ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: thornapple on April 12, 2007, 02:09:26 pm
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I had a really unsympathetic neurotologist who told me I have an AN in my cochlea, there is no hope for my ear, and to have another MRI in a year. He also told me, "You don't need hearing aids". I also have a migraine variant which affects my hearing, and some hearing loss in both ears (I was told it was "mild").
After months of increasing problems and the AN ear getting worse, I decided to get hearing aids anyway. I could hear people talking, but I could not figure out what they were SAYING. I was feeling increasingly isolated.
WOW! They cranked up the volume in my AN ear and compensated for the areas I am losing in both ears, and I am hearing things I never heard before! I am hearing harmonic lines I never knew were there in music I have been listening to for years! And I don't miss half the conversation any more. That is such a relief.
And these hearing aids are cute little things. Unless people are looking for them, they don't notice I have them on! And when they do, they say "wow, those are cute!"
Remind me to ignore doctors most of the time, will ya?
This might encourage those who have just been thinking about it.
;D
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thornapple what type did you get? I'm still trying to get some. have any pics to share?
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I got these gizmos.
http://www.resoundpulse.com/frontpage/style/colours.htm
It takes some adjustment to get used to them, but it is amazing to me how well I could be "fixed". And they are hideously expensive, but they should last a few years. They hook them up to a computer, program in your audiogram, and compensate for the areas where you have hearing loss.
I got the fashion color on the upper right. They are bronze colored, match my hair, and are also iridescent green.
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hey that looks close to the design for the Oticon Delta i was looking at.....
hope i can get mine fast as i am fed up not hearing people....
I hope to put the thing in motion right after the weekend. I tried a hearing aid about 6 yrs ago before I knew about my An and they express rushed the order once i got the paperwork for it.... so maybe i'll be lucky this time too....
cheers....
W.
PS. can you tell us how much the resound one is please?
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Just got back from around trip of 100 miles to see local Audiologist about hearing aid. Was in KC back on April 6th and was fitted by Audiologist with a brand called Phonac with an FM Receiver if hearing goes worse. Audiologist wanted me to go local instead of having to drive to KC for Any adjustments. So we call our local Audiologist like I said and made that trip this morn. He carries the brand called Resound but said he has no idea how too program a FM Reciever should I need that. So he calls another Audioloist that he knew and he carries Phonac but I could not see him today because he is making a trip to Denver. What a disappoinment. Now I have to go back too another Audiologist again to get this brand called Phonac. I do not need the FM Receiver down the line but if I do-I need someone who knows how to program it. I guess this is what happens when you live out in the sticks as I do. Reside in Western Kansas. Heck we are so far behind in technology that Now I am surprized we even have telephones here. I even have too travel 100 miles to get MRI's because our local hospital cannot put MRI on individual discs. Talk about living in the past. Anyway-I guess I will have too deal with my non hearing issue for another couple of weeks. Reminder for those new reading this post- I am an NF2. Deaf in left ear-hearing aid does no good in this one. Good ear-if you can call it that now has 52% hearing left. This is why I made need an FM Reciever down the road. Isn"t life just a bowl of cheeries-not today it wasn't for me. Thanks-Ron
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HI Ron, am sorry you have to do this traipsing around for the hearing aid but it sounds like you are going to go with the phonac?
It's really strange facing/ perhaps having a second ear hearing loss. I feel for you. During these last few days it's been on my own mind and then i had to deal with not having a car while mine was in the garage and lo and behold not having wheels became my priority thought. Isn't life strange. Now i have my wheels back today and thinking returns to my hearing, sigh. The good thing is no sign of a second tumour (but hearing is dead in my An ear.) I have a hole in my An eardrum which no doubt plays a role in that loss too. Plus there is talk of a sympathetic hearing loss and cochelar hydrops. Nope not a bowl of cherries. Shall we make lemonade?
tc,
W.
