Desperately Seeking...Analog Hearing Aids
I am seeking sources for programmable analog hearing aids.My response:I have a moderate hearing loss, and am also blind. For me, hearing is more than simply a way to communicate, it is a limited form of vision. I navigate among objects in my immediate environment through a process known as echo-location, which involves hearing sounds that i originate, echoing off of objects near by. This is a very subtle process, and digital hearing instruments destroy key information required to perform it.
Since I still have usable hearing left, I am looking for a way to simply supplement my hearing. The open-ear variety of digital aid has been recommended to me.
However, all digital hearing aids I have evaluated so far introduce a certain amount of delay in the signal path, which is a time lapse from the instant a sound impulse is detected at the microphone, until the time it is actually reproduced by the instrument. This finite time delay results in a form of echo, which causes navigational confusion and unwanted sound coloration, especially as it relates to the sound of my own voice.
I am hearing two copies of the sound, one of them direct and immediate through the open ear, and the other delayed by a few milliseconds as it passes through the digital wizardry. From my experience as an electrical engineer, I know that analog amplifiers do not introduce delays of that magnitude.
Really, I simply want to find a nice clean analog aid, but with a few of the nice extras, such as dynamic range compression to deal with recruitment, and a programmable frequency response curve.
Please help! All three audiologists I have visited so far are pushing the digital solution, which just doesn't work for me, and decline to give me any leads on analog devices since *they*, the audiologists in question, don't happen to handle them. Any leads you can offer would be *very* much appreciated.
I did some research and found these companies still make analog or programmable analog hearing aids:Are there any companies that I missed? Fewer and fewer companies are making traditional analog hearing aids but as that e-mail demonstrates, there are still some people who need them.
Comments
I use a Siemens programmable analog BTE, but am not sure if the company still produces them now.
Audiologist insisted on digital, and I said no, hate ‘em because I miss key environmental sounds, such as a car engine running, doorbell, etc. You know what’s best for you and insist on what you wish to have.
Good luck on your search.
My audiologist recommended me to get an analog BTE. He told me that a digital hearing is not worth for me.
The brand of my hearing aid is phonak (super-front). The audiologist is in atlanta area.
i use a “starkey” its cheap, government paid for it, and definitely not digital.
but it gets weak and wears out fast… i had it for 2 years when it’s starting to only pick up sounds from 6 ft of me most of the time.
now, i can only hear about 4ft (self tested) and the ambient noise is nearly nonexistant. Sometimes i think i’m imaging sounds to make up for what the aid doesnt pick up.
Don’t forget Oticon. They should still be making analogs at least.
digital sucks! when my ancient hearing aids finally broke down, i sought out an audiologist to help me procure my new hearing aids through VR. not knowing any better, i took the audiologist s recommendation of going digital. my new digital aids are incredible in helping me hear voices better, but thats not enough to outweigh the negatives- missing certain sounds, annoying digital noises when microwave beeps,annoying digital beeps when background noises come up on tv. My new digital aids actually has the audacity to mute the volume in response to a loud noise. (thats supposed to prevent damage to the ear, but when u get a lapse of sound for several seconds, one tends to get pissed off!) not to mention that they also seem extra-sensitive to dampness. i ve had the aids for less than a year, and already they ve broken down on me twice. grrr.
save urself the headache, go analog.
My analog hearing aids were made by Oticon. My audiologist recommended I try digital to see how I like them and I didn’t. I’ve been sticking with analog.
Try the phonak Supero’s, while they are a digital hearing aid they also have settings/programming capabilities that are closer to analog and are easier to move to from a pure analog aid. My daughter has a severe to profound loss, while this aid was a bit of an adjustment at first, the increase in hearing was well worth the effort
I could not agree more. I have a cochlear implant and we just went from analog to digital, and am experiencing the same thing. I wrote on another board about this and the only response I got was “it is a malfunctioning implant.” Which is not true at all. I told my audiologist that there was a time delay between what I heard and when the person actually said something. Another words, all those years of learning to lip read is being undone by this problem because I am reading lips and hearing it milliseconds later or so. It really corrupts all those years of hard work to learn to communitcate by lip reading. My audiologist also made a remard that “everyone else likes the digital so I don’t know why you want analog”. I think it is because I donated my analog to her and feel the regret and she can’t give it back. I really would like to ask others for a try out period with new technology because I would have liked to do that before handing over an old equipment when the old equiptment was great. This is the first time I have ever heard anyone say this and I am so unbelievably happy that someone in this world agrees.
