Hearing Aids for the cruising sailor?

[Saleen411]

Originally Posted by hsi88

I think my problem is different, but the results are the same. I have pretty severe Tinnitus. The constant high end ringing drowns out a lot of sounds, including people's voices and TV. Frustrating!

Have you found anything that mitigates your tinnitus?

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

After having a pair of Rextons (older ones), I gave up on hearing aids for a year.
I finally decided to try a pair of Eargos. They're sold with or without an audiogram.
I decided to go without an audiogram and the resultant extra charge for programming. There are two models, one with supposedly more advanced microprocessor power (not really well explained) and a little more output power.

These are in the ear and they have four programs which is basically increasing gain.
The frequency response is basically the same for all.
No bluetooth. The price for a pair I paid was just under $2 grand with a discount for military veteran.
Knowing I don't have the latest and greatest is not a big deal.
The ability to understand speech in busy locations and having directional sound ability again was enough to bring me to tears the first time I put them in my ears.


They are very comfortable and it's easy to forget you are wearing them.
It has a good charger for those on the go with a Micro USB connector and built in battery for those times you are camping or otherwise away from a power source.



No financial connection...


Eargo.com

Interesting testimonial. I tried the Eargo and didn't work out (for me).

I have a mild hearing loss and was told by an audiologist I'm "borderline" for use of hearing aids. I wanted to try it but was vain about it, so tried the Eargo CIC (completely in canal) (latest "better" model) and the three-settings-fit-most approach didn't work for me. Even the mildest setting sounded over-amplified and very harsh at high frequencies. I returned them. (I also found their patronizing marketing tone very disturbing -- they talk to customers like we're all children, and don't give enough information).

However, I didn't leave it at that: It's not good in business or social situations if I can't catch all the words, ask people to repeat themselves, can't distinguish all the essential words if people talk low, need to turn up the TV to distinguish quiet segments... or in noisy situations such as restaurants where I have trouble hearing the conversation due to the background noise.

So I went to Costco and spent the same $ as the Eargo (a little less actually) but the audiologist recommended the ReSound GN RIC (behind the ear). It was programmed by the audiologist to my audiogram and pairs with an iPhone app (using Bluetooth) so I can tune (and store) custom settings. The pair cost about the same $ as the Eargo but there is a fantastic difference in sound quality. Costco service is very good and I expect that if you like the Eargo you would be even happier with a RIC type that is programmed by an audiologist.

PS - Most people don't even notice the RIC devices. They're very compact and I've adopted the mindset that I've just got to get over the vanity issue. This is analogous to wearing eyeglasses and changes my look even less, so should not be an issue.

[SaltyMetals]

Dear Ann,

I am now 73 and have had a hearing problem for 30 years, slowly getting worse. Many moons ago a specialist said he knew the reason for my hearing loss which was slowly reducing at the higher frequencies (normal as you get older) but had a significant loss in the middle voice frequencies. He reckoned the latter was either too much shooting at a young age or it was hereditary. Intersting, i said, both my brothers have the same pblm. OK! Solved! It must be hereditary. Yes , but both my brothers were doing as much shooting when we were youngsters.............

I tried In the ear canal (Oticon) for many years (about $2,000 each) but then reached the point where i was told the in the ear canal designs could no longer cope with my hearing loss so i switched to BTE (Oticon). Actually a lot cheaper, and in the UK i can get them free on the NHS, but it was a revelation as to how i finally managed to get a better sense of direction from where the sounds were coming which was never poss with In The Ear Canal designs. The BTE have both forward facing and rear facing microphones. Another PLUS is that the batteries last 2-3 times longer. I have it programmed for three different sound situations and i only need to change the program on one ear for it to change the program on the other ear as well.

Before i got my current BTE I tried Siemens in the ear canal since it had all the obvious tweeks with blue tooth, mobile phone, etc. Truly a disaster and waste of money. All the words seemed to be distorted or falling on top of each other. Not only that but if you have got used to the Oticon program your brain has difficulty switching across to the Siemens protocol.

So now i am shortly to be upgraded to the next BTE design by Oticon and look forward to it.

I would like to emphasise that overnight when sailing the aids need to be put into a small dessicator tub with silica gel. If i am solo i just put one in the drying tub and keep the other in my ear and the switch the following night. I am sure i do not need to comment on this thread on how to re-activate the silica gell tablets once they are spent
Andrew
"Genial Bee"

[TonyTromboney]

Hi guys,

I am in the process of getting an ENG1 medical cert but failed on the hearing aspect of it.