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I actually kinda hijacked this thread from Thornapple. Sounds familiar though- I also hear what people say but cannot distinquish always what they are saying because I catch only certain vowels and words. Very isolating. I think also what is weighing on my mind-and it shouldn't is medical people keep on telling me how unique of a person I am. Example-when I got my radiation at JHH-we had too meet a doctor once a week to see how things were going and how radiation was being tolerated. Once in awhile I got this young Intern who told me that I had the rarest tumor known too mankind. I always wanted too say-"and your point is". Am I to feel good about this or something. This morn the Audiologist just said "Ron you are a unique case-then said something about my tumor growing". I am a kind person-so I do not always say what is on my mind. However-I felt like saying-Hey dummy-that's why I got radiation for-because iif it ends up growing-then out it comes and a hearing aid will be of no good anyway". I guess even professionals can be so callous in their remarks. You kinda of expect of people who have no knowlege of AN.s-but geesh. Just this past week a guy at work said' "Why don't you just have it dug out". Exact words. Oh My Lord-give me the patieance too endure . Well-that is all I have too rant and rave about for now. Thanks all-Ron P>S. Windsong-Check in too the FM Reciever-it may make a difference for you too.
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Thornapple, I forgot to ask about which hearing aid would be good for me yesterday but I can do that at the end of the week as I have another hearing test. What stupefies me tonight is that not only can i hear msyelf type on these keys right now but I actually have a tv on... :o.... the last month has been sooo bad trying to hear anyone unless they were smack in front of me that i am quite surprised tonight. (well i spoke too soon... had to crank up the vol 20 min later ouch!) loud but still muffled...
The tv is on because a sibling called to say there was this thing about "cutting edge brain surgery" on CTV tonight at 11 pm. I'm guessing but i am thinking it might be about stereotactic surgery? (nope it wasn't.. came back and corrected that.. it was about a robotic arm and brain surgery lol wow!)
Yes, Ron, unique is a word we hear hmmmm... the other one is "rare".... ;)
on the plus side i get to tell any new docs, when i see one about any other thing wrong with me, all about Ans and radiosurgery.... ;D.. a lot have never met anyone with one. Maybe i should make this laminate card of mine and carry it in my wallet to show around lol....am wondering if others also get asked about one's symptoms which led to the An being found.....hearing loss often being one of them....
take care all,
W.
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The little buggers cost $2,000 apiece.
Sorry I have been AWOL>>>for various reasons.
I get that "you are so unique" stuff, too..then there is the rank ignorance. I go to a neurologist for migraine, and he told me acoustic neuromas are common! On your planet, wherever that is, I responded.
Neuromas in the cochlea are even more rare. I have been told by several doctors that there is absolutely nothing that can be done about it. If they surgically remove it, they will destroy the cochlear nerve and probably destroy the cochlea and labyrinth with it because of the location. If they do radiation, it will kill the nerve it is wrapped around. If they leave it alone, and it grows, it will be contained within that area of my skiull and stop growing---in other words, not grow down that nerve channel into the brain.
So in some ways, I know I am fortunate, although unfortunate. I will probably gradually lose the ear, my balance, not need surgery, and my facial nerve will likely never be affected. I have two friends with ANs so I know what the outcome can be. One is only deaf and is otherwise fine, and one has numerous problems in addition to being deaf. I will probably be just fine, if I can adjust to the situation. and I will....eventually. right now I am in mourning and very depressed.
Hearing aids require some adjustment. They make my ears ache, not used to having things hanging on them or poking into them. Sometimes, the noise is not comfortable and I have to remove myself from a loud situation, or take the tubes out. My tumor ear is very sensitive to loud noises. And since I am hearing things I have not been hearing, THAT actually makes me tired.
I think anything physical/soundwise/balancewise your brain has to do that is not normal makes one very tired. So, this is very new, and I run out of steam quickly after hearing in a different way all day. I can tolerate my contact lenses better than the hearing aids.
the music CDs I listen to almost daily have harmonic tracks I never heard before==guess I said that already, but it is like new versions of old favorites! very weird. I learned that the area of the cochlea that hears my male cat's purr is just gone on the right side. I'll have to settle for feeling him purr---my husband can hear him from across the room.
I can hear directions sounds come from again.
Don't know how long my hearing on the right will last, but I intend to enjoy as much of it as I can for as long as I can.
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Thornapple, I can't begin to tell you how much "solace" i got from your post, even as i sympathized with your situation. I went back and read your posts now too and I admired the wry humour you put in here and there. Even as i smile i recognize the kernels of acute observation of the med world you have encountered and appreciate the little phrases you stick in here and there describing your own feelings and thoughts on the way this little "grain of rice" in an area the "size of a pea" affects your life.
