Putting this in the Business folder in the hopes it reaches a larger audience, and the fact that hearing affects business!
I’m noticing a slightly diminished ability to hear some phone conversations. Not a major problem yet, and I think it has something to do with the number of low quality cell phones out there.
I would like to hear (no pun intended) from those of you who wear hearing aids.
How bad did it get before you gave in?
How comfortable are they?
What are the options?
Any input would be appreciated.
John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
Replies
What?
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I have had too many years of saws and nail guns to be able to hear well. I really don't think it has to do with low quality cell phones, more likely your hearing!
There is no doubt I've lost some hearing at the upper end. But low quality phones have a lot to do with my problems.
Certain people I talk to on a regular basis-I know going into the conversation I better put the phone up to my right ear (the better one), and even then I have trouble. Unless it's their home phone.
And with other folks, I have no problem with either ear.
So although I know it's starting to go(believe me my brutally honest wife and sons will let me know when my hearing becomes a nuisance), I figure I'm a year or two from needing one. Thus my fact finding mission.John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
between artillery, small arms, and construction... i've lost a lot.
but not enough to get a hearing aid... my wife is after me all the time to
get one
my main problem is group conversation with background noise
i do continually caution young dudes to wear their hearing protectionMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
"but not enough to get a hearing aid... my wife is after me all the time to
get one"
you "sound" just like my Dad ... he's deaf too!
also won't admit it either.
Just get a hearing aid ... yer annoying everyone by not getting one!
only thing worse than him ... was Cath's Mom.
she had one for years ... and always forgot to put it in.
You'd be 20 minutes into a conversation with her ... she's noding along ...
then someone would say ... "Mom, do you have your hearing aid in?"
she'd have to admit she didnt and had no clue what ya just said!
old people ... I tell ya ...
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
esadMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
that's it ...
I'm tellin' Helen!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
"my main problem is group conversation with background noise"Amen there!
A one on one conversation with somebody who uses good diction is fine. Do you notice that it seems to be youngsters who garble their speech more?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I have a really hard time understanding kids on tv. And I have an even harder time understanding the words they are speaking."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Seriously, guys. Today's hearing aides are so advanced, that they can selectively increase the amplification and clarity of those high pitched wimmens and kids voices, while leaving the lower pitches untouched. With incredible accuracy!
They come with two, three or more "programs" where the various microphones are either switched on, off, amplified, or blocked.
Mine has four. "Regular conversation," "restaurant mode" (where the background noises are fairly well reduced and the microphones are focused forward), full open or what's called "music", and "party" mode (where the background noise is reduced to maximum and the forward focused microphone is at max). I can easily switch form mode to mode by touching a tiny button on the aide. That's the only control I have or need. Other than taking out the battery. Volume is programmed in by the audiologist and is automatically adjusted depending upon your enviroment.
I am happier than a pig in scheet with them. And so is my wife. I can fully hear music, the recorded books ontape, telephones, TV, all conversations, practically everything a normal ear can hear.
If you don't get them, you're really short changing yourselves.
Brand? Cost?
