G'Day Santa
About 3 years ago I got a bit sick of asking people to repeat things so decided to take the plunge and started searching for options. Discovered I was entitled to "free" government ones so went along that path mindful that the hearing shop people would try to upsell me to a dearer aid. This would be offset by my medical benefits to the tune of $3000.
So along I went and after a hearing test they advised me that the govt aid was very basic and that in the long run etc I'd be better to go for a middle of the range aid which just happened to be a Seimens "Pure" for which I'd also have to throw in an extra $1000. The aids work reasonably well I think although I'd give them a score of 50%. I tried aids that friends had and really they all just did the same thing - raised the volume of higher pitched sounds (some annoying!). They offer you a battery and repair service (govt assisted) for about $145 pa which really just is batteries which I'm sure I could buy online for a fraction of the cost so it's a good earner for them.
Siemens seem to have the game sewn up with many shops only stocking that brand and at prices which really are a rip-off when you can buy them overseas for a fraction of the cost in Australia.
When I lose these units or want something better/newer I'll go for the ones developed by prof Blamey which you can adjust yourself unless a brave new manufacturer brings hearing aids into the 21st century.. Whirlpool has some good reports on hearing aids as well as Product Review....just got to be aware that some reports are put in by the sellers!
Bottom line is I would do it again but keep better control next time as the sellers (audiologists) have vested interests.

Good Luck.

Ex Dragline\\dozer op deaf since about 25 or 7.

Had hearing aids for probably 10 yrs now.

Original. Private. one step up from basic $3k

Latest, (Now on part pension.)
Gov't ones. second step up ladder aids, through ear quality, or lack of.
Battery's Ins $43 py.

They call me in roughly every coupla yrs for check and electronic reset.

I'm not deaf as such but probably 6 plus on a scale of 10.
Depending on High\low Freq,. and surrounding noises.
also Machinery\tone deaf.
ANYTHING running. I don't hear anything else. Period.

A LOT depends on the Audiologist you get.
Mine is a cracker, Private company does Gov't contract.

If you anyway at any level, deaf or going that way.
Admitting to it or not.

Go and get a test. On Pension cost is zilch.
AND it is a different world out there.
You don't realise. As it deteriorates gradually. Normally.

Don't be pig headed.
Di went for test.

Yes. Aids.
$4 1.1\2 grand later. Pretty tiny little things,
Hide inside ear.

They sat in drawer for last 5 yrs.
"I'm not wearing THEM. I'M NOT DEAF."

Yea. right.

Says she that watches tele,
and everybody in street knows what show she has on.

Seriously. You anywhere near deaf.
GO.....

Will cost most on here nothing or part thereof.

-- Edited by macka17 on Wednesday 11th of January 2017 12:44:28 PM

Hi Santa, Not a bad idea. Enjoy your trip to the US. Great spot with great people.

Thanks for that follow up Macka17. I found that "Australian Hearing" have an establishment quite close to my home. I expect (or plan) to look at replacing my current aids in the next 12 months (current ones are 5 1/2 years old) so I will try them. Once again thanks.

Surprised they didn't call you in.
They did me around 2 1\2 yrs ago.
replaced with later models

and Gave me oldies to keep as spares
I've found the girls and males in there can't do enough for you.
even when you pensioner and not giving them any dinero.

NICE people.

Funny about that.
mine are latest Standard issue Gov't Siemens.

Five times better than prev. Waay more power than I need at present.
and adjustable by computer,
to 4 base levels higher than my current one.

AND. When they not covering my needs, he says.
They go to more powerful units.

Up to and incl those embedded in skull behind ear\s. (cochlea?)
at Gov'ments expense.

Private Comp, of course they try to get you to buy.

But once they know you not interested of not financial.
they turn the sales switch off.

Did with me anyway.
Just ask for card on way out.
and cause we rural (40 km's out)
They always throw some battery's at me too.

It's funny. I NEVER have trouble dealing with people No matter what.
Apart from a punching.

Could it be attitudes. A permanent smile always helps I find.
Everybody is always helpful.

Gooday

Suggest you Google Blayney Saunders,  know several people who use them, you can do the test on line, seem to be very reputable and very good value. Sorry do not have the link.

I also have hearing aids as I am going deaf in both ears (runs in the family). I got mine from Connect Hearing which is close by to where I live. I did do a bit of reading of the web sites of different companies first. I am not of pensionable age but as the spouse of an age pensioner I qualified for the government subsidy. I down loaded and filled in the form and took it with me when I first went to the hearing aid specialist, but that is not necessary.

If you are going off travelling don't leave it to the last minute to go in about your hearing. I got the next ones up from the government subsidy ones and they were $800 extra which my private health insurance covered. Mine has the in ear bit and the piece that goes behind the ear. Moulds was taken of the inside ears to get a good fit and it took 2 weeks for the made to measure hearing aids to come back. In the mean time a pair of other aids were given to me to use. The battery/maintenance was around the $45 mark. In mine, the batteries last about 2 weeks and I was given plenty to start with and just go in and get more at any time. Mine also have filters which, like the batteries, you can get at any time. Some people need to change filters about the same time as the batteries whilst others can go months without changing filters.

Mine are set at 80% of full volume but I can manually adjust them up or down a couple notches if needed. Without the hearing aids I generally would have no idea what people are saying to me. I have ringing in both ears and hear sounds differently with both ears so clarity is a problem. Music mostly sounds terrible. My aids were to automatically click into our home phone but didn't, so a magnet was placed on the front top of the phone. When I put the phone to my ear a little tune plays so I know all's well and when I move the phone away a beep is heard. Mobile phones are a bit of a problem for me. I've been told to put them on "speaker" and hold it in front of me that way I can pick up the sound with both ears. I've just upgraded my mobile today so will see what difference that makes.

I've listed my hearing aids on our home and contents insurance policy as they are an expensive item if you have to pay to replace them.

I've been happy with the service I've gotten from my audiologist. She did not try to up sell to very expensive products and I've been in a few times since getting the aids to have them checked. I have a few medical problems with my ears/hearing so like to get my aids checked before going to the doctor that way I know the problems I have are not with the hearing aids.

For me they are a necessity of life.

I went fishing with 3 old mates last week.

First old mate declared it was "windy", second old mate corrected him, "no its Thursdie" third old mate agreed " thirsty? bloody oath, lets go to the pub."

True story.

Hendo

The easiest way to get around the listening to recorded music problem, is to use headphones. Get a pair of "over the ear", closed headphones. Even with very bad hearing lose, you will hear good music and TV through them.