Apparently, digital hearing aids are not for everyone. I received this e-mail from an About.com visitor. It is long, but the person gives a clear explanation of why digital hearing aids will not meet his needs. After the e-mail is my response, which included a list of companies that still make analog hearing aids:
I am seeking sources for programmable analog hearing aids.
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.
My response:
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.
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.
DIGITAL SUCKS!! It all comes down to making more $$ for the audiologist & manufacturers. The customer’s needs are not considered. Audiologists keep pushing the very expensive aids with all the extras. I’m a senior citizen who has used aids since my 30s & have tried digital last 2 times for new aids. They give me headaches, compression is horrid, sound is too different & I’m at an age where I don’t want to be stressed out learning to use all the bells & whistles accompaning digital! I just want an on/off switch, manual volume control & that’s it. I’m going to use one of the amplified gadgets that is put over the receiver on phones. As for cell phones, I use them ONLY in emergency & the persons I speak with know how to talk to me. I know my area well enough that if I call 911, I can give them locations or any other info they would need.
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.
I agree with all of you who do not liek the digitals! I hate them too and have a BTE and ITE digital hearings aids made from Israel, I cannot remember the brand name but I always had a Zenith til they went out of businass and I used Oticon and Unitron which so far had beed the best of analogs I have had,. They still make analogs so dont let the audiologist tell you they dont make them anymore. You need to go to another audiologist and/or tell the audiologist you know your hearing better than them because you have tried the digtal and as people are saying it makes too much noise, Id could care less how the birds sing(sounds) and how the bag crumbles(too much noise!), I need to hear the peoples voices and digital does not allow me to hear the voices of people like the analogs do.
TRY PURETONE THEY STILL MANUFACTURE TRADITIONAL ANALOGUE ITE’S AND BTE’S.
Soooo good to see I’m not the only one who prefer analogs! Been using analogs both ears for 25 yrs, and one very old analog and one digital for the last 5 yrs (am 30).. Have tried to get used to digitals for the last 12 (!!) yrs, and I must have tried just about every kind there is here in Norway.. I’m a singer and therefore I need all the sound there is (but not all the noise from the digitals), and the digtals kept cutting the sound when I was singing or playing the piano! Really frustrating, and it got to a point where I feared I couldn’t sing anymore.. The audioglogists officially gave up on digitals for me today (after 12 yrs…), and handed me some analogs from Phonak (Super-front PP-C-L-4 +)… And now I try to get used to them, but at least the sound is familiar and I adjust them myself as I sing and play.. For the first time in so many years I’m a little optimistic that this might actually work..
Oh, I so agree that analog is better than digital in terms of “actual” sounds. I realized that once the digital aids eliminate background noise, the power of the volume is destroyed period. I’ve worn a analog most of my life since I’m a young girl at the age of 7 due to meningitis. Now at 46 with profound hearing loss, I’m looking for a new hearing devise to suit me. Wore a Sumo XP by Oticon for 4 years (this is digital). When I first got it, I thought it was great. However, just a little moisture and it was sent to be repaired over and over. It was a headache. I had my very first analog when I was a kid and it was an Audiotone, it lasted me 10 years before I got a Siemens BTE analog which was also very good. Just has too much whistling. I still have it as my backup aid. The power is still kicking ass! It’s amazing how the digitals keep breaking down and analogs go on and on and on!!! I’m now searching for a new hearing aid, and am being pushed to try all the digitals. I’m back and forth at the audiologist office, it’s just simply a pain! I may wind up getting an analog if I can anyway? We’ll see! Technicians at all Manufacturing Companies need to get this right at some point!
The digital technology, supposed to be an advancement from the analog, seems to have failed with regards to hearing aids. Go back to the drawing boards, please.
It seems the problem is putting in so many features or applications in so tiny a device. Keep it simple, we should all demand.
I’ll have to say after two digitals, and now on NAIDA IX, it’s a rip off when you want to hear it all straight forward rather than through a manipulated digital that messes with the sounds to tailor your specifics which it doesn’t. It is made to cover up noise somewhat at the wrong moments. When it works hard to do that, you can’t understand a darn thing when talking to people (I mean the quality is worse than analogs). I am astounded that they only have digitals because it’s the $$ that is commissioned to them. The Analogs just happened to be less expensive, but offer hardly the right commissions that an audiologist wants for pocket money. So, this is the reason we can’t find analogs anymore. I wish I could go back to that. I prefer sounds up front with the right compression to avoid residual hearing damage. If anyone finds an updated analog for flat moderate severe hearing loss, post it. Thanks.