I've been overwhelmed with recent doc appts and dealing with what is going on in my "good" ear never mind the An side or the "disappearing ear drum" there (looks like a mouse gnawed hald of it away when viewed on a nice tv screen).
My neuro otologist says the resound is a good hearing aid. So i was very interested in what you said about that.
I have a hearing assessment in a few weeks for that. I could have had one at the beginning of May but it would have been at 9 am and I (i) can't imagine fighting traffic into the city during morning rush hour and (2) don't dare make an early appt as I tend to not hear my radio alarm and miss those.... and no, I do not want to buy a vibrating alarm for waking up for med appts lol...(in case anyone suugests that lol)... that seems an awfully rude way to wake up (and vibrations set off this other crappy weird neurological thing I've had for some years)...
Thanks for sharing your post here thornapple. I share the losses in life in you mentioned...
W.
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;D
windsong, you need a cat like mine if you sleep through your alarm! I do, often....but not for long, because the new, patented GE ALARM CAT comes to meow in my face and pat my cheeks with his paws!
You can convert any existing cat into an alarm cat if it iis addicted to treats. Just start calling kitty into the bathroom in the morning after the alarm goes off, and feed him treats you keep in the medicine cabinet. I guarantee that cat will be eager for you to leap out of bed when the alarm clock goes off, whether you hear it or not!
Cat licks are optional. He starts pulling my hair if I don't get up at the first yowl and pat.....
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Round 3- We kinda gave up on the Audiiologist referral from ENT- so my wife contacted a local hearing aid professional in our town. My wife spoke to her this morn. She called Audiologist in KC and come to find out-he never used a Phonac brand on me when I was in KC-See thread up above.He just wanted to see if a digital worked-does not matter the brand. Anyway now we have appoinment with her on Saturday of this week. I cannot believe it has taken almost a month. One just has too endure the medical field sometimes and communication is not very good between them. Thisl lady asked my wife how come I did not get Hearing Aids along time ago. My same question. Now I know i have lost faith in my ENT's Audiologist. I guess he just lost a sale. Anyway-I thought I would update those who may be interested to know my status. Thanks-Ron.
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Dealy, My local hearing aid specialist wasn't a licensed audiologist and could not sell me a hearing aid for SSD. I was surprised by this. Apparently the ENT or doctor who treated me for the hearing loss had to certify my need for the hearing aid for SSD. This important fact came into play with the insurance company too.
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...that is so clever Thornapple, a cat alarm!
I'd probably get a cat too except my son is big time allergic to cats sigh....
now i have this great vision of a cat patting me awake, however, and it's kinda cute sigh.....
tc,
W.
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Monday of this week got fitted with permanent ear mold for hearing aid. What a difference. Actually heard birds chirp. Today is 10 months since initial FSR radiation. With hearing aid cannot tell if I am losing more hearing (natural) or what. Cannot hear almost nothing w/o hearing aid. Next MRI is last of June-1 year. Hope hearing does not crash more. The hearing aid I have now is only a Temp. Waiting for a $3000 dollar Phonac (ouch) with FM capabilty. Not obligated-but most likely will go with this since my hearing is getter worse-not better. Phonac is adapted to FM Receiver if more heraing loss happens Gets worse. Yesterday Docs at JHH extended 30 days of Celebrex due to inflammation. Well that is all- At least I can hear again-just will never be like natural hearing again. Thanks Ron. Reminder-I am an NF2 with only one hearing ear left-2.4CM tumor that was radiated last summer with FSR.
