Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
Mon Jan 17, 2022, 09:55 PM Jan 2022

Hearing aid advice - 'over the ear' loop or 'in the ear' button?

I have an appointment next month with an audiologist at the university hospital here.
I already know I need hearing aids; I was tested before a few years ago but put off the cost of buying any.

Now I know I must get them.

What are the pros and cons of buying 'over the ear' loop ones as opposed to 'in the ear' button ones?
Thanks

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Hearing aid advice - 'over the ear' loop or 'in the ear' button? (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 OP
There are some good "pros and cons" websites available. TygrBright Jan 2022 #1
Over the ear gets sounds timms139 Jan 2022 #2
That sounds like a good point left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 #3
Check the Costco hearing aids. My friends who have them, say they 3Hotdogs Jan 2022 #4
Yeah, but ... left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 #5
I'll ask. 3Hotdogs Jan 2022 #6
In the ear. 3Hotdogs Jan 2022 #7
I've been using over the ear for 8 to 10 years alfredo Mar 2022 #9
Hearing aids Islandsportivo Feb 2022 #8
I agree alfredo Mar 2022 #10
I just read a study about using AirPod Pro as sound amplifiers alfredo Nov 2022 #11
This message was self-deleted by its author alfredo Nov 2022 #12

TygrBright

(20,755 posts)
1. There are some good "pros and cons" websites available.
Mon Jan 17, 2022, 10:21 PM
Jan 2022

And your audiologist can probably go over the various advantages/disadvantages of each type with you.

I just got a set of "Receiver in Canal" (RIC) devices and I'm getting used to them. They are not yet as comfortable as I'd like, but possibly that's because I'm not very good at putting them in yet, and I don't yet have the add-ons for getting direct audio feeds from my computer through the devices, so I still have to wear my pad-style headphones while working.

(Although TBH I imagine there would be some similar issues with the over-the-ear configuration.)

One thing I did notice in the pros/cons is that the over-the-ear may be more sensitive to wind noise, if you are outdoors a lot.

helpfully,
Bright

timms139

(115 posts)
2. Over the ear gets sounds
Mon Jan 17, 2022, 11:33 PM
Jan 2022

from all around you while in the ear aids can't . Some features you get with over the ear you can't get with in the ear.

3Hotdogs

(12,358 posts)
6. I'll ask.
Tue Jan 18, 2022, 09:13 AM
Jan 2022

There was a thread about this last week. The poster took thread advice, got Costco's and is happy.

You don't need to be a Costco member to get their hearing aids.

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
9. I've been using over the ear for 8 to 10 years
Thu Mar 10, 2022, 06:00 PM
Mar 2022

I get mine through the VA. They give me the Phonak Paradise rechargeable with a custom moulded in ear receiver. Very comfortable.

Bluetooth works very well

 

Islandsportivo

(3 posts)
8. Hearing aids
Mon Feb 14, 2022, 10:04 AM
Feb 2022

Only your audiologist and you will decide what option is the most suitable for you. You can also try there few different things and see which one you prefer.

alfredo

(60,071 posts)
11. I just read a study about using AirPod Pro as sound amplifiers
Wed Nov 23, 2022, 03:13 PM
Nov 2022
https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)01708-4?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2589004222017084%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

Not a perfect solution due to short battery life.

Response to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Deaf/Hard of Hearing»Hearing aid advice - 'ove...