I need to get a new set of hearing aids and was wondering if anyone here has or is using Miracle Ear products. If so are you satisfied with them?
Anyone use Miracle Ear
- Thread starter Fox Mike
- Start date
All of my hearing impaired friends go to Costco for hearing aids now. They make a 400 mile round trip to the nearest store (in El Paso) to do so-and seem very satisfied with the price, service, and product.
FM.... I just bought a new pair from Costco and am EXTREMELY satisfied with the quality and, most importantly, the PRICE. My first pair of hearing aids were purchased thru an audiologist about 7 years ago; I paid about $4K at that time. I went to Costco this time and got a great pair of the latest Kirkland Signature offering (actually a Phonak product) for the sum of $1499. I've had them since Aug. this year and they work great.... They have a vol. control for 'wife control' 
))). I recommend them.... IMHO the hearing aid business has long been one of the most egregious con games ever; I think that Costco will turn this around for the consumer. The next step will be to remove the 'planned obsolesence' so they last more than the standard 5 years...In the meantime, go to Costco.... p.s. it's probably true that the various Costco practitioners will vary in quality, the one I go to in Brookfield, Ct. is one of the good ones in my opinion.
Forgot to mention that the Veterans Admin is the largest distributor of hearing aids in the US. You have to have been in a combat area or have a service related disability to be eligible for them. I wasn't in either situation (they didn't trust me with firearms when I was on active duty).
Hope this helps,
J
))). I recommend them.... IMHO the hearing aid business has long been one of the most egregious con games ever; I think that Costco will turn this around for the consumer. The next step will be to remove the 'planned obsolesence' so they last more than the standard 5 years...In the meantime, go to Costco.... p.s. it's probably true that the various Costco practitioners will vary in quality, the one I go to in Brookfield, Ct. is one of the good ones in my opinion.Forgot to mention that the Veterans Admin is the largest distributor of hearing aids in the US. You have to have been in a combat area or have a service related disability to be eligible for them. I wasn't in either situation (they didn't trust me with firearms when I was on active duty).
Hope this helps,
J
Hole Shooter
Single-Sixer
I bought my first pair of hearing aids from Miracle Ear ($5K+) in July 2019. They have really helped a lot but it is still not the same as good natural hearing. They call them "aids" for a reason. They really excel when I get a mobile phone call because they are Bluetooth and my hearing on this phone is much better with the aids. I hope that as I wear them more they will help me more. If I had it to do over again I would definitely do more shopping around. I was too lazy and ignorant about hearing aids the first time around.
Shop around and good luck.
hs
Shop around and good luck.
hs
HS makes a good point that I forgot to mention about my $1499 Costco hearing aids i.e. they have Blue Tooth also..... I don't use a cell phone but if I did, I would imagine it would be an advantage... I don't even use the Blue Tooth as an aid for our TV because they are good enough for me to hear most of the dialogue on the tube even sitting a good distance away. p.s. I don't expect much other than be able to hear significantly better with them than without them.... I do know that Costco sells much 'higher end' aids that the ones that I bought, but these are good enough for me....
Always striving for mediocrity,
J
Always striving for mediocrity,
J
The Costco hearing aids are also able to have the volume easily adjusted via your smart phone, if you have one.
Pat-inCO
Hawkeye
This thread seems a good source of items to be investigated before purchasing one
of those little(?) buggers. So far I'm doing well enough, but I'll bet it will not be a
long time before I will find them am advantage. :wink:
8)
of those little(?) buggers. So far I'm doing well enough, but I'll bet it will not be a
long time before I will find them am advantage. :wink:
8)
Acorn
Hunter
I had a Sam’s Club test done and then compared what they offered compared to Costco. At the time Costco was $200 cheaper and had more channels. I’ve held off re-upping my Sam’s Club to go with Costco for this reason alone. I was wondering if they help with tinnitus?
I probably am approaching the need for hearing aids. I have one good friend who swears by Costco. I was just wondering for us shooters/hunters... do you take them out/turn them off and replace with hearing protection when shooting? Are there any hearing aids that can be used while shooting? I'm not aware of any electronics that help tinnitus. I'd be interested in any feedback on any of the above.
Acorn, re: tinnitus... the audiologist at Costco told me that they do have hearing aids that supposedly reduce tinnitus, but she felt that they weren't very effective and recommended against them. I've had it for MANY years and after about the first 40 years, you hardly notice it...
