new to this---how to get hearing aids - Hearing Disorders Message Board

suncats · 05-12-2005, 05:27 PM

I'm having lots of stress on my job because it's so hard for me to hear. I work in a noisy environment with lots of background noise and blow dryers. I usually can't hear all of what my customers are saying. I feel like everyone mumbles or talks too softly. I get tired/embarassed of asking people to repeat themselves, so I will fake it and do the nod/smile thing. Well, that doesn't work--people think you are an idiot. I tell people I can't hear well with all the noise but they don't care or understand. Human nature being what it is, lot's of people just want to jabber so they can be heard and they expect me to be an avid listener.

Where do I go? What cost is involved? I don't have insurance--been turned down 5 times for minor chronic problems--and that's another story. Do I have to pay for a hearing test then get fitted--kind of like glasses? My biggest problem is filtering out background noise so I just hear speech more clearly. I've had this problem for years, but just started a new job that is louder and busier and I don't want to go on like this. I'm starting to hate my work and the people I have to deal with.

iswear · 05-30-2005, 08:54 AM

Hearing Aids Are Costly, I Have 2 Health Insurances And Can't Get Any Help From Neither, They Are Great Devices And Will Help You, They Are Not Going To Cure Your Hearing, But Will Help. See Your Ear Doctor First And Go From There, I Am 43, And Have Been Wearing Them For 10 Years, Some People Don't Even Know I Have Them, But It Is Good To Tell People You Can't Hear Well So Hopefully They Will Look At You When Talking, I Now Am Getting Really Good At Reading Lips And You Will To. I'm Still Looking For Some Cure Out Their And Hope Someday It Will Come Any Questions Fill Free To Ask Me. I Don't Leave The House Without My Hearing Aids, Unless They Are In The Shop They Are Now A Part Of Me Just Like Glasses.

Lenin · 05-31-2005, 07:32 AM

There are around the ear cheapies that you can get for about $10. They are not aesthetically great looking but DO amplify the sound...you can wear them for work at least.
Check in magazines and tabloids...they actually work!

When you can afford a better alternative go to an ENT specialist and have an audiological workup...let HIM prescribe what you need. Avoid the hearing aid shops that WILL sell you a hearing aid whether yopu need one or not. A specialist might recommend surgery instead.

Alkaline · 06-07-2005, 07:35 PM

You need to make an appointment with an audiologist for testing and he/she will determine if you have any hearing loss. If you do, they will prescribe a hearing aid and set it up specifically to your levels. Most modern hearing aids have different programmable sound settings so you can have a setting that cuts out background noise and boosts voice.

They're not cheap, but they're worth it. You will also have to get a mould made that goes in your ear that the hearing aid attaches to if you have been precribed to an over the ear aid like me.

If you can't afford it or if your insurance doesn't cover it, then there's many other options out there. I went on disability just to get the coverage.

blondybear · 08-01-2005, 12:00 AM

HI all.

Between disabillity and being a military dependent i got a set of good quality hearing aids for about 80 bucks. If youre a dependent check coverage.