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Reviews (12)
20 May 2022
Very old map from 2007, so doesn't show many newer highways or roads.
This map is dated 2007 in the description, and as such does not show many newer major highways and roads in Indiana. For example, Interstate 69 from Evansville to Indianapolis is not shown at all, except for a dotted line marked "proposed corridor." In its day it would have been a good map, because it shows secondary roads in some detail and also has smaller maps on the back of the major towns. Unfortunately the publisher "Five Star Map" probably stop updating and printing these maps many years ago. The similar Rand McNally Indiana map is from 2016, so would be better, and it also has small maps of the major towns. For a state map like this you can get the free Indiana road map from the state tourism department (or at places like town chambers of commerce, some libraries, etc.) though some recent versions of that map did not have any the city maps on the back. Another option is the large Indiana State Atlas & Gazetteer, by DeLorme, from 2020, which is a large-format road atlas with many detailed maps of Indiana.
In general, paper maps are becoming harder to come by (due to people using online maps) with many of the last ones published around 2016. Some towns still publish their own paper maps, sometimes available at libraries or chambers of commerce.
14 June 2023
Decent sound amplifier for hearing loss, but not as good as a real hearing aid.
Long detailed review:
Like similar products, the HD Smart Ear actually is not a hearing aid, but a sound amplifier. However, if you can get it for the sale price $30 or so, it is a very good value.
It uses #675 hearing aid batteries - which are not as common as some other hearing aid battery sizes. So depending on how often you wear it, you will have to regularly buy packs of those batteries for a few dollars.
Turn it off when not in use.
Sound amplifiers like this will allow you to hear better even if you have significant hearing loss, but it is not like having a real hearing aid.
The FDA will soon (2023) be allowing actual hearing aids to be sold through audiologists and pharmacies that will cost a few hundred dollars rather than two thousand like traditional hearing aids. These lower-cost hearing aids have actually been available for many years in many other countries. (There are many articles about this online and the products that will be available.)
Also be aware that there are some charity programs through local Lion's Clubs or through some audiologists for lower-cost used hearing aids for those with low income (information online). Hearing aids usually aren't covered by health insurance, but sometimes the hearing tests are covered - check your policy and provider network. An audiologist test may also be available and covered by insurance as part of a regular ear exam from an ear/nose/throat (ENT) doctor in your insurance network.
The difference between a sound amplifier and more expensive actual hearing aids is that hearing aids can be programmed or adjusted by an audiologist to your specific type of hearing loss using a hearing test (for the frequency range of your loss). Also importantly, hearing aids have the ability to cancel out annoying amplified background noise, like when many people are talking in a noisy room.
With a sound amplifier like HD Smart Ear, you are always going to hear some amount of slight, low-level "hissing" background noise (which will increase as the volume controls are turned up). This will be worse if you have a fan or other appliance nearby or just similar moving air noise coming from air ducts. (Unless you are in a sealed room there is always some backgound noise like this that will be amplied.) In a noisy room with lots of people talking, an amplifier (versus a hearing aid) will also amplify all that noise. The background slight hissing noise can get somewhat annoying if you wear the Power Ear for over an hour, so if you need something for eight hours of daily work, getting a more expensive hearing aid is much better and worth the money. I find hearing amplifiers like the HD Smart Ear best for just temporary use, as when out shopping, or you need to have an important meeting or convesation. It is also OK for a couple of hours of TV watching or listening to the radio.
Be aware that as of 2023 the distributor for the HD Smart Ear is no longer providing service (their website is gone), so there is no warranty. so it would probably be best to buy it at a store where you can return for exchange or store credit it if you get a defective one. It is an electronic device so that is always a slight possibility.
A few important instructions:
IMPORTANT: Since this is a sound amplifier, it will not limit very loud noise that could damage your hearing. For example, if you are outside and an ambulance with a loud siren is approaching, you should either switch it off (with the little on/off lever on the unit) or just take it out of your ear (careful not to drop it).
Other than turning it off, there is no way with the turn the volume way down to zero amplificatioin; only down to a moderate level of amplification. This can actually be a problem with too much amplificaiton even at the lowest volume settings for those people who just have a low or moderate amount of high-frequency hearing loss, since even at the lowest volume settings there is a fair amount of amplification.
As far as the adjustment switches, it is fairly simple. There is a small on/off lever, a volume control toggle switch, and a mode button that adjusts the frequency range of the sound amplifciation. When you firmly push the volume or mode, it will make beeping noises indicating that you are changing the settings.