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Update on Hearing Situation: I am really answering my own thread but I expect no replies. If I can help one person out there who suffers from hearing issues and an AN it is worth it. Anyway this Saturday our newr local Audiologist told me she wanted to fit me with a better grade of Hearing Aid by Bernafon. This time I got the spelling of this brand right. This style costs $1300 dollars. She programmed it according to my current hearing status. Also had her give me an exact percentage of hearing loss since FSR. One month prior too FSR Radiation I had a loss of 26% hearing. It is now at 50% loss. That means I lost almost 30% of hearing from FSR> I am allittle over 10 months out from FSR. The Phonac brand is in but it costs $3000 dollars so she wanted me too use this one by Bernafon first. What a difference. We went to Church this morning as usual and I actually heard the pastors sermon. That has not happened in a long long time. I almost feel like a new man. I never ralized how deaf I really was until I take the hearing aud out and then I cannot hear-very slightly anything. Now if it just stableizes-that is the question. Anyway-their is hope for those of you facing the same issue as I am. I started out with 100% hearing back in 2005 when fiirst diagnosed with this monster. I just hope and pray I do not have another 30% crash because then that would be it for hearing. Audiologist wants me to try the $3000 Phonac this saturday then compare. Hate spending the money if hearing crashes more-so I am going to have too make some financial decisions on what the best route to take to continue to hear. Thanks-Ron
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This is super interesting Ron! Glad you could try this other one out. Do most audio hearing places let one do that? I'm going to ask here.
I googled that one that you are trying now and discovered they have a hearing test online. I don't have my earphones connected to this pc (haven't used them for a few years lol) so i did the simple test through the speakers.
I hope you don't have a crash of more decibels either... as I was wondering what happens if one does that after getting a hearing aid and does the hearing aid adjust automatically for that?
Also which version of this one are you trying? they have a bunch of diff styles... around the ear, in the ear, all in the ear and so on.....
I had another experience of hearing in the real world today.....
I was out at my summer shack planting flowers ( that was a be-good-thing-to-do-for-myself as i think that's important too during this An journey, be good to oneself). It was a lovely sunny day though cool. A neighbour from the valley came up and after greetings said it's great to see i was looking much better than two summers ago ( an was found then plus some other stuff).
Now hearing wise it was fine... no noise outside...squirrels don't make noises that i know of and the birds were quiet , even the mosquitoes lol.... and i don't think most people hear the sigh of wind through grass or flowers normally when it's a soft slight wind.....only low vol. radio on inside.... and could hear what was said inside and out. Then later, while i was watering said plants/flowers and he went over to the car and spoke over the drive to me, i had to ask for a repeat (turned off the hose shower nozzle too)... 3x.. ok... then next comment came while he's on a phone, and i again had to ask to repeat... hmmmm let's see, how wide is a country lane? add 10 feet and that's how far away i was.... later in the valley now visiting there, i found myself having to get up and turn down the vol of that radio....it wasn't loud really but it seemed to hurt my ears lol.... and later said neighbour says gee you really couldn't hear me up there could you?.... right, look good, feel good, but all is not good lol....
and the funny thing? balance in darkness has worsened as even with deck lights/ patio lights, the dark in the country is not the dark of city, so i needed a strong arm to navigate the walkway stones and the stairs......i should probably get a flashlight on some sort of hat lol....
i haven't been that aware of balance in the dark in the city as heck we have a different sky even at night, right?
good to read your post Ron and know of other options... thanks for posting....
and I hope you stay at the level where you are and enjoy the hearing aid you get whichever one it is....
windsong
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Windsong- I cannot attest if all places will let you test out different brands and styles. Most places give a 30 day free trial period. I guess if someone wants your business they will work with you-if not then I would not want to use that place anyway. The model I have now- is behind the ear. I have a permanent ear mold that sticks in my ear so receiving module will not slip out. This is adapted to my ear and not everyone needs this kind of hearing mold. Mine is digital so it is behind the ear. In order to talk on the phone you will need one with a Telecoil. It was explained to me that all phones have a magnectic field in the reciever and this coil in the Hearing Aid accounts for this magnetism. I sure like the one I have now compared to the cheaper model. It has controls that can be adjusted by a computer that allows certain decibels and will not allow the hearing aid too exceed that limit. She programmed in some Background noise called soft sound so I can hear like AC running-or dishwasher etc. but they can program these out if they interfere with hearing. You might want to find a Hearing Aid Center near where you live and ask for a 30 day Trial Test to see if it will work for you. Do not go a distance because they sometimes need fine tuning. Hope this answers your question. I am so elated with this Hearing Aid- I told my wife I would almost like to go to bed with it-but that is not necessary-who needs to hear in their sleep-Ha-Ha. Thanks Ron
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Thanks, Ron for all the wonderful posts on hearing aids. It gets really tiresome for me as well as others asking them to repeat something. I have just started trying to read about hearing aids and did not know where to start so your posts were great and helped a lot.
