Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

talosian

Jul 19, 2005, 10:05 PM

Post #1 of 20 (5857 views)

Shortcut

lease share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

I am looking into getting hearing aids from the man who comes to LCS (Lake Chapala Society) who I think is a Belltone rep. I need them but the cost is reasonably serious. Also, unlike, there is no "trial period", only a couple of hours to use a basic model and see if they work for you. Once you buy them, other than a defect in the unit, you own them. I need a set (2) rather than just for one ear. I tried the cheepie things a few years ago and they are worth what I paid (very little in relation to the new digital ones).

So if anyone has had any experiences they could/would share with me, the input will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Spock (it's the half-human side which is hard of hearing).
"When all logical explanations have failed, we must look to the illogical for the answer.

shoe

Jul 20, 2005, 5:15 AM

Post #2 of 20 (5812 views)

Shortcut

Re: [talosian] lease share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

I have worn hearing aids for years. I guess the problem came from my father who also wore them.

Now I bought a set of the latest and greatest 7 channel digital hearing aids in the early 90's, covered by insurance as they were very expensive at $3+K each, and they worked very well. One thing that seems to be true is that hearing aids last about 6 to 8 years. The next pair (s) I bought were simple analog devices, less expensive as I was paying for them, $550 earh. They work quite well. I have had the guy at LCS repair my analog hearing aids a couple of times and it was very inexpensive, $50 or less. . It was very expensive to repair the digital ones.

My father had Beltone and they were expensive analog ones that were only fair. He had better luck with Seamans and a couple of other brands. Beltone was not worth the extra money he had to pay.

Now your hearing problem may need digital hearing aids, I do not know. They have some pretty good features that you do not get with analog ones. Like very loud noise suppression, background noise reduction and things like that. I thought they were pretty neat but in the end I am very satisfied with my analog ones that are sufficient for me. Especially when you consider the cost into the equation.

I would search the boards as there was a thread on this a little while ago for a place in Guadalajara that had a pretty good deal with trial and warranty.

I never heard of a business that offered hearing aids that did not give a 30 to 90 day trial. Even Beltone in the states gave 30 days. If you do not like them just return them for your money back. The importance of this is that you have to get used to wearing them and that should happen in the first 30 days. Some people just cannot get used to the ones in the ear and have to wear the over-the-ear type of hearing aids. Another problem for some is too much ear wax and usually this is solved by using a drop of hydrogen peroxide in each ear before bed as it will dissolve the excess wax and it is absorbed into your system like normal, just a little quicker.

Do not consider any that do not have at least a year or more parts and labor. This usually includes loss in the first year. These things are not that delicate, other than the battery door, but they do break as they have a lot of electronics in them. Moisture gets to them when you are caught in a rain storm or forget to take them out swimming or showering and the results are not very good then.

I rambled enough. If you have further questions email me if you wish. reshoe@yahoo.com Who knows I might even have a answer.

cya,
shoe

Nothing is intrinsically good or evil, but its manner of usage may make it so.
-St. Thomas Aquinas

ecollard

Jun 1, 2008, 6:57 AM

Post #3 of 20 (5698 views)

Shortcut

Re: [talosian] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hi. I have just been diagnosed with a hearing loss up here in the states. Because of the costs involved, I am tempted to wait until I get back to Chapala before pursuing more tests and then, maybe, hearing aids.
Do you have any thoughts about this? Would I do better, in terms of variety available, to shop up here in the states for hearing aids? Does anyone know of a good audiologist in Guadalajara, or is the LCS person good enough (even if he only sells Beltone products)?
Suggestions would be appreciated.
Eileen

(This post was edited by ecollard on Jun 1, 2008, 6:58 AM)

NEOhio1

Jun 1, 2008, 11:58 AM

Post #4 of 20 (5669 views)

Shortcut

Re: [ecollard] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

My husband has a hearing loss that he has not acknowledged so I have been researching this here in the Ajijic area. Everyone I have talked to who has hearing aids has suggested that I have his diagnosis and intial equipment performed in the US as a baseline for the future. There are audiologists in Guadalajara that come well recommended however the aspect of equipment is where the problems begin and it seems to be about the variety and quality of equipment. Several feel that if they had arrived here with working, excellent equipment they would have been better able to move from there to the equipment available hereas there needs changed. A couple have gone thru two or three sets of aids before finding the right one for them, and since Mexico is "you bought its yours" it doesn't matter if it proves insufficient or troublesome just days later. Yes the equipment comes with guarantees, but that guarantee is on the equipment functioning adequately, not your satisfaction. From what I hear this is a difficult thing to get right the first time and thus I think we will do it totally on our next trip.

