's nice that the forum has areas for users of other
brands of hearing aids, not just their own. It's as if they are happy to
have people discuss other brands rather than worried about the
competition! Tutorials on the software, hardware, etc. are really
helpful. Personally, as I'm a new BTE wearer, to have a tutorial about
fitting earmold tubes to my hearing aid came in handy. This is something
that needs to be done on a regular basis, and to be able to avoid going
to an audiologist and paying for it is just one more 'time and money'
savings.
dsi1
I don't believe that everybody is an America Hears shill or that you're
a Hearsource shill. The poster I was responding to is mostly interested
in promoting this one company. This brings up my scam alarm. Feel free
to do the research on this and please let me know if I have made any
factual errors in my post.
Obviously you're a fan of Hearsource - that fine, but you're far from
impartial. I don't have anything against these companies, they fill an
important need and I hope they will be successful. Don't attempt to turn
me into the bad guy here.
MtnTraveler
> The poster I was responding to is mostly interested
> in promoting this one company.
I think most of us only wear one brand of hearing aid. If we are happy
with it, that will be the company that we talk about. Nothing unusual
about that, especially if we have been long-time wearers of other brands
or marketing streams with which we weren't nearly as satisfied.
> Obviously you're a fan of Hearsource -
No question about that!! :o)
When I compare my previous experiences with audiologists and Starkey
hearing aids, now having a hearing aid that gives me better sound
quality at a price that is 1/4 of what I would have to pay the
audiologist, and the convenience of doing it all without leaving my
chair makes an avid fan!
> that fine, but you're far from impartial.
Why do I need to be impartial? I'm not a judge.
I'm a satisfied user of the product, relating my experiences with a
company so that perhaps others can also get some satisfaction without
undergoing the traditional costs demanded by office visits and brand
names. Please remember, the subject line of my original post was about a
positive experience with buying hearing aids on-line.
> I don't have anything against these companies, they fill an
> important need and I hope they will be successful.
I hope so too. I'd like to see them still in business 25 years from now,
even if I'm no longer shuffling along this mortal coil.
> Don't attempt to turn me into the bad guy here.
Sorry. It wasn't my intention to do so. I do tend to get peeved at all
the negativity I see in Usenet and perhaps over-react to that.
dsi1
>
>> that fine, but you're far from impartial.
>
> Why do I need to be impartial? I'm not a judge.
You don't have to be impartial at all. Heck this is Usenet, impartiality
it a rarity anyway. My feeling however, is that you do most of us a
disservice by not giving a fair and balanced reporting of your
experience. That's unfortunate, if you can give a impartial review of
your experience, that's gold. Otherwise, you're just another guy selling
stuff on the internet.
Mason C
>Ever notice, when someone puts something good about Hearsource on the
>internet, someone else comes along and says that you must work for the
>company and then posts a comment about AH and then puts up the AH
>link.
>
Fieldcar, that was probably me: Mason C ( http://frontal-lobe.info )
Some Usenet groups have been plagued by company shills, I hope not
this one, but it's always a danger.
I was impressed well by the Hearsource website.
I'm delighted to see competition, especially for retail hearing aid salesman.
( You probably missed my tale of experience with Miracle Ear Sears (ugly) )
It's good that America Hears is not alone in selling on line, but I have
reported my experience with them in detail a couple years ago -- just to
be useful here.
If I offended someone by raising the shill danger sign wrongly, I'm apologize.
This is been an excellent group for sharing hard-of-hearing experiences.
Mason C
MtnTraveler
> MtnTraveler wrote:
>
>>
>>> that fine, but you're far from impartial.
>>
>> Why do I need to be impartial? I'm not a judge.
>
> You don't have to be impartial at all.
OK. I don't need to be impartial, but you don't care for the fact that I
am biased towards the product I prefer... I think I'm getting confused.
> it a rarity anyway. My feeling however, is that you do most of us a
> disservice by not giving a fair and balanced reporting of your
> experience.
You seem to spend a lot of time and energy denigrating what people say.
OK... how's this;
I wore Starkey hearing aids for 12 years. I bought them from an
audiology/otolarengology clinic after receiving a very intensive
physical and audiological exam, following the recommendations of the two
professionals in that office. I paid a lot of money for the hearing
aids, and even after several re-visits to the office for adjustments was
never really happy with the sound quality I was getting. No matter how I
tried telling the audiologist about the sounds I was hearing, she was
never able to fully give me what I wanted. I always had to make an
appointment to come in to their offices, and always felt as if they were
rushing me out for the next client. In later years if I want an
adjustment I had to pay a fixed fee. I certainly wasn't happy with the
costs, both time and money. They were nice people and Starkey is a good
name brand, but between the expense of the hearing aids, the lack of
sound quality, the time and trouble to get adjustments, etc., etc., it
was not a positive experience at all.
