This experienced hearing aid user is 83 years old.  She has macular degeneration. She has a history of mastoid surgery, type unknown. She does not currently have any dizziness, otalgia, aural fullness, nor tinnitus.  She has a pair of broken Starkey in-the-ear hearing aids, and wants new aids. She has a budget of up to $5000 for the pair.

She scored only a 6 on her hearing handicap scale, answering “sometimes” to the questions on problems in movie/theatre, when watching TV and when in a restaurant with friends.  This likely reflects her handicap wearing her aids (before they malfunctioned.)

• Present three different options for hearing aids for her that are at or below her budget.
• How does her macular degeneration fit into the choices you will present?

Case  credit: Sarah Wakefield, AuD, Nova Southeastern University