In the ear or behind-the-ear, that is the question

[peggysue2]

Hearing appliances are varied and personal, I've realized, but I thought I'd relate my own experience with the plethora of OTC choices.

Three years ago, I purchased the Eargo5 hearing aids. I was amazed at the difference these tiny devices made in my hearing clarity, seriously questioning my reluctance to address what had clearly become a hearing disability.

I'll notch that up to vanity.

However, like all good things there was an end point. After 3 years of constant use, my tiny Eargos died (the original warranty was 3 years though I think the company has backtracked to a 2-year contract.)

Faced with choosing a new set of hearing aids (because I can't live without them now), I was left with the question in my header: do I go for another Eargo set or try a behind-the-ear device?

The Eargos are near invisible and the new series now water-proof. The water-proofing feature was a plus since I'd forgotten to remove my devices several times in the shower. Somehow they survived the mishaps. What the standard Eargo does not offer is bluetooth capability; they're just too small. You can buy a Eargo set with bluetooth but the appliances are quite visible, a plug-like design which I personally found unacceptable.

We're back to vanity again.

So, I'm now on my second set of appliances and went with a behind-the-ear design, the Jabra Enhance series. The behind-the-ear piece is quite small, the size of an almond and the overall effect is near invisibility. More importantly, the hearing quality is very good. I had to switch out the buds to find the right size. Surprisingly, I found the large, closed buds to work best (for me). I say surprising bc I'd always used a medium, opened bud on the Eargos.

Different devices, different experience.

What I really love about the Jabra is the bluetooth connectivity. I walk and work around the house listening to podcasts and music. I can now pipe all that through my hearing aids. Plus my telephone calls automatically go to my hearing appliances. I get a beep as an alert on the calls, and then I'm hooked in. TV reception requires a separate streaming device. I haven't tried that (the extra streaming device is approx $300). Might consider it later but overall I don't need it now.

At the moment I'm quite happy with the selection. I wear my appliances for about 12 hours a day; they're getting a workout. There's a 3-year warranty on the devices, and as with the Eargos, a phone app that makes on-the-spot environmental changes (for instance, restaurant noise and filter accommodations).

Anyway, I wanted to pass the info/experience along for anyone else who may be confused by all the products out there.

[eallen]

1. Do you wear glasses?

I've seen people who have both glasses and behind-the-ear hearing aids. It looks like quite a bit on the ear.

[Biophilic]

2. It is, but the increased hearing is usually worth it.

I’ve worn hearing aids for 24 years. Now with a cochlear implant, which I adore. I’ve obviously had numerous hearing aids of both sorts.

[peggysue2]

4. I do not wear regular glasses, eallen but . . .

I never step outside without sunglasses (I'm very sensitive to glare). The Jabra devices are very light-weight in design, so I haven't felt any heaviness behind the ear. However, I did need to get use to removing my sunglasses by lifting them up off my face, rather than swiping them off. The first few days, I flipped the glasses off and flipped my devices off as well.

The behind-the-ear component is much smaller than I've seen on other devices and the clear wire attaching the buds makes the appliances nearly invisible. It's like anything else, you learn as you go in terms of handling them and finding what suits you best.

[Silent Type]

3. Thanks for the info. I tried one of the small in ear models, and it did help watching TV, etc.

But they squeled and I couldn't stop it without taking them out and putting them in the case. So, sent them back. Think they were called Audien Pro or something. They were only $290. While I did not find them natural sounding, they did help. And I didn't wear them most of the time.

The Jabra Enhance do get good reviews, so I might try them after reading your post. And the ability to change settings and frequencies on my phone would be welcome.

Again, thanks for posting.

[peggysue2]

6. You're welcome, Silent Type

The number of appliances out there can be confusing, even overwhelming. Most of these companies have a grace period to try them out. With Jabra, it's 90 days. You can send them back for any reason.

As for the squealing? I haven't had serious problems with that although both the Eargos and Jabra seem to react to excessively loud noise. In a noisy restaurant, for instance. That's when I adjust my settings through the app and add the filter setting if need be.

Back in the day, my father had hearing aids he refused to wear bc of the squealing and shrieks. It was just too annoying and distracting. The hearing device manufacturers have made real progress in that regard.