Oscar2

Jun 1, 2008, 12:48 PM

Post #5 of 20 (5661 views)

Shortcut

Re: [ecollard] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Much of what NEOhio1 says holds true and although I’ve purchased hearing aids from various sources such as Sears, Costco and a couple of others over the years, hearing aid satisfaction is a very touchy and personal preference matter. Personally, my hearing is attenuated but I can still hear with a couple of heh, heh, kicked in once in awhile but hearing aids, at this point, have not convinced me I need one, like today.

For one, I know Costco has some new state of the art digital hearing aids choked full of features “for a price” and offer free hearing evaluations but in the US they also have an excellent refund/return policy. Not sure about the Mexico Costco’s. I’m sure a phone call to one will get you a quick answer.

Buena Suerte

johanson

Jun 1, 2008, 3:11 PM

Post #6 of 20 (5648 views)

Shortcut

Re: [NEOhio1] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

First I am not an expert on hearing aids. But one thing you could do would be to go to the LCS and get a hearing aid test. Is the test going to be as accurate as up North, I doubt it. But maybe it would help your husband realize that he does have a hearing problem. Then perhaps later when back in the states or where ever, he could be tested again

I took the test and learned that I have a 15% loss in one ear at high frequencies. Do I think I have a problem? No, but I too am in denial

Jerry@Ajijic

Jun 1, 2008, 4:21 PM

Post #7 of 20 (5639 views)

Shortcut

Re: [johanson] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Speck, I had Polo at LCS replace a hearing aid I lost. His replacement was inexpensive and works well. This was a few years ago and anytime I have had a question or problem he has been most helpful for very little cost. I you have any questions please PM me. Jerry

(This post was edited by Jerry@Ajijic on Jun 1, 2008, 4:28 PM)

Rogelio L.

Jun 12, 2008, 6:40 AM

Post #8 of 20 (5567 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Jerry@Ajijic] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Kind of on the same subject, can anyone tell me if the hearing aid man that comes to LCS can adjust any hearing aid. I have relatively new hearing aids,(Bernafone) didgital but they need to be hooked up to a computer for adjustment and wondering if he can do that. They need a little fine tuning once in a while. I am leaving for Ajijic soon and would like to know ahead of time.
Thanks
Rojelio
Growing old is manditory, growing up is optional!!

Jerry@Ajijic

Jun 12, 2008, 7:07 AM

Post #9 of 20 (5564 views)

Shortcut

Re: [talosian] lease share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Spock, I did ask Polo Monday if he would offer a trial period and he said yes.

ecollard

Jun 13, 2008, 6:28 AM

Post #10 of 20 (5530 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rogelio L.] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

If someone sees Polo, I'd appreciate getting a list of the digital hearing aid brands that he is able to adjust. I'm considering a purchase and that's a key factor in my decision. In particular, it would be great to know if he can handle adjustments to Unitron or Oticon. Thanks
Eileen

Jerry@Ajijic

Jun 13, 2008, 9:18 PM

Post #11 of 20 (5497 views)

Shortcut

Re: [ecollard] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

I think that you can call him at 045 331 332 3071. This is the number he lists for "house calls".

bill

Jun 24, 2008, 3:51 PM

Post #12 of 20 (5428 views)

Shortcut

Re: [NEOhio1] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hi. I have been using a hearing aid for about one year. I would highly recommend Costco. They are the largest retailer of hearing aids in the US with state of the art equipment, and their warranty and service can not be equaled!
Also the pricing is very competitive.

Good luck,

Bill Mitchell
jcbbillmitchell2aol.com

Jerry@Ajijic

Jun 26, 2008, 6:58 AM

Post #13 of 20 (5397 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bill] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Did you get your hearing aid at the GDL CostCo?

bill

Jun 27, 2008, 8:37 AM

Post #14 of 20 (5368 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Jerry@Ajijic] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Jerry, Glad to respond. I got my hearing aid in the States. I assume (we know what happens when we do that) prices, service, state of the art equip. warranty, etc. are the same South of the border. I have not been to GDL Costco.

