Hearing Aid Update

[terisandler]

The latest in my quest for hearing assistance:

I received my Phonak Bolero Q70 hearing aid today.  I am wearing it in my AN (right) ear and nothing in my left.  This is the last thing I am testing and if it doesn't help with my poor word recognition, then I will get a CROS unit and go back to BiCROS.

So far, so good.  I actually was able to put my phone to my right ear and hear - something I haven't done in more than 5 years.  TV sounded good, I noticed directionality, conversation in quiet places sounds normal.  I guess the big test will be to try out a noisy restaurant or other public place and see how it does.  This may be my solution!

Interestingly, the audiologist told me the officer received another denial for a BAHA and now, in an effort to reduce cost, the doctor plans to begin performing the post/abutment procedure in his office.  The price for a BAHA is still too rich for my blood, though.

[arizonajack]

So far, so good.  I actually was able to put my phone to my right ear and hear - something I haven't done in more than 5 years.  TV sounded good, I noticed directionality, conversation in quiet places sounds normal.  I guess the big test will be to try out a noisy restaurant or other public place and see how it does.  This may be my solution!

Looks like you have a winner there.

I think that noisy restaurants and public places are the bane of any kind of hearing aid. I still have those issues with my Bi Cros but the rest of the time they are fine.

I wouldn't give up on the Bolero just for that.

Keep us posted.

[terisandler]

Probably word recognition will be my deciding factor.  I had an appointment with an Eastern Indian doc today and found myself asking her to repeat herself a lot but that might have been her accent.  If I go back to BiCROS the plan is to put the Bolero in my good ear with a slim tip earpiece (I have a custom earmold now) and put a matching CROS unit in my AN ear.

[arizonajack]

I had an appointment with an Eastern Indian doc today and found myself asking her to repeat herself a lot but that might have been her accent. 

I'll bet it was the accent.

I have the same problem (invariably with tech support services) and it has nothing to do with my hearing.

[terisandler]

I'm sure it was the accent.  I was walking this evening with a friend to my right (AN) side and usually I tell her in can hear that she's talking but can't hear a word she is saying.  It just occurred to me that I understood her completely this evening.  Good sign!

[terisandler]

Still liking the Phonak Bolero after wearing it for two full days.  We may have a keeper.  Added bonus - I won't have to spend $1K on the CROS unit!

[Paul F]

After going to the Phonak web site, it looks like you can have the Cros and the Belero. I would love to try out that combination.  I presently am using the Phonak Audio S and Cros but need more.

[terisandler]

Yes, Paul.  The current plan is to see if the Bolero Q70 with a custom ear mold will provide enough word recognition.  If not, we will switch the Bolero to my good ear and add a CROS unit to my AN ear.  If I can get by without the CROS unit I save the $1K. 

[jaylogs]

Yay Teri!! Hopefully it sounds like you indeed may have a keeper there, huh?  Let us know how it works out!
Jay

[terisandler]

I took a friend to lunch in one of the noisiest restaurants that I could think of and the Bolero did very well.  I am glad I decided to try it.  I almost told the audiologist to get the CROS unit after she shared the results of the word recognition wearing the Bolero, but she said the one unit might just work so I gave it a shot.