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royjohn Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 2272 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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It was interesting reading my nine year old posts in this thread...I currently am on my third or fourth set of Phonaks...I progressed to the point where I divorced my audiologist over some tasteless comments he made and started to buy my hearing aides off Ebay, used. I have a science background and studied up and took the appropriate used aides to the Hearing Clinic at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to be programmed. This has worked out well and I've gotten several used sets, which are like last year's cars, for $300-$600 per pair. I've now progressed to the point where I've bought the programming software and am about ready to re-program my aides myself. I'm not the greatest at computer stuff, but there is an entire group of people on the hearing forums who self-program who will help, so I'm excited to finally get my aides exactly how I want them without having to spend $150 and up for each adjustment.
I have had the audiologists at the University look at me funny and treat me like a homeless person right after they offered to get me a new set of aides for $4000 and I declined, but I think self-programming is the wave of the future. It makes no sense for the audiologist to guess at how to program for you and then ask you, "how does that sound." If I could tell you that, you'd be living in my head, right? It's presently all about the bucks and the markup, even at the non-profit University Clinic.
I don't propose that everyone do what I'm doing, but for those with the energy, commitment and scientific knowledge, you can save a lot of money and get better service. For others, Costco is a good option at about 50-60% of what the private audiologists charge. There isn't any reason to worry about whether you will like the aides or not, since they are returnable within 30 days if you don't like them... _________________ royjohn
Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
Flugels: 1975 Olds Superstar, 1970's Elkhardt, 1970's Getzen 4 valve
Cornet: 1970's Yamaha YCR-233S . . . and others . . . |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10205 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 2:39 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for checking in. Expecting my new HA's today. As for why I'm typing this at 5:30 in the morning, that's what OG's do, too! _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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Seymor B Fudd Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Oct 2015 Posts: 1476 Location: Sweden
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:17 am Post subject: |
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jhatpro wrote: | Well, here I am nine years later having increasing difficulty hearing. I wore thr Bernafon Chronos 9 HA's until last year when I switched to ReSound GN's sold by Costco.
Those are supposed to be top of the line but they distort what I hear so much I take them out to play. So I ordered a pair of Widex Moment 440 RD's from reformhearing.com. First time I've dealt with an online provider and they've been great so far. The HA's arrive tomorrow and in a few days I have my first "telecare" session with them via the Internet.
The Widex brand was recommended by the MD and audiologist I saw recently, and I read an approving article about them in Bass Magazine which said they are highly recommended for musicians because the signal processing delay is about .05 milliseconds versus ten times that in some HA's. |
Interesting thread - thanks for reviving it coming back to give us an update.
My hearing has gotten worse over the years in spite of me already in the 1970s plugging my ears with foam dampers. Brass band, front row, big bands. Late 1980s at a church concert, I played the soprano at the time, I went home with a shrill sound in my right ear - first sign of tinnitus. Which has gotten worse....So eventually I visited a doctor specializing in musicians and hearing (he played in a fine big band himself). He told me to stop playinng. Which I just couldn´t. Well he said, you might use custom molded earplugs but no one can play wioth them. After a year I was back in the normal business.
Howver to make a long story short: I was told not to wear hearing aids whilst playing! Earplugs was /is) the recommendation. I´ve ended up with Etymotic "electronic" which shuts out too loud noices; they have the ability to amplify speech.
Today I use Oticon which has a "wife" function , it is possible to use a "comfort" mode. Very good indeed. My previous hearing aids did not have this function resulting in my wife´s voice entering my poor brain sounding upset, angry you name it which occasionally made me angry....
No more!
Bottom line: I have been told (by many specialists)that I have to protect my ears when playing - meaning no hearing aids
The tinnitus seems to be a trifle less annoying if I use the hearing aids at all other occasions. But it sure is a disturbance.
I´ve become almost allergic to high noises - using protection whenever I fell trees, use my hammer or what now. Not to mention the bands! _________________ Cornets: mp 143D3/ DW Ultra 1,5 C
Getzen 300 series
Yamaha YCRD2330II
Yamaha YCR6330II
Getzen Eterna Eb
Trumpets:
Yamaha 6335 RC Schilke 14B
King Super 20 Symphony DB (1970)
Selmer Eb/D trumpet (1974) |
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royjohn Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 2272 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 11:01 am Post subject: |
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Hello Seymour,
Yes, that bit about hearing protection is something we seem to have left out of the original thread...my audiologist hit the ceiling when he found out I was mowing the lawn with a gas mower with the HAs in. Since then I take them out and usually wear hearing protection. Even noises around 80 dB can, over time, cause hearing loss, even though there is no pain felt at the time. So, yes, use hearing protection while playing in loud environments. Perhaps in church, with just a quiet organ you will not need it, but in any loud playing environment, you will. Even in the symphony orchestra the violinists will suffer hearing loss because the violin is so loud in a certain high frequency band.
