Hi fellas,
My father is 82 and for some years now has developed a hearing problem. Naturally, he thinks that he has a slight problem, certainly not something to write home about, (he certainly has a major problem), and probably thiks that if he doesn't do anything about it, nature will help him get rid of my mother's nagging.

Anyway, today we visited a hearing center where a very helpful and patient guy tested his hearing (both the canal and nerve) and of course concluded that his hearing is definitely not ok, in both ears. High frequencies (2.5KHz - 5KHz) were at about 20%) and low and mid (up to 2KHz) were somewhat better.

The guy went on to explain what we could do, and explained that modern hearing aids, even the ones of the previous (3rd) generation, process sound digitally and provide decent sound and comfort.

He fitted him with a pair of previous generation aids, which he programmed on the spot, and only then my father realised that all this time a radio had been softly playing in the background, as well as that the guy's computer emitted a hum as all computers fans do.

Those hearing aids had some very neat characteristics, like Auto Gain Control, 4 frequency band amplification, 2 mics on each aid to provide directonality, and the most exraordinary, a built in compressor. To demonstrate, the guy went and violently clapped his hands 2-3 inches away from my father's ear, and my father didn't even flinch, whereas next moment he could hear us whispering.

The problem is that those 2 little things cost 2,400 Euros... and this price is a little steep. TOTL 4th generation is 6,000 for a pair, more than an Audya.

Anyone has something to chip in? the hearing aid brand we saw was Oticon, a Danish manufacturer.