Steveodtw, I have a few friends who have specific ear devices for shooting/hunting that fit inside their ears (both ears) and look like hearing aids, but are sold thru alternative channels (not sure the names but may one of those advertised in American Rifleman(?). They shut off at the sound of a gun shot, but still amplify sounds so they can hunt effectively. They are about the same costs as hearing aids, but are truly designed for different purposes. Personally, I don't hunt anymore, but I do shoot several times a week at my outdoor ranges. I find it easy enough to remove my aids when I get to the range and then put on my electronic ear protection.... Everyone at my range is deaf, so we all yell when we talk.... no problem hearing there
J
Steveodtw, I have a few friends who have specific ear devices for shooting/hunting that fit inside their ears (both ears) and look like hearing aids, but are sold thru alternative channels (not sure the names but may one of those advertised in American Rifleman(?). They shut off at the sound of a gun shot, but still amplify sounds so they can hunt effectively. They are about the same costs as hearing aids, but are truly designed for different purposes. Personally, I don't hunt anymore, but I do shoot several times a week at my outdoor ranges. I find it easy enough to remove my aids when I get to the range and then put on my electronic ear protection.... Everyone at my range is deaf, so we all yell when we talk.... no problem hearing there
J
OP
I generally remove mine as I use EAR ( https://www.earplugstore.com/ear-classic-amigo.html ) and over the head muffs when indoors and EAR when outside. I can still hear range commands.steveodtw said:
I had my annual check-up yesterday. I asked my Dr. about tinnitus and is there anything that will take it away. His answer was no.
Further said to treat it there are several ways that help, but do not stop it.
1 maskers can be worn like hearing aids that emit a sound that covers the ringing up and some hearing aids do have maskers in them.
2 medicines that treat anxiety and depression might ease the ringing in some people.
3 therapy with counseling and using maskers can help by taking your mind off the ringing.
He gave me that information and American Tinnitus Association 800-634-8978 www.ata.org.
I do not plan on doing any of the 3 and guess I will live with it. At this point I am not losing sleep over it. I figure hearing aids are in my future in the next few years anyway. I get a hearing test yearly at the PD and they show a slow lost, more every year.
Further said to treat it there are several ways that help, but do not stop it.
1 maskers can be worn like hearing aids that emit a sound that covers the ringing up and some hearing aids do have maskers in them.
2 medicines that treat anxiety and depression might ease the ringing in some people.
3 therapy with counseling and using maskers can help by taking your mind off the ringing.
He gave me that information and American Tinnitus Association 800-634-8978 www.ata.org.
I do not plan on doing any of the 3 and guess I will live with it. At this point I am not losing sleep over it. I figure hearing aids are in my future in the next few years anyway. I get a hearing test yearly at the PD and they show a slow lost, more every year.
Does anyone know if hearing aids amplify tinnitus? That would be discouraging.
OP
While not a doctor, I doubt they would. Tinnitus is 'internal' and aids amplify external sounds.steveodtw said:
Thanks Frank. I thought so, makes sense.
Steve
Steve
BearBio
Buckeye
Slightly off track but I have Widex (about 1 year old) and love them. A little pricier==WITH upgrades, cost $7000, Blue Cross/Blue Shield picked up over half!
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
I got my latest set from the VA ; It's a rechargeable set called "OTICON" no idea of the cost on the open market.
OP
I was thinking of VA but after talking to a pilot friend he told me what they offered at Perry Point SUCKED. I looked at them and they were what I already have and he was right; they suck. I have had them in the shop as much as in my ears. This was a while back. Perhaps they have changed brands. Maybe I'll cross the river and check.Colonialgirl said:
Thanks to all for this all this information. It is appreciated.
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
Fox Mike said:
My previous set from the VA were "STARKEY" brand and battery operated; They were okay other than having to replace the batteries now then at sometimes ANNOYING times ("battery, time to replace battery") . I lost one while mowing the lawn and got the replacements and THEN found the lost one about two wet weeks later. A week in a small jar of wild rice and it works great now; So, I've got a pair and a SPARE pair.
