hearing aids anyone ?

Willoughby · Oct 3, 2019

I'm looking for a hearing aid for bow and rifle hunting , I was recently hunting with a younger man who could hear a bugle that I couldn't , I have most likely missed out on countless opportunity's because of hearing loss, I thought about Walkers , but after I started looking the choices are endless , I really just want to know what the best hearing aid / amplifier to get for hunting even if it needs to be removed before shooting I want to hear what I've been missing , any suggestions appreciated

Deezel · Oct 3, 2019

From personal experience, do not scrimp on hearing aids! Go to a professional and pay for the best ones you can afford. There is a really good youtube chanel (I'll find it and put in a link) and he has some very good information you should look at. I opted for the Oticon Opn 1 and could not be happier with them. They are fairly pricey though. I honestly don't know how I even heard before. I also suffer from fairly severe tinnitus and the hearing aids have softened it right up.
I wear a set of MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X ear muffs over my hearing aids when rifle hunting without any issues. I thought I'd have feedback (squeal) but I don't get even a little bit.

The youtube channel is Dr. Cliff, Aud

Rich Coyle · Oct 4, 2019

I have the same one. I put it on at the beginning of the hunt and take it off when I get back to the truck. Does not interrupt shooting at all.

It took a few lower quality muffs before I got my act together.

jackem · Oct 4, 2019

The first step is getting your hearing tested, and make sure to get a copy of the results. It's called an audiogram.

Hearing aids are no different than any other complex tool, prices are all over the place. I know this because I get paid to research retail pricing for HA's every month.

There are three ways to buy the same exact name brand hearing aids:

1. Go to your local hearing aid provided and get fitted - This is the most expensive and usually ends up giving the customer the least choice of hearing aid brands and models, but the most personal service. Hearing aid cost and future service are bundled together so you pay for some amount of built in service, whether you use it or not.

2. Internet purchase. Least expensive but it's self serve. The hearing aids are set to your audiogram and sent to you. (The reason to get a copy of your audiogram) For adjustments the HA's need to sent back to the provider*.

3. A hybrid of buying HA's on the internet but picking them up from a "network provider". The cost for this method is somewhere between the two above. Usually customers get one or two face-to-face appointments for adjustments after the initial fitting. If you live in, or near, a big city finding a network provider is not a problem, otherwise you might have to travel.

*Hearing aid news:
Hearing aid tele care is here. With top of the line hearing aids it's possible to buy them online and then have follow up appointments done by telephone. As part of my job I will be trying out two pairs of these BlueTooth enabled hearing aids in the next couple of months. Using my iPhone as a remote control and audio streaming device for TV. In addition, the outfit that sends me the HAs will be testing the tele care capabilities of an extensive software update by HA manufactures. If anyone would like more HA info PM me. I do not sell or service hearing aids and offer industry insights in the hope it will help my fellow hearing impaired outdoorsmen.

Rich Coyle · Oct 4, 2019

Hearing aids are not the same as good electronic hunting muffs. Hunting muffs block sound from entering even the bones around the ear. And they keep ears warm in the winter.

orcldba · Oct 4, 2019

This isn't an add, but if you have a Costco nearby you can't get their brand (Kirkland, made by Renton) for $1500.00 per pair, fitted in the store. You can also go there for a hearing test, free.

joseph singleton · Oct 4, 2019

GREAT TOPIC,,,,THANKS

cowboy · Oct 4, 2019

Been wearing hearing aids well over 25 years. Been to every type hearing aid source that you imagine, I.E.: Costco, Independent hearing aid local distributors (3 of those), plus the internet. I've had little bitty types in the ear, full type in the ear and behind the ear. Blue tooth operating off cell phone etc.
The best type for me, and the most economical in the long haul have come from the audiology dept. at our local hospital. I never even knew that the audiology dept sold or handled hearing aids until I went there for an ear infection. The staff here in Billings, MT. at our hospital is on straight salary - no commissions. When I have a problem with one of my hearing aids now and it needs to be sent in - they provide a loaner - no one else here will do that.
I am currently wearing a brand new pair that are 3 days old on a 45 day trial period - same brand, same model is 1000.00 dollars cheaper than at well known hearing aid center.

elf · Oct 4, 2019

8 yrs ago, I knew I needed hearing aids. Found a internet site called "Tru Hearing". They offered a very good price on a set of Starkey BTE hearing aids, and referred me to a local dealer for testing and fitting. The pair cost $3100, and I like them. Only complaint is that about every 18 months, one of them will break the small tube connecting the receiver with the earpiece and the dealer must send it in for repair to Starkey at a cost of $200 (1 yr guarantee on the repair). I replace them with muffs while hunting for fear of losing them. I still shoot competitively in groundhog matches. I turn my hearing aids off completely by presing one button, and then cover my ears with the muffs. At the cease fire command, I remove the muffs and activate the hearing aids. Works for me.

xsn10s · Oct 4, 2019

What? Sorry I couldn't resist. I suffer from hearing loss also, however I don't wearing hearing aids. I did take my elderly Mother to get replacements. And the last pair we got were from Costco. They did an awesome job and had the best prices. About a 40% savings from her previous pair, and much more sophisticated.

