HEARING AIDS FOR HUNTING
Elk
Hi! Hope everyone plans for the upcoming season are going well. 6 years ago I ask for help with hearing aids and thanks to you guys I got a great pair of Sharkey aids. Lost one and other one getting repaired. Time to upgrade and wanting your opinion. Trust Bowsite dudes more than most my family and friends. Thanks. Jeff
I used Walker game ears for 4 years after I realized my partner was hearing elk all around that I couldn't hear. They were ok. Last year before season I went to Starkey Muse aids the difference is phenomenal. They have 4 different modes that you can choose from and my audiologist has tuned one of those modes to be super sensitive to the frequency of an elk bugle. Would hate to hunt without them ever again.
Jeff, this spring I upgraded to a pair of Phonaks. I thought my 8 year old Siemens were awesome. These things are unbelievable. They automatically adjust based on external noise (wind, road noise, loud restaurants, etc..) and I can crank them up and down with the touch of a button.
I'm hearing things I never heard before with the Siemens.
Great info! I'm about to spring for a new pair so always interested in feedback.
Jaquomo, Which model are you using? I have used a pair of shooter's type aids for years but they are not very good for anything else. I certainly need to upgrade.
NV, I'll have to look on the box when I get back in town. My ENT Doc friends tell me there are really only two "great" companies making high quality hearing aids now: Phonak and Oticon. You can get them with Bluetooth connectivity to the iPhone, etc.. if you want that.
Yes, they are expensive. They are an investment in quality of life and in hunting. Audiologists will finance them, often interest free. I figure they cost about $60 a month when amortized over their lifespan. When I croak they aren't going to sprinkle any leftover money with my ashes. But being able to see and hear at a high level is critical for a hunter.
I have a Phonak and can hear leafs moving now. FYI, if you are a vet and 62 yrs old or service connected rating you can get free hearing aids through the VA and you can get the ones that adjust via your smart phone for adjusting in different environment.
My insurance cover something like 2 grand a piece every few years.
Check with your insurer to see if your covered. As long as the doc says you need them.
I have Obamacare. It covers a flu shot and a finger up the wazoo once a year.
I have the Unitron Moxi2. My insurer covers them and every 3 years I can get new ones. Planning on something in August. I have Bluetooth in these but it requires a device worn around the neck. Looks like "Help, I've fallen....". So I am looking into one that doesn't use that device. I really like using them while hunting.
Two years ago my son was hearing elk but I could not hear a thing. Very frustrating. So soon after we returned from our hunt I made an appointment with an audiologist. My hearing was really bad but i was fitted for a pair of aids made by resound. I was able to try them out for a couple of weeks before purchasing. It was in October and what a difference the hearing aids made. I heard sounds that I hadn't heard in years.... leaves rustling in the wind, rain falling, crows calling...it was unbelievable. I was sold. Only issue was the price of the aids was over $5000. I did some more research and discovered that Resound made the hearing aids that Costco sells under the Kirkland name. So went to Costco for a fitting and sure enough they sold the exact same hearing aid for $1700 a pair... bluetooth with Iphone, similar iphone app and all. So I purchased the pair and have been very satisfied. I was able to hear the elk the next year.
Painless..... Where can I find out the frequency of an elk bugle. I'd like to have one of my programs fine tuned for that as well.
I use the Phonak Audeo V hearing aids. They are expensive however the quality of the aids are very good. I use the aids that fit behind the ear because I am outside a lot. I also purchased a hearing aid tether so I would not lose them easily. The tether cost 20 bucks and has saved me from losing my hearing aids many times.
I have an elk call ap on my phone. Took that in and let him do his thing with the programing. The ap is called "Pro Calls- Elk"
X2 on the Phonak. Mine are even water prof.
I use the Phonak Audeo V hearing aids. They are expensive however the quality of the aids are very good. I use the aids that fit behind the ear because I am outside a lot. I also purchased a hearing aid tether so I would not lose them easily. The tether cost 20 bucks and has saved me from losing my hearing aids many times.
I use the Phonak Audeo V hearing aids. They are expensive however the quality of the aids are very good. I use the aids that fit behind the ear because I am outside a lot. I also purchased a hearing aid tether so I would not lose them easily. The tether cost 20 bucks and has saved me from losing my hearing aids many times.
Spyder, how does the tether work and where did you get it? Three times I've had a branch pluck mine out, major panic attack, found it after extensive searching in the pine needles and grass.
A question for you guys that use the behind-the-ear type. Do they interfere with glasses ? I wear the type that has a wire temple that curls around the back of my ears, only way I can keep them from sliding down my nose.