I have had tinnitus my ears since a teenager from shooting guns, and chainsaw use. Tried the electronic earbuds for shooting, and found them worthless due to loss of directional hearing, and the gunfire was still LOUD! I need hearing aids, but am loathe to pay those kind of bucks to lose directional hearing, just to please a few people!
gramps
gramps
exavid
Hunter
I'm on my third pair of Costco hearing aids. My insurance will replace a pair every three years. I've been very satisfied with Costco and only wish I'd known how crappy Miracle Ear is when my mother was still alive. They sold her some real junk at three times what mine cost at Costco. One good thing about Costco is their people are paid on salary, their pay is the same if you buy a pair of aids or not so they don't try to push one toward more expensive equipment than you need.
Hearin aids aren't quite as good as glasses are for seeing but either they do work well or my wife has quit whispering and mumbling
Hearin aids aren't quite as good as glasses are for seeing but either they do work well or my wife has quit whispering and mumbling
bobski
Hunter
before you buy one, make sure you have a good check up by a dr.
in my case, amplification is useless since my anvil has calcium build up and wont vibrate.
and is my mothers case, you cant amplify a dead nerve.
miracles are still called miracles and machines aren't the giver of them.
in my case, amplification is useless since my anvil has calcium build up and wont vibrate.
and is my mothers case, you cant amplify a dead nerve.
miracles are still called miracles and machines aren't the giver of them.
When I go shooting, I first remove the over the ear aids. Then I insert plugs. After the plugs, I use muffs. This works well for me. I have no problems, and can understand people around me. I initially used just plugs, but they weren't enough.steveodtw said:
No one mentioned Beltones? They advertise in my area!
gramps
gramps
OP
Pretty much how I operate. If outside and only shooting .22 or 9mm I use EAR foam plugs. If inside I use plugs and muffs. Then, when finished shooting, I forget to reinstall my over the ears and wonder why everyone is whispering.Harvey said:
I am going to get a hearing test then take the results to Costco and see what they can do
I can't say that my Miracle Ear unit changes the tinnitus but it doesn't make it louder. The technician said that the tinnitus would be less noticeable once the nerves began receiving other sounds enhanced by the device. This may take longer for hearing that's been significantly lost for such a long time.
exavid
Hunter
Tinnitus is worst when one is in a quiet environment. I usually keep a radio playing or some other sound when I'm in the house alone. On the road or on my bike there's enough environmental noise to cover the tinnitus. Hearing aids do not amplify it either. If you have hearing aids on you can prove it by pulling them out of your ears and noting that the tinnitus noise remains the same. My tinnitus was in the background until I started reading this thread. That was all it took to make me think about and there it was again.
I keep my hearing aids on when shooting at the range and at our club's indoor range. My hearing aids detect the presence of the electromagnet in my noise blanking headset and automatically turn off when I put the headset on, turning back on when the headset comes off. It the same with a phone up to one's head.
The last three sets I've had are from Costco, Resound is the brand, which is a well known good brand. I believe these were around $1600 or thereabouts. Lucky for me my insurance will pay for a set every three years which is their estimate of the life span of a set. I've had these things for about ten years now so I have two spare sets now that still work.
Bluetooth is well worth having. I can link to the Bluetooth on our TV and my computer if I want to listen without bothering anyone else. It's a real laugh to me when my wife complains that she can't hear the TV after years of asking me to turn it down. I can hear my phone in a noisy environment when I couldn't even hear it ring without the blutooth to my hearing aids.
Several people I told about Costco are happy they purchased their aids there. I believe Miracle Ear is a con joint.
I keep my hearing aids on when shooting at the range and at our club's indoor range. My hearing aids detect the presence of the electromagnet in my noise blanking headset and automatically turn off when I put the headset on, turning back on when the headset comes off. It the same with a phone up to one's head.
The last three sets I've had are from Costco, Resound is the brand, which is a well known good brand. I believe these were around $1600 or thereabouts. Lucky for me my insurance will pay for a set every three years which is their estimate of the life span of a set. I've had these things for about ten years now so I have two spare sets now that still work.
Bluetooth is well worth having. I can link to the Bluetooth on our TV and my computer if I want to listen without bothering anyone else. It's a real laugh to me when my wife complains that she can't hear the TV after years of asking me to turn it down. I can hear my phone in a noisy environment when I couldn't even hear it ring without the blutooth to my hearing aids.
Several people I told about Costco are happy they purchased their aids there. I believe Miracle Ear is a con joint.
Frank,
The hearing aids I got from the VA are Phonak brand and I'm real happy with them. Have had them for 3years now with no problems.
The hearing aids I got from the VA are Phonak brand and I'm real happy with them. Have had them for 3years now with no problems.
