Usable hearing aids for an elderly parent

[ThoughtCriminal]

Does anybody have any thoughts on hearing aids for elderly patients? (oh great here come the ad bots now)
My dad has those ultra expensive, AI-driven, adaptive, situational filter hearing aids that work through his smart phone.

Many HUGE problems:

1) He has problems using a smart phone at all, much less dealing with the issues of Bluetooth pairing and using the app. Even if he understood it, his eyesight is severely limited.
2) Even when the app is working and he is wearing the ear buds properly, it does not seem to be very effective. all the features just add confusion for him.
3) Tiny, expensive, difficult to handle, disposable batteries that have to be frequently replaced. They are hard for most adults to swap out and really impossible for a very elderly person with poor eyesight.
4) They are so expensive, that he has to constantly worry about losing them. Last time he was in the hospital, he lost one of his older ear pieces because he fell asleep while wearing them, it fell out and got stepped on.

Even the best technology is useless if the user cannot operate it.

As I understand it, hearing aids are now OTC, but I don't know much about them. I see lots of ads for much lower cost (

[ThoughtCriminal]

1. That message go truncated

I see ads for lower cost - hearing aids that are rechargeable and simpler to use.

Ease of use and safety are the critical features.

[unc70]

2. Several friends have ones from Costco

They seem reasonably satisfied with the products and the service. Rechargeable. Various options.

[3Hotdogs]

4. + 1.

[LogicFirst]

3. Most of the OTC ones are for mild to moderate hearing loss.

My husband has tried 2 pairs, and he still can’t hear past 2 feet! The ones for severe hearing loss are expensive and complicated.

[Bayard]

5. I don't recommend Miracle Ear

I'm now pissed off at how much we paid for mine there, when I could have gone to Costco for less than a quarter of the cost.

[Scottie Mom]

6. Try CostCo. EOM

[WmChris]

8. I did

I went to Costco and was tested and discussed my needs and got reasonably priced hearing aids that fit my needs. My brother in law went and got ones that worked for him, he is a very non-tech farmer so they were tailored to his needs no adjustments necessary, no blue tooth and full service warranty work at store. No battery replacement they recharge overnight in a convenient stand. Not a commercial just a satisfied customer.

[Chainfire]

7. My wife has some pricey hearing aides. They come with regular follow-up visits where they are

are tweaked and cleaned, to improve their function. The programmable ones can be adjusted for optimal performance. She seems to be happy with them and the continuing service. I will say that she did a lot of research before shelling out for them.

I don't know how you address the issue of losing them, except for developing a strict routine on handling them. With my wife's aides, they are either in her ear, or in the charger. We are both tightwads and to lose one of them would break both of our Scottish hearts.

If you do diligent research on Miracle Ear, it is unlikely that you will buy them.

[alfredo]

9. Do get the rechargeable.

Batteries are expensive and poop out after ten to twelve hours. Mine, Phonax, has Bluetooth and has long battery life. The Va provided mine for free because I have service related hearing loss. If you are a veteran, drag your mangey ass down to the nearest VA and sign up.
They saved my life when they found cancer on my neck and the back of my tongue. They feared I could have lost my tongue, but the tumor was on the surface.
My VA is not flawless, their coffee sucks. Still, it is free.