Have you been seeing an audiologist who is not connected to one particular brand of hearing aids?
I started out seeing an ENT doc and getting the name of a licensed audiologist. I saw her and decided $6000 was out of my budget so I checked back with my ENT doc. He suggested I go to Costco since they had high quality hearing aids and much better prices.
I did go to Costco three years ago and for $2000 I have the aid that goes behind my ear. I wear them almost all the time and have had no problems after initially getting them corrected right after I bought them. The follow up care is great and I was always treated in a professional manner.
And many of my friends are surprised when I tell them I wear hearing aids. (And I have really short hair.)
The thing I liked about Costco is that I could try out different aids for up to three months before I had to make a decision to purchase.

Hey whistle, welcome to the KT. I can't help with the hearing aids except to say "yikes" at the price. Come sit with us--our table's cozy enough for all to hear. So hope you'll come back soon and join in conversations. We always need new ideas!

Sure would like to, whistle stop ...

... if I could hear you.

But these years, my own hearing isn't what it used to be.

ole joyfuelled

I agree with Carol. Some hearing places will recommend only certain brands. Did you get checked by a regular hearing medical DR? Also are you qualified thru any military service. We have friends here that get them free thru the VA because of service. One was in 4 years and one in for over 20 years.

I just got my second pair of aids from Costco. Lost one last year in the garden and it never turned up. I have been happy with mine; but, just having to need them is no fun! Truly a love/hate thing, but the alternative is worse. Costco pays their audiologists, and they do not make a 'commission' on what they sell. BIG plus for me. Expensive, yes. $3,000 for mine this time and I like them better, and most likely my loss is more severe. A little wire with a small 'plug' fits way in the canal, and it is almost invisible. Good warranty, 2-4 years, great 'service' (anytime you can have them re-checked, or cleaned, some things need appt.) I have been so tempted to check out all the ads that we read....they sound "too good to be true".

When I was researching doing hearing aids, everyone told me that behind the ear was better so that is the way I went...I hate wearing aids. I have a high frequency loss and it's a pain in the assinine........

My mother just got two behind-the-ear type from Costco for $2600+, was told they were top of their lines, her hearing is greatly diminished and she needs maximum correction. They were less money out-of-pocket getting them at Costco than she could get them from an ear, nose, throat doctor where her insurance could be applied, her policy wouldn't pay at Costco (HMO).

She doesn't have a membership but when I asked I was told it didn't matter, anyone with a membership could have taken her, run them through on their Costco card, as it turns out my brothers wife lives closest and took care of getting her to appointments, signing her in.

Thanks, everyone. It's not an issue of where to get them. Unfortunately, we don't have a Costco anywhere near here. All of the audiologists around here sell many different brands. I'm trying to learn about the placement of the receiver, in the canal or behind the ear. Both units look exactly alike from the outside. In the canal has the receiver at the end of the little clear tube. Behind the ear has the receiver and mic inside the little plastic unit that you wear BTE. There is some disagreement among HA experts as to which is better for a reverse slope/low frequency loss.

Thanks again. Anyone else out there with low frequency loss??

Whistle (who can still hear the high pitch of a whistle but not the rumble of thunder)

wonder if this site might help? it seemed to have quite a few brands...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.hearingplanet.com/hearing-aid-guide-nyt.php?source=google-ha-general-nyt&gclid=CKyo0__r-64CFQ7sKgodnwr_1g

Dh has worn HA since he was 6. Profound hearing loss. high frequency though. He's used BTE analog, and CIC (completely in the canal...small like tip of pinky finger), digital. Much prefers CIC and digital over analog.

Vickey-Mn

I should have added WHY he likes one over the other...
BTE...he heard things BEHIND him, rather than hearing more as a normal person's ears work where the ears funnel sounds in.

Digital over analog...the digital only amplifies sounds he wants amplified, not ALL. The amazing example is when he did change from one kind to the other...he was in one room and kept asking WHAT IS THAT SOUND...I couldn't figure it out...finally it hit me, he could hear the dog lapping water, something he'd never heard before!!!

If you're new, there is the new BTE that has the little microphone that sits in the ear, those are suppose to be really nice and they don't make your ear feel stuffed up like the CIC does. I think that one is a BTE only because that's a way to hold that little microphone. Wish I could remember what it's called. DH can't use it because hearing loss is too bad, but other's that I know who use it LOVE it.

VIckey-MN

Where DH gets his hearing aids from gives him a 30 free trial period, even if we pay for the aids in the beginning. And yes they did honor it, because the last time he got new ones, he just did not like them and they ordered new ones which did work better.

I have hearing aids now for quite a few years. I have moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. I should have been wearing them my whole life, but kids can be real cruel in the first grade! Back in 2006 I finally broke down, got tested and went over the different kinds of hearing aids that were available. BTE, CIC, etc. I chose CIC and have not regretted it at all. I have both low and high frequency loss of different decibles. The brand I have now are Audibel, these are digital. The right one is red and the left is blue. I had mine fitted just for me with a substance that was poured into my ear to make a mold. I hardly know they are there. To avoid that stuffed up feeling, the tiny air vents needs to be cleaned at least once a week.

I just went back to the specialist for a in depth hearing test. I have loss some more % of hearing in the past 6 years. I was given a phamplet of the brand Focus by Microtech. These are also digital. I can still hear the dog lapping out of the water bowl and the leaves crunch under my feet as I walk. I'm am still very happy with my Audibel brand and don't plan on getting any new ones just yet.