hearing aids anyone ?

[xsn10s]

One thing I do for shooting and is wear ear plugs and electronic earmuffs. I crank the volume all the way up so I can hear the amplified sounds yet have good hearing protection. While hunting with a rifle I think I'd use a good quality electronic earmuff that DOESN'T attenuate, like the Pro Ears muffs. I have the Peltor for shooting competitions, but like the Pro Ears better for training/ hunting.

 

[30BR]

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.

And my Provider refused to pay for them. They made me go to a preferred provider, which cost me $800 out of pocket, and they paid $4,200, I think it was. Plus, they jerked me around for documentation issues for 5 months. Had to go to the State Insurance Commission before I got my aids.
And they suck.

 

[tony d willIiams]

As a small child I had many ear infections with attending ruptures, results, left eardrum 100% scar tissue, right side 80% with a hole.
Too many high performance engines, loud machinery and shooting for many decades with exposed ears.
I can hear a mouse walking in the desert or forest, and I have trouble hearing my wife and children. Any background noise and it all blurs together into a meaningless grumble.
I have hearing aids, very expensive and the results are the same just a more clear set of noises. They are quite expensive, I had good insurance before I was forced to give up my doctor. I have spent a bit, strike that, a lot of time with the specialists as we tried to fine tune the HA, sadly not possible.

So for all you youngsters protect what you have. When you get older and want to listen to your wife, children and grandchildren you may spend so much time saying, "Would you repeat that".

 

[30BR]

And my Provider refused to pay for them. They made me go to a preferred provider, which cost me $800 out of pocket, and they paid $4,200, I think it was. Plus, they jerked me around for documentation issues for 5 months. Had to go to the State Insurance Commission before I got my aids.
And they suck.

PS...
DO NOT BUY CHEAP ELECTRONIC MUFFS.
One match using them and I've had tinnitus ever since.

 

[Dee Hugo]

Check out Lyric. I've had them several years. They are semi permanent and stay in while sleeping, showering, swimming, etc. the battery lasts a month or two and then you get the entire device swapped out. They shut down at a certain decibel so it's like having ear plugs in. You turn them off at night so you don't listen to your wife snore. They are expensive at $3,600 or so per year for a subscription.

 

[ofbandg]

I started out with the ones that fit in your ear. Your couldn't even see them unless you looked closely and that appealed to me, (my vanity of course). But they itched and kept filling with wax in hot weather. I had to constantly clean them and with my big fumbly fingers it was awkward. I finally went to the ones that sit behind your ears and hook over and they are much better for me. The sound is clearer and the wind noise is less but you have to take them off when shooting because a good pair of muffs squash them against your head. There is no perfect with hearing aids. It's a real disability and you pay a price for not protecting yourself better in your youth.

 

[74sharps]

Plus one for Costco. AIDS and service. BIG savings!

 

[JustMe2]

I've tried a few hearing enhancers and protectors. I need a hearing aid for my left ear for high frequencies, otherwise my audiologist said my hearing is fine. So I use a $2000 behind ear aid in my left ear. I was surprised at what I was missing. I use the Otto Noisebarriers in both ears while hunting and shooting with brakes and they are super clear and block brake noise well. After much research and trying other noise protectors, I like these Ottos because they are rechargable, last over 16 hours on a charge, come with a charger that lasts over 2 weeks before the charger itself needs charging, they don't shut off for a few seconds after a loud noise and instead just lower the volume to a safe level so you can hear through loud noises and not miss words. I can wear them all day without discomfort and without a large brimmed hat interfering, and they amplify sounds if needed during hunting. I can also wear electronic muffs over them without any squealing interference for double protection.

 

[huntintoo]

Good Info! I'm headed towards the HA'a as soon as I settle on what I need and can afford! Frustrating last 2-10 years. Huh? is my most used word.

 

[Bandit49]

I still owe $700 on a pair of top line hearing aids I got n June. Sure has made a difference in my life. Got the ones that blue tooth through my smart phone and I sure like all the whiz bang features. I toggle the volume all the way down when shooting and they work well for that.

 

[xsn10s]

I still owe $700 on a pair of top line hearing aids I got n June. Sure has made a difference in my life. Got the ones that blue tooth through my smart phone and I sure like all the whiz bang features. I toggle the volume all the way down when shooting and they work well for that.

I'd still wear muffs especially while shooting rifles under cover. The sounds penetrates behind the ear and still causes hearing loss. I learned that from the Army.

 

[N.Scott Nail]

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

Guys,this thread could not have come at a better time for me!! I just had my ears tested last thursday and I've know for years that I was in need of hearing aids....just couldn't do it for what ever reason til NOW!! after reading all of these posts (all with great info and suggestions),I have to talk with them tuesday/wensday to see what my Insurance will cover and to whom I'll need to go thru for fitting and purchase before doing paperwork to Insurance for reinbursement less deductable. I can't wait to move forward with getting my hearing aids for everyday use but also for range day shooting and mountain hunting!! Gal stressed to me that a person must be commited to using the aids as prescribed. Or you will not get benefits of devises. I know I'm ready and told her so! Thanks for writing this thread up.....man this is the type of help one needs to hear from folks with like minds and interests. I will advise all you folks on how my deal goes and what they offered me and what I chose to go with as soon as I get that far. Thanx again everyone for taking the time to help others on this forum. I'm am very thankful for various reasons but this is tops for sure. NSN

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

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.

Thank you for valuable insights. I bought a pair of the fanciest, blue tooth enabled, custom fitted hearing aids, which cost $4000! And I seldom wear them because they don't make much difference and are uncomfortable after about 4 hours. There has to be a less expensive alternative.

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

On the subject of "aids" for hearing impaired hunters. About 8 years ago I bought a pair of Wild Ear hearing boosters (not custom adjusted to my hearing deficit). These are great for hunting, esp whitetail deer or elk, because they boost the volume of all sounds around me, and block the muzzle blast of a rifle or shotgun, like hearing protectors. They are custom molded to fit in the ear, and the volume is adjustable.
Cost: $800 (and well worth it).