Oticon Hearing Aids

I flunked the hearing test. I had been putting it off because I had a feeling that would happen. As a result it was recommended that I wear hearing aids. Both of my parents needed hearing aids, but I don’t think this early on. I have ringing in my ears - maybe from taking baby aspirin for over forty years - or maybe from blood pressure medication. Not knowing what to get, I relied on the audiologist recommendations. Since there is an office just across the street, we felt this would be most convenient, but probably more expensive. I didn’t want the aid to sit in my ear, and since I have moderate to severe loss the behind the ear type was recommended. So I ended up with Oticon brand. I got them almost two weeks ago and it’s been interesting to adjust. I am overly sensitive to sound - especially non spoken peripheral noise. It can drive me crazy. On Tuesday I go back for a check up. The nice thing about the hearing aids is that they are rechargeable, can be linked to my iPhone to make adjustments using the app, and they can stream to phone calls, music and other things. Since I don’t know what to expect I’m not sure if this is the best way forward. I do know the tv sound is much lower now, but I can also hear my husband chewing food. Oftentimes it sounds like static if the wind is blowing. It feels like it’s just another thing falling apart over the last year and I don’t like it. Hopefully things will begin to feel normal again soon. I suppose it’s better than asking my husband to constantly repeat himself. But since we are not living the way we used to I don’t know how well these devices will work in the real world of rooms and restaurants filled with people. Hopefully they can be adjusted to manage the changes if and when they ever materialize. 

I Flunked the Hearing Test

Both my mom and dad wore hearing aids. I’ve been asking my husband to repeat himself much too often. When I had my annual doctor appointment I learned that my ears were perfectly clear. So that meant only one thing. I needed to finally get a hearing test. We live right across the street from Hearing Associates of Northern Virginia. Since we are all about convenience, we thought this would be a great place to start. Our insurance has some hearing benefits, but nothing to speak of. So I scheduled an appointment, went through all the tests - ears were clean, and test results showed moderate to severe hearing loss - especially at the higher frequencies. So I saw hearing aids in my future. We discussed the options - in the ear, behind the ear, etc. I went home with an Oticon brochure and things to think about. Since I don’t know anything about hearing aids, I researched whatever was out there including Lively - an all on line experience. I even took another hearing test on Lively and it compared - followed by an immediate phone call from them trying to sell me their product. Since I made up my mind about sticking with the place across the street, I studied up on Oticon More. There are very expensive so I decided on the mid range level 2. All the while I was emailing the audiologist back and forth trying to make up my mind. So the hearing aids were ordered and an appointment was made for a fitting. They are behind the ear, silver, rechargeable, and stream to my phone. Stay tuned - another life changing experience.