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You can often go onto Consumer Reports through your local library. Check it out! I had heard Walmart was coming out with an affordable hearing aid but I don't know if they have actually done it yet. Also you can sometimes find a local hearing aid business that will work with you on coming up with an affordable solution. My Mom's insurance paid for most of it-the cost ended up being $144 with Hearing Care Solutions. Aetna Medicare is her insurance company.
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Go to google, type in "low cost rechargeable hearing aids"...

In the meantime, look up brands Audious, Wonder Ear and Nano Hearing.
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I bought a fairly simple voice amplifier for my mom on Amazon, and though she has to be reminded to use it, she prefers it to a hearing aid. It's much easier for her to use (on/off button and a thumbwheel for volume) as she does have a tremor and it was hard for her to feel the switches on the hearing aid. She woudn't use a hearing aid anyway, so this is a good compromise that keeps me from having to yell our conversations. She was doing a lot more lip reading than I had realised!
The amplifier came with earbuds, but I also bought her a cheap sony headset to use and she prefers that--also more difficult to misplace. onus-she can plug the earbuds or headset into her ipad to listen to music.
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"...hearing aids getting lost or ultimately rejected, broken, replaced..."

Most of the time, these issues are related to those with dementia. Does your mother have dementia? If so, I would discuss other options with the audiologist. There are other options to enhance hearing ability.

A big question when deciding whether or not to lay out a large expense like this is what are the chances of compliance? I've read multiple postings that talk about expensive hearing aids sitting in a drawer because the person refuses to wear them. My mother's hearing loss began long ago, so she was used to wearing them. She did eventually drop to just one, on the left side, as she claimed the other didn't work. As dementia progressed, we got into the misplaced, lost, tossed because she would take it out and wrap it in a napkin or tissue, etc. The ones she moved in to MC with eventually went through the laundry (likely went to bed with it in and removed it during the night, leaving it in the bedding.)

In her case, her insurance had a nice coverage and she was just over the 3 year limit. Sadly the first one went AWOL in a matter of months (likely the napkin route at meal time.) The other one was fitted for the left as well. The nurse kept taking it away every time she'd take it out, so it became a useless thing then.

Something I did get and made good use of was a Boogie Board (add LCD to this for searching online.) It allowed me to write on the display, even fingers would work if/when she misplaced the stylus. Anything she couldn't understand with or without the hearing aid she could read and respond. It saves having to find paper and pencil. A button will clear the display when done. It doesn't save anything but your voice and frustration!

Others can suggest places for less expensive hearing devices, but the LCD may help in the meantime. Alternative is a white board. They do make smaller ones. The LCD is small enough to make it portable, so it can accompany her on outings. The dentist mom went to liked it enough to buy some for the office. Staff at MC also loved it.

Also, if you/she do decide to try the hearing aids, be sure to find a place with some kind of guarantee. The last pair did have one, which included loss, but required a $450 replacement payment. I recall mom also talking about getting a refund if she didn't like the hearing aids. Most likely they will try to switch to another type first, but they should be able to discuss this before laying out any money.
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Sounds like jfbtc has the best answers for you--based on the fact he actually went through this and was ACCEPTING of his worsening hearing!!

Unless you WANT to use the aids, you won't.

My DH finally, finally had his hearing checked 2 years ago. He went with the absolute top of the line aids--and won't wear them. $6500 down the drain.

In spite of a very intensive hearing exam and ZERO pressure from the tech, he would not believe that he has serious hearing loss. I was in the room during the test, but not in the BOOTH. So there was no way I could 'rig' this test. He simply failed it with flying colors. Blamed me.

It's his CHOICE to walk around, missing 80% of the conversations, missing the funny things the grandkids say, missing the announcement of his FLIGHT NOW BEING BOARDED (that's happened a few too many times).

My neighbor went to Costco and got the mid range ones and wears them and it's no big deal. He said he spent less than $1000. The cost does and doesn't reflect the qaulity of the aids--it's up to person whether they will put in the work to adapt to hearing all the ambient sounds they don't realize are there.

