Today’s post is an update on my dad, since I know all of you love to hear about him and want to see what he and my mom are up to. I haven’t really shared that much since Christmas as nothing really exciting has been happening lately, but this is a timely post that I knew you all would enjoy hearing about.
And by the way, I asked Dad if he would be OK with letting me share this story on my blog and he gave me the go ahead. I told him that he has so many people who love him and that all of you would like to hear how he’s doing, this part included.
We (the girls in my family) have been after dad for a few years now to look into getting hearing aids. He agreed one time, then decided no he didn’t want to, so it’s been back and forth on talking him into getting some help with his hearing. If you have elderly folks around, you know what I mean, they can be very stubborn and set in their ways. He has insisted that he hears all he wants to hear or needs to hear and that he doesn’t feel like he’s missing out on that much. But we have observed over the last few years that he is not as interactive around groups of people like he used to be. We knew that his hearing was a big part of that, but he wouldn’t admit it, nor look into getting help.
We’ve all known for years that he had hearing problems and it’s just gotten worse the older he gets. Dad saying “huh” has become the norm of how we converse with him the last few years and that syllable has been said hundreds of times as he tries to follow conversations and we have to repeat things over and over. I know it’s been hard on my mom because she is the one who talks and interacts with him daily. It took all of us to talk him into it and finally, finally we got him to agree to go and get his hearing checked out. Lauren took the reins and called Costco, after we heard what a good hearing aid program they have there. This isn’t sponsored at all, but Costco is where we decided to take him since they have such a good money back guarantee program, as well as 5 year warranty and there is nothing to lose by trying them out. It took us awhile to convince him, but once the 3 of us girls (plus mom) go after him, he usually can’t say no for long.
We set up an appointment and my sister and I, along with mom, went with him to Costco to get his hearing test and see what the process would be for getting hearing aids. We had heard too that the cost has improved a lot, since that was always a factor for him and he wouldn’t have spent the money on a really costly hearing aid. Costco offers them for $1700 for the Premium set and all with a money back guarantee within 180 days, so there really was nothing to lose. In fact, the whole family chipped in on the hearing aids because we really wanted him to get them and try them out and felt it would be a good thing for all of us if he was back to hearing almost normally again.
I thought this might be of interest to all of you out there in case you have a stubborn one in your family who might need some convincing on the hearing aid proposition. We are so glad he finally went and I’ll be sure and share the progress of how he does with them. So far so good!
My sister has a membership to Costco, so got us in and they have an area in the store all set up for hearing tests and getting the hearing aids ordered. They have these little rooms to go in and take all the tests needed.
Mom filled out all the paperwork for him (that’s always her job) and then we went in the little room for the hearing test and hearing aids suggested for dad.
This very nice and personable man, Herndon, took care of the hearing test and walked Dad through the process so he could understand how it all works and he was put at ease all along the way. Herndon was perfect for this job and did it all in a witty and humorous manner, getting lots of smiles from dad along the way.
He went through the process of the hearing test and we got a report at the end. Out of a 100% that is normal hearing, dad scored a 12% and 26% in both ears, which was hardly a good score. We knew that it was bad, but it may have been worse than we even thought. The man could hardly hear a thing, so it’s no wonder that he didn’t do well with a lot of people around.
After the hearing test, Herndon put on temporary hearing aids so that dad could finally see what this hearing aid thing is all about. I think he was pleasantly surprised how well he could hear after trying them on. He walked around the store that day for about 30 minutes just to get a feel for how they work and he could tell an immediate difference in his ability to hear us talking to him. We placed the order and then 4 days later went back with dad to pick them up and he got his own hearing aids.
Herndon went through the process of getting his hearing aids set at the right level. These can be adjusted, but evidently the newest thing is to not have them adjustable at home, but to set them at a good level in the beginning and leave them. He can always go back and adjust if needed, but these are supposed to be set for optimal hearing now. He can look at his computer screen to make sure Dad’s set is set up just right for his hearing impairment. Everything went well that first day and dad came home with his brand new set of hearing aids.
Here’s a shot of what they look like and they have many colors to choose from, so dad’s are a neutral skin tone that blend in with his ears. You can barely see them in the above pic of the back of his ear. They hang over the ear and the earbuds go down inside the ear and the wire is barely detectable.