I used to wear hearing aids, the type that twist into your ear, but I just never could get used to them, sweating in the summer, had to take them out while using the phone, etc. Besides that, they were uncomfortable, felt like I wore them all night, even when they were out. I have a pair of custom made plugs that I use when shooting clays and I " wear " them a full day after I take them out. Any suggestions ?
I have Starky's from the VA, happy with them and wear glasses without a problem.
Go to Costco and get the Phonak hearing aids. You will save a bundle of money and they are awesome. You can even get a Compilot that will bring phone calls into you hearing aids and you can listen to tv in stereo. In the woods you can tell exactly where the sounds are coming from. I used Walkers before I got there Phonaks and I couldn't figure where sounds were coming from. Costco has them for about half of what you normally would pay.
No problem with glasses or even "fitover" sunglasses
Do some checking first. The models sold by Costco are a stripped-down version of the higher-end Phonaks, using lower cost components and less sophisticated circuitry. For many people they work just fine. Same with Sam's Club.
But if your hearing loss is profound at high frequencies like mine is, you won't get the same effect as with a higher-end model. You wont have the same degree of "headroom" for future loss either. And it's possible that only Costco can service and adjust them because of proprietary programming.
You get what you pay for. They aren't selling the same "Phonak" device for half the price. A good audiologist will let you wear different models for a week at no charge, play with the controls under different situations in the woods, watching TV, wherever it's important to you. Then go to Sam's or Costco, take in a copy of your hearing loss signature from a reputable hearing test, and have them set up a pair of theirs for you. Switch them out side by side with the ones you're trialing and listen to the difference right there in the store if they won't let you take a test drive. If they work and the results are comparable, go for it.
Yea, skip the Costco idea. You need to go to an audiologist. The follow up an reprogramming you will get is imperative.
This is a very helpful thread as I need to get hearing aids in the near future. One question, do these hearing aids also muffle loud noises like a gun shot?
Glenn, mine do not suppress the sound however they do not enhance sounds over a specified decimal. So in that case the molded ear piece does give some relief from single load sounds like a gun shot. For prolonged loud noises like wind ect they cancel it out to a great extent.
Just to clarify about Costco. I was a bit leery too so I went in with an open mind. After trying out the Resound hearing aids for a couple of weeks from my audiologist, I made an appointment with the audiologist at Costco. I took my hearing test results with me and compared them to Costco's test. The results were almost identical. And after wearing the Costco Kirkland brand hearing aids which are made by Resound, I feel confident in telling you they are the exact same device. I can't say for sure about the Phonak aid they sell at Costco, but I would think if the product number is the same that you can buy elsewhere, then they are exactly the same as well. I know Phonak does make different models, so you do have to compare. And as for service Costco is excellent and offer a good Warranty and lifetime cleaning and filter changes at no cost. For those of you considering hearing aids, they are definitely worth a look.
VaRon is correct. You definitely get what you pay for. That being said, I went to 2 different audiologists in the same town. One wanted $X for the Muse by Starkey and offered a one week trial period. The second was $1100 less for the same Starkey aids and offered a 45 day trial. It pays to shop around.
Jaq, I got my tether from the audiologist I go to. If they do not have them in stock they can order them. The tether I have is 20" long and works very well for head movement. It has a clip on the cord that you can clip to your shirt collar or cap. Your answer about wearing glasses was accurate, no problem while wearing glasses even with the tether.
I beg to differ with you guys knocking Costco. My first pair of hearing aids were from an audiologist. The exam I received from Costc was more involved than the one from thevso called experts. I have high frequency hearing loss and l can hear much better with my Cheap Costco Phonaks. I get calls all the time from the sounds called pros wanting me back but I refuse to pay over double when Costco Phonaks work great.
I also disagree with those putting down Costco.
I have significant hearing loss and have been to 4 different audiologists. The tests that the Costco audiologist did was MUCH more involved and lasted over an hour - compared to the other 3, one was about a 15 minute test the other 2 were about 30 minutes.
Costco was about 50% less than the same hearing aids offered by the audiologists and has a full 2 year warranty - (anything, including if you loose them - replacement) - non of the other hearing aid companies could come anywhere close to that kind of warranty.
I've had my current hearing aids for about 6 years now and am in need of new ones.
4 years ago I went back in and explained what an elk sounded like - I even had a recording of a bugle and played it for her - she explained that my hearing loss was so sever that she didn't know if she could adjust them enough - she adjusted my hearing aids to help me hear the high pitch of the bugle, it helped a little!!
Now reading what some of you are saying - I'm going back in and meet with her again.
Good thread.
Just what I was looking for. Jaquomo comment about Obama care cracks me up. You guys rock! Appreciate the banter. We all need to do what best for ourselves. Good idea to try them side by side. Jaquomo, did you ever get model number? Will be test driving some in the future and get back. Happy hunting
Just to clarify, I certainly wasn't dissing Costco or their Phonaks. Just passing on what I found researching them before I sprung for the ones I bought. Like I said, for most they'll work just fine.