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=117038.17
Thanks, I had read right past that in your post.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
My father had a hearing aid, and he hated it. The problem was that this was back in the 50s and 60s, and technology wasn't anywhere what it is today.First thing you need to do is get a hearing test, one that they do in a totally soundproof room, to measure each ear in terms of % loss vs. sound frequency, plus the usual stuff with tuning forks placed against the head bones. That exam will tell you the nature of your hearing problem and what your options are.Back at the end of the 70s and early 80s, I had been having increased difficulty with conversations in noisy rooms and sometimes on the phone (way before cellphones). It got to the point where I sometimes had to switch the phone to the right ear to hear well enough. The testing revealed that I had perhaps 10% loss in my right ear, not enough to worry about, but about 50% in the left ear, a real nuisance, with a noticeable dip in the curve at one frequency.From the collection of different tests, it was determined that I had otosclerosis, a growth of some stuff around the base of the stapes (pronounced "stape-eez", sounds some new tool you bought). That's the stirrup-shaped bone that covers the inner ear opening and passes vibrations to the inner ear fluid and the tiny hairs that line it. Sounds had to be louder to produce the same result on the nerves.My options were a hearing aid and the stapedectomy operation. Based on my father's experience, I didn't want the nuisance of a hearing aid. If this were today, I might have decided otherwise, or maybe not, but as it was I opted for the stapedectomy.They sedated me so I was in and out of dozing a bit, but somewhat aware of what they were doing. The work is done with an operating microscope. Things are rather small inside the ear, with limited room to work. They cut a half-moon incision around the eardrum so they can get in there. Then they verify the diagnosis of otosclerosis visually before going on.The stapes is removed, at which point you are totally deaf in that ear. Removal also can produce a tremendous disorientation, since the fluid in the inner ear is disturbed, and thus your sense of balance. This doesn't hurt at all, but with no warning it was very disturbing. This lasted maybe 15-20 seconds. I wish they had warned me.Then they cut a tiny disk of cartilage from the pointy projection at the bottom of the outer ear and place that over the hole left by the base of the removed stapes. Next they drop in an artificial stapes, which in my case was a tiny plastic cylinder with a platinum wire on one end. The plastic part presses against the center of the disk of cartilage, and the hook on the wire goes over a groove in the next bone out (the anvil? I don't know the Latin name). I remember that moment, as suddenly I could hear very well, thankyou, out of that ear, even before they crimped the wire hook to make the connection permanent. Finally the wire hook is tightened, the eardrum flap is tacked back into place, and they're done.After a sleepless night in a recovery room (they were short on beds, it was noisy, etc.), they let me get up and walk around a bit, then let my wife drive me home. I took a couple of days off, and then it was maybe a week before I decided to go running at noon again.
For a couple of weeks after the op, sounds were somewhat harsh, as the brain adjusted to things, but the hearing problem was gone. The hearing test done several weeks later came out slightly better than anticipated. The dip in the curve at that one frequency was still there, as they said it would be, the result of nerve damage.Some 27 years later, I have to say I made the right choice. I can still hear well out of that ear (my wife disputes this sometimes, when she assumes I'm paying attention), and look - no batteries!
Thanks, that was very helpful. My father has a high tech HA and really likes it. It has made a big difference in us communicating with him, and in his general atitude toward people ... he hears them now!"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Svenny: If you are working around the noise makers, jack-hammers, cut off saws, chop saws, loud BOOM BOXES etc., protect what you have left; it's going to get worse.
If you end up getting a hearing aid, I would not get a over the ear model unless you have no choice, [thats the type I have $4500] you can't use them in the rain or if you are sweating too much, any water in the unit will damage it; they don't work that great on a phone either, luck.
"If all else fails, read the directions"
Edited 2/23/2009 4:43 pm ET by Shacko
My wife already lets me know I need one! Most of my hearing loss is in the upper frequencies where women's voices are. I notice too that I adjust a radio to add more highs. her setting just gives me the bass and I don't hear a lot of the singing voices and higher notes.One older guy here told me he loves his hearing aid, because he can turn it off when he doesn't want to hear his wife yammer. That one made no sense to me. Buy it so I can turn it off? I'm there now already.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I think rustoleum makes a hearing aid primer.
Hear about the ghey guy that had condoms on his ears?
He didn't want to get hearing aids.
Ok,Ok...I'm going deaf too..just putting off the inevitable..Dad was born deaf in one ear. My hearing has gottem exponentially worse in the last 5 yrs (I'm 48) and I expect to need some supplantation in the next 10. So who ever has advice, I'm all ears..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Mine has been bad for years.
Went in for a test last fall. 80% left, 90% right overall with some tone ranges much worse.
Looked into aids. anywhere from $1000 ea. ear up to $4000 each ear.
Same unit , they just turn on different parts of the electronics the more you pay.
Insurance would pay $400 ea ear.
My sister is totally deaf in one ear and has about 35% in the other. She has taught the deaf all her life and she is now in her mid 60's. The hearing aids they have now are supposed to be phenomenal compaired to the old ones of the 60's.
This is good because I will probably have to get one myself in the next 15 years or so. I have tinnitus which is loads of fun, and like Mike, I have real problems in crowds or when there is other noise around.
