I was quoted $3000, but after asking my audiologist (who had to check with the ENT doc) if they had any "wiggle room" on the price, was able to get it for $2700 (not including the ear mold - separate charge). The price included the Dry&Store box (which I use every night).
I've had mine just under 6 months, and it's back for the 2nd time to the company (first time new wire and new processor, though my audiologist said the first time it was only the wire that was bad, so I don't know why a new processor came also). Now it's in for a battery door that broke (small, thin portion that helps hold the small end of the battery in). The first time was about two weeks, so I don't know what to expect this time. I was also unable to wear it after just a couple of weeks. It created a pretty significant ulcer in my ear canal that had to heal, and the ENT said to give it a full week before putting it back in. So by the time I get it back this time, I'll have not worn it for at least a month out of the first six.
I can't stress enough what others have said - you need to get to know your audiologist well before ordering the device. If s/he isn't patient and willing to work with you, you'll have an uncomfortable experience.
When mine works and I can wear it, it's great. I don't hear my wife whispering softly in my bad ear
, but my audiologist FINALLY got it programmed (just a week and a half ago) to where I can clearly (no distortion) hear normal volume voices and fully understand them if I plug my good ear tight (meaning I'm hearing it almost entire through the TransEar). Before it was always somewhat distorted.
To say I'm a very satisfied customer would not be accurate. I won't spend time/space here listing all that's been an issue with the experience, but I can say that I'd rather be with it than without it. I'm concerned that too much had to be ground off when it caused the ulcer in my ear, and it may not fit as snugly as it could but still without causing discomfort. I can push it in with my finger and get considerably more volume (i.e. bone conduction), and it can wiggle pretty easily up in the canal. But I don't really know just how much more snug is reasonably possible, and with all the difficulties with the device and the audiologist, I'm just not willing to "push the envelope" and ask for a re-mold.
Would I spend the money again, knowing what I know now? I don't know - probably not. BUT, I don't know what the future holds. If I can get the problems worked out finally, YES I'd spend the money again, if I can at least have it work at the level it was working after an extensive reprogramming about 1½ weeks ago. Nothing's going to bring back "regular" hearing, and something is better than a dead ear on one side (in my case it was SSNHL, not AN).
I'm re-doing this last paragraph. I just got off the phone with Ear Technology (makers of the TransEar). It reminded me of my initial experience with them when I was trying to gather more information prior to getting it, the CROS, or nothing at all (couldn't afford the BAHA with insurance not covering a hearing aid under any circumstances). They were terrific to talk with - patient and very informative. I DON'T recommend going straight to them unless problems develop with the audiologist - but that further emphasizes the point I made above. Get to know your audiologist before committing to the TransEar to the maximum extent reasonably possible. That relationship will be very important. I learned that probably too much was ground off when I wore the ulcer in my ear canal earlier this year. The folks at EarTechnology told me they recommend only using a fine sandpaper, NOT a grinder, or too much will come off and bone conduction will be lost. I also learned that programming is considerably different from an air conduction hearing aid. To quote the Ear Technology representative to whom I spoke, "it's being programmed for the good ear, not the bad ear," and that apparently can throw off a number of audiologists at first. And I've clearly had some real issues with programming, which is a problem at the audiologist-end, not the fault of the TransEar (assuming the device is working properly). To be honest, I'm much more optimistic that this will get worked out. I've had what may well be toward the bottom end of the scale in terms of things going right vs. wrong. There are clearly some very satisfied people, and as I said in the original portion of this post, I'd rather be with it than without it. But if I can get more out of it because it was built to provide more,
I want it!And I have even more confidence now that Ear Technology really is committed to making a quality product that makes a difference. Just get a patient, and experienced audiologist. And if they've never done a TransEar (or just one or two), just make sure they're willing to work with the company to get it right without stopping short of what could be better, just out of frustration. Even if it's a first time for the audiologist, if they're patient, willing to learn, and will work with the company, it should still be a good experience. Hopefully in another week or so I'll be much more happy.
ChrisB
