My mom is 86 has vascular dementia and has had several pairs of hearing aides in the past due to severe hearing loss. She was recently fitted with hearing aides that are rechargeable! The best invention in the world! They are put into a little charger every night when she goes to bed, takes a nap or shower. She doesn’t have to remember to change batteries or open little door on aide every day which was becoming difficult with dementia and macular degeneration. If my mom needs more assistance someday, someone could easily put them into the charger. Also check with insurance company, as many of them have a hearing aide discount. I signed my mom up for BCBS supplement to Medicare. I chose the additional vision/hearing option for a few extra dollars per month. With that benefit, she got a substantial discount for new hearing aides through TruHearing and they have an interest free 12 month payment plan. Good luck! PS For anyone who’s person still uses a landline, contact Caption Call. They provide free phones which transcribe conversations on a large screen. It’s really helpful for the hearing-impaired community!
If you get a Costco membership and their credit card, you can create your own payment plan of sorts and save on the cost for a quality hearing aid. Great point about the captioned phone, but I believe this is mandated program to provide them free, via the government and a signed statement from a health care professional attesting to the hearing loss. There are other companies as well, like Clear Caption and CapTel. Read on-line reviews before deciding as some customer service is better than others, and some is not available 24/7. In addition be especially aware of how it works with the phone system...if you have a landline, it is reliable, but anyone calling the impaired person has to dial an 800 number FIRST, so it is a little more cumbersome. The newer versions do not require that, BUT you must have internet access...and if the power goes out and the internet is down, you are out of luck.
I just somehow deleted the rest of my answer to you. I did that in another post and it ended up posting twice. I was basically just saying I didn't mean to end with my witty little post someone came to the door and it posted before I could change anything. Long story short, I thought mom could benefit from a hearing aid but by the time I got everything together her Dr said and I had to agree that she wouldn't be able to to answer the questions good enough for them to get a good reading on how her hearing really was. Half the time I think she can't hear me the other half I can tell she did it's just taking longer for her brain to work out what I said
I was so impressed with KAISER hearing aids (for my client). Around $2,000 each. Includes ongoing 'adjustment' appts care w/o charge. Check policy.
* The technology is so advanced now, it is amazing. * So much can be adjusted by the specialist in the 'settings' * Wireless options - connect to cell phone, TV * Google your question and see what others ask. * Costco is likely a great resource; I'd go anywhere there is follow-up care - and find out what it includes.
We became Costco members ONLY for the hearing aids for mom. They have become a blessing in my life. Not only the kindness of everyone I have ever encountered, but their support...from those understanding folks in the hearing aid dept to issues when my dad used their car buying program and especially when he lost the bonus cash card with over $600 value on it. And while not the most convenient, you get the lower gas prices. And when you're exhausted, they have some ready to heat or serve meals...and the elders like the samples and get exercise walking the aisles:-) Plus...if you take an elder who has a parking permit...you can park closer LOL.
You don't say how old She is. Your profile says she has Dementia. If this is true its going to be hard to fit her correctly for hearing aids. It maybe a waste of money. I wouldn't even consider it unless her hearing loss is extreme. There are other things that can be used. TV ears are great. Someone mentioned on sight that they still have sm box type aids with earphones.
My husband is 72 and has been extremely hard of hearing since he was 3. When Mom first goes in, she should be examined by a Ear doctor. Her problem maybe built up wax. Then she will see an audiologist, this is the tricky part. She will be sat in a small room. Like a sm walk in freezer. The audiologist will ask her to repeat back a word. She will ask her to out a finger up when she hears a sound. Then its fitting for the mold. When the hearing aid comes back, it will be placed into the ear and then balanced. Mom is going to have to be able to tell the audiologist if the sound is too low, too high or just right. Yes, there are volume controls but with the Digital, they only go so far up and down from the comfortable setting. Like said, is she able to get batteries in. Arthritis and shaking make this hard. Those controls are also hard for elderly to work. Then after all is said and done, Mom refuses to wear them. My Mom broke the tubing by pulling the mold out wrong.
The wife of a man I know put her aids in a microwave to "get them warm". With Dementia, she may hide them, throw them away.
My husband wears his aid from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed.
Thank you all so very much for your responses, advise & input. Mom’s hearing has been tested, however her loss isn’t that drastic. I think I’ll give it a try and see what epic moment will come from this..... I’ve had to learn just to laugh some of her antics off just to keep my sanity
Think about her ability to manage inseting the hearing aid and changing the batteries, just because tiny in the ear HAs are available doesn't mean they are the best option for the elderly. And ask about the cost to insure them.
The thing I would add... is if you want to get them. Go to several places. By boyfriend (not my father who I help) went recently. The price differences were crazy even with insurance. Highest was about $13k and the lowest was around $2k before insurance paid anything. One place let him go a 30 free trial.
Go to Costco. They have no commissions to influence your choice. In many states there are laws governing the sale. They may act like they are wonderful offering a trial period but guess what! They are REQUIRED by law, at least here in OH. But Costco lets you have even longer. The brands they carry are made by the two most well regarded manufacturer's including Siemens. Get the easiest to use model; it will be worth the difference in price. Some now come with an electric charging cup...you pop them in at night, you're good to go in the AM, and the batteries last 9 months or so. No drugstore runs to buy those little buttons and fiddling with the hearing aid to take them in and /out AND the hearing aids self-adjust. The kind they suggest will be based on the hearing test...don't make it harder than it has to be, if you go to good people you won't have to worry about what to ask, they'll educate you and the questions will come. If you're not a Costco member, it's worth it for the savings compared to other places. The audiology places no doubt hate them. Your pocketbook will love them.
There was a great article in the AARP magazine recently regarding the different types of hearing aids. You may be able to find it online or on their website
Also check with insurance company, as many of them have a hearing aide discount. I signed my mom up for BCBS supplement to Medicare. I chose the additional vision/hearing option for a few extra dollars per month. With that benefit, she got a substantial discount for new hearing aides through TruHearing and they have an interest free 12 month payment plan. Good luck!
PS For anyone who’s person still uses a landline, contact Caption Call. They provide free phones which transcribe conversations on a large screen. It’s really helpful for the hearing-impaired community!
* The technology is so advanced now, it is amazing.
* So much can be adjusted by the specialist in the 'settings'
* Wireless options - connect to cell phone, TV
* Google your question and see what others ask.
* Costco is likely a great resource; I'd go anywhere there is follow-up care - and find out what it includes.
Whether the price is negiatable
Ask what to do if your Mom doesn’t like them and wants to return them (grace period?).
Ask whether there is insurance or replacement coverage available.
My Mom’s heading aids from Costco were great.
My husband is 72 and has been extremely hard of hearing since he was 3. When Mom first goes in, she should be examined by a Ear doctor. Her problem maybe built up wax. Then she will see an audiologist, this is the tricky part. She will be sat in a small room. Like a sm walk in freezer. The audiologist will ask her to repeat back a word. She will ask her to out a finger up when she hears a sound. Then its fitting for the mold. When the hearing aid comes back, it will be placed into the ear and then balanced. Mom is going to have to be able to tell the audiologist if the sound is too low, too high or just right. Yes, there are volume controls but with the Digital, they only go so far up and down from the comfortable setting. Like said, is she able to get batteries in. Arthritis and shaking make this hard. Those controls are also hard for elderly to work. Then after all is said and done, Mom refuses to wear them. My Mom broke the tubing by pulling the mold out wrong.
The wife of a man I know put her aids in a microwave to "get them warm". With Dementia, she may hide them, throw them away.
My husband wears his aid from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed.
on their website
See All Answers