Hearing aids

My opinion for yrs had been that I don't like half of what I DO hear why do I want to make it worse

But lately it's getting pretty old tell people to quit mumbling

So what do any of you use why do you like that brand or why do you hate them

Is there a way to not get over sold, theres supposedly better and lesser ones everywhere from $500 each to $2500+ each

Surely there is some straight talk out there somewhere

Thanks
steve

Hearing loss with age most commonly does not result in failure to hear sound, but in failure to hear certain frequencies of sound; most commonly the higher frequencies. The radio or TV that used to sound good now sounds like the bass is turned up. Raising the volume only helps a little.

The ability of a hearing aid to fine tune only those frequencies you have trouble with will work best.

My hearing loss is not severe and I purchased two aids from MD Hearing Aids for $700. Sound is clean, but adjustment is limited to successively cutting out lower frequencies. Hearing is still not normal but pretty close. I only use them when I know i will need them.

If you have good quality ear phones you can test yourself from several internet sites. Obviously not as good as a specialists equipment, but will give you an idea of your loss and difference between ears.

franco b wrote: ↑

Sun. Oct. 14, 2018 12:09 pm

Hearing loss with age most commonly does not result in failure to hear sound, but in failure to hear certain frequencies of sound; most commonly the higher frequencies.
The ability of a hearing aid to fine tune only those frequencies you have trouble with will work best.

Yes, frequencies that are not heard well, established as a result of testing, are shifted over to a available frequency still recognized by the user. Even yet, some slight volume issues may still simply get amplified a bit to become workable.

Some models have a easy to use switch to switch on and back off as needed for when in a Noisy environment with a lot of background noise or chatter.

Custom molded ear canal tubes are way better than the one size fits most...some people have rather unique twists or turns that play hell if one only is using the generic ones especially over the long haul of wearing them.

I'll add that a FREE EXAM is not best done in a sound booth within a noisy Warehouse Shopping Club environment.

I get blamed for hearing loss, by people who talking while facing away from me, and/or, mumbling (what my parents called, "talking into their beard.")

When I point that out to them and they turn and face me as they speak, not out the car window, or their smart phone screen, or the shelves in a store, and speak clearly with head up, like taught in public speaking classes, I can hear them very well.

I also avoid newer movies on TV and internet. I prefer the older movies where the dialog is not drowned out by the music. I'll never understand why the musical score of movies become more important than the story ?

Paul

KC,
I wear one in each ear. I've had them 1 year. They are expensive, but they work. Mine are Swiss made, Phonak, behind the ear, digital technology, with a wire into the ear. Better than the tube-no cleaning, and the sound is clearer. Supposedly, these are set up to work as a pair. When you adjust the volume on one, it adjusts the other, like magic. Bad part- $2500 each.

Well there are no free tests on line, I tried 8 and every one of them demanded contact info before revealing their outcomes

I find this disingenuous at best if not fraudulent
Several of these were manufacturers sites none of them will get my business

My issue is multifaceted. I hear and even feel "bass" frequentcies very well in all conditions to the point I adjust them as low as possible when I can. At that point I can hear high end stuff well enough but things don't really come alive till I seriously boost the mid range.

All this is from yrs of unprotected exposures to manufacturing, heavy equipment, insanely load music, gun fire, etc

My biggest problem is multi layered invironments where there are lots of speakers like in restaurants, ball parks various amusements and the like in that kind of stuff I'll usually be found on the fringe facing away from the largest contributors

At that point all I'm getting is a wall of inseparable sounds you can be speaking to me directly and I won't hear a thing

Guess I'll have to go have a professional test I've had a couple places suggested

Thanks
steve

Am I the only one who detests digital sound enhancing? The only thing Ive ever experienced with digital aids is sore ears. I can switch my tv from digital to analog and the difference is amazing, to the point that I wonder why they ever made digital sound, or its just me.

Anyway i dont even know if anyone makes the old style analog aids anymore but that is what I'd have to use when the time comes or I'll just be deaf.

I hate to tell you SB, but you do have hearing loss with how you described it. Mechanics that hear good are rare. But probably not bad enough to need an aid yet. The movie thing may be the digital sound I mentioned. Try watching it on a movie in analog and it might help.

Myself, I have a hard time hearing anything behind me and people think I am ignoring them. Any background noise and they can yell behind me and i wont answer The only time I could use one is shopping but I get by.

Good luck partner. The only advice I can give is to not further hurt your hearing. My wife thinks its silly (since I expose my hearing to loud environments playing in bands) that I wear ear plugs whenever there is noise that I don't need to tolerate. I use ear plugs mainly when mowing or weed whacking or even using saws. So don't be afraid to use hearing protection anytime you can.

The ones I have are Starkey, nothing like the original equipment but ya got to play the cards your dealt. Don't know anything about the cost since the VA supplies then to me for free since that's where I lost my hearing.

samhill wrote: ↑

Sun. Oct. 14, 2018 4:16 pm

The ones I have are Starkey, nothing like the original equipment but ya got to play the cards your dealt. Don't know anything about the cost since the VA supplies then to me for free since that's where I lost my hearing.

Ithink the v.a. will get you hearing aids no matter when you lost some hearing.my brother has them from v.a.in both ears.was turning up t.v. early this year,wife says get them checked out.called v.a. for appt,& the lady made appt for audioligist instead of ear dr.bottom line he told me an outfit out in colorato works with v.a.for no cost hearing aids & batteries.my problem was ear wax buildup,hydrogen peroxcide flushes did the trick

Lightning wrote: ↑

Sun. Oct. 14, 2018 4:12 pm

Good luck partner. The only advice I can give is to not further hurt your hearing. My wife thinks its silly (since I expose my hearing to loud environments playing in bands) that I wear ear plugs whenever there is noise that I don't need to tolerate. I use ear plugs mainly when mowing or weed whacking or even using saws. So don't be afraid to use hearing protection anytime you can.

Great advice! I do the same thing. Gotta keep what you have left! its crazy the sounds that will bother your ears. one of them with me is using packaging tape, wrapping boxes with it, that high pitched sound. Who'd ever think that.

warminmn wrote: ↑

Sun. Oct. 14, 2018 4:09 pm

Am I the only one who detests digital sound enhancing? The only thing Ive ever experienced with digital aids is sore ears. I can switch my tv from digital to analog and the difference is amazing, to the point that I wonder why they ever made digital sound, or its just me.

Anyway i dont even know if anyone makes the old style analog aids anymore but that is what I'd have to use when the time comes or I'll just be deaf.

I hate to tell you SB, but you do have hearing loss with how you described it. Mechanics that hear good are rare. But probably not bad enough to need an aid yet. The movie thing may be the digital sound I mentioned. Try watching it on a movie in analog and it might help.

Myself, I have a hard time hearing anything behind me and people think I am ignoring them. Any background noise and they can yell behind me and i wont answer The only time I could use one is shopping but I get by.

One of my daughters, like her mother, is a trained singer. She always faces who she is talking to, not away, and she speaks clearly, but not loud. I don't have to ask her to repeat things. My other three daughters mumble in lots of directions other than who they are speaking to.

Paul

KingCoal wrote: ↑

Sun. Oct. 14, 2018 3:43 pm

Well there are no free tests on line, I tried 8 and every one of them demanded contact info before revealing their outcomes

You can try this free.
http://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html