So bottom line is protect your hearing. I guess Universities should cover this in the music program, and require it, but IDK if they do. _________________ royjohn
Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
Flugels: 1975 Olds Superstar, 1970's Elkhardt, 1970's Getzen 4 valve
Cornet: 1970's Yamaha YCR-233S . . . and others . . . |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10205 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 11:01 am Post subject: |
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I'm expecting my new Widex Moment 440's any, uh, moment. They were recommended by thr otolaryngologist (yikes - just try to say that!) and audiologist I saw last week.
I've never considered buying hearing aids online so this will be interesting. The company I bought them from - reformhearing.com - offers four months of "telecare" during which I can have them adjusted. If necessary, I can take them to any audiologist for in person assistance (at extra cost).
So we'll see (and, hopefully hear). My total spent on hearing aids since 2012 is now $12,000. Gee, that would have bought a Monette! _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10205 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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Just put in my new Widex Moment 440 hearing aids and wow! -I can hear my wife whispering and my horn sounds like me again!
Got them online from reformhearing.com for $3K for the pair. The price includes four months of “telecare” if you need it, or you can go to any Widex provider if you want in-person adjustments.
Here’s what appeared about them recently in Bass Magazine. https://bassmagazine.com/gear/widex-releases-new-ai-powered-hearing-aid-for-musicians _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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royjohn Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 2272 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Jim,
Glad you are happy with your new set of aides...let me also plug the Kirklands from Costco, which come with a 30 day tryout period and good service from most Costcos. I think they are made by Siemens... _________________ royjohn
Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
Flugels: 1975 Olds Superstar, 1970's Elkhardt, 1970's Getzen 4 valve
Cornet: 1970's Yamaha YCR-233S . . . and others . . . |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10205 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, I’ve heard good things about Kirkland/Costco. The thing that I like my new a Widex is the sound is so real because there is only a .05 millisecond signal delay. _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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cheiden Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8921 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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jhatpro wrote: | Yeah, I’ve heard good things about Kirkland/Costco. The thing that I like my new a Widex is the sound is so real because there is only a .05 millisecond signal delay. | 0.5ms _________________ "I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart |
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CalicchioMan Veteran Member
Joined: 31 May 2004 Posts: 336 Location: Florida
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:55 pm Post subject: HEARING AIDS |
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Great thread. I need them and insurance doesn't cover them...Amazing right?
If you can provide me with further info. I'd truly appreciate it!
Scott
scottwiltfang@gmail.com _________________ Yamaha 8310ZII
Yamaha 631G Flugelhorn
Mendini Superbone
Pickett Mouthpieces |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10205 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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First, Cheiden is correct. The signal delay is 0.5ms, still a lot less than many models.
I'd highly recommend the ones I just got and mentioned in a post earlier in this thread. The Bass Magazine piece is right on from what I've experienced. _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle
Last edited by jhatpro on Thu Apr 29, 2021 12:26 am; edited 1 time in total |
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OldHorn Regular Member
Joined: 26 Dec 2017 Posts: 90
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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Another vote for Costco. I got the Kirkland's a month ago. They're made by Phonex (sp?) $1,500. I can't believe I waited so long to get them. I was missing out on so much. These came with a 180 day return window, and if they get damaged or lost, Costco will give me a new pair. |
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royjohn Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 2272 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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Hi OldHorn,
That would be Phonak...I've been using Phonaks for about ten years now and I'm very happy with them. Thanks for the info about the Costco warranty. I knew they had one, but didn't know it was that long. _________________ royjohn
Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
Flugels: 1975 Olds Superstar, 1970's Elkhardt, 1970's Getzen 4 valve
Cornet: 1970's Yamaha YCR-233S . . . and others . . . |
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OldHorn Regular Member
Joined: 26 Dec 2017 Posts: 90
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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royjohn wrote: | Hi OldHorn,
That would be Phonak...I've been using Phonaks for about ten years now and I'm very happy with them. Thanks for the info about the Costco warranty. I knew they had one, but didn't know it was that long. |
Actually it's a 3 year warranty. The 180 day window is for a return if needed. Yes, you can wear these for 6 months, and return them for a full refund if you're not happy with them. |
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HERMOKIWI Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2581
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 12:22 am Post subject: |
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My understanding is that Costco's Kirkland hearing aids are the Phonak 9 model. Costco charges about $1,500 for a pair. That's about half the cost of buying Phonak 9's from an audiologist's office. The service at Costco is great. You don't compromise service by buying at Costco.