DW still talks to me from 3 rooms away with one of the doors closed and the bath water running while the radio is on though. Just like my Ma did. I've learnedto just say "unh huh,....right.....yes....I see". 90% of the time that works just fine.
heh,heh,heh....
i ain't gonna show that to HelenMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
DW still talks to me from 3 rooms away with one of the doors closed and the bath water running while the radio is on though
Why do they do that? And then get po'd cuz you either don't answer, or give a nonsense answer. Mine looks out the passenger side window when we're driving, with the radio on, and makes some low-volume comment about something she sees, and wonders why I don't respond."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Our wives must be twins, my wife will be sitting in the same room, get up to go into the kitchen , 2 room away and then starts a conversation while she has a cigerette in her mouth!!
Mine waits till I have the woodstove door open, I'm peering in, and the fan is running two inches from head.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
One problem I have with my wife is sometimes she'll say something I don't get right away. I'll say "huh" or "what" and she'll repeat it, same words, same tone, and I still don't understand. She gets mad, says I should get my ears checked again. Sometimes it's a matter of acoustics, and sometimes it's just that she has switched to some other subject and I don't understand what she just said in the context of what she had been talking about. She knows, I don't.Well, maybe I should get my ears tested again, but for the most part I don't have any problem in conversations. It could be that one frequency that my left ear still doesn't hear well that results in some things not coming across clearly.I was told something a by a friend's wife some years back. She was a speech specialist, and she said that many people have a habit of either talking from another room or while facing away from the person who is supposed to hear what is said. The other thing they often do is, in response to "what" simply repeat what was said. What they need to do, and something I try to do myself, is to to repeat what I said, but either with different words or with additional words to put what I said originally in context.
my experience has been the opposite.
my hearings not perfect, though i think it has more to do with loud concerts than power tools.
it really bugs me when i don't catch something that someone says, and when i say 'pardon'- they change the words.
like i can't understand accelerate, so they say go faster.
not only is it condescending, but then i have a new word or phrase to decipher.
drives me nuts.
Makes me wonder if hearing loss causes more arguements and divorces or saves more marriages, LOL
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Do you take regular, high doses of aspirin?
Aspirin or assburn?......whatever. No. Neither one. Well, once in a while I do one or the other, but never have the twain met. Unless the two twains were on the same twack.Gunner told me to take vitamin B complex for the stuff and I've gone through a bottle and a half so far. I dunno. Might could be. We'll see. By then my eyesight should be good and shot.
I've got the ringing too.
I get tired of yelling "what?" into another room when my wife says something, so I walk to the room she is in and politely ask her to repeat herself. But then, since I am so much closer, she asks the question in a much lighter voice.....then, I have to say "what?" anyways.
The guys on the job site used to do the same thing. The closer I walked, the quiter they would talk. It was maddening. I did learn to use my deafness to ignore certain people though. I like that.
hah,hah,hah..... wow..... yeah, i recognise thatMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Jer, same hear (sp) with the tinnitus, likewise with the crowds and background noise. It sure makes gatherings difficult at times.
Rich
DickRussell leads you in the right direction. The first step is the hearing test.
I choose to evaluate my hearing thru an MD that specialized in hearing/throat issues. She also had an audiology clinic in the same location.
About 5 years ago, decided I had it with the loud background noises at parties and restaurants as well as constantly saying, "what?" or, "I'm sorry?" 20 years earlier I also had such a test. Then I was told I had a loss ranging from 10 to 30%. I was told that the aids that were available then would be worthless to me and to wait until technology came about that offered specific frequency modulation.
The test 5 years ago showed 30 to 60% gone. So I get checked over by the doctor. She does the physical exam and ordered a head MRI and some rare blood tests for a specific genetically caused hearing loss. Turns out those were OK, and mine was what is called, "Nerve Damage." A broad term where they probably don't know yet.
But, now (5 years ago), such technology had become available. So for $5400 I got a pair of (then) near top of the line models (CANTA) specifically tuned to my hearing loss profile.
