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.

Have you visited a family Doctor to get his opinion?

Aboout once per year I have to go to the doctor to have my ear wax removed. Certin people (me) develop a wax buildup that has to be washed out by the doctor. It feels like Niagara Fallls flowing through my head during the in office visit. When I walk out I can hear my clothes rubbing against my body.

The doctor can probably make a recommendation on reputable hearing aids and vendors that are resonable and reliable.

Hope this helps,

Jerry

I thought, from those prices, that it was made by Bose...

I'd definitely shop around, and do your web research. Perhaps your father got to try the Ferrari of hearing aids. But no doubt there is a Nissan GT-R out there somewhere...

(For those not into cars, the Nissan GT-R is a faster than Ferrari supercar, at a price that many of us could afford)

It wasn't long ago I watched a report on TV that looked into these hearing aid companies. They're finding these hearing aid companies are really ripping people off. The report was saying that there are a lot of seniors who are now buying those small hearing devices that look like a "bluetooth" headset and using those to watch TV and have converstations. Saving themselves a but load of money too.

The report mentioned something about the hearing aid industry just going all willy nilly with their prices for age old technology.

He checked first at the National Health System ear specialist that concluded he needed hearing aids.

There is no wax build-up either. His ear canal is clean and the ear drum is not damaged. It seems the problem lies in the inner ear and/or the nerve.

I will shop around, of course. Oticon is the 2nd largest manufacturer in the world. Checked last night and the one we were recommended is in their "mature product" line, the seller told us so.

The prices were
2400€ for the mid range set we were demonstrated, 2mics on each aid, 4 band eq, and compressor,
2200€ for the same model with 1 mic, 2 band eq and no compressor,
and 1400€ for an analog pair, that only has a volume control.

The NHS gives you 400€ for one hearing aid and that's it.

If his hearing loss is conductive, check out the BAHA (bone anchored) hearing aids.