LifeEar Hearing Amplifier - All Digital 4 Program Device with Noise Reduction - Fits Left/Right Ear - Almost Invisible, Aids with Hearing

Amason.com buyers BEWARE!! You can't return!!!When I tried to return it, Amazon displayed a message saying it could not be returned because it was "Hazardous material!!"LifeEar! Don't sell us something to put in our ears and then Call it hazardous material when we want to return it.[EDIT: see LifeEar comment below, they offered to "work with me." I have not explore that option because, on one hand, I didn't have more time to waste, and on the other hand, I wanted to give the little device the benefit of the doubt. a year after my purchase, I reached the conclusion that the problem is either a design flaw, or poor QC that led a defective device to my ear.]Now to my as-much-objective-review-as-possible:pros:1- light-weight, tiny and barely visible2-comes with multi-size/shape silicon capsCons: [UPDATED]1-Amplifies background noise more than voices ( below)2- Unbearable contact pressure on extended (2-3 hr) use3- The volume control button is a hit n' miss. it is button not a dial. On one of the two devices it doesn't work at all.4- short battery life. some of you suggested few hours of those few days. In my case it was few hours regardless of the better make.Details: [Edited)l purchased two of these so that we we didn't have to run to our bedrooms every time my dad wanted to watch TV, or scream our heads off every time he asked a question.when he wears them, under "soft pressure" by the family, he sometimes dials the TV volume down. So they do OCCASIONALLY work.In order to understand why he insisted on not using them at any cost, and even claimed that he could hear our whispers just to avoid our annoying persistent requests for him to try and get used to them, I decided to try them myself.I did after everyone went to sleep. Oh poor dad!!I could hear my footsteps on the floor, the friction against the carpet, my jaw joints clicking, and food being crushed under my teeth, yet could barely make out what the movie cast were saying. this is not about my bad mid-night eating habits so please stay focused. there is no selective amplification whatsoever although they claim they use the same component of regulated hearing aids. Well, bird-watchers will probably hear the roar of an ant nearby before hearing birds.Deal-breaker: the silicon caps are soft and come in multiple sizes and shapes, yet they are do not take the shape of the ear canal which results in contact pressure that can be unbearable. 90 min. in my ears were enough to drive me out of my mind.I'm keeping three stars on the for the possibility that I have received a lemon, which would mean that the manufacturers quality control procedure is questionable.Bottom line, you will hear more than you care to, and louder than the human voices you actually want to hear.Second bottom line: My dad still refuses to wear them, yet some other reviewers like them. Please read other reviews to eliminate subjective opinions. Read more

Overall I like the two LifeEar amplifiers/hearing aids I bought. They are simple to use, reliable, easy to work and the instruction booklet is nicely illustrated and easy to follow. Of the four sound levels, I've found Level One is just fine for me. It nicely amplifies the high-toned sounds that I no longer hear and makes clear conversation from people within ten feet. Background noise is a bother, but normal. When I use the aids I alternate from one ear to the other as I've found having both hearing aids in my ears at the same time sounded like I was in a kettle drum factory! Too loud. I liked the multiple hearing attachments to go on the part of the aid that goes into your ear. BUT. The one negative is that in the two months I've owned these devices, the small umbrella shaped attachments that go into your ear canal have come off! They are pushed onto the white sound tube which only has ribbing at the end to hold them attached. Pulling them out caused them to come loose in my ear twice. Which caused me two trips to Urgent Care to get the umbrella items removed by a doctor. Sooo, I've used Super Glue to permanently bind the umbrella tips that best fit my ear. They now do not come off when I remove them from my ears. But the product would be improved by changing the attachment point to a screw-on version versus the existing ribbed end point. That said, this is an excellent product for just $350 per item. And it does very well what it is supposed to do. Overall, I endorse this product.

somewhat difficult to use. The so called stabilizer bar is more of a nuisance and very difficult to place. Batteries do not last long at all,possibly two to three days only. Overall not pleased with it.

I have high frequency hearing loss due to loud noise damage in the army (M-1 rifle, artillery, turbo-prop work and etc.) I finallydecided I had to do something. Now at 76 years old, I am unable to hear even the bedroom fire or burglar alarm well enough.My first experience with a hearing device winds up with very good results. I received the package and was able assemble and usethe device without too much difficulty. However, the user's manual does a poor job of showing how the tips on the tubes areassembled. I actually referred to another brand user's manual (on Line) to see clearly what I needed to know. Also I have alreadyreceived a question via Amazon on where can the replacement tips and pipes be obtained, I plan to order mine from another brandat this link:[...]The Life Ear is well made and does a great job for me. The battery has lasted for several days now, I am pleased with that also.I am a technical person (Instrumentation Calibration) and can adjust to the hearing device perhaps easier than most people butI can recommend it you. It would be five stars without the exceptions I noted.