The doctor was as useful as a chocolate fireguard, told me to go to an audiologist and get an audiograph with hearing aids, then in the same breath told me that it is not possible to take one whilst wearing hearing aids.

When I take the speech recognition, I pass it fine with headphones but struggle with a speaker, however, the doctor didn't offer me the opportunity to take the test.

Any advice? I am musician that performs in a band, but the doc didn't care about that either.

[JPA Cate]

Tony,

You do need to see an audiologist, someone who will actually care about and attempt to address your type of hearing loss.

Hearing aids vary a whole lot, and some are very expensive....so expensive that I have chosen to live with deafness until such time as I could insure them against my stupidity. If you have to get some that are in that unreachable category expense wise, make sure you can cover them with insurance, in case you accidentally step in the shower with them on. Apparently they don't like ocean spray, either. Better that some of the lesser ones will give you the help you want. Then see a different doc for re-testing. It could be, though, that there is a requirement that your hearing must be unaided: if this is so, you're basically out of luck; but, imo, whatever you can do to help with your hearing will help with your overall quality of life. The more loss, the harder it is to decipher spoken communication, to where one stops listening very much.


Ann

[TonyTromboney]

Hi Ann,

Thanks for this, I have an appointment with an audiologist tomorrow to be fitted. They have some good options for interest free credit and the audiologist suggested Phonak to try.

The requirements allow for hearing aids, the issue is with proving that they bring my hearing to the minimum level required. I'm hoping the audiologist can shed some light and help me meet the requirements, or tell me how I can prove it.

[timeout2]

Originally Posted by TonyTromboney

Hi Ann,

Thanks for this, I have an appointment with an audiologist tomorrow to be fitted. They have some good options for interest free credit and the audiologist suggested Phonak to try.

The requirements allow for hearing aids, the issue is with proving that they bring my hearing to the minimum level required. I'm hoping the audiologist can shed some light and help me meet the requirements, or tell me how I can prove it.

Phonaks BTE are the best, Costco is a lot cheaper and has an excellent reputation.
Fine tuning the programming is trial and error. Be patient and peristent.
Your examiner is not following the procedures in the "Approved Doctor's Manual, Seafarer Medical Examinations" Hearings aids are allowed.
https://assets.publishing.service.go..._July_2020.pdf

You might get a restricted, eg have extra batteries available, have audible and visible alarm in sleeping quarters, but unless you are stone deaf you shouldn't have a problem.

[TonyTromboney]

Originally Posted by timeout2

Phonaks BTE are the best, Costco is a lot cheaper and has an excellent reputation.
Fine tuning the programming is trial and error. Be patient and peristent.
Your examiner is not following the procedures in the "Approved Doctor's Manual, Seafarer Medical Examinations" Hearings aids are allowed.
https://assets.publishing.service.go..._July_2020.pdf

You might get a restricted, eg have extra batteries available, have audible and visible alarm in sleeping quarters, but unless you are stone deaf you shouldn't have a problem.

Hi TimeOut

Yeah, I have a few issues with this doc, his advice has been unclear and contradictory, and when I informed him that I had been told to plan for an 8th June flight, his response was that he wouldn't be in the office with the paperwork til the 9th... Does 1st Class post not arrive the next working day in the vast majority of cases?!

I just had a wild idea... I am a musician and as such have wires and adapters for everything. What if we plugged a compilot into the audiograph output and sent the sound directly to my hearing aids? That way, we could get an accurate measurement and avoid feedback and discomfort from headphones. I am assuming the hearing aids would adjust the sound via compilot (or bluetooth for that matter) and respond to whatever frequency boost they are programmed with?

What you think? Would an audiologist go for that? Sounds reasonable to me, worth an ask.

[Nicholson58]

Are you senior enough to qualify for assistance? We upped my supplemental last year to get better hearing coverage this year. The crazy expensive will drop to only ludicrous expensive. I trialed a set of rechargeable tiny things that can be program modified by Bluetooth from my IPAD. They are everything but waterproof.

Live aboard in the Caribbean, no batteries, user managed.

[timeout2]

Originally Posted by TonyTromboney

Hi TimeOut
What you think? Would an audiologist go for that? Sounds reasonable to me, worth an ask.