Be aware that you can get a loud squeaking feedback noise when putting it on. The feedback noise is unavoidable if your hand is over the little micropone hole under the ear hook; it is worse in the high frequency modes and if the volume is turned up.
Once you've got it on and the dome inserted, it is easier to adjust the on/off switch and volume controls using two hands - one to support the unit against your ear your head and a finger to push the volume buttons. After a bit of practice it will be easier.
IMPORTANT: Before putting it on, always check to make sure the tubing is pushed on over the ear hook and the ear dome or the wire could be stressed.
14 June 2023
Decent sound amplifier, but tube may be too long for many people. No warranty.
Like several similar products, the Power Ear is actually not really a hearing aid, but a sound amplifier. It is similar to other products like the less expensive HD Smart Ear. (The Power Ear has an internal rechargeable battery, while the HD Smart Ear uses #675 hearing aid batteries - which are not as common as some other battery sizes.) Sound amplifiers will allow you to hear better if you have significant hearing loss, but it is not like having a real hearing aid. While the Power Ear says it is "FDA Registered," that doesn't mean much. However, the FDA will soon (2023) be allowing actual hearing aids to be sold through audiologists and pharmacies that will cost a few hundred dollars rather than two thousand like traditional hearing aids. . (There are many articles about this online and the products that will be available.)
Also be aware that there are some charity programs through local Lion's Clubs or some audiologists for lower-cost used hearing aids for those with low income (information online). Hearing aids usually aren't covered by health insurance, but sometimes the hearing tests are covered - check your policy and network. An audiologist test may also be available and covered by insurance at an ear/nose/throat (ENT) doctor in your network.
The difference between a sound amplifier and more expensive hearing aids is that hearing aids can be adjusted by an audiologist to your specific type of hearing loss using a hearing test. Also importantly, hearing aids have the ability to cancel out annoying amplified background noise, like many people are talking in a noisy room.
With a sound amplifier like the Power Ear, you are always going to hear some amount of slight, low-level "hissing" background noise (which will increase as the volume controls are turned up). This will be worse if you have a fan or other appliance on in the room or just similar moving air noise coming from air ducts. (Unless you are in a sealed room there is always some backgound noise like this that will be amplied.) In a noisy room with lots of people talking, an amplifier (versus a hearing aid) will also amplify all that noise. The background slight hissing noise can get annoying if you wear the Power Ear for a long time, so if you need something for hours of daily work, getting a more expensive hearing aid is much better and worth the money.
A problem for me with the Power Ear is unfortunately, the tube that connects the main unit to the dome that fits in your ear is long, and so the tube bulges out a bit from the upper ear. This is probably so that it can fit even the largest person. However, I am an average sized man (5' 9") and the tube bulges out a bit from the ear and obviously makes it more noticeable (and I don't have small ears). I'd say it will only lay flat on the ear of a person near six foot tall or larger (assuming head & ear size gets bigger with height.) In contrast, the tube on the similar HD Smart Ear is about 1/4" shorter and so fits flush against my upper ear. Unlike some behind-the-ear hearing aids that just use a hollow tube, there is no way to shorten the tube on the Power Ear because it actually contains a fine electrical wire inside. I'd say this isn't a "deal breaker," but for people smaller than me it could be an annoying problem.
In my opinion the Power Ear is expensive (list price around $90) for what it is, but you can sometimes find it on sale for around half price at some pharmacies. Be aware that there is no warranty information at all in the package (just a customer service telephone number on the box), so it would be best to buy it at a store where you can return for exchange or store credit it if you get a defective one. It is an electronic device so that is always a possibility.
Since this is a sound amplifier, it will not limit very loud noise that could damage your hearing. For example, if you are outside and an ambulance with a loud siren is approaching, you should either switch it off (with the little on/off lever on the unit) or just take it out of your ear (careful not to drop it). Coverng your ear with your hand may work in a pinch, but it also can cause a loud squeaking feedback noise in your ear. Obviously, don't wear it where you could hear very loud noises.
Other than turning it off, there is no way with the Power Ear to turn the volume way down to zero amplificatioin; the two high/low frequency volume controls only allow you to ajust it down to a moderate level of amplification. This can be a problem with too much amplificaiton even at the lowest volume settings for those people who just have a slight or moderate amount of hearing loss, since even at the lowest volume settings there is a fair amount of amplification.
Before putting it on, always check to make sure the tubing is pushed on over the ear hook and the ear dome piece. If not, the small electrical wire inside could get stressed and break.