I talked to him from the front seat to see if he could hear me when I wasn’t looking at him and he could hear me just fine. As soon as he got home, he went in and turned on the TV and came in and told us that it was an immediate big difference in watching TV with his hearing aids in. We are so optimistic that he will get used to the hearing aids and really enjoy wearing them now. It took a lot of convincing, but he just might be happy about it now.
We all went home that day and ate cake that mom had just baked. I’ll share that soon too, it was a real winner!
Dad has not been able to hear the preacher at church in a long time so I knew that would be a big test. I talked to Dad on Tuesday and he was able to hear and understand the preacher for the first time in a long time! That makes us so happy! He also said he can now hear the blinker in his car which he didn’t even know made a sound. It’s been so long since he could hear well and I think he’s pretty tickled with the outcome. He sounded very enthusiastic when I talked to him this week. We are very hopeful that he won’t give up on them and send them back. He has 180 days to try them out, but it looks like he is already adjusting to them and actually might be enjoying them. He always said he wasn’t missing out on anything important (ha, his words!), but we think he was and now he’ll be able to keep up with the conversations around the table so much better.
I know how much you all care about my daddy, so wanted to share this update with you. Life changes constantly with elderly parents and this year he will be 90 in July and mom will be 89 in May. We know that the next few years can change drastically with both of their health and well being and we hope to have them with us for many more years to come. Now here’s to better conversations with my dad! We are so happy he finally gave in and went to have his ears checked out. I wanted to share this with all of you in case you have loved ones who may need to go to Costco too. We have nothing but good things to say so far about dad’s experience, but I’ll keep you updated as he wears them for a few months.
That’s wonderful! Hope they work out well for him. Wish I could get my husband to be tested. He thinks he can hear perfectly fine know better!
Rhoda –
So happy that you all convinced your dad to get the hearing aids. Costco is the place to go -the service is great and the quality of product is beyond compare. My daughter has worn hearing aids since 17 months and after years of paying silly amounts of money for then we found them at Costco. We have only used them since she was 16 – so over 15 years of great service so far! The costs savings is huge and their service and warranty is superior to any other place we dealt with.
Jamie, that is so good to hear. We started hearing the same thing and that’s when we decided to check it out. I love these good stories.
So excited for him! It really will open up a whole new world to him. I remember getting my first pair of glasses and walking out and look up at the trees…who knew there were individual leaves! LOL My youngest is an SLP and has many friends studying audiology. It’s rewarding to see someone enjoy something we sometimes take for granted.
That’s great that your Dad was able to get the hearing aids and is doing well with them! I never considered Costco for that type of purchase so that is good information to have! Thanks for sharing news of your parents with us.
I just got hearing aids myself. I’m not sure if the price you listed is for both or one, but mine were about $1,700 each. I have heard so many new or amplified sounds. I’ve actually scared myself by the loud sound of the kitchen faucet running, and when I flush the toilet it’s like I’m standing at Niagra Falls! Everything seems so loud now.
Hey, Jeanie, good for you, you must be pleased. The price at Costco of $1700 includes both ears.
That is a bargain! I forgot to mention yesterday that one thing I’m not pleased about is having to replace the batteries about every seven or eight days.
Yes, he told dad that the batteries have to be replaced about every 7 days, so I think that is normal. Shouldn’t be too hard to replace them.
Hooray for you gals talking your dad into getting those new hearing aids. Sounds like he is adjusting to them quickly too. I’m hopeful that he’ll them so well he’ll want to keep them forever. Good job Rhoda and family. What a great gift you have given your dear daddy!
Thank you so much for sharing with us… I am so tickled that you were able to get him to go and that they seem to be working well!
This summer I bought my first hearing aid at Costco too and am such a fan of Costco. I only had to have one and it really has made such a difference for me and my family. I am turning 65 in a few months so I feel I am rather young to have one but it is a blessing. Costco personnel have been so great and understanding and can customize your hearing aid too!