I contacted HearSource on line, sent them my new audiogram, and for 1/4
the price quoted by local audiological offices was sent hearing aids,
software, and a computer interface. My hearing aids had been pre-fitted
based upon my audiogram, and were close to what I had always wanted in
sound quality. The company tech rep called me at my home, and using
remote software to connect to my computer and hearing aids, not only
fully explained how sound worked in layman's terms, he gave me a full
tutorial in adjusting the sound of my hearing aids using the software. I
was able to give immediate feedback to the tech rep regarding that sound
quality so he (and I) could dial it in perfectly. I was finally able to
get the sound quality I had always wanted.
At no time did I feel as if he was rushing me off the phone, and I was
never left confused by any of the processes. That is good customer
service. I was able to take part in the decision making process
regarding the sounds I was hearing. With self-programing hearing aids, I
can make any further adjustments that I may wish to make. As these
hearing aids have four separate programs available and I'm currently
only using three of them, I have the option of creating a fourth program
for what ever I might want, be that listening to classical music in a
concert hall using the T-coil, playing delta blues guitar, or any other
sound environment I might encounter. I like that. I control it. Me. I
don't have to go to the audiologist and try to tell them what sounds I
want or don't want to hear.
To sum it up, I'm very happy with the hearing aids I received, happy
with the customer service I received, extremely happy with the money I
saved, and and content in the knowledge that I can make my own
adjustments if wanted/needed without having to make an appointment with
an audiologist and pay more money.
> Otherwise, you're just another guy selling stuff on the internet.
People sell to make money. I don't get any money. As far as I can see,
you seem to be one of those people Fieldcar was talking about as being a
ney-sayer every time we try to relate our satisfaction. Why do you feel
a need to do so? Why so defensive?
dsi1
> dsi1 wrote:
>> MtnTraveler wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>> that fine, but you're far from impartial.
>>>
>>> Why do I need to be impartial? I'm not a judge.
>>
>> You don't have to be impartial at all.
>
> OK. I don't need to be impartial, but you don't care for the fact that I
> am biased towards the product I prefer... I think I'm getting confused.
It's very simple - if you're not impartial, you're just selling stuff.
You're glossing over the product. You're a smart guy - you know when
someone is not giving you the whole story. So do I and there's some
questions as to why you'd need to spend over 2 hours on the phone with
tech support. Most folks won't go for that - me for one.
No matter. I'll just hold my tongue from now on. You're way too
defensive about Hearsource. That's the breaks.
You're preaching to the choir. I'm an advocate for self-programming. No
need to sell me on the problems with getting properly fit aids and
programming. I know more about these problems than you'll ever know.
MtnTraveler
>> OK. I don't need to be impartial, but you don't care for the fact that
>> I am biased towards the product I prefer... I think I'm getting
>> confused.
>
> It's very simple - if you're not impartial, you're just selling stuff.
Horse puckey. You're not here for discussion. You're here for derision.
> So do I and there's some
> questions as to why you'd need to spend over 2 hours on the phone with
> tech support.
It's call... get ready for this... education.
Most folks won't go for that - me for one.
Yes... I don't think you would.
> I know more about these problems than you'll ever know.
If you have to tell us, it probably isn't so.
MtnTraveler
> dsi1 wrote:
>
>>> OK. I don't need to be impartial, but you don't care for the fact
>>> that I am biased towards the product I prefer... I think I'm getting
>>> confused.
>>
>> It's very simple - if you're not impartial, you're just selling stuff.
>
> Horse puckey. You're not here for discussion. You're here for derision.
>
>
>> So do I and there's some questions as to why you'd need to spend over
>> 2 hours on the phone with tech support.
>
> It's call... get ready for this... education.
>
> Most folks won't go for that - me for one.
Most folks? And you know this how? I wonder how most folks feel about
your speaking for them.
Actually, I'm curious why you wouldn't want to get more knowledge, more
information, more skills. If a tech rep is willing to spend time
teaching a customer so the customer is able to more easily deal with
their own problems, I for one, will sit and listen to that tech rep
until he has no more to offer. Perhaps you feel that you know more than
the tech reps. Perhaps you do. Why not share that knowledge?
Perhaps you'd like to share your knowledge here with us instead of just
trying to tell us "I know more about these problems than you'll ever
know." The tech reps at this company don't hesitate to give us the tools
to help ourselves. They don't sit there telling us how smart they are.
Do have really have all this knowledge? Or are you just trying to
impress us? Lets see it.
dsi1
> MtnTraveler wrote:
>> dsi1 wrote:
>>
>>>> OK. I don't need to be impartial, but you don't care for the fact
>>>> that I am biased towards the product I prefer... I think I'm
>>>> getting confused.
>>>
>>> It's very simple - if you're not impartial, you're just selling stuff.
