Here is something Dave B. posted recently: "Hi, Louis. I have Widex hearing "instruments" (as my audiologist refers to them, not "aids."
I call them hearing aids.) They have what is reputed to be the finest music program of any brand. Obviously, I haven't tried them all, but I can tell you that without these units in my ears (they are behind-the-ear models, not IN the ear), I'm essential deaf above 2500 Hz, which is deadly for classical music (and other musical) enjoyment, to say nothing of social interaction.
I can say without reservation that with these turned to the music program (one of seven different programs), I hear and enjoy music now better than I did when I was a teenager. I'm not exaggerating, because I listen now to the same LPs I had when I was in high school and can hear instrumentation and voice lines that I never discerned before. It's a true miracle for me and I give thanks daily for this technology.
My audiologist has these babies dialed in for me and was able to get that done after only two visits. They're not cheap at ~$6K but my insurance covered some of that and I can write some of it off as unreimbursed medical expense. I've noticed that the music program emphasizes mid-to-high frequencies (obviously), the ones I don't hear when I'm not wearing them. There's also a TV program that brings TV to life ("Thank God!" my wife says, after years of enduring stentorian TV volume on my behalf).
The programs are: Universal (for all-around general use), Music, TV, Comfort (which ratchets down the overall amplification in loud environments), and Relaxation, which I had my audiologist set to zero amplification ("off," IOW) so that I can turn off my aids when my wife is banging pots and pans in the kitchen (and in other very noisy places). There are also two "Zen" programs designed to calm stress and/or treat tinnitus. I also have fairly severe tinnitus (and sometimes stress (mostly stereo related
), but this didn't seem to help me, so I rarely use them.
I have to change batteries about once every seven days, but part of the deal was free batteries for five years (a good deal, since these 312s cost about $20 for a month's worth), after which time, I'll probably get the latest Widex version. Oh, these can also stream music and phone calls from iPhones and Androids, but I have a BlackBerry, so I don't use that feature. Incredible sophistication in a tiny, tiny package.
I also have an optional remote control that looks like a tiny car-key fob. It can raise or lower the volume of any of the programs as well as rotate through them. This is very handy when you need to change a program or volume and you don't want to keep reaching up to the aid behind your ear to press the little button, making people think you have head lice. My audiologist threw in the remote as part of my deal. It's a $200 option.
I preach the gospel of (high quality) hearing aids all the time to people who have hearing loss. Studies show that hearing loss can lead to depression and dementia due to withdrawal from socialization. I can believe that.
Hope this answers your questions, Louis. Feel free to follow up if you need more information or opinions. These things have changed my life."
I have an appointment in a month to get fitted for hearing aids. I'll be following this thread.