Oticon is still making analog and I will be
getting one tomorrow (Aug. 5,2010) It is
programmable but an analog nevertheless.
I have worn Oticon for over thirty years and
they have helped me the most. I hope this helps
you. AAMO
What is the name of your Oticon analog and how do you like it now?
I just read all these post… I would like to add something critical.. I have been trying the digital hearing aid for the 4th time in 15 years. With ZERO success. I have worn analog for 42 years. Here is what I mean by success: I cant do my job as a nurse effectively. With the digitals, I cant hear my amplified stethescope appropriately, I am missing patients calling my name from just 3 feet away if my back is turned. This is incredibly inappropriate for Audies to tell us ” oh you need to adapt”.. tell that to my patients, my boss, my kid who depends on me to support him in college. ” adapt” means dont work for 6 months. I did that last year when I got the Cochlear. I couldnt work for 6 months. Why dont hearing aid engineers get that this is destroying the quality of many hearing impaired successful lives?
Did the Cochlear implant help you to do your job where the digital hearing aid could not?
“Did the Cochlear implant help you to do your job where the digital hearing aid could not?”
No. The cochlear is only a suppliment to the hearing aid for me. The cochlear implant replaced a hearing aided ear. It is becoming skilled at ADDING sound quality to what I miss from the hearing aid but I do not function with it alone. AND it doesnt give me true sounds from my stethescope of heart sounds and such.
I never use the Cochlear Implant alone. It is quite harsh and needs the balancing sounds from the hearing aide in order not to drive me crazy with its harsh high frequencies.
To be clear.. the Cochlear Implant has become excellent as a adjunct to my hearing aide. But when adding a digital hearing aid to the CI.. it really goes crazy with all the digital negatives.
The analog and CI combo appears to be a good combination of sound input.
I say that now but when I first go the CI.. well like I said before.. it rendered me unable to jump back into my hearing life can career until I had adapted.
To Barbara Allen: What is the name and model of the Oticon programmable hearing aid you are getting?
I absolutely love reading this.. Where are all the audiologists?!! They should be reading this as well! At least the ones that aren’t hearing impaired. I’d like to see how happy they would be with the manipulation and control of sound that we put up with. I have worn analogs my whole life, like many of you, and finally have been told that “We haven’t fit analog hearing aids in 8 years.. digital is much better”. Blah blah blah.. I’m a musician, a pianist, and the adjustments of sound that the digitals decide to do, or the stopping of sound for loud sounds is simply NOT acceptable! I cannot have my sound cut out half way through a song while I am performing! I had it happen whilst I was trialing my current digital Oticons. I think the sound, outside of my work, is actually quite good, but as soon as I am working and dealing with massive quantities of real depth of sound, digital does NOT hold up. How to convince the audiologists though.. argh.. I’m guessing they earn commission because they sure like to push the expensive digital ones! Due to my consistent annoyances with audiologists and digital hearing aids, I am seriously considering becoming an audiologist so that I can help others from the standpoint of being hearing impaired. The interesting thing was, in my research regarding audiology, I came across a blind study that was done. They tested people’s experiences, first when they knew they were trying out digital vs analog, and the people often said they thought digital sounded clearer or better. Then they tested more people but this time blindly, and in actuality, there was not preference towards digital, at all! Seriously, this is a massive conspiracy for people to be spending more money on lower quality equipment so hearing aid companies and audiologists make more money.
Not impressed.
Thoughts, anyone?
I am an audiologist in Canada and am having a very hard time finding programmable analog hearing aids for my long-time analog clients. Some of you mention analog aids by some manufacturers e.g. Siemens, Oticon, etc but the vital name of the aid is left out. Please give all details as it is difficult to find analog aids in Canada.