>>
>> Horse puckey. You're not here for discussion. You're here for derision.
>>
>>
>>> So do I and there's some questions as to why you'd need to spend over
>>> 2 hours on the phone with tech support.
>>
>> It's call... get ready for this... education.
>>
>> Most folks won't go for that - me for one.
>
> Most folks? And you know this how? I wonder how most folks feel about
> your speaking for them.
It's your experience that people enjoy calling for tech help? I hate
doing that, however, you're right - I shouldn't speak for most folks.
>
> Actually, I'm curious why you wouldn't want to get more knowledge, more
> information, more skills. If a tech rep is willing to spend time
> teaching a customer so the customer is able to more easily deal with
> their own problems, I for one, will sit and listen to that tech rep
> until he has no more to offer. Perhaps you feel that you know more than
> the tech reps. Perhaps you do. Why not share that knowledge?
>
> Perhaps you'd like to share your knowledge here with us instead of just
> trying to tell us "I know more about these problems than you'll ever
> know." The tech reps at this company don't hesitate to give us the tools
> to help ourselves. They don't sit there telling us how smart they are.
>
> Do have really have all this knowledge? Or are you just trying to
> impress us? Lets see it.
Read my previous posts.
Ken
Cool it! Mtn Traveler is new to the group and has already made a solid
contribution. dsi1 has been around for a while and has contributed
masses of info and ideas. Stay with the ideas/info and lay off the
prejudices/personal stuff..
Mason C
MtnTraveler
> It's your experience that people enjoy calling for tech help? I hate
> doing that, however, you're right - I shouldn't speak for most folks.
No, when customer support does NOT help, or when customer support rushes
someone off the phone, or when customer support speaks only technobable
and doesn't give explanations in lay terms, you are correct, people
don't like it. That is NOT the case here, which was what I was saying
all along.
That is what made my experience with this company so outstanding. They
were willing to take the time. They were willing to explain everything
to me in words that I could understand, and they made sure that I would
be able to use this knowledge in the future. They didn't try to hurry
through the call. They made me feel that I was a valued customer instead
of someone intruding on their day. Very different from most tech
supports I've dealt with in the past.
I imagine that most people getting hearing aids aren't in the business
or have much knowledge of sound engineering. It's my guess that they
would be happy to have customer support that took what ever time they
needed. But that's just a guess. :o)
JRStern
<mtntr...@vernizon.com> wrote:
>(And no... I don't work for HearSource. I'm just a very satisfied customer!)
Fantastic post, MT!
My elderly mother needs a hearing aid, and I'm trying to help her with
all her medical issues, but on this I haven't the first clue what the
current technology is, or costs, or vendors, or sales channels, or
medical professionals. She may prefer a white coat involved, even at
the cost of a couple of grand, but even for that I feel somewhat
prepared now just from having read your account!
I don't think it is any more of a usenet protocol issue if you do
include a link. and I find this information educational as well:
http://www.hearsource.com/buy_hearing_aid.html
so, hmm, you had your audiogram, you'd had your medical exams long
since, but what about physical fitting devices to your ear canal?
Thanks.
J.
MtnTraveler
> My elderly mother needs a hearing aid, and I'm trying to help her with
> all her medical issues, but on this I haven't the first clue what the
> current technology is,
I think that unless we are involved in an industry, we won't really know
all the newest technologies. It's obvious that many of the members of
this newsgroup ARE involved in the industry.
I was gob-smacked when I discovered just how much change there was in
the technology of hearing aids in the 12 years that elapsed between
buying my first ones and buying these new ones! I was of a mind to do
it, I could have opted for hearing aids that wirelessly connected to my
computer, stereo, telephones, MP3 player, virtually any Bluetooth
device, and include a multi-program pocket remote control! This is a far
cry from the on-off switch included with my last hearing aids! Times do
change!
> or costs, or vendors, or sales channels, or
> medical professionals.
The costs through traditional sources have gone up significantly, the
vendors have become more cut-throat, and protective of their
territories, sales channels (thank God) have increased due to the
Internet, and medical professionals will always be the same...
> She may prefer a white coat involved, even at
> the cost of a couple of grand, but even for that I feel somewhat
> prepared now just from having read your account!
I think, and probably any reliable company would also think that there
should be a medical professional in the loop. A good physical
examination should be a part of the process. But I don't think that the
medical professional should be part of the sales force. There should be
separation between the examination and prescription side and the
recommendation and sales side to insure good care.
> I don't think it is any more of a usenet protocol issue if you do
> include a link. and I find this information educational as well:
>
> http://www.hearsource.com/buy_hearing_aid.html
>
> so, hmm, you had your audiogram, you'd had your medical exams long
> since, but what about physical fitting devices to your ear canal?
