Monday, May 03, 2010

New Hearing Aids Help

Hearing aidI guess I shouldn't have taken such a close-up.  This picture isn't very clear.  My father got new hearing aids.  I had been very cynical, doubting as to whether it was worth the investment, since his previous ones didn't seem very effective/helpful.

But as time passed since his old ones broke, I could see the strain of trying to hear what people said causing a depression.  Since my father has been living with us in Shiloh, we have visited HaOzen a few times, and that's where we went for the new hearing aids.  They recommended a model with the mechanism behind the ear and a transparent plastic insert in the ear.  As you can see from the picture, it's barely noticeable and even less noticeable when he's wearing his usual "baseball cap."

The only problem with these new ones is that he can't insert them, remove them or see them.  And of course, there's no way he can change the batteries.  I have to do all those things.  They are among the new skills I've learned since bringing him home to Shiloh.

We no longer have to shout, and the television is at a normal volume.

4 comments:

Jennifer in MamaLand said...

Glad they're helping! The newer ones are very sophisticated and do way more than just "blowing up" the sound like the old kind. My grandfather was nearly deaf by the time he died and refused to admit it or get help (beyond very old-fashioned hearing aids). I'm sure every day with hearing aids that work is a less stressful day for him, not to mention everyone around him.

Batya said...

Actually, Jen, these aren't the new sophisticated digital ones. For his needs they're fine, much better than the ones they replaced. With the subsidies, because he pays for the higher level of Kupat cholim Clalit, they cost only about $1,000 for the pair, which for hearing aids is supposed to be reasonable. The only probblem is that he can't handle them by himself. I still need my reading glasses on to open the batteries slightly which is how they're turned off. I trust it'll be easier with time.

rickismom said...

I HIGHLY rwecomend and suggest that you buy an "ear gear"
( http://gearforears.com/index.asp)
it protects the aid from moisture and helps prevent loss.....

Batya said...

Thanks for the info; I never heard of it.