Living with an almost entirely deaf person has caused ME so much stress it's crazy. Luckily for us, my hearing is really, really good, so that's saved us a few times. BUT, if I had his hearing loss, I would address it and not blame him. His sister has it also (genetic) and she got aids and nothing was said about it--she just said she couldn't believe she went so long without dealing with the hearing loss. His mother is about 90% deaf and she can't hear anything, really. He gets so frustrated with her and I have pointed out that I feel the same way about him.

You can lead a horse to water.....
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jacobsonbob May 2021
Some excellent points here. However, regarding flights, why not simply go to the appropriate gate area where the flight will be boarded, and then it will be obvious when it's time to board because it will be on a sign and everyone else will be lining up to present boarding passes. Monitors can be checked, too.
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Hi Jeane1808,
I write from the patients perspective. I was first diagnosed with Early Onset ALZ 5 yrs ago next month. I have been commenting on my journey since 2016. Most recently I had a Neuropsych Exam, that said I need 24/7 care, which was a knockdown blow to me. My DW and I still have an appointment in 2 weeks to find out how he came to this conclusion. My Neuro Doctor who has been my Doctor since Christmas 2005 and my PC say No way am I in need of 24/7 care. Anyway, I just want to keep being direct, and putting my cards on the table from my perspective.
I was diagnosed two years ago with a hearing loss, mostly attributable to wearing headphones for 38yrs of my career in the travel industry. More significant in the left ear than the right ear. Being diagnosed with ALZ, I wasn't too interested in spending for $4000.00 on one set of hearing aids. I did some research on Hearing Assist and a company named MD Hearing Aids. MD was a bit more expensive than Hearing Assist. I bought the VOLT series of MD Hearing's hearing aids, and paid circa $700.00 and have been using them for just about 40 days. Yes, for the most part they are comfortable, and having been retired for 5 yrs, I am able to hear all that I want to and feel I made the best choice for me.
Yes, I have some trouble manipulating them to put on my ears, yes, I can hear much better. When in crowds they seem more difficult to hear what is going on with my family speaking to me. Could I have spent $4000.00 yes, but I don't think I am going to live long enough to justify spending that kind of money. The product that I chose for myself works just fine for me. My Opinion and we know we all have them and like something else we all have _________, fill in the blank.
I hope my friends and fellow patients are finding my suggestions as being valuable.
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jacobsonbob May 2021
I suspect a lot of price goes into making them smaller so they can be hidden such that other people aren't aware they are being worn. However, making them smaller means that they are more difficult to handle and adjust, especially for older people. I believe it's largely a "racket"--with prices artificially inflated to be in line with other outrageous American healthcare costs, with the people selling them trying to convince you it's "rocket science".
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My mother had arthritis in her hands and the newer model ones she could not manipulate , so they basically sat unused. Are you going to be there to help her if she has the same problem my mom did?
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Jean1808 May 2021
Good question, Kellse. We live together, but I will not always be available to help. She does handle her own medicine bottles and pills which can be awkward. This will be something to be aware of. Thank you.
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Check with companies that provide hearing aids to see if they have replacement insurance.
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Jean1808 May 2021
Great idea!
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Re your not going out, under the circumstances since most of our libraries are paid for with tax dollars, I'm guessing they would spring for the postage, make a copy of what you're after, and send it to you. IF not try your local city hall rep/councilperson.
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Jean1808 May 2021
Love your way of seeing things - yes!
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Yeah, they can get lost/trashed. BUT the advantages may outweigh the negatives, and it might be worth at least trying once. I do believe that when you purchase at Costco, which I would strongly suggest, they offer a free replacement for a set period of time...but you'll need to check /confirm details. These days they are big on scaring people that loss of hearing can contribute to dementia, and that it is better to have TWO hearing aids rather than one, increasing the cost. Some are technologically advanced which can be good or bad depending on how good you are at adjusting. Some automatically adjust, a good thing, and many now charge in cups over night so you don't have to constantly deal with dead battery replacement. I am especially fond of how Costco operates, we are blessed here in the Cleveland area with a couple wonderful people with years of experience who work at ours. Patient, understanding...bless them all. They have zero motivation to sell, no commission, so no pressure on the buyer. As for Consumer Reports, I find it extremely helpful, but if funds are limited check with your local library who probably has a subscription. In our area, you can access back issue/info by logging in and they can probably talk you through it if you call. IF they have a hard copy on hand, you can probably just make a copy for your own use. They have the funds to test many products I could never afford to and I do appreciate knowing what they've found out for any purchases I can. I can't recall feeling they were wrong when I've made purchases based on their reports.