They're the "Audeo V" model. Got them in February and they're probably already outdated. :)
I went yesterday and now they are pushing Phonak Brio 2. I tested a pair for 15 minutes and loved them. No ringing, no extra noise in the wind and I could hear!!
Only drawback, I miss some hearing on the phone but I'm sure some adjustments will be necessary. We'll figure it out.
Anyone else see the irony of this thread title being in all caps? WHAAA....?????
About a month ago I got a pair of Recton in the ear aids. I control them with my I Phone which I really like. They were $3000. Costco gives a 3 year warranty with a 2 year one time free replacement if you lose or destroy them. So far so good.
About 2 yrs ago I finally admitted I was deaf. I went to one the top audio medical specialist in the state of MS. I had an appointment with a medical educationally trained, certified audiologist. I went through a regimentation of hearing tests to find the condition of my hearing. I was properly fitted with ReSound hearing aids. They can be controlled (volume, tone, etc.) with my iPhone. I can once again hear and participate in conversations and not just look at people and smile- never hearing a word they said. One of the best things I have done. I am skeptical about wearing them while hunting because if I were to lose one, I would probably never find it. I depend more on my eyes to see game rather that to hear game. I do realize that hearing is a major component in turkey hunting and elk hunting during the bugle.
Depending on income level, hearing aids can be a deductible item on income tax. Even though they are expensive, a break can be given tax-wise.
I would never trust my ears or such investment to some untrained "salesperson" at a hearing aid store or box store.
I hear you Buffalo. The audiologists at Costco and their equipment would surprise you. Educated and licensed. They gave to be! I’d never use those “works for everyone” Miracle Ear type products. They determine what frequencies need amplified for me and which ear needs more amplification. If I want any adjustments for any frequency in either ear they do it no questions asked and all my cleaning accessories are free. I had Rexton aids from Costco before and I’m very satisfied with them. Last time was 15 years ago. Since then they sure have come a long way. I’ve been to ENT doctors offices and their equipment and procedures were exactly the same. The big difference was the price of the hearing aids and lack of replacement warranty.
Mule,
Sounds like you had a good experience at Costco.
Greg, I've had one pop out twice when hunting after a branch caught it. Second time I had to go back and look again after the sun angle changed. Found it, but was ready to throw up. Now when hunting I use a little tether made for that purpose. Got mine from the audiologist but you can find them online. Took a little while to get used to it but it saved me once this year already when a twig pulled one out.
When I got my first set I had them for exactly 1 day. They were overwhelming me a bit so I took them out and put them in my t shirt pocket. I was fishing on Lake Erie. Minutes later I bent iver the side of the boat to net a walleye and plop plop I watch them sink into the abyss. I called Costco and a week later I had my free replacements. The ENT office I went to offered the same brand for $1500 more and no replacement policy. I would have been out of luck!
Got my Resound through the VA, am now on my second set, the warrantees are for 5 years. These are the in-the-ear ones and have two settings, normal and "restaurant". Visiting with other grey beards that have aids many complain about wind noise, these are not affected at all by wind noise. However getting them snagged out in the brush is a real possibility.
Would you benefit from hearing aids you wear daily? If so, Costco has some very, very good ones at $2000. That is not chicken feed though the same quality was $6,000 two years ago. I have worn hearing aids for 12 years and get about 3 years out of a pair. The ones I got last fall at Costco are fantastic. I forget I have them on and that was never the case with prior ones I wore. Kirkland Signature 7.0 hearing aids. Bought my uncle a set for Christmas as he was all but stone deaf in noisy places like restaurants and he would max out the tv volume so could hear through walls.
I bought a pair of Starkey hearing aides off of Craig's list,they were brand new,gal bought um for her dad,he passed 3 months later,,,$3200 set,they are so unbelievable I can't even express how well I can hear in the woods,I'm a master carpenter,35 yrs,,so you know why I can't hear,,,I paid $ 500 bucks,,had a professional,set them up,$125 ,,,they actually have Bluetooth,,way over my head,,,,but I hear game,WAAAAYY off it's really,my secret weapon,,,,don't be afraid to go used!!
Pat, I keep picturing a used rectal themometer....
Real funny Lou!! Don't put it past me my friend...hey the more I save ,the more I can hunt!
You huys crack me up! Those ysed rectal thermometers taste funny!
Treewalker I hear you. Literally! I love my in the ear models. Don’t even know I have them in. I hated the behind the ear. The wind blew me away. But instead of the Kirkland brand I went with Rexton. Today’s quality is incredible compared to years ago.
