Tell me about your experiences with hearing aids; the positives, the negatives, the surprises, the expenses.

I do 30-50 phone calls a day and also have to spend short time periods in a loud shop to talk to folks.

Long time user of hearing aids. I went to a hearing center over 10 years ago and my hearing tested poorly. She sold me the top brand for about $4,500 which I found very helpful.

We moved to Houston in 2013 and I needed replacements after having mine for about 5 years. I went to a local store on West Belt and they sold me another pair (resound) that had gadgets that made hearing through my iPhone possible.

I've found them to be equal in quality for about the same price. The problem is the private firm now charges to clean them, replace pads and batteries. I have an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor who keeps trying to get me upgrade.

The benefits of the store vs Doctor offices is ease of appointment. It can take a long time to get in Doctor's office and if things like a pod gets stuck in your ear you want help now.

I have a relative who bought Costco for half the price I paid 5 years ago. I think I will try them shortly.

I've had 2 Widex for a few years. Expensive, but I get free batteries and wax guards. I go through them fast because my right ear is a wax machine.

I was told before I bought them that I'll never hear like I did in my youth. I never should have cranked up the music like I did. Volume is not a problem but understanding speech is.

Aliceinbubbleland said:

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Long time user of hearing aids. I went to a hearing center over 10 years ago and my hearing tested poorly. She sold me the top brand for about $4,500 which I found very helpful.

We moved to Houston in 2013 and I needed replacements after having mine for about 5 years. I went to a local store on West Belt and they sold me another pair (resound) that had gadgets that made hearing through my iPhone possible.

I've found them to be equal in quality for about the same price. The problem is the private firm now charges to clean them, replace pads and batteries. I have an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor who keeps trying to get me upgrade.

The benefits of the store vs Doctor offices is ease of appointment. It can take a long time to get in Doctor's office and if things like a pod gets stuck in your ear you want help now.

I have a relative who bought Costco for half the price I paid 5 years ago. I think I will try them shortly.

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I've seen a lot of reviews and actually know some folks that bought at Costco and all have nothing but good things to say about them, especially for the cost. My mother-in-law just had to have the "top of the line" most expensive pair that the private doctor suggested. She now has ALS and doesn't use at all now, but she hardly wore them even before her diagnosis. Just make sure that you WILL use them before making the plunge. If unsure, definitely start with Costco or similar.