Regards,

Bill

esperanza

Jun 27, 2008, 9:25 AM

Post #15 of 20 (5361 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bill] Please share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Nearly everything sold by Costco in Mexico is at a substantially higher price than at Costco North of the Border. Some items, particularly electronics and linens, are priced double the price in the States. Many, many items that are available at any Costco USA are not available at all in Mexico.

Of course the opposite is also true: some items available at Costco in Mexico aren't available at Costco in the USA.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

sciman

Aug 20, 2008, 8:28 PM

Post #16 of 20 (5280 views)

Shortcut

Re: [talosian] lease share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

I used to hate to wear my hearing aids. I had expensive small ones that fit in the ear canal. Unfortunately they of course blocked air and noise, producing what always felt like artificial sound. My ears would be sore by the end of the day. I tended to feel wonderful taking them out, and got into the habit of not wanting to bother when I thought I could get by. A couple of years ago I opted for a behind the ear type with a small hose which goes to a small microphone cradled with vent spacing in the ear canal. This supports my hearing and feels absolutely natural. I have a much better sense of direction of sounds since I'm not totally deaf, and I'm not closing off what I could hear with a hearing aid. This type of aid is a great deal more satisfying. Mine weren't cheap, but then now I use them. Oticon made mine (I'm not promoting them, and have no direct interest), though there are others migrating to this technology, and prices have likely come down. They are digital, and the ear specialist must have the right computer program to tune them. Adjustments are possible and I've found that over the years I have wanted slightly different qualities.

ecollard

Aug 21, 2008, 6:24 AM

Post #17 of 20 (5266 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sciman] lease share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Have you found someone at lakeside who can adjust the Oticon hearing aids? Or don't they ever need adjusting? I'm glad you found something that works - I tried a similar type recently and they were great (although I've decided I don't need them "enough" at this point to merit the output of cash...).
Eileen

sciman

Aug 21, 2008, 8:29 AM

Post #18 of 20 (5252 views)

Shortcut

Re: [ecollard] lease share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

ecollard: Sorry.. I should have indicated that I'm not yet lakeside and so I'm quite unfamiliar with local providers. I was aiming to point to a rather new type of hearing aid pioneered by Oticon, but available from many suppliers these days I think. They are digital, and they're called OTE (over the ear) rather than BTE (behind) or "in the ear". These devices are small and the tube is thin, leading to a receiver/speaker which rests in the canal with a vented acrylic tip which one replaces from time to time. It's because of the venting that the type is often referred to as "open canal" since they retain the users normal capacity to hear and simply supplement it. These don't require ear moulds. Audiologists who deal in them have computer programs for managing adjustments. But let's see.. in 3 years or so, I've actually only had them adjusted once when I was feeling that I wanted a little more volume in certain kinds of circumstances. Because of the open canal, there is a possibility of feedback sounds if one sets them too high, though this has never been a problem for me. Generally, this type of aid is thought to be most useful for those of us with moderate loss of higher frequency sounds. Since Oticon came out with these, I know that Audina, Starkey, and several other firms have also, though I'm not sure what's available lakeside. A quick check at the Oticon website shows an audiologist in Guadalajara.

j64

Aug 23, 2008, 1:15 PM

Post #19 of 20 (5210 views)

Shortcut

Re: [talosian] lease share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

Have had three pairs in my life, and I lost one unit and the dog ate two others, These were better in-the-ear types, and my wax drove me crazy so there was a lot of parking, not smart, Also, I am a very active up-and-about type. A good friend of mine just purchased for both his ears (He's probably 50-65% deaf) and he is happy sitting with adj unit sitting behind the ear and just a neat probe mike going inside. They were 2KUSD each, LCS! I see, and plus a little disct , he said, but he could be modest finally having plenty spending dollars, rascal. Yes, he and his wife, I would say, are excellent shoppers.

(This post was edited by j64 on Aug 23, 2008, 3:32 PM)

esperanza

Aug 23, 2008, 4:46 PM

Post #20 of 20 (5191 views)

Shortcut

Re: [j64] lease share your hearing aid experience here w/me.

Can't Post | Private Reply

In Reply To

They were 2KUSD each, LCS!

He says 2KUSD...

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com