Question about converting from analog to digital aids?

[Netmaster]

Hi all,

I have been reading through all the threads in this section of the forum and by far is the most informative I have seen on the web. I have been trying to do as much research as possibly from different websites but am amazed by the lack of resources that are available regarding product reviews or testimonials. Anyway, here is my issue and question.

I am in the severe hearing lose group my lose range is between 80-90dbs in both ears. The good news is hearing hasn’t changed in last 15 yrs or so. I am 29 and been wearing Widex analog hearing aids almost since I started wearing HA’s. A little over a month a go I was approved to get new HA’s through vocational rehab. My audiologist recommended digital aids I didn’t have much objections, because when my analog hearing aid was been fixed she loaned me a low-level Siemens digital aid, which I really liked at that time. After I was approved she order the same type, well after several visits to get them tweaked I couldn’t adjust to the sound quality for both ears. So she sent them back and ordered me a Qualitone Quantum J13. To say the least I don’t like the sound quality at all with these either. I have been back to see her several times and she tells me that there is nothing more she can do. Part of the problem I think is she is very young right out of college. I don’t discredit her and I am sure she is qualified to perform her job, however she seems a little inexperienced with programming aids. Sorry for rambling!

After doing my research on the site I see a lot of individuals having a lot of success with Phonak and Widex Diva. I have two questions now in regards to this since I have been wearing Widex my whole life is it possible I will be more accustomed to their sound quality? Is there anyone with a similar situation that converted from analog to digital and ended up with the same brand as their analog aids were? Any success?

Last, it has been recommended by most audiologist to go with a low level digital aid because it can be programmed to sound a little like the analog, but offer some of the digital qualities. It seems that the sound quality is poorer as well.

Any experiences or feedback from anyone out here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Eddie

 

[greema]

Well, you have come to the right place... There should be others that can give you feedback on analog/digital hearing aids. I haven't worn HAs in years and years but my adult daughter got one about a month ago and her 5-month old daughter just got her HAs a week ago. And my 5-year old grandson got a CI surgery about a month ago and is due to have his CI turned on this Tuesday. Needless to say, we all are both anxious and excited about this!
You posted less than 24 hours ago, so give the others time to get on and read your post and you should be getting feedback soon.
For now, I want to welcome you to the AD and I hope you get the information you are looking for.

 

[cdmeggers]

I have been told that people do best if they stay with the same hearing aid manufacturer that they use the most. I've always worn Phonak's hearing aids ever since I became deaf. I've never tried any other companies, so I don't know what the others are like. My audiologist says that if someone has been wearing Widex all their life, then they would not do as well with a Phonak or another company, etc. I don't know if that's true, but that's what I was told.

It makes sense though, I'm sure each company's hearing aids have their own sounds (is that the word I'm looking for?), so if you stay with one company for so long, you are used to that one company's hearing aids that another company's hearing aids wouldn't be of much help.

Did I even make sense?

 

[deafdyke]

My audiologist says that if someone has been wearing Widex all their life, then they would not do as well with a Phonak or another company, etc. I don't know if that's true, but that's what I was told.

I dunno...........I wore Qualitones, and then Siemens and Oticons, and then Siemens when I was a teen. I got Phonaks when I was in my twenties, and LOVE them....
BTW, OPer the best aids to try are Phonaks and Oticons..............

 

[highlands]

I wore analog aids for 17.5 years and ,I have worn my digitals today. My aid is WIN 112 BTE by Bernafon. I like them. Digitals offers much more flexibility than analogs and I've been experiencing them myself. My previous analog was of Oticon and first analog was of Unitron.

I tried Powermax 411 by Phonak at another seller and I liked it , too.. but my WIN 112 BTE is also good sounding.. it's an entry level digital with three channels, noise reduction and soft noise management and it works ! I walked along noisy streets with a friend of mine and was able to understand most of what he said to me

In summary, I should state that digitals are much better for sensory neural hearing losses.

 

[Netmaster]

Hey Everyone,

Thank you so much for the replies. I was advised to try the Phonak's Eleva 311 by my audiologist. My audi said, that if they don't work out she would fit me with a Widex digital and see how that goes. One thing is for certain each different type of aid I wear is giving me a different sound quality. Hopefully the 3rd is a charm for me.



Eddie