I went to the audiologist recently with for the most part, 70dB High Frequency loss in both ears although i do have some loss in the lower frequencies in the left. Anyways, he gave me plenty of options. He recommened BTE's in both ears but said that CIC would be an option (because i am young and worried about looks). Anyways, he said BTE would compensate for all my loss while CIC would help but probably not bring my audiogram back up to the normal range. He said i would still have a mild loss to moderate loss with the CIC's. Has anyone on here tried CIC's with a similar loss? Did it work? I think i might try the CIC's first because he said there was a 30 day trial in which i could switch to BTE's if the CIC's dont work for me. Another thing he mentioned was that BTE is directional, which means it is better in background noise. That is the situation that bothers me the most. How are CIC's for background noise? For now i am just looking at Analog low end programmables.

Too many options... Very confused!

Thanks,
Jake

CIC:
Pros
*cosmetic
*mic deeper in the canal for more natural sound
*compatible with telephone

Cons
*Cost more.
*Change in ear shape from aging or weight change requires a new hearing aid.
*Require more repairs due to all of the electronics in the ear exposed to moisture,wax, and oil.
*Less durable.
*Provide less gain than larger aids, not as much. reserve gain when needed in future.
*Possible comfort problems due to depth of fit.
*Short battery life.
*Harder to manipulate.

BTE
Pros
*Bigger case allows for more options;dual/directional mics, volume control, telephone coil, multiple programs.
*More comfortable fit as mold does not have to be as deep or occluded.
*Less chance of feedback due to distance between mic and sound output.
*More durable than smaller aids.
*Need less repairs, electronics exposed to ear wax and oil.
*More flexible in programming, larger aid can provide more gain for future need.
*Change in ear shape requires a new $50 earmold.
*Longer battery life.

Cons
*More noticeable. I recommend getting a clear mold and BTE case that matches hair color.

I'm a big fan of the BTE and we are seeing it's popularity increase in the past few years due to its Pros. But, if a patient is very concerned about cosmetics, a CIC must be considered. While CIC's work great with high frequency losses, the BTE will work much better, today and in the future.




[This message has been edited by montag66 (edited 06-02-2003).]

Thanks for the reply. Definetly a lot of things to consider. BTE seems like the way to go as far as functionality, durability, and price. But unfortunetly i am willing to sacrifice all of that for cosmetic purposes. Not sure if that is a wise move or not.

One thing i found interesting is that you mentioned matching the bte's color to my hair instead of my skin. I have never heard of that before. Is that less noticable?

I am finding that i am spending a lot of time doing research on hearing aids (styles, prices, functions). I am not sure if this is good or not. I am also very frustrated by the fact that i haven't really settled on anything yet and i continue to not be able to properly in public settings and when background noise is present. I think it is about time for me to decide.

Thanks,
Jake

Yeah, match the case to your hear and the aid "disappears". Well, not really, but it is much less noticeable than the stock beige color.

If your problems are in noisy environments, then your best bet is a BTE with direction mics. You will be happy with any hearing aid from companies like Oticon, Resound, Phonak, Siemens, Widex. These are the leaders when it comes to technology. You can do research but it really comes down to the skill level of your audiologist. He/she has to be competent working with the manufacturers fitting software.

I understand your concern about cosmetics. As a matter of fact, most of my patients, when in my office, ask me, "what's it going to look like?" and "how much is it going to cost?". They rarely ask how it's going to sound. You are paying for sound quality, not looks. You really should think about your priorities.

Any other questions, let me know.

Jim
Audiologist

How powerful are the CIC's? I have at most 75dB loss and that doesnt occur until around 2k. I have a sloping loss. I am just wondering if that will be maxing out CIC's? I am concerned about shortened battery life and distorted sound because as far as i understand, 70dB is at the max of what CIC's can do.

Another thing i am worried about is the fact that CIC's might not even be an option for me because i dont think my ear canals are big enough. I heard that CIC's require a certain size canal. I sometimes have problems getting a q-tip in my ear. i think it is only the opening of the canal that is narrow. Will this be a problem? This could work to my advantage though (might force me to get BTE).

If CIC isnt an option, how are ITC's? i have heard that they are actually less power than CIC and are bad for background noise and bad for feedback.