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Jean1808 May 2021
Great information. I read online about Costco and its good to know they are reliable. I saw their prices are better. Thank you! I have a library card and will see if i can use it to access research remotely. Thank you!
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I found this personal amplifier review on the net, US$250. However Amazon has personal amplifiers for around US$40. I’m curious about the lack of hearing aid reviews. I’ll ask Choice (my Australian consumer association) if they can do one, or if not why not. We're getting older in Oz too!
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-personal-sound-amplification-product/
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Jean1808 May 2021
Thank you very much! And I just read the personal sound amplifier review. That is now an option B depending on what her doctor says.
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Jean, have you contacted the Lions Club yet?
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Jean1808 May 2021
Not yet, but they are on my long list of charitable organizations to call. Thank you for affirming that.
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Go to your local library, they will have Consumer Report Magazines available.
And personal opinion here if the person is able to take advantage of what the VA can offer do so. They have earned that privilege!
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daddysfavorite May 2021
It seems one has to sometimes go through a lengthy process to find out just exactly what VA will pay for something because it doesn't seem to be the same answer for everyone. For some people, it takes too much time and effort to find out when there's a fair chance that the answer might be no anyway. I'm not one of those people, but I know there are some out there. I will search high and low, call and ask until someone explains to me either I am or why I'm not eligible for something.
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Does she have any cognitive issues? Can she respond accurately to a technician who is fitting and adjusting them for her? Will you be charging them and putting them in/taking them out for her (because they are tiny)? I think cwillie's suggestion of amplifiers might be a better (and more affordable) solution. The risk of them being lost or her accidentally throwing them out might be too high in your financially challenged situation.
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Jean1808 May 2021
My concern is that she answers truthfully when she is tested, but if she does not, the tech will pick it up. I know she is passionate about her hearing so my hope is that she will be engaged and receive the best results.
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You're Covid positive - what, right now?
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Jean1808 May 2021
Yeah! Thats why I'm not in library, etc. Mom and I both nearly died of covid
January into February. It is a Miracle we are alive. She has lupus and the hydroxychloroquine may have helped her go negative within 9 days and stay out of icu. My daily asthma regimine saved me. End of February, March and April I continue to be positive and have symptons still. I am likely long haul covid. We are out there. Even if vaccinated, wear your masks everyone.
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Have you tried using a personal amplifier (for her) or a personal microphone (for you)?
Your profile says she is living at home, so I assume there is no dementia involved. The problem is that since she already has severe hearing loss you have left it far too late for her to make an easy adjustment, adding sounds to her previously silent world is going to drive her batty - the everyday noises that we don't even notice coupled with sounds that those with normal hearing find annoying are going to give her sensory overload, she will need to be 100% on board with the decision in order to stick with it. Added to that, if she is spending most of her time alone there is little motivation to change things because she copes well without HAs most of the time. I'm not saying don't do it, just warning you of potential difficulties.
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Jean1808 May 2021
Yeah, she needs full hearing for her safety because she wants to remain independent and does go out. She does not want assisted living NH. There is cognitive impairment but the deafness isn't helping. Great points everyone!!!
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