Fatso · Oct 5, 2019

Willoughby said:
I'm looking for a hearing aid for bow and rifle hunting , I was recently hunting with a younger man who could hear a bugle that I couldn't , I have most likely missed out on countless opportunity's because of hearing loss, I thought about Walkers , but after I started looking the choices are endless , I really just want to know what the best hearing aid / amplifier to get for hunting even if it needs to be removed before shooting I want to hear what I've been missing , any suggestions appreciated

After a lifetime of shooting unprotected, I suffered major hearing loss with tinnitis. I used a ENT physician's audiology department to get top quality hearing aids at thousands cheaper than the storefront offices. These aids have a cut-off feature that will not transmit sounds above a comfortable level. You do not have to remove them when shooting.

Those many years of shooting with my ears unprotected resulted in a continuing drop in hearing levels until today I am practically deaf. I have cochlear implants now which also have a high decibel cut-off. No need to remove them when shooting.

Keep that ear protection on. Wish I had heeded that advice 60 years ago.

skipglo · Oct 5, 2019

Willoughby said:
I'm looking for a hearing aid for bow and rifle hunting , I was recently hunting with a younger man who could hear a bugle that I couldn't , I have most likely missed out on countless opportunity's because of hearing loss, I thought about Walkers , but after I started looking the choices are endless , I really just want to know what the best hearing aid / amplifier to get for hunting even if it needs to be removed before shooting I want to hear what I've been missing , any suggestions appreciated

The new Walker Quad 4...... awesome

ronstone09 · Oct 5, 2019

jackem said:
The first step is getting your hearing tested, and make sure to get a copy of the results. It's called an audiogram.

Hearing aids are no different than any other complex tool, prices are all over the place. I know this because I get paid to research retail pricing for HA's every month.

There are three ways to buy the same exact name brand hearing aids:

1. Go to your local hearing aid provided and get fitted - This is the most expensive and usually ends up giving the customer the least choice of hearing aid brands and models, but the most personal service. Hearing aid cost and future service are bundled together so you pay for some amount of built in service, whether you use it or not.

2. Internet purchase. Least expensive but it's self serve. The hearing aids are set to your audiogram and sent to you. (The reason to get a copy of your audiogram) For adjustments the HA's need to sent back to the provider*.

3. A hybrid of buying HA's on the internet but picking them up from a "network provider". The cost for this method is somewhere between the two above. Usually customers get one or two face-to-face appointments for adjustments after the initial fitting. If you live in, or near, a big city finding a network provider is not a problem, otherwise you might have to travel.

*Hearing aid news:
Hearing aid tele care is here. With top of the line hearing aids it's possible to buy them online and then have follow up appointments done by telephone. As part of my job I will be trying out two pairs of these BlueTooth enabled hearing aids in the next couple of months. Using my iPhone as a remote control and audio streaming device for TV. In addition, the outfit that sends me the HAs will be testing the tele care capabilities of an extensive software update by HA manufactures. If anyone would like more HA info PM me. I do not sell or service hearing aids and offer industry insights in the hope it will help my fellow hearing impaired outdoorsmen.

Esp makes a great pair of shooting hearing aids that block the blast and amplifies sound when hunting !

wjm1000 · Oct 5, 2019

Fatso said:
After a lifetime of shooting unprotected, I suffered major hearing loss with tinnitis. I used a ENT physician's audiology department to get top quality hearing aids at thousands cheaper than the storefront offices. These aids have a cut-off feature that will not transmit sounds above a comfortable level. You do not have to remove them when shooting.

Those many years of shooting with my ears unprotected resulted in a continuing drop in hearing levels until today I am practically deaf. I have cochlear implants now which also have a high decibel cut-off. No need to remove them when shooting.

Keep that ear protection on. Wish I had heeded that advice 60 years ago.

How would you compare the implants to your hearing aids?
I'm thinking of getting implants myself.

hearing aids anyone ?

Willoughby

Well-Known Member

Deezel

Well-Known Member

Rich Coyle

Well-Known Member

jackem

Well-Known Member

Rich Coyle

Well-Known Member

orcldba

Active Member

joseph singleton

Well-Known Member

cowboy

Well-Known Member

elf

Well-Known Member

xsn10s

Well-Known Member

Fatso

Member

skipglo

Well-Known Member

ronstone09

Well-Known Member

wjm1000

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Recent Posts