All types still exist. Depends on what you need. Mine are (or soon to be) inserted into the ear canal. I can remove and insert them on my own. They might be visible if you look very very close. You would probably need a flashlight.
The batteries are supposed to last 5 days. Not an issue IMHO. I’ll be changing them myself.
My batteries last around three days. I take mine out each evening, so I’d guess I’m getting about 36 hours per battery. An hour or so before the battery dies, my hearing aid says, “Battery!”. That creeped me out the first few times. If your battery dies and you don’t have one on you (I keep extra batteries in each vehicle, at work, etc) turning your aid off and back on can give you fifteen or so more minutes.
enipla: remember that moisture is a bad thing for the device. Remember to remove it before showering! I store mine when not in use in a cup with hygroscopic material in it.
Update -
I got my hearing aids on Wednesday the 27th - just a few days ago.
I like them very very much. They are going to take some getting used to.
While judgment about them for the long run may be pre-mature, I thought it could be helpful for others if I presented some thoughts as I travel this road.
Some basic info - I have about 30 percent hearing lose. I can function pretty well with out them. Some situations are difficult though. The hearing aids are the IIC, or in ‘Invisible In Canal’. Pretty much invisible unless I point them out.
I have been leaving them in all day with out taking them out at all. I’m trying to get my body and brain adjusted to them. They do itch occasionally, not a surprise as my ear gets used to them. I see it similar to getting used to wearing glasses.
My hearing has improved greatly. I can hear co-workers at meetings, and the TV at home with out having it up too loud. My Wife thinks I hear better than her now.
My own voice sounds very strange. Like I have a bad cold. The doc says that my brain will quickly adjust to that. I hope so, it’s really strange.
I had a little bit of a scare last night, I did take them out for a minute after work, and when I put them back in, I didn’t get them all the way in and seated properly. The sound quality went right in the tank. My Wife agreed and I couldn’t figure out what the problem was. I became frustrated, and started experimenting with the volume (adjusted with the dial tone of a phone).
I figured that out, and got the hearing aids seated in my ears properly, and all was good. You really have to push on them a bit, I’m sure I’ll have that down soon. Heck I was putting contact lenses in my eyes for years. THAT was weird to get used to, but I did.
Tinnitus is still there, and probably will never go away, but my hearing is greatly improved.
They do need some adjustment on them, low and high frequencies are too loud, mid-range needs to be boosted a bit. I have an appointment June 8th for a follow up, but may try to do it sooner.
A caution for the OP. I have had my hearing aid for 4 years now. I always keep it in one of a few safe places overnight. Last Friday night I slipped in my diligence and this is the result (ear bud shown for size). One of our dogs can be destructive. She got it off the bedside table and destroyed it. $3,250.00. Ouch. Even worse, I assumed it was somewhere in the house, intact. I searched maniacally for six hours before finding the pieces under our couch.
Time for a follow up.
And thanks for all previous replies.
I’ve had my hearing aids for three weeks now. It’s not magic. But things are much better.
I have a great Doc, and have gone back for sound adjustment once. This on the Docs recommendation for follow up visits. He insists. I have another appointment Monday the 22nd.
It’s different. Some sounds seem way too loud, and others, not so much. That’s where the adjustment comes in. And I wonder if it’s been so long that I’ve even heard certain frequencies, that it just weirds me out. For instance, I’ve never heard the clickclickclickclick of a mouse wheel before. High freq needs to be toned down a bit I think.
One thing that sucks - Eating is LOUD. They are in the ear canal aids, and the jaw bone connects right under the ear. If I’m chewing, I can’t hear anything but me. This is going to be a problem in social activities. I’m adjusting.
Mostly, I don’t think about them at all. They help cover the tinnitus a bit, but it is still there.
Kayaker I hear ya :D. Why dogs seem to chew up one left shoe of a pair, and one right shoe of another pair is a question that will never be answered. I am EXTREEEEEMLY carful with them. The are either in my ears, or in a pouch that I have for them. That pouch can be in two places. On my nightstand, or in the right front pocket of my pants.
A couple of times that I know that I will be completely by my self, I didn’t wear them. Tomorrow will be one of those days, I’ll be working in the yard. I can still hear my cell phone and such without them, so, I just assume leave them out. Gonna be plenty loud without them.
Busy weekend, but questions are welcome.
Don’t forget to remove them before showering! Do they have a “removal wand”? On mine the term refers to a clear little stick with a knob on the end to facilitate removal. I had my removal wand come off once. It was a simple repair, but think about how you’d remove your aid if the wand broke off.
ETA:
Wow. When I went in to arrange purchase of a replacement, I was told I’ve had mine for seven years.
Yeah. My SOP is taking them out at night, but it would be easy to forget. I shower every morning and then don’t put them in until I get to work. I’m at work about an hour before everyone else. Yes they have removal wands. It would be quite a trick to get them out with out them. I will have to think about that.