I have read some about the BAHA and want to read and learn more about Transear. Maybe someone will post here about both of those.
Jean
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WELL - just saw the very next post on TransEar. Sometimes I need someone to just take my hand and lead me around! lol :D
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Thanks again Ron. Really glad you are benefiting from this aid.
Are the buttons easy to press and use too? These things can be so very tiny.
W.
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This morning-5-19-07 I was fitted for the $3000 dollar Phonac. It has five different programs so their is alot of room for adjustment but only 2 programs at this time were needed for me. I was impressed by the FM Reciever system that comes with it-However that is another $2000 dollars so that is off the board for now. It is a system developed by Phonac that you can hang around someone's neck-set in front of aTV or Stereo and hear it in another room on your hearing aid. The audiologist left the room and went too her front door and I heard her perfectly through the hearing aid-also adaptable to the Blue Tooth Mobile phone system if you like.You do not have too use it with a Phonac since she says almost all brands can be adapated to any Hearing Aid. Phonac also has systems to be used in schools etc-but that does not apply to me. Might consider FM Reciever down the line. When the hearing Aid is out I can hardly understand speech etc. Audiologist said that people with hearing impairment think that Hearing Aid has ruined remaining hearing-she says this is not the case-she says brain has adapted to the Hearing Aid. I am on my first day of using the Phonac so the Audiologist told me I have until the end of June-My one year MRI too decide what price range of hearing aid I want too invest in. I told her I hate too spend $3000 dolllars and my 1 year MRI shows growth or something-well It could actually do that anytime but I felt better after my one year MRI. I realize my situation will not apply to eveybody-Since I am an NF2 with only one hearing ear left-but new people always come on board and their are other NF2's on this board. So anyway I took it out for the evening and I am as deaf as a board-wierd sensation. My wife says I am a new man since I can hear now-not that well-but hey-something is better than nothing. God Bless All-Have a Good Evening-Ron
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Hi there; I was just following this thread and wanted to chime in about the Phonak. I've had my BTE Phonak Eleva since January and have added the FM Crosslink. I'm now using all 5 programs in mine; the one I really love is the one where she tones down a bit the good ear and hears a little more on the crosslink (dead) side. What that gains me is that sometimes at my sons band concerts, the sound level is too much and that tones it down a bit without cutting it out altogether. I have really discovered and heavily use the T-coil mode. I've now put loop systems in my living room and bedroom so that the sound from the TV goes directly into the hearing aid in those two rooms without having to wear any additional headphones, etc. I also added an external microphone attached to the small base unit that's attached to the TV to pick up extra sounds in the room other than the TV (my kids talking, etc). I've also purchased a Bluetooth loop that goes around my neck and sends my cell phone, or computer directly into the hearing aid.
A side note on the FM Crosslink, you do get an extra interference when you use the TV ears, etc and other signals that are FM (especially when you walk through the doors at Home Depot, or anywhere else they have the security bars); only lasts a few seconds, though. That's why I went the room loop route to avoid additional interference. The TV ears are great in the movie theater, though. Most of them are supposed to have the FM system in place because of that 1992 disabilities act.
The T-coil mode is the best part about these hearing aids; I had to read up on it myself and ask my audiologist if she could turn it on. They don't always think to tell you about everything the hearing aids can do when you first get them. I'm actually educating her on all the additional things I'm able to do with it.
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jlamborn- This is my 3rd day on the Phonac and I am beginning to like it more than the previous Berenefon. However- I am confused about the T-Coil. Perhaps you can enlighten me more. I tried it Sunday. My wife called our regular land line on her cell phone. I put it-I thought on T-Coil-Audiologist said you have too hit the button twice-I did read the instructions and still struggle to hear what is said. In the book they talk about putting a magnet on receiver on the phone-what is that. I did not opt for the FM Reciever but it is still here so I may try it this weekend. My understaning is you can set it in front of the TV and pick up reception in your hearing aid. When it was demonstrated at the Audiologists office I did like it but find it hard to spend $2000 dollars on top of the price for the Hearing Aid which is $3000 dollars. especially when I do not know what is going to happen to this hearing of mine. However-I did wear the Phonac all day at work and it seems to provide somewhat more clarity and pick up more sounds than the Berenefon. Audiologist has given me till I have my 1 year MRI too make up my mind on which system to utilize. Maybe you can give me some more input on the T-Coil. I have been thinking about getting a phone with an intercom system-do not know if that would help me better to hear speech over phone. We have an answering machine and I can make out what is said over this-before it was almost nothing. Thanks for any input. Thanks-Ron
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I also am trying to conquer the home telephone / t-coil problem. My current phone is really hard for me to hear on, even in the T-coil mode; I hear people louder in that mode, but there is a loud hum along with it that competes with their voice. I did some research last night and went out and bought a phone that actually says on the box "Hearing Aid Compatible". It is actually better, there is still a very low hum in T-coil mode, but it much easier to hear the voice. I'm still researching telephones for the hard of hearing on www.soundbytes.com and other places and may eventually go with one of those if my hearing degrades anymore in my remaining ear.