Audiologists do not care about your hearing. They care about making $$$. Get that straight, then you’ll understand why they tell you “nobody makes analog.” This is simply not true. Like all of you, I have tried digitals and they all stink – so I remain steadfast about getting analogs, and lo and behold I have been quite successful. I have purchased 2 CIC aids in 2009 which are analog – one from Siemens, one from General Instruments. Here’s a few more places that can make analog aids (of any kind) –
http://www.prairielabs.com
http://www.hearing-haven.com
Also, here’s another option, you can buy “hunter’s” aids (from Amazon.com, even) that are actually analog hearing aids – one by E.A.R. is actually a fantastic analog k-amp with great response. (I love it as a waterproof aid for swimming, etc) Another one I’ve seen is available at Caballas.com (another hunting store) that has good reviews from hearing aid wearers.
All in all, the point is, audiologists will try to tell you they aren’t available, because analog aids cost a few hundred dollars and digitals are marked up to a few thousand. It’s simple economics and about making money. They don’t care about you and your “needs.”
good luck to all,
Ed (wearing analog aids for nearly 40 years)
At last I found other people ove rthe world have the same problem. I tried but simply cannot use digital hearing aids. I used a Phonak analog programmable for 15 years which was excellent and it finally broke down. No replacement or repair possible.
I am now using Starkey B 13 DX. It is analog, works well, cheap and does not pick up mobile phone interference. I can recommend it. WOudl be interested to hear what other analogs work well.
Better hearing wishes to all.
Manus Booysen
I am so frustrated at trying to learn how to use the new digital hearing aids this is the 2nd time in 4yrs and the first time I could hear the lawn mower four house down but not my 3yr in the next room who had fallen off the bed.
Now I am trying them again because my analog aid is falling apart. Its a nite mare and well its to echoy and so frustrating not to be able to communicate with my family and in my daily noisey work environment. I just want an anolog hearing aid again, is there any still out there? I have worn them for 30 yrs and well I wanna still hear the same I”ve always heard I don’t wanna change.
I wear oticon 380p aids that are very good. I also have my old p11p body aids that i can hear better with. I wear them occasionally and have no problem as the younger set think i am wearing blue tooth earphones. I have learned to accept the weight and aggrevation of snagged cords but am just happy to be able to hear. I still have my older pair of power 80 body aids that are in perfect condition. athese, however are very heavy and require two batteries in each aid.
Guess what, it’s 2012 and they’re STILL telling me they don’t make analog hearing aids anymore. But Beltone (I have high respect for that organization) said it is not true, they do still make analog hearing aids – just not as many as before. Beltone respected my wishes to stick with analog (been wearing analog for 40 years). If your audiologists are giving you a hard time, go to Beltone!
I have quite severe hearing impairment but I’ve coped very well with analog hearing aids and context reading.
After my last analog expired, I found there were only digitals available. Excited at first, I found that the product is very deficient in several ways.
1. No on-off switch! What? I have to pull out the battery to turn it off — good thing they don’t make cars!
2. No operator control! I have to come in repeatedly to have the audiologist adjust the aid via computer. Analogs had adjustments I could tweak and tweak until it was perfect. Good thing they don’t make cars or I’d have to see the dealer weekly to adjust my seat!
3. Beeps! — I don’t want beeps of any kind. I just want to hear!
4. Battery Cutoff is Sudden! — there’s no warning at all when the battery is about to die, sure yoiu could have those annoying beeps but you don’t know if you will be cut off in the middle of a meeting or next hour or whatever. The analog battery just got weaker and weaker and you could tell that the battery was dying. Good thing the digital people don’t make cars or else they’d have no gas gauges!
5. Too much sound processing! I can’t hear anything when a loud truck goes by behind the person I’m listening to — mouth’s moving but zero sound. Analog’s suppression was much better with no time lags.
6. Overpriced! Analog’s were way cheaper. My laptop is way cheaper and can do way more than a digital aid.
7. Battery Life poor! Many digitals use the #13 battery which sometimes lasts only 2 days for me!
8. Volume Controls with no Markers – terrible volume controls which I can’t tell are half or full volume.
9. Poor Feedback to Manufacturers- I don’t think displeased customers are getting their message back to the manufacturer. 10. Huge Hard 10.Storage Boxes- The digitals come with a hard case to hold your aid — where am I going to put that? –in my pocket? My analogs had soft thin pliable cases.
I repair any type of hearing aid. I also sell reconditioned aids.
The analog ones are nice because you can adjust them yourself.
You don’t need to have them programmed at a specialists office.