I had a lot of difficulty getting an audiogram done without purchasing
hearing aids. We contacted quite a few different hearing aid centers
before we were able to find one that would give me an examination and
hearing tests without making a purchase. (To be more precise, most would
give me a hearing test but not give me a copy of the audiogram unless I
bought from them.) I finally found a hearing clinic a few hours away
from my house with both an otolarengologist (sp?) and an audiologist. I
was able to get examined and tested, and even have some recommendations
regarding what I would need in hearing aids.
Having contacted a few hearing centers closer to my home I was told that
they only had this ear mold service for their hearing aid customers. I
had no choice but to go back to the distant clinic and they took the ear
impressions for me. (Make some phone calls and find a center that will
do it for you. Remember that they charge 'by the ear' for this service.)
They did two impressions in each ear, then marked which ones they
thought were the best. I sent all four to HearSource and they made the
acrylic earmolds and sent them back to me. They have a video tutorial on
their web site explaining in detail how to cut the tubes to the correct
length and attach them to the hearing aids. With my wife's help it took
almost three minutes to attach them correctly... Maybe two minutes...
Actually putting them into my ears was easy. Point them in, give a
little twist, and they slipped in easily. Getting them out, on the other
hand, took some practice. The ear isn't a straight tube, so you need to
experiment with gently turning the earmold while withdrawing it from the
ear. The first couple of times I thought I was pulling my head off! I
wasn't quite as gentle as I could have been. Now, a few weeks later, I
can slip them in and out easily. It does take some practice.
Now I'm thinking about trying the softer silicon earmolds. HearSource
can have these made up for me. If I remember correctly, the cost was
about $65. Although my hard acrylic earmolds fit perfectly, I just
wonder if the soft ones might fit even MORE perfectly? Be less noisy
when I chew. It's worth a try. They say that they don't need new ear
impressions to make new earmolds. I've heard both good and bad about the
soft molds (which is to be expected) and I'm curious.
Good luck with your mother's hearing aids. It's really wonderful to be
able to hear again! I never realized it before, but my electric hot
water heater plays a Chopin tune when it reaches tea temperature, and my
electric rice cooker plays 'Greensleeves' when the rice is done! :o)
JRStern
<mtntr...@vernizon.com> wrote:
>Now I'm thinking about trying the softer silicon earmolds. HearSource
>can have these made up for me. If I remember correctly, the cost was
>about $65. Although my hard acrylic earmolds fit perfectly, I just
>wonder if the soft ones might fit even MORE perfectly? Be less noisy
>when I chew. It's worth a try. They say that they don't need new ear
>impressions to make new earmolds. I've heard both good and bad about the
>soft molds (which is to be expected) and I'm curious.
Do you have the BTE model - do those need molds, and if so what for,
the external ear, or the canal - or both?
Thanks.
J.
MtnTraveler
Yes, both of mine are BTE Symphrons, using full hard acrylic earmolds
that fill the canal and shell. Because I was in a hurry, HearSource sent
me my hearing aids with small silicon ear tips attached while I scouted
around trying to locate a place to have ear impressions taken. They did
work, and I was satisfied with them. Frankly, I like the ease of using
the small ear tips. But I could easily hear a difference in sound when I
switched to the earmolds. A big difference in volume and sound quality.
Perhaps if the ear tips had a larger diameter tube it may have made a
difference, but I haven't any experience with that. I've read in a
couple of places that there is more feedback with the ear tips, but I've
also read in a couple of places where companies are now selling very new
and different concepts in ear tips.
http://www.generalhearing.com/explore.cfm/smartwearearmold/ and
http://hearing-loss-help-co.com./index1.html?102.html&1
Perhaps these newer technologies might give more volume and less
feedback than the cheaper silicon ear tips. For the price and for my own
comfort, I'm willing to experiment rather than listening to and
accepting 'the old guard' who just say flat out 'no! They don't work!'
Hope that helps! :o)
JRStern
<mtntr...@vernizon.com> wrote:
>http://www.generalhearing.com/explore.cfm/smartwearearmold/
Very clever!
>http://hearing-loss-help-co.com./index1.html?102.html&1
Maybe.
And me, I worry mostly about trying to find a cell phone wired
earpiece I can use, with my normal hearing. Most of the cheap ones
fall out of or off my ear.
Thanks again for your very informative posts.
J.
wgd.r...@verizon.net
learned about through this group: America Hears. Most all who follow
this group know about America Hears and that I am a proponent of their
product line. Now into two Years +/-, the BTE, SIEs devices have
worked well for me. While programmable through USB-connectivity, I
ended up using, staying with the originally-installed settings AH
derived from my chart. The aids cost $995.oo each.
A happy and satisifed user, I send all Kind Regards,
Wayne G. Dengel
On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:09:24 +0100, MtnTraveler
<mtntr...@vernizon.com> wrote: