new hearing aids cannot hear the phone

[ronnie2751]

hi there,

i have just purchased two sebotek hearing aids(6 channel). having suffered for years from hearing loss, i finally took a loan and bought them. the difference is quite amazing, however, something really weird happened when i tried them out at home for the first time. when i picked up the phone i could not hear anything in my right ear. yes the aid was turned on, but it was like i was suddenly deaf in one year. my audio therapist said i should start by wearing them for one hour on the first day and then increase the use by an hour every day.

anyone out there who can help me i would appreciate it

thanks
ronnie

[Digital Hearing Care]

Hi Ronnie, I'm not particularly familiar with the SeboTek, it's not available in the UK where I practice, but I believe its a behind the ear instrument? If you haven't considered this the microphone is on the top of your ear, if you are holding the phone to the bowl of the ear you might need to raise the phone earpiece so it lines up with the top of your ear instead so it's nearer the microphone.
Regards

Paul

[ronnie2751]

thanks for your help.

i am seeing my audio therapist next week and am keeping a diary as to what is going on with the aids. the weirdest thing is that i can now hear everything. noises that i never realized were there. the rustling of my jeans on the floor or the noise a match makes when you strike it on the box. listening to television is fantastic now.

one thing still disturbs me and that is the fact that it is still hard to listen to people talking together. the hearing aids just cannot differentiate the various sounds. this was the reason i got aids in the first place.

therefore the question being asked is whether i need more that six channels ?

my audio therapist reckons it is just a question of fine-tuning. the more channls the more confusion or distotion in my ability to hear

again thanks

[Digital Hearing Care]

Hi Ronnie I wouldn't worry too much about the number of channels, thats only one of a number of factors that can have a bearing on the end result, the underlying technology is important and so is how well it's fine tuned to your requirements. It may be that a bit of fine tuning sorts out the issues, it may be that something else is more suitable for you.
I'd make notes on your findings and work with your audioogist to try to get the best of the technology and see how it goes...
Regards

Paul

[ronnie2751]

Many thanks for the advice. I am keeping a diary and am see in my audiologist on Monday. I am actually getting used to the devices, but the most common complaint I have is that they itch. A bit weird as I have a long list of minuses, which I feel long term I can get used to.

SEboteK hearing aids differ from other makes in that the amplifier is covered with silicone and placed in the ear. This was at first the hardest thing to get used to as I never liked having strange objects in my ears. Who does ? It's like regular earphones and the newer type like the ones that iPod uses. The rest of the device is tiny and almost impossible to see. It just slips over the ear.

And lastly overall I can hear better, but am u sure if the perfect hearing aid does exist.

Will keep this post updated as I progress.

One last thing again. Money is definitely a consideration here. The more you spend, the better the device, but my doctor agrees with you and  feels I do not need some 16 channel sophisticated device

DVDs

Ronnie

[jjanderton]

Hi Ronnie..

Hearing aid must be telephone compatible because nowadays lots of digital telephones are available in the market and these devices give off various kinds of radio frequency and electromagnetic radiation. As a result, when you hold a cell phone-up to your hearing aid or cochlear implant, you often hear annoying interference or some times listen nothing.

So better to purchase the hearing aid which are compatible to telephone.

[justHEAR]

Hi there

I am pleased to say that with bluetooth technology and streaming availabilty with many of the manufacterers such as Starkey it is possible to use hearing instruments without experiencing any feedback or interference. They can be fully automatic and connection is usually seamless, so truly wireless and without fuss. It might be an idea to discuss it with your audiologist to see about compatability.

Thanks
Clare