Sorry for all the questions! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

You are right about the CIC maxing out. Your loss *could* be fit with a CIC but there would be no *headroom*. This would result in distortion, feedback, and no room for future reprogramming. A CIC, or an ITC, would be a poor investment in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, these aids are fit on people like you all the time. Just because it can be fit to your loss does not make it the most appropriate fitting. Also, in my opinion a BTE is less noticeable than an ITC or ITE.

Thanks again for your reply. It is nice to see people on here, like yourself, who have a lot of experience with this type of thing. What you said makes a lot of sense. However, i still cant get over the aesthetic issue of BTE versus CIC. So, i think i am going to opt for the CIC unless this second audiologist tells me the same as what the first did (go with BTE). Actually, that makes two people so far (including you) that told me that. I am going to this second one because they are affiliated with Hearing Planet who has good prices. Have you heard of them? I am under the impression that is the way to go price-wise. Anyways, i think that i am going to have issues with the narrowness of my ear canals, especially the right. The other thing i could do is grow my hair longer if i have to get BTE's. Dont they make smaller BTE's or something?

Thanks,
Jake

Has any audiologist said that hearing aids are very expensive and perform pretty poorly.


Are there any HAPPY users of hearing aids?

I've never tried them but know several people who are UNANISMOUSLY agreed on the fact that they don't help hearing very much.

I was given the option of surgery or "hearing aids" and for me it was a no brainer!

Yes, i agree with you on what you have said. My priorities need to be different. But I am highly concerned with the quality of sound, mainly because most of my problems are in crowded noisy places which is of course harder to correct, or compensate for. But as far as I see it, if someone is concerned with cosmetics, then they would be more willing to wear a CIC versus a BTE. Therefore if the CIC isnt the perfect match, it would still be accepted by the patient. Whereas the BTE would definetly end up in a drawer if the persons main concern was "looks". At 29 years of age and male (short hair), i have some reservations when it comes to BTE's. But, at this point i do not function at all in social situations, so whatever works i will most likely opt for that.

As far as hearing planet was concerned, I was quoted about 3,400 for digital CIC (that is for two). The audiologist i was quoted me $6,400 for roughly the same thing ($3,000). So as you can see, there was a huge difference in price. With hearing planet i will get a 2 year warrenty and then i can purchase another year for $99 each aid. I really hope that this works to my advantage. The way i see it, i am going to a regular reputable audiologist who agreed to represent hearing planet, so it cant be all that bad. If it was bad, the audiologist would have told hearing planet to get lost, right? Your mentioning of being treated like a second-class citizen does raise some concerns though. I have had to cancel my appointment for today because of a business trip. I noticed that their time slots are very limited at this audiologist. It seems like they can only get me in on only particular days of the week (wednesdays). This is a rather huge audiologist in the area. I am starting to wonder if this might be what you are talking about? In other words, if i told them that i wasnt with hearing planet, would they get me in there like the next day? The other audiologist seemed to be more flexible meaning i could probably get in there at a drop of the hat. I am rather concerned now.

Thanks!!!!
Jake

[This message has been edited by Jake_s0 (edited 06-11-2003).]

Jake, you are absolutely right...The best hearing aid is the aid that is worn! I wish you the best. I'm sure you will be successful if you stay motivated and realistic. If you have any other questions when you get the aid, let me know.

Regarding the audiologist that agreed to work with hearing planet. He/she did so only to make more money. It is another way to get patients in the door. If you can get a good quality aid AND quality service for that price, more power to you. The audiologist would be the sucker, not you. Also, I really doubt that any audiologist would see you on the drop of a hat if you go with hearing planet. Many will offer a set amount of follow-up visits and after that there will be an office visit charge.

For what it's worth: Here is a quote from an audiologist that contracts with hearing planet.

(taken from The Hearing Journal, June 2003, Vol 56)
"I figured people were going to use the Internet more and more and would find companies like Hearing Planet," she explains. " These consumers are going to go somewhere, so they may as well come to me."

Since the service agreement in the Hearing Planet package includes less follow-up than she provides to her other patients, Fisher sometimes worries that referred clients aren't getting the full hearing care benefits she and her colleagues have to offer. For example, she sends out quarterly notices to her other customers reminding them to come in for a cleaning, adjustment, or any repairs that may be required. "I want to prevent problems for my patients before they happen and I can't do that with the Hearing Planet customers without charging extra", she says. "I may not see those patients again unless their hearing aid breaks."