I've had Costco Kirkland hearing aids for a couple of years. They can program multiple channels to suit various situations. One of my channels is programmed specifically for when I play trumpet. It works very well. The only problem I've had is with the volume level. The program pre-sets the volume level but you may have to adjust it manually (the volume level is manually adjustable) depending on the situation. No single volume level has been entirely satisfactory for every situation. _________________ HERMOKIWI |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10205 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:07 am Post subject: |
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I really like my Widex Moment 440’s. They can adjusted online. So slick. But the best part is my trumpet sounds like me again. _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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Seymor B Fudd Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Oct 2015 Posts: 1476 Location: Sweden
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:48 am Post subject: |
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jhatpro wrote: | I really like my Widex Moment 440’s. They can adjusted online. So slick. But the best part is my trumpet sounds like me again. |
Congrats to your renewed hearing! Brave New World......
BUT: how come all my specialists told me NOT TO WEAR HEARING AIDs when playing - instead told me to use protecttion?????
I might be a one person species but our ear´s construction should be roughly the same, irrespective of which side of the pond we live and play at. _________________ Cornets: mp 143D3/ DW Ultra 1,5 C
Getzen 300 series
Yamaha YCRD2330II
Yamaha YCR6330II
Getzen Eterna Eb
Trumpets:
Yamaha 6335 RC Schilke 14B
King Super 20 Symphony DB (1970)
Selmer Eb/D trumpet (1974) |
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jhatpro Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Mar 2002 Posts: 10205 Location: The Land Beyond O'Hare
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 6:57 am Post subject: |
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They could be right. That worries me too. So what's the solution? How do we get real sound? Without my hearing aids I don't recognize myself, can't hear certain notes, and intonation - forget about it. _________________ Jim Hatfield
"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus
2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle |
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cheiden Heavyweight Member
Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 8921 Location: Orange County, CA
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:06 am Post subject: |
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I wouldn't expect everyone to get the same advice from an audiologist. If someone had a significant loss across the spectrum and needed all those frequencies significantly boosted then playing with aids in might risk additional injury. For someone like me who hears moderately well but has a big notch around 2KHz making it hard to discriminate speech, I might benefit from a modest boost in that relatively narrow band. Perhaps it wouldn't be as problematic to play with them in. This is all pure speculation on my part.
FWIW I was intrigued by the Widex demo and it showing how a typical aid's delay can sound tinny and robotic, and how the much shorter delay improves the experience. Pretty compelling. Has anybody else been put off by this effect with other brands?
I also was also intrigued by the Lukather endorsement. _________________ "I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart
Last edited by cheiden on Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Seymor B Fudd Heavyweight Member
Joined: 17 Oct 2015 Posts: 1476 Location: Sweden
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:17 am Post subject: |
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jhatpro wrote: | They could be right. That worries me too. So what's the solution? How do we get real sound? Without my hearing aids I don't recognize myself, can't hear certain notes, and intonation - forget about it. |
When I began with protection I felt quite lousy - missing all the jokes, not hearing what the conductor told me - etc etc. The sound came from inside my head - did I play too loudly or too quiet ? Intonation? Took me a year to get used to this. But - in quiet parts I sometimes pull out the protection - only to find a different (and much better) experience.
But on the whole - the bubonic plague or the cholera - I prefer protecting my ears. And I am able to enjoy playing, very much so. Takes a while to get used to. You can estimate the sound level from inside your head, intonation was never a problem - well, the intonation, or rather the lack of it of others can be extremely difficult to endure. I´m almost allergic to lousy intonation.
So: With Cheiden´s wise words, check with your specialists - maybe you will have to get used to wearing protection??
Anyway: bad hearing sucks! _________________ Cornets: mp 143D3/ DW Ultra 1,5 C
Getzen 300 series
Yamaha YCRD2330II
Yamaha YCR6330II
Getzen Eterna Eb
Trumpets:
Yamaha 6335 RC Schilke 14B
King Super 20 Symphony DB (1970)
Selmer Eb/D trumpet (1974) |
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