I have worn hearing aids for a few years. I had no idea how much I wasn’t hearing I’m 49 and have never been concerned that they will make me look old. I wear my hair in a pony tail and I don’t care if somebody with eagle eyes notices them. In fact i do think i have encouraged a couple of younger people to get their hearing checked who did not like the idea of aids at all. They have told me if i can wear them with confidence so can they. What can be a little upsetting at times is when people assume hearing aids completely restore the hearing and will ask if Im wearing my aids in what seems to me to be an irritated or condescending tone (I could just be sensitive, but I don’t think so, people can be inpatient around a person with hearing loss). Hearing aids help enormously and i don’t do well without them, but they do not make your hearing perfect I still have a hard time following along if I’m in the back of a car and closed captioning is pretty much essential on the television, for some reason the TV is much harder to understand than live people. I just want to say this in case your dad is like me (and I believe most people with aids) and at times will still have some difficulty. I would not want him to feel pressure to behave like he can hear everything because he wants tp please his wonderful, generous and caring family. As long as his aids help a great deal, and it sounds as though they are then that is something to be thankful for indeed. Another fustration I have at times is that I of course want my hearing to be perfect (usually I’m more accepting but I do have my moments, and for me there is also an underlying concern that is what on earth will my hearing be like as I get older) but of course my haring never will be perfect , it’s as good as it ever will be, even with these expensive little devices. I’m sure you will all be considerate of your dad if he ever seems to feel a little exasperated with his ears betraying him, even though he is wearing his aids. Although something tells me he probably has much more grace abour it than I do
Happiness❣
Oh Rhoda – so glad your dad is hearing things now. We have an elderly family member who we took to an audio clinic 10 years ago, but would not pay the money. She used National Health Service aids (in the UK) and was always frustrated because they only helped a little. We eventually pursuaded her to have a new test with a private company and now she has aids just like your Dad’s – and can watch TV without headphones, and can hear everything. She is so happy and wishes she had done this all those years ago. Hearing loss is a dreadful thing, and everyone should be able to have aids that work well.. Don’t forget to get them insured for loss as they are so small. I wish him well. And how lovely that he will be able to have a “proper” conversation with the great grandchildren now!
Thank you, Susan, Costco offers free replacement one time on the set if he loses them, so that’s a good policy too. They have great followups.
Yay! I’m so happy for your sweet dad and all of you! My daddy suffered from a hearing loss too. He would be 88. When he was in his 70’s I was on a trip with my parents. In the hotel room I sort of scolded Daddy about not getting hearing aids. Only I could get away with scolding him! He leaned over and said “huh?”. We all burst out laughing as my point was made. He spent money on a couple pair and never truly adjusted. Your parents are very blessed to have daughters and granddaughter who care so much and are willing to gently “encourage” them to get the help they need for a better quality of life at their age. Keep us posted on his progress! Bless you!
True story: My mom has some hearing loss and when I suggested checking into hearing aids, she said she didn’t need them because her friends could hear her just fine!! I think she and I will both go to Costco to check this out. With a price like that, she might be more willing. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us. You, no doubt, have helped a lot of people! Blessings!
I just recently went through the same thing with my mom, but we tried a slightly different route. Did you know that you can buy hearing aids on walmart.com? At first I was a little skeptical, but they came with a 90 day, 100% money back guarantee so I decided to try. To my surprise, they worked great! They look very similar to ones for your dad and cost about $900 for the pair. It has really changed her life.
HI, Cindy, never heard about Walmart ones, but glad it all worked out for you.
Rhoda-
So happy to hear your dad took the leap. You haven’t said a lot about him, and he wasn’t going to New Orleans with you all. Maybe it was his hearing loss. Well anyways happy to hear that it went well.
Thank you, Paula, he just doesn’t like long trips anymore, so that’s a big part of him not going on trips. But we are happy he seems to be adjusting well to the hearing aids.
Bless his heart ❤️
Thanks for sharing your dad’s journey. How precious this will be for him to hear the sermon at church among other things. Wonderful of your family to see that he gets what he needs. It’s how I was with my parents while I had them (both passed away.) Wishing him much success with the hearing aids.
My husband has hearing loss and had one hearing aid for a long time but rarely wore it. His hearing had worsened so he decided to go check out options again and now has two new digital hearing aids and seems to like them much more because he wears them a lot more. He warns all the young people to take care of your hearing because nothing is the same as your natural hearing. I am having to get used to not taking too loud around after years of trying to get him to hear me. Oh! The new hearing aids can be adjusted using your smart phone. How neat is that?
Thanks for sharing this, Rhoda. And, thanks to your Dad for allowing his experience to be documented for the benefit of others. I shared your post with my sister-in-law who is dealing with a similar situation in our family. So helpful!