Hearing Loss

[SeoulFire]

This may perhaps seem odd as I am putting a personal issue up on an Internet forum, however I am hoping to get some good advice out of it...

I have been to a specialist as well as one at a hearing center and got the same result. My hearing is down - a lot. I am only (?) 37 but it is quite pronounced and it seems entirely necessary that I pick up some hearing aids. Never was a big music guy nor did I have occupational issues that would cause this...it just happened.

Does anybody have any personal experience, either direct or indirect with some of the brands and such? They are quite expensive and I don't really trust anybody that has a vested interest.

Some of the newer BTE (behind the ear) models are quite impressive with wireless/bluetooth applications and stuff but come with a pretty hefty price tag of $2000 or so per ear.

Any serious advice would be appreciated.

[CGYTransplant]

I don't have any personal advice to give, but I would say splurge for the smallest, most discreet hearing aid you can find....assuming you are not prone to losing things.

37 does seem quite young to have such advanced hearing loss, and if it were me, I would want something unobtrusive....and if you know you're going to have it for X number of years without losing it, IMO it's worth the extra $$.

One thing to be aware of, though (and I don't know if this is just with the older models of hearing aids, or if it's ALL of them, you'd have to check with someone who actually knows) is that group/crowd situations can be difficult. The hearing aid amplifies EVERYTHING, not just the people you're with, and it can make it very loud, and very overwhelming trying to follow conversations. My uncle, who got one of the large, older hearing aids about 5 years ago when he was in his late 40's, now just avoids crowds...even Christmas dinner, with everyone talking, is difficult for him- he either has to turn off the aid, or go to a quieter room.

Sorry I can't give more precise help!