Btw, making sure you're wearing the right buds (for you) can make a world of difference. Most of these companies provide a selection of sizes, open or closed designs and even tulip designed buds with your initial shipment. You just experiment until you hit your own personal sweet spot.

Both the Eargo and Jabra devices are rechargeable appliances. I didn't want to fuss with tiny batteries.

Good luck!

[virgdem]

5. Thanks for the info.

I'm looking at the choices for hearing aids now. Can you tell me the cost of the Jabra hearing aids.

[peggysue2]

8. The Jabras range from $995 to $1995 depending . . .

on what model you choose for your own hearing needs. I think I paid around $1600/1700 for my set; they were running a sale on the higher end appliances and 3-year warranty package. Eargos are in the $2400 neighborhood now. If I remember correctly, I paid around $1900 for the Eargo 5s, again catching a company sale at the time.

The earbud/plug models for both companies are considerably lower, around $700 per set. All depends what you're looking for and what price point is acceptable.

You can visit their websites and glean a lot of information online--what packages are offered, model differences, warranties and promotions/sales.

Good luck! If this is your first go-around, you'll be amazed at the difference in your hearing. My first reaction?

The world is a very noisy place.

I'd had muffled hearing for nearly a decade and had truly forgotten.

[virgdem]

12. Thanks Peggysue

I will investigate the options on both hearing aids.
This is not my first time buying hearing aids, but the cost was much higher (4600.00). They were never comfortable and I quit wearing them eventually. They have really dropped in price. That helps.

[Bayard]

7. Glad to hear these work for you

I've had a pair from Miracle Ear for about a year now. First time wearer. Even though they are the tiny in-your-ear kind, I hate them. The fit has been adjusted several times, but I still have the left one popping out. One of the goats ate it once, and ME replaced it without a hassle.

I rarely wear them--maybe a couple times a month if I'm going out. They have just not been worth the expense.

[peggysue2]

10. Sorry to hear that, Bayard

Have you tried switching out the earbud size, maybe to a larger bud? But then, on rereading you've had adjustments through Miracle Ear. Surprising too bc Miracle Ear gets very good consumer reports.

I did not have any problems with my (in the ear) Eargos falling out but it probably depends on the size and shape of your canal. On the other hand, my Air Pods regularly fall out which is a real pain when I'm out for a walk. It was the main reason I wanted bluetooth capability in my appliances this time.

LOL. Your goat eating your hearing aid sounds funny but I'm sure it wasn't in the moment. I have a dog who nearly ate my Air Pod. She was chewing it vigorously. I managed to pry her jaws open before the swallow. Again, sounds funny but it definitely was not.

Take care.

[Wonder Why]

9. IMHO, as a hearing aid user of many types since 2003, I consider the in-the-ear advantage to be primarily cosmetic

for those too embarrassed to be seen wearing hearing aids. The BTE ones have been far more reliable and less irritating because the part in the ear can be easily changed as compared to the in-the-ear type.

As to the TV communicator, you can get good ones for less than $50 that do audio to bluetooth. If your hearing aids support setting up multiple bluetooth pairing, there should be no problem. In fact many TVs now have built-in bluetooth and that means you need no external device. Look up your TV model and the word "bluetooth" on Google to check.

[peggysue2]

11. Thanks for that suggestion, Wonder Why

That certainly beats laying out another $300 for a separate streamer. I'll check it out.

[LiberalFighter]

13. I wear a bone conduction type body aid.

The receiver end is included with the headband which is positioned behind the ear.

A three pin cord attaches both the receiver and the control box. The control box that fits in a shirt pocket or can be clipped to the shirt. I have normal, close personal, and telephone mode. There is also a volume control.

I've had the current hearing aid for over 18 years. I've worn this type since about 1960. I was about five or six. I can't wear what most wear.

[Bolo Boffin]

14. I've had the Kirkland behind-the-ear for years now

Even with my glasses, it's not too much. These devices are not that large at all behind the ear.

I tried the large closed buds and had an unfortunate incident where one came off the aid and lodged next to my eardrum. It took an ER visit to get that out. I went back to the small open buds and haven't looked back. The closed bud did have a better sound quality though.