I agree with some comments regarding questions about analog -vs- digital hearing aids and have found some of the older analog are better since 2 simple easy choice decisions. 1). The analog never produces false sounds that can be picked up by the digital. 2). Them extra sounds are not only annoying for me, they have become seriously problematic for me now. I’ve have plenty of years of experience with both types and now I am sorry for trying the digital since I still get extra acoustic deep base sounds in my auditory canal that have caused everlasting damage and I don’t wear hearing aids at all now simply because I can’t now. I will need surgery possibly soon since these deep based sounds will not go away, (CI) or cochlear implants may have to be implanted and now I am hesistant of getting them since I don’t need more false acoustic sounds that are really not true sounds. I know some that I’ve seen had similar problems since trying digital aids, in my case I could have an acoustic nuroma or tumor or worse- possibly over perception response in my brain. I will undergo further testing and I’m praying neither one is true, some audiologists are telling me it’s due to tremendous amounts of hearing loss However I disagree since this is a sound that never hardly ever goes aways such as a buzzing or ringing sound that I’ve had for years- Tinitus as it is called in my case. I don’t think it’s due to my hearing loss, I think thier is damage that was caused by the digital side of the hearing aids I’ve used for 2 or 3 years now. I do not use my hearing aids now and have not for the last 5 or 6 months and will have more evaluations for a semi-bone conduction completed as well as a MRI/CAT Scan of my brain, my left hemisphere in the back is larger than the right hemisphere- to make a long story short, the back part of my left brain is bigger than the right side. This leads me to beleive there is something like possibly a tumor or something else going on, it’s remains a mystery until all test are completed. My best advice would be to check with a good well qualified Audiologist and an ENT Specialist or a Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. I recommend both since an audiologist has limited capabilities and the same holds true for an ENT, they can only help so far then an audiologist is needed for specialized aids for each person, the human body & Hearing is very detailed- no 2 same people have the same exact hearing loss. In some cases there may-be the same kind of hearing loss but one can have bilaterral and the other higher frequency loss or vice versa? I have a high frequency loss in both of my ears, 96% loss in my right ear and 98% loss in my left ear which would almost make me completely deaf without hearing aids. Again, I have not used any hearing aids at all for 6 months and I’m going for complete evaluation for possible (CI) If I decide to do it, undecided and I’m currently against it for now due to my trouble with the extra acoustic sounds now?
Good Luck & God Bless!
Art
I’d be interested to see whether anything came of this. I’ve just purchased a radio system from an organisation in the UK but would really like to use a neck loop. Since the hosp won’t give me any kind of aid (I have APD) I would love to get my hands on an analogue aid to use in settigns where there is a loop etc. Sorry if this comes off muddled.
HUH?
I use a BE34 analog hearing,for 16 year hearing specialest told no one makes analog hearing aids as every manufactuer has gone digital.I contacted some of the manufactuers they refused to comment on the fact that some people still want analog hearing aids.Oticon was one company that use to have a moto the company that listens to what people want,like the hell they do not.they now will not talk to member of the public on the phone they push you off to one of their distributers.Even the local health authority gets stranded with load of people wanting analog hearing aids.All it needs is for some one to bang some heads together of manufactuers to sort the problem out.
Hi,
I’m going thru the same thing! My analog hearing aid finally broke(after 13 years). I was told they only last 2-3 years. Well, I can’t afford to buy one that often. Anyway, I listened to my audiologist and tried the “Starkey” digital hearing aids. I’ve always worn one aid but, (again)I listened to my audiologist and bought two since I’ve had a loss in both ears since birth and it benefit me more if I had two. NOT TRUE!! I’ve been wearing one aid for 43 years (not the same one)but all analog and I can tell you, two was to much noise. It drove me crazy!!!! I told my audiologist and he said I just need to get used to the new digital because they don’t make analogs anymore. Well, I decided to do some research and that’s how I found this site and others. I agree that digital is not for everyone including me. I have had mine adjusted several times and things still sound weird (like a bad sound track from an old movie) echoing, etc. Friends have told me I talk differently than I did before, probably because I don’t hear correctly with digital. GIVE ME ANALOG–NOW!!!!!
I too had an analogue hearing aid that lasted me almost 18 years! When I tried to replace it I got the same answer – “they don’t make analogue anymore” and was forced to buy digital. The hearing aid dispenser didn’t even look at my ear size and fitted me with quite a large one that by the end of the day was very uncomfortable. I complained about it, as well as the sound that I didn’t like about it, but didn’t get any action.
I also found that the digital used far more battery life then the analogue – I can only get about 12 – 15 days from a battery on a digital where I was getting well over 35 days on the analogue. Makes me think that the hearing aid makers are in cahoots with the battery makers.
Now another 4 years later that new “digital” is not working and am looking into another dealer who again has told me that you can’t get analogue anymore. I am fitted with a “small” digital now and sound from it is even worse!!! Going back and forth for adjustments in tone are very annoying. I have another 30 days to “give it a try” – if only I could find an ANALOGUE!!!
We have a hearing aide that we would like to donate to some type of agency like the Lions
Club does with eyeglasses. My mother-in-law passed away a couple of years ago and we have her hearing aide and also several packages of batteries. need some input form someone. THX!!
