Reply
Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,105
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Anyone purchase? Opinions? Thanks.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 77,912
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

I've wondered about these and other non-prescription hearing aids.  I remember my dad paying a small fortune for his, having constant problems with them, and having so much difficulty changing batteries because he also became legally blind.

 

It's wonderful they're able to offer this product at a reasonable price.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Honored Contributor
Posts: 40,686
Registered: ‎05-22-2016

Re: QVC Hearing Aids

[ Edited ]

Not from Qvc but I bought my Audien hearing aids from Audien dot com. They are my very first hearing aids. I have very mild hearing loss, just enough to make me frustrated when people talk to me and I can't hear them clearly. The Audien aids solved that problem. I'm very happy with the way the fit and everything about them. Small, discrete and very affordable. 

 

ETA-

Two years ago I had an 'ear stroke' caused from a very high spike in my BP. It caused me to lose a lot of my hearing in both ears and my doctor said that over time my hearing would come back but it might not come back to what it was before the ear stroke. My hearing has improved since then but it's still not what it used to be. In fact my hearing seems to improve a little with each passing month. So I didn't want to invest a lot of money in hearing aids at this point. Things could change in the future but I'm good to go for now with the Audien aids.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,923
Registered: ‎06-07-2010

You cannot compare high end to these. A lot depends on the extent of your hearing loss. Buying from a reputable company comes with hearing tests and adjustments whenever you want. The kind my friend has comes with a lifetime repair service and adjustments. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 26,452
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

Re: QVC Hearing Aids

[ Edited ]

There is SO MUCH more to hearing than just amplifying sound. Each ear works independently as it takes in sound frequencies and your brain sorts everything out and puts them together in what you understand as sound and words.  The loudness of how that's all received is just part of the equation.  It's possible that something basic like this could help someone to get by temporarily but for the best care and sound delivery, I believe it's imperative to be properly diagnosed and treated by a licensed audiologist.  And yes, the professional quality aids are expensive but I believe I'm worth it and it's not the area to compromise in.  Poor or diminished hearing has a significant link to increased risk of developing dementia and consequently a decline in cognitive abilities.  Even with mild loss the risk increases.  With poor hearing comes social isolation as one becomes unable to keep up with a conversation. With untreated hearing loss there is also brain shrinkage.  Those are a big deal, IMO. Properly diagnosed hearing and treatment should be a priority even if it means sacrificing somewhere else.  This is not where one should cut corners.  

 

I have worn binaural hearing aids for about 20 years +/- and they all have come from my audiologist. They get replaced every 3-5 years as technology improves and my degree of loss increases. In between, my audiologist will fine tune as needed within the capacity of the model aids I wear.  The service is free.  If a tube/wire ever breaks, that also gets replaced for free.  I now have very limited hearing when my aids are not in.  A couple of years ago I tried to go cheap (Costco).  Those people are hearing technicians, NOT audiologists.  They're there to push a product. The tech could not get my aids adjusted properly and I knew I hated them before I got out of the warehouse. I cried all the way home because I felt I was stuck with something substandard that I'd have to put up with, just to save money.  We returned them the next day and I ordered from my audiologist.  I will never go anywhere but an audiologist.  

Highlighted
Honored Contributor
Posts: 40,686
Registered: ‎05-22-2016

Re: QVC Hearing Aids

[ Edited ]

 

My Audiens are FDA registered hearing aids and not just sound amplifiers.  Audien is perfect for me. I can still hear fairly good w/o them but I needed clarity when someone speaks or to hear the TV a bit better w/o turning up the volume which didn't help with clarity. The Audiens make speech clear and w/o background noise. 

 

I have the volume turned all the way down on my Audiens. I don't need sound to be louder but I need it to be more crisp, clear and w/o being muffled. Audien helped make that possible.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,160
Registered: ‎05-09-2010

Re: QVC Hearing Aids

[ Edited ]

@JeanLouiseFinch Thank you for your explanation.  You provided good information and a real service to some hearing impaired people.  As you know,  well-fitted hearing aids do not just make  all sounds louder. They provide increased clarity -- and there is where a  licensed audiologist comes in.  Sounds are enhanced according to the unique configuration of the person's hearing loss. OTC aids work only for milder hearing losses. One small correction: Costco does have some licensed audiologists in a few of their stores. The credential to look for are the letters  "CCC-A" and either a Masters or, now required,  Doctoral degree. It  makes sense that  hearing aid dealers and others selling OTC aids cannot provide the same expertise in fitting hearing aids as these highly educated professionals.

 

-

Honored Contributor
Posts: 26,452
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

@Q-Checker wrote:

@JeanLouiseFinch Thank you for your explanation.  You provided good information and a real service to some hearing impaired people.  As you know,  well-fitted hearing aids do not just make sound louder. They provide increased clarity -- and there is where a  licensed audiologist comes in. The OTC aids work only for milder hearing losses. One small corrrction: Costco does have some licensed audiologists in a few of their stores. The credential to look for are the letters  "CCC-A" and either a Masters or, now required,  Doctoral, degree. It  makes sense that  hearing aid dealers and others selling OTC aids cannot provide the same expertise in fitting hearing aids as these highly educated professionals.

 

-


Point taken, @Q-Checker.  Thanks for clarifying and adding the designation to look for.  I really have such high regard for my audiologist and trust him implicitly when it comes to my hearing and the quality of aids out there.  He has excellent credentials and is also a professor of audiology and guest speaker at professional events in the field.  I don't want him to retire until I don't need him anymore. 😉

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,567
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

@JeanLouiseFinch 

Are your hearing aids Widex brand?  I remember someone on this board recommending Widex 6 years ago when I was about to buy my first hearing aids.  I got the Widex and have been very happy with them.  

 

My only complaint is that hearing aids in general have only a 5-7 year life span after we pay an arm and a leg for them.  And no Medicare coverage, even though Medicare pays for other things, such as the soon to be included weight loss drugs.  I'd be lost without my hearing aids but hate the cost.

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett
Honored Contributor
Posts: 26,452
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

@shoesnbags wrote:

@JeanLouiseFinch 

Are your hearing aids Widex brand?  I remember someone on this board recommending Widex 6 years ago when I was about to buy my first hearing aids.  I got the Widex and have been very happy with them.  

 

My only complaint is that hearing aids in general have only a 5-7 year life span after we pay an arm and a leg for them.  And no Medicare coverage, even though Medicare pays for other things, such as the soon to be included weight loss drugs.  I'd be lost without my hearing aids but hate the cost.


Yes, @shoesnbags, I wear Widex.