I really like my Phonac because as you said, it picks up all kinds of sounds that I wouldn't otherwise hear ( I can hear my dog crunching food at 20 feet, but it i still difficult for conversations sometimes. I just need to resign myself to the fact that voices are never going to be what they used to be. I'm just grateful for the hearing I have left.
As far as your question on picking up the TV directly in the hearing aid, you have to hook some type of transmitter box into the audio out of the TV so that the receiver in your T-coil can pick it up. Myself, I chose the room loop kit ($285) from www.tecear.com. I had the TV ears hooked in first right after surgery, but that just went into the wireless headset I had to wear. It was great at first until I got my heaing aids; now I'm trying to find anything and everything that will feed directly into them.
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Looks like I'm joining the phonak club..... had my latest hearing test and the phonal was suggested along with a bicross wireless for directional sound... that would be good for when riding as a passenger lol and trying to hear the person driving on my deaf side lol... she said most love 'em or hate 'em so hopefully i will love it.... the phonak has things like a watch remote too, or a key chain type remote or a pad... all of a sudden i have so much to learn and understand again about this hearing aid... fm too....i can't wear an in the ear canal little itty bitty unit (as i need adequate ventilation) so it will be the behind the ear one but it has a little inconspicuous thread going into the ear piece...i've already forgotten the details of how the tv hook up works lol... but all of this sounds like it will be of help so I'm looking forward to testing it out after the details get all sorted out..... cost is one too of course.... go with the cadillac? or the mid range.... even the latter comes in somewhere around 3000 and then there's the cost of the bicross wireless....so we'll see....
thanks so much Ron (and jlamborn)for posting about your experiences as it was nice to be familiar with the name phonak and some of the features when the audiologist brought it up.
Which model of the phonak are you using?? the extra was mentioned to me...
oh, i also have a presc for a special set of ear plugs after raising the issue of wind in my ears (sets off earaches) and they are good for swimming to keep water out of my ears....so have to go and get those too....
thanks ,
W.
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I have the Phonak BTE Eleva with the Bi-Cros system. My cost was $2,200 for the Eleva plus $1,500 to add the Bi-Cros. I didn't go with the cheapest, but not the most expensive, either. Based on what hearing I have left in my remaining ear, I wanted one that she could adjust the programs for any further hearing loss down the line and not have to purchase a new one. I lost the hearing in my AN ear, and only have partial hearing on the left side due to a car accident a few years ago which damaged the chain of inner ear bones. They did surgery to repair the bones a few months before I had my AN removed. I still have a high and low frequency loss, with the best hearing in the mid-range. That could be the reason she chose the Eleva for me. As I said earlier, have your audiologist turn on the t-coil program. It opens up a lot more options to you.
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hey folks,
Thought I would join in after GK all use hearing gone in left ear. I purchased a bi-cross made by Interton
for $2400 in Augusta, Ga. and I works very well. two full earmold in the ear devices, digital, programmable, I have three programs and I think he said it has two more. They have been a great help and the only problem is that in certain locations I get a little interference from radio stations. Does anyone else have that?
Of course you have to get used to wearing them but I keep them in pretty much all the time. I can hear the TV fine, as far as the phone I use speaker or just slip the thing out of my right ear when on the phone.