Hello there – I certainly agree with all the comments about digital hearing aids v’s analogue hearing aids. I’ve been wearing analogue hearing aids for 36 years and can not adjust to digital hearing aids. I have severe hearing loss and wear Phonak superfronts PPC-2D’s and am deperate for new ones. Phonak have refused to make or repair them now – so I’m stuck. I’ve tried Starkey and other analogues but they are either too powerful or poor quality.
After much investigation it seems evident that there’s a large group of us suffering the same fate and it seems as if we need to go onto a national and international campaign on this. Afterall digital hearing aids are made from analogue components with the digital processor added to it. I would be happy to help and start a campaign. If interested and if anyone knows where I can get a pair of Phonak PPC-2 D’s from please let me know on my e-mail address julia@uwclub.net I look forward to hearing you responses.
I did not realize there were others having the same thoughts as me. I have been wearing analogue for 30 years and the pair I have now are in dire need of replacement. Before I got this pair, I was convinced to try digital and did not like them at all. I did not like the fact when I was in noisy situation the volume automatically lowered and usually so low I could not hear my friends talking. This week I was told that manufacturers are not making analogues anymore for ITE only for BTE. I really want to find some ITE ones.
I have wore Analogue Hearing Aid for 21 years in my left ear. My other ear is now good so i have wore one hearing aid.
When i was at the Deaf College my audiologist wanted me to try digital hearing aid so i tried a “test” digital hearing aid and i hated it so after 10 minutes wearing it i went back to my old one. He told me off for doing that and he want me to wear digital hearing aid so i did.
Got a new digital hearing aid for my left ear and i got my mum to hide my analogue hearing aid so i won’t cheat and put it back on.
At first it was horrbile because it sounded different and i couldnt hear what anybody was saying and every time there is a loud noise it lowered my hearing aid. It actually sounded like my battery was running out.
7 weeks on i’m started to get use to it but the sound is still a bit weird but its getting there. I phoned up my audiologist and asked if they can turn this “automatic volume” off cos i dont like it because when i sneeze or summet bang it lowered it when and i don’t hear what anybody said and also when i turn my back from my hi-fi to go on my laptop it lowered my hearing aid so i have to turn back to get it loud again and it is annoying.
I will be going in the audiologist tomorrow to see if they can turn the “automatic volume” off and if they can and if its better i will let you all know.
I have Eterna 411 digital hearing aid.
I think it is difficult for people who always wore Analogue Hearing Aids because they have always use them in all thier lives. So now children are wearing digital hearing aid instead of analogue.
Hello all,
I am 33 years old and have been wearing two hearing aids for a mild to moderate loss for 23 years. Fortunately, my speech developed well even though my loss wasn’t detected until I was 10 years old – I also read lips like a champ. So lets put it this way, I totally agree with all of your comments. I wore analog up until 4 years ago when I got miracle ear digital, which I learned today are made by Siemans. The last 4 years have been hell, constantly getting them sent to the shop to be fixed thinking something is wrong – sound going in and out. Well today, I went to a new audiologist who is ordering me oticon analog ITE aids. I have my fingers crossed they work out for me, I shall know soon, ugh. I am so tired of not hearing the way I used to! So in any event, if you are still looking for analog ITE aids, oticon has one. As well, someone mentioned we should start campaigning for more analog choices. I agree 110% and would be willing to work on the campaign. As well, we should start campaigning to insurance companies for medical coverage for hearing losses.
I will keep you posted how the oticon’s work out.
I can relate to what you are saying. Oticon’s last analog was the Ergo (analog programmable). You may be able to ask your audiologist if they can call their manufacturer’s rep and get some that may be left in stock (they often keep discontinued models for stock repairs etc.) Oticon still makes a body aid (P11P) but I am sure you don’t want to go back that far. If you already have digital ask your audiologist to turn off ALL the “digital features” e.g. feedback suppression, noise suppression, automatic directionality and switch to peak clipping instead of output compression. That should reduce the amount of digital artifact.
I have only moderate hearing loss now. I am sure a low cost analog aid would work fine.
I am on the phone a LOT (cell) during the day and wear a BlueTooth headset all day and even at home because of the convenience.
Why can’t “they” design an aide that fits over the ear like my BT? It would be easy to take on and off and could be recharged. The race to miniturize these things is doing a dis-service to many of us. All I want is a well made, OTE, hearing aid – analogue, not digital.
I have profound hearing loss in both ears and for decades I wear analog hearing aids. Over the years I have tried (and was quite happy with) just about all the major makes. During the last year and a half I tried 2 digital aids: AmericaHears self programmable digital which was very pleasing acustically for a few months but was of very poor mechanical quality, it spent more time in repair than on my ear. I junked it. The second digital aid was a Phonak Naida, which was very un-pleasing from day one (distorted and extraneous sounds, poor volume control, erratic muting, etc). I bought it from a noted ENT specialist with a professional audiologist staff who kept adjusting it ($150 per refitting session) 6 times in 3 months, at the end I realized that digital is just not for me and now (several thousand $$$$ later) I am back at my rather old- fashioned but reliable BTE Siemens analog.