Fisher finds that one drawback of working with customers who have done research on the Internet is that they sometimes arrive for their appointment with a particular hearing aid already picked out, regardless of whether it's the right one for them. As a result, she says, "Sometimes it takes me twice as long in counseling to tell tem a certain type may not work for them."


Bottom line, you get what you pay for. If you are comfortable with your decision, go for it. Just don't expect the Audiologist to go above and beyond if you have trouble with your new hearing aids. Above and beyond is what patients pay for when they buy the aid directly from the Audiologist.

Most successful hearing aid users would agree that your are paying for the audiologist not the device. The world's best hearing aid is garbage without a competent professional to fit it.

Jake,

as a CIC wearer here's my input (and montag66 please comment on this). It works pretty good and is almost invisible to others unless they are looking for it. The down side? HIGH MAINTENANCE. At the risk of repeating myself, HIGH MAINTENANCE. They must be kept clean and dry. Sounds reasonable enough until you consder how far in the ear these things go and how hard it is to do this. If you don't have office visits for FREE cleanings as part of your packag then plan on buying a hearing aid vacuum because the general instruction of opening the battery door at night and giving it a brush and tap in the morning to make sure there is no ear was inside is woefully defictient. Oh yeah, be prepared to be blamed for not taking care of the aid when it brakes down because of moisture and ear was even though you've followed your audiologists instructions to the letter.

The worst part of my experience so far (just under a year and back to the manufacturer twice) is that it is so wonderful when it works it is that much worse when it is taken away.

I certainly was paying for performance and sound quality and competence in the audiologist right from the start. Vanity played a part in the CIC choice but had I been told the problems would be so frequent I would have reconsidered. I am lucky enough to have lifetime maintenance and cleaning with my package and I'm still going to purchase a hearing aid vacuum since I'll be out of warranty once I get the aid back. I just can't spend the time anymore going back there.

Sounded like a rant I know and my life is so much better when it works but did I mention HIGH MAINTENANCE?

Jerry

However, i still cant get over the aesthetic issue of BTE versus CIC. Jake, I am 23 and have worn hearing aids since I was three...I completely understand your concerns about cosmetics! Back in jr. high I even switched over to ITE aids from BTEs simply b/c of the cosmetic factor! Hard to believe now..I now decorate the tubing with beads and even have a purple earmold! I really want purple aids for my next set in a few years! Even with all that, people very rarely notice my hearing aids...and bear in mind that I have a VERY "deaf" voice. Quite frankly I think the cosmetic issue is simply one invented by the hearing aid companies to make you feel self-conscious. Why not act like a kid and get hearing aids and earmolds in your favorite colors? (they even have earmolds which glow-in-the-dark and change colors!)
Oh, and yes...they do have mini-BTEs and BTEs that blend into your hair (and actually those are very "cool looking"..kind of streamlined and spaceagey) They even have clear BTEs that aren't that noticable!

Hi all,

Two weeks ago i got mini BTEs. They are the digital kind (ReSound Canta4). For now he is starting me off at low power and is gradually stepping that up every week or so. The sound is pretty good. My left ear was the worse of the two and there is a definate improvement there. On my right ear which had high frequency loss, i cant really notice a difference much. Not really sure why, because i had a 70dB loss over there as well, but it didnt extend down to the mid range frequencies like my left ear. Anyways, so far so good. Batteries seem to last forever. I have been wearing them on average of 12 hours a day for the last 2 weeks and have yet to change the batteries. I think they say the batteries last 170 hours. I do get feedback on the left if my hand is close to my ear. My right is fine though. Both molds are vented to prevent that occusion effect thing. I like the noise reduction these offer, but i will admit that i still have some problems around noisy places, especially if a woman is talking to me. But i think it is an improvement over nothing. By the way, I did try for CICs, but when he took the ear impression, i had extremely narrow ear canals. It was about the thickness of a peice of paper folded twice. They even had to make the bte molds thicker in the canal just to fit the tube. But all is well.

Thanks,
Jake