Rich
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This is the 4th day since I picked up the FM Reciever that is optional with the Phonak Hearing Aid. I waited awhile so I can use it in different settings. Today we went visiting with someone we knew in a retirement center. More people showed up-making a total of 5 people in the room so I activated the FM Receiver-it starts out at 360 degree angle but you can zoom in too different people talking if you like. However I kept it at the 360 degree so the mike could pick up all voices and transmit to my hearing aid. Wow-what a difference I could hear everyone talk. I switched it off too see the difference and it was a significant difference in hearing perception. Now too decide if it is worth the extra $2000 dollars. A lady in the room said-"does it help you too hear better" "of course I said" then it is worth it she concluded". Wow-but I am still debating-what if my hearing crashes then I will have spent that money for nothing or only a few weeks of good hearing. Oh well. I least I have choices to make. Thanks Ron
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luv hearing the news on this thread....! :)
I've wondered about that too Ron the losing of hearing after you get this, but after this weekend i sure do want to try it with the thought i will have the use of this device.... so I am ordering the bi-cross and the other and from what i have been told up here it will be around 5 thou for them ( a little over 3 for the one and around 2 and a bit for the bi cross).....and ican hardly wait to get this all rolling so i can see first hand how it all works for me....
one of the things that happens with our kind of loss of hearing is that we gradually drop out of the situations that make us not hear, get more fatigued, and so on.... it would be wonderful to be in a room with people like you just were and hear things so much better....i know my brain gets fatigued more because of the hearing situation and i will do almost anything to lessen that brain fatigue....also it doesnt help me to keep swivelling the darn neck what with c vertebra probs too....
thanks all for the updates here...
W.
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I think it is terrific to see posts on hearing aid experiences. Testimonials and sales ads just don't get it. Thanks for reporting on Bi Cros aids everyone.
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oops i posted on the other thread but wanted to say that i'm going to be trying out the phonak savia art and i like the idea of the remote control with it lol....oh plus also the wireless crosslink....
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We want to hear ;D all about the quality of sound you are getting, please.
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You will Boppie lol.... :)
I took a week off hearing/ An /health concerns etc. and spent time at my summer shack, plus went north to celebrate birthdays etc. and then I was planting flowers and getting lawn mowed and watching chipmunks and a cocky raccoon strolling around like he owned the place next door and bees buzzing and sun shining and blue skies and oh yeah, today's storm lol... now i'm looking up garden stuff on the net....need a place to store things in the fall for the winter.... that's the only fwd thinking i've been doing lately (other than wondering if the wind knocked any trees or branches down today) as am practicing living in the present.... ;D
Monday I begin calling around for the best place for filling my hearing aid presc.......and then I will try it out and see how it all works.....
W.
PS came back to add this: i didn't know buzz aldrin used a phonak.....http://www.phonak.com/com_prod_buzzaldrin_consumer_xx.pdf
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Dealy, My local hearing aid specialist wasn't a licensed audiologist and could not sell me a hearing aid for SSD. I was surprised by this. Apparently the ENT or doctor who treated me for the hearing loss had to certify my need for the hearing aid for SSD. This important fact came into play with the insurance company too.
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Are you saying that you were able to get insurance to cover some of/all of the cost of your hearing aid? I didn't think they would do that.
Chuck
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Yes, Our insurance company covered most of my TransEar with the right coding. My ENT/Audiology department was the dispenser. The ENT had to certify my SSD and the coding to get the coverage.
Medicare was not involved at that time in my life. Medicare covers no part of hearing aids, not even for SSD.
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Boppie,
Regarding the insurance coverage, does it matter if you have hearing aids before the AN surgery? I've been nearly deaf in my left ear for a little over 3 years and have had the Interton bicross's for 3 years. It would be wonderful if insurance would pay when I need to get new ones.
Thanks,
Annette
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Annette, I don't know what happens on my next aid (post 65). I believe it will have to be a cross/bi-cross since I've had a loss in the upper range for the good ear.
But getting coverage information before Medicare kicks in is financially beneficial, so keep on asking. Medicare doesn't cover any part of any hearing aid for anybody.
Please post us if a news alert comes out!
Edit: My audiologist admitted that any hearing aid needs replacement after 6 years. He says the technology grows and the parts wear out.
A case worker for your insurance company can usually do some research and answer your specific questions about allowances and coverage codes. Persistance pays off in these matters. You have to be as stubborn as a 94 year old ;D.