My experience is with Phonaks. I have the iCube and the current programming software "Target" The audiogram is imported into the application and settings are optimized for that audiogram. I can then tweak programs for different environments, minimize feedback, etc. It is still trial and error but I don't have to make numerous visits to audiologist.

I don't think compilot has the capability of doing what you suggest but I haven't tried it. I no longer use the compilot because my iphone and TVLink use bluetooth to connect directly to the HA's. Iphone is now used to control programs, volume, and limited frequency adjustments for each program. Significant technology leap. As a musician I would think you would be removing HA's and inserting custom molded ear protection.

[TonyTromboney]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

Are you senior enough to qualify for assistance? We upped my supplemental last year to get better hearing coverage this year. The crazy expensive will drop to only ludicrous expensive. I trialed a set of rechargeable tiny things that can be program modified by Bluetooth from my IPAD. They are everything but waterproof.

Live aboard in the Caribbean, no batteries, user managed.

Hi Nicholson58,

UK based here and not senior enough. I can get a free pair on the NHS but they don't come with features like Bluetooth or rechargeable batteries. Also the waiting time is beyond belief and my predicament needs solving asap.

Thank you though!

[TonyTromboney]

Originally Posted by timeout2

My experience is with Phonaks. I have the iCube and the current programming software "Target" The audiogram is imported into the application and settings are optimized for that audiogram. I can then tweak programs for different environments, minimize feedback, etc. It is still trial and error but I don't have to make numerous visits to audiologist.

I don't think compilot has the capability of doing what you suggest but I haven't tried it. I no longer use the compilot because my iphone and TVLink use bluetooth to connect directly to the HA's. Iphone is now used to control programs, volume, and limited frequency adjustments for each program. Significant technology leap As a musician I would think you would be removing HA's and inserting custom molded ear protection.

Is the TVLink the latest gizmo for tvs? As long as the input takes a headphone cable I can do the rest with my adapters. If it sends the sound direct to the hearing aids then we're not changing the test, just the output.

For playing it depends on the environment. I have considered using something like a compilot (my knowledge is out of dste I think) to plug into the monitor and then wearing protective defenders over the aids and ears. I always hated playing with my old ones in because they made me feel like my head was going to explode.

My loss is borderline, I have to show the aids improve my hearing by an average of 8db across four frequencies. The doc insists on a graph for it. To be honest, if hearing aids can't deliver an 8 decibel improvement over 500hz-3khz then what is the point? He's a stickler though and wants proof.

[Lepke]

Don't expect hearing aids to restore everything you've lost. They really just amplify. Better ones can put in a curve to that amplifies the areas you've lost, but it's still not without issues. My hearing loss comes from the military and I have Phonaks supplied by the VA. But I have tinnitus. With a sound curve to to increase the high end loss, I can hear some higher voices better. But not in the wind and some sound environments. In the wind, most of the time, I get a constant sound like a geiger counter. And the tinnitus sound is still there. In reality, I rarely wear them.

[AKA-None]

Here is a fun fact

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-...t-hearing-loss

[ashmun]

Recommendations on hearing aids for boating?

My “waterproof” Siemens Aquarius hearing aids have served me well on our sailboat in the Bahamas for the last 11 years but they have finally come to their end. I’d like to purchase another pair of IP68 hearing aids for my moderate hearing loss but I'd prefer to to spend the thousands I spent last time. Especially when the technology is changing, the industry is changing, and hearing aids might be covered by my insurance in the future. So I am looking to buy open box, refurbished, used, and/or new older model hearing aids (BTE or RIC) that have Bluetooth, noise cancellation/reduction, speech clarification/boost, and are IP68 (water resistant/“proof”). I am fine with either batteries, rechargeable batteries, or rechargeable.

The tough question is which models would do best on our sailboat in a relatively humid environments (Bahamas & Caribbean)? I do keep my hearing aids in a drying box at night but the rest of the time they are torched with sweat and humidity.

I have been looking at Phonak (e.g., Audio, Naida, etc) and Opticon (e.g., OPN 1, Xceed, More, Ruby, etc) brands but am open to other brands (Signa, Audicus, etc.).

I would love input on model recommendations and even suggestions on purchase locations from those who have hearing aids in humid locations, already done the research, and/or have expert or professional knowledge. I thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Julia
s/v Esprit