A freakin' miracle! That same nite, I took the Queen out to dinner. For the first time in years, I was able to hear everything she said, completely understood every word in a loud, huge open restaurant, without any interference from the full crowd in the background. And the most satisfiying thing about it was, (cause I wear my hair a bit on the longer side), she had no idea I was wearing them. Although as she did look close, she eventually did see the clear hoses going into my ears.
But they need to be maintained. I've become so familar with them, that I wear them all the time. Being able to hear the birds, neighbors, waiters, etc. is such a great feeling after not being able to do so for so many years, that I hardly ever take them off. Sometimes, I even wear them into the shower. Stupid thing to do. That kills them. Even sweat from behind your ear or from your hair can get in there and kill them.
I had a three year warranty/loss protection deal with mine. I had to have mine replaced twice during that time from water infiltration. And once more since. The one out of warranty costs $250 per aide to be repaired. Repair essently consists of them sending you out a reconditioned model with new innards.
This last time I got them replaced (out of warr.), the chips that came back in the new ones have some new form of anti-feedback circuit. These are the sweetest ones I've had yet.
When I first got them, there was some issue about getting the clear plastic hoses (I've got the behind the ear model) coming from the aide to the earpiece replaced every six months. The plastic would react with moisture and harden.
Now, there is a new plastic that remains flexible and can be pulled off the aide, allowing you to clean the dirty ear piece by simply putting it into a cup of water with a drop of dish soap and microwave for 3 minutes. Come out near new.
The ear piece is a custom molded clear plastic part that is machined to have a hole going thru connecting the outside world to the eardrum. It has a second hole for the aforementioned hose to stick into. This one carries the sound from the aide. The open hole carries the sound (and atmosphereic pressure) from the outside. This also keeps you from hearing things like you were in a tunnel. Keep it clean for your own self respect.
I'd also imagine that if you lived in a more humid enviroment, you may have to play some games with storing the aides overnight in a disseccant container to keep the moisture issue in control. Quiz your audiologist extensively about how sensitive the suggested aides are to moisture. Your unexpected costs down the line will relate to this issue.
So now, my momma is out here staying with me for a few months. She seems to have a similar hearing pattern as me. So I take her in for a hearing test and ask the audiologist if there is a model more suitable for an old lady of 87 in poor health. Now note, there are two different audiologists at this shop. They split a job so they can tend to their babies some days of the week. One has a PhD in audiology. The other a Masters. The Masters gurl knows the different manufacturers and their equipment better. The PhD knows how the patient interacts with sound better and is more compassionate.
So I've been running the momma between both to get the best interpretation and aide. What they've come up with is this:
There is a primary distributorship/manufacturer of these machines called, Starkey. Starkey maintains a small inventory of reconditioned and traded in aides that they keep on hand for such situations or to replace older models unrepairable.
They've offered my momma a set of digital, full featured aides about two or three years old for $500 each. With the custom ear piece price of $140, the total price for a set of very good aides will be $1,140. These are listed on Starkey's inventory list (that changes weekly) according to the amount of gain and other power functions.
But be careful. I find the compentency of both of these gurls I'm familar with to be very comforting. I don't believe I could get the same level at some Sears shop. My MIL speaks of horror stories about when she was going from shop to shop getting hers years ago.
Insurance commonly does not cover these devices. They do the test, but usually the test is free when you get hustled into the aides.
Just imagine what your grandkids will sound like. Not irritating any more, that's for sure.
I have had a hearing loss all my life, hearing aids most of my life. I suggest that you have an Ear,Nose, & Throat doctor evaluate you and refer you to a dispensing audiologist (not a retail store). The best way to find out who is good and who isn't' in your area is to contact a local chapter of the Hearing Loss Association: http://www.hearingloss.org/. Attend a meeting and ask group members about their experiences and who they do and don't recommend. We hard of hearing folks are always happy to talk about audiologists! Your main criteria should be to find an audiologist who will fit you with hearing aids that work for you, even if it means trying different brands. Check with your state consumer department about the trial period length. Good luck!
I am tone deaf and generally hard of hearing.
The poor hearing kept me out of the Marine Corp.
I deal with it and often think about one day getting a hearing aide.
I do notice it is worst when there are other noises going on.
