Headphones for Hearing Aids

First, two facts about me: I've worn hearing aids for sixty years; I have been into audio for sixty years. Now, what to do. Find a good, patient audiologist, one who works with musicians. I stress patience. Choice of type of aid will make all the difference. Go with two, one in each ear. I have tried both in the ear, and over the ear. Currently, for me, the in the ear works best and that includes when using headphones. Get 'full shell' molds. Aids must be digital, so that one of the 'programs' is a music one, tailored to your loss in each ear. That should take care of the 'balance' issue. Get aids that use Mead Killion technology, like the DigitK circuit. More information on the is available at the 'General Hearing' web site. Killion does work for the ER buds units. Remember, programmed hearing aids for in-effect EQ units. Go for units that have 16 or more channels, 20 is better. Questions welcomed.

You might audition the Bose Around The Ear series headphones. I've read reviews of people who use them with hearing aids with good results. I have a pair of the AE series and they have a good balanced sound and are very comfortable. You can audition them at Target or Best Buy Good Luck! Joe

The problem that I had with my hearing aids is that they took all the joy from music. The sound was plastic-y and false.

Most hearing aids have the option of using different programs for different listening situations. You typically access the programs using a button on the hearing aids or with a remote. If yours have this option, ask your audiologist to setup a program optimized for headphone listening.

You can even take your headphones to the appointment so the program can be customized for them. It should be possible to eliminate feedback when wearing your headphones without requiring you to take out the hearing aids.

I want to thank you all for your insights and thoughts. A lot of good info especially for those who may be considering hearing aids. When I got fitted for the aids it was a thrill just to hear, music was an after thought. Teflon was discussing programming as well as Buconero, my horns do this automatically and I think that is a part of the problem. They cannot lock in to the music format with the headphones in place. Click click click. So next time round I'll be much more informed. Stringreen made a comment about the sound through hearing aids, got me thinking about what I am actually hearing. So I'll take several of your suggestions and try diff headphones, and look into an equalizer. One other thing that I realized is that so many folks are wearing horns. Again I appreciate the conversation,I've re-read this string several times this weekend with great interest. Dave