Hearing aids for audiophiles.


I’ve chosen to walk away from the sirens, horns, gunshots heading both directions, and all the damage it’s done (doing) to my hearing.  Through the miracle of hearing aids I’d like to bring back my hearing as close as possible to my youth mostly for the purposes of accurate and full tonal musical listening, and then, of course, to hear the voices of my loved ones better.  To those of you who’ve gone down this road, what are recommended brands and non-recommended brands, as well as any pitfalls to be aware of?  Costs and sizes are factors also.  Thanks,
Bob
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I have a pair of Eargo Neo Hi-Fi aids. Totally invisible, FDA approved, rechargeable, multiple programable settings, can vary bass and treble all through you phone apt and cost only $3500. These are their top model and supposedly made with the audiophile in mind. Made a huge difference in my hearing as well as re-enjoyment of my audio system.

J.Chip
My advice is don't wait any longer. This has been the biggest upgrade to my system...EVER.

Been using Apple Airpod Pro ($249) as hearing aids. (see video below) tested against Beltone hearing aids costing $5400. The Airpods pro are better!! IMO hearing aids are a HUGE rip off. No reason they should be SOOO ridiculously expensive. 

Using Airpods pro you still take a free hearing test from 'Mimi' and file an audiogram on your iPhone. BTW...It matched exactly the audiogram from the audiologist office.

An important point is that YOU get to control the software to make adjustments. You don't  have to go back and forth with your audiologist to adjust. You do it yourself fast, easy and accurately.

The sound experience is incredible. I have a typical moderate high frequency hearing loss.  Music on my stereo never sounded better. Detail is absolutely amazing!  Great dynamics as well as sound stage are vastly improved. Great bass also. 

You can also stream music, take phone calls or listen to TV directly using two modes. Transparency mode allows you to hear other sounds around you OR you can switch to cancellation mode that creates a completely silent environment perfect for music listening.

Coming in IOS 15 will have a new feature called 'Conversation boost" using  beam forming microphones to focus on the person speaking and cut down on surrounding noise like in a restaurant.

Watch this video for an explanation on how it works...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExMjW1nivOA
Oticon, behind the ear. Best "upgrade" to my system and life. I don't understand why people try to fix their hearing by messing with their system, proper hearing aids are WAY better!

+Widex - The Apple AirPod Pro may have software, but so does Widex. The audiologist sets the hearing aids to augment the frequencies your hearing test indicates need boost. You can customize the balance and there is a tone control for bass, midrange and treble. Also, using the Soundsense Learn function you can let the software suggest alternatives and create customized settings for different kinds of music. But all of this is moot to the extent that none of these products can restore your original hearing at the highest frequencies (above about 10k Hz). For me they made a material improvement to the frequencies above 3k Hz, where my hearing loss began. I now hear cymbals and similar sounds that were not audible until I got the hearing aids. If the Apple AirPods can effect the same improvement, great. But they are larger than hearing aids. The Widex products are far more costly at $4k or more per pair. 
I have had the Widex Moment MRR2D for about 6 months. Yes they are expensive but so is a new preamp and it can't help you hear your grandkids. The Moments are excellent but I don't like the Music Mode that comes with the top end model. It's sounds to electronic to me.  I use the PureSound turned down to a low setting and it is enjoyable.  Often, though, I just turn them off for music even though my hearing is 50db down at 2k and above.  I also use the Roon EQ in moderation. An inverse curve with just 5 -10 db boost is helpful. Anything more is counterproductive. It's all worth a try to help keep the music flowing.