I also notice that I tend to talk extrememly loud. I think this is because I can't hear so well so I naturally talk louder... maybe it is just because I am a loudmouth jerk... lol
I have developed a real complex on how loud I talk because everyone seems to mention it to me. In council meetings I hear about it a lot and I try my best to be quiter but I forget and the volume goes right up.
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
My father was like that. He had a booming baritone-bass voice both while singing and speaking and you could hear him all the way down the street when he was cooking and singing, probably his favorite thing in life to do. One of my first memories of him was seeing him on TV sing "We Could Make Believe" on The Show Dialing For Dollars.As kids we would often have to hold our hands over our ears when he sang because it was so loud. I also remember having to hold the phone 2-3" away from my ear whenever he was on the other end. And when he got mad (quite temperamental was he), and really raised his voice, the wall would shake.Wonder if he's still singing.
Gotta get to work so I don't have time to read all these posts but.........I bought a pair of tiny ear buds about three years ago my hearing was getting so bad.
I paid $4000 back then. I was shocked at what I was missing when I walked out the door with them in my ears. You can hardly notice them they're so tiny.
I wore them for maybe a month on and off but since then they just sit in a drawer.
I never use em' anymore...I've learned to read lips...lol.
Thing is..when I'm chewing food it's annoyingly loud...using tools...forget about that!! Wayyyyyyyyy loud...and they're adjusted perfectly so it's not that.
Unless you're really deaf I'm not sure how worth it they are. I get by most of the time without much problem although I might not really know what I'm missing...who cares...I already hear more then I want to : ) ~
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
This could be a factor, where ya live.
http://www.crystalinks.com/taoshum.html
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
This in no way goes to the answer to you post, but it does have to do with hearing aids. This was and has been a very funny to me. Not so much with folks not in the trades. It may be one of those, you have to have been there things.
Several years ago I doing a project just North of San Antonio, Tx. We were placing the steel in a large circular drive. One of the workers (Bob) had a hearing aid. I don't know if this is still the case today, but then when his battery stated getting low it would make a beeping sound.
One day Bills hearing aid (I don't think he could hear it) was beeping like crazy. Another one of the men ask the guy working with to him, what the heck is that beeping sound and with out batting a eye he said don't worry about it, it just old Bob backing up.
I am almost 65 years old and have tried an inexpensive hearing aid. I tried the "Songbird". It amplified sounds and did help me. It is a one size fits all,couldn't wear it more than two hours a day.I actually had pain in my ear from wearing it. The battery lasted about 6 weeks. The battery is not replacable, you throw it out when it stops working. I paid about $40.00 for it. This would come to about $350.00 a year, if the hearing aid was comfortable I would still use one.
I don't wear one even though I should. I'm retired now and seem to do okay without a hearing aid.If the day comes that I want one ,I'll get one fitted for my ear,or ears.
mike
Lot's of good info here.After reading how much hearing loss so many of you guys have, I don't feel so bad. Sounds like I'm a good five years before I need to get one, maybe a lot longer. I'm much more careful now about ear protection than I ever was. Hanging around race tracks was probably harder on my hearing than work ever was.$4,000-$5,000 for good ones! Maybe they'll come down like HDTV...right.Oy...John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
There are many reasons why, but my hearing has sucked for some time . . just didn't do anything about it.
Pride? Vanity? Who knows.
Anyways I just got a set of hearing aids from the VA.
After the most thorough testing I ever had (balance, hearing etc.) they hooked me up with a set of Phonak aids with the latest technology (over 6 grand worth) inc. batteries, repairs for life.
WOW, I'm wearing these babies like they were bling! Almost invisible, but who cares? I'm proud of them. Want people to see them.
They self adjust to music . . . telephones . . . speech . . .crowded rooms . . .
I feel like bionic man as I listen to the lady at the table across the crowded restaurant talking to her friend about how pretty I am.......
You guys just gotta jump the pride barrier and get a set. Your wife will even quit ignoring you.........
I think the "over 6 grand worth" is a much bigger barrier to overcome than pride.At least in my case. Just getting the last of three sons through college, and I'm a little tapped out for now.John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio