Hearing aids and a rant

[etpm]

Today I spent 2 grand on hearing aids. Before The government made the hearing aid purchasing changes they would have cost me just about double. So that's great. Plus I can make changes to the aids myself with my smart phone, which used to not be a thing.
Now for the rant. I have read many times posts here on TBN and other places from people who say all the loud noises have not affected their hearing. They typically say that they must just be unusual but their chainsaw noise and similar noise, and all the loud music they listened to, etc., has never affected their hearing. Of course they have their hearing checked regularly so they know. Well, I don't buy it. Maybe they believe what they say. It doesn't matter. When people say stuff like this it gives young folk an excuse to ignore good sense.
I, when young, listened to very loud music, shot rifles and pistols, operated stuff with very loud exhaust, and so on, and didn't use hearing protection. I'm 67 now. In my late 20s I started to wear hearing protection as much as possible. And I still have significant hearing loss. I now wear hearing protection whenever I am going to be exposed to loud noise. No exception. I want to keep what I have left. Yet I can't convince my wife or 45 year old son to do the same even though I have obvious hearing deficits. Because they think they are somehow immune to loud noise.
So please, no matter what you think about your excellent resistance to loud noise exposure for years with no affect to your hearing, just keep quiet about it. Don't give others, especially young folks, an excuse to avoid doing something so easy and simple, that will protect their precious hearing later in life.
Allright, rant off.
Cheers,
Eric

 

[Wagtail]

It's not just loud noise that effects or causes hearing loss... 'constant' noise will, over time, do it too.

Navy training has led me to always wear hearing protection (and appropriate PPE), even today. I don't have significant hearing loss, however I do have some and the culprit turned out to be the 'whirring' of the ship's ventilation. I typically would sleep on my left side in a 'Jack knife' position (to keep me in my bunk as the ship rolled) so my right ear was exposed more to the sound over the years (total 'sea time'). It's the one that's 'worse' than the left.

Fortunately I don't require hearing aids... yet. But the Veteran's Affair Department recognises the 'loss' and I'm 100% covered for that.

 

[bdhsfz6]

It's not just loud noise that effects or causes hearing loss... 'constant' noise will, over time, do it too.

My doctor told me the same thing. I have age related high frequency hearing loss which could have been minimized by using hearing protection in my youth.

Now, in my 70's, the doctor suggested I wear some form of hearing protection when I drive long distances. The constant highway noise for prolonged periods of time can affect hearing.

 

[newbury]

The problem is most people do not realize how it affects one to be deaf, or blind, until it happens. And then once it happens often there is no going back.

I had back surgery, then lost my hearing about the same time. Several trips to an ear doctor and some in hospital cleaning did not help. In order for me to hear the volume had to be LOUD. Finally my HMO authorised another doctor who was going to fit me for hearing aids, He sent me back for another ear cleaning at a different facility.
They ended up pulling enough wax from my ears to light a parade. They remarked they had never seen ear canals that deep.
I was wearing corduroy pants at the time. When I walked out of that doctors office I could hear my pants as I walked. They were loud! Everything was loud.
I immediately upped my collection of hearing protection devices and even wear Noise Reduction Ear Muffs, 29dB NRR when mowing lawns with my gas lawnmower, plus when using a tractor or chainsaw.

About 5 years ago I found I was developing cataracts. My right eye progressed quicker than my left. Then over the course of a month my right eye became almost blind due to the cataract. I had surgery and it was back better than it had been since my 20's.
So now having experienced being almost blind and deaf I try and take care of these things.

 

[cdaigle430]

I have been wearing since age of 30 for 27 years now. Had many disturbing side affects from it like severe vertigo (labyrinthitis). Sever tinnitus (that included 24x7 screaming in ears) Heard ransom explosions, incoherent voices, clicking, pinging, and now my left side hears my heart beat 24x7. After many examinations, MRIs, CAT Scans Drs have told me-yup your going deaf and have tinnitus-nothing we can do except sell you some nice hearing aids and white noise generators.

Was able to get care from the VA-not only hearing aids and batteries but real care like attending tinnitus management classes.

Im probably down to my last 7% of hearing but I feel for all of you.

Things I learned
Behind the ear (BHE) hearing aids are better-keeps ears from getting infected and are more comfortable than In the ear (ITE) hearing aids. Bluetooth rechargeable hearing aids are the thing today.

Most HAs will have wax traps-buy yourselves a good ear scope that you can connect to your smart phone-these come with devices to remove the wax traps from your canal. As I have found the wax traps can cause severe earaches if the fall out of the hearing aid into your ear.
Otherwise its a trip to the doctor.

Some states like Maine and Maine Medcaire will pay for up to $3,000 per hearing aid per ear.

Hearing aid batteries are tax free.

I have found in my research that loss of hearing can lead to a much higher chance of anxiety, depression and dementia. I already found to have more and more episodes of "lost key syndrome" these days.

Scientist have recently found where tinnitus and hearing loss dont coexist it the source can be from nerve damage at the base of the brain. Very important discovery for possible cures and prevention.

 

[etpm]

I have been wearing since age of 30 for 27 years now. Had many disturbing side affects from it like severe vertigo (labyrinthitis). Sever tinnitus (that included 24x7 screaming in ears) Heard ransom explosions, incoherent voices, clicking, pinging, and now my left side hears my heart beat 24x7. After many examinations, MRIs, CAT Scans Drs have told me-yup your going deaf and have tinnitus-nothing we can do except sell you some nice hearing aids and white noise generators.

Was able to get care from the VA-not only hearing aids and batteries but real care like attending tinnitus management classes.

Im probably down to my last 7% of hearing but I feel for all of you.

Things I learned
Behind the ear (BHE) hearing aids are better-keeps ears from getting infected and are more comfortable than In the ear (ITE) hearing aids. Bluetooth rechargeable hearing aids are the thing today.

Most HAs will have wax traps-buy yourselves a good ear scope that you can connect to your smart phone-these come with devices to remove the wax traps from your canal. As I have found the wax traps can cause severe earaches if the fall out of the hearing aid into your ear.
Otherwise its a trip to the doctor.

Some states like Maine and Maine Medcaire will pay for up to $3,000 per hearing aid per ear.

Hearing aid batteries are tax free.

I have found in my research that loss of hearing can lead to a much higher chance of anxiety, depression and dementia. I already found to have more and more episodes of "lost key syndrome" these days.

Scientist have recently found where tinnitus and hearing loss dont coexist it the source can be from nerve damage at the base of the brain. Very important discovery for possible cures and prevention.

I have both hearing loss and tinnitus so I guess this won't help me much. But it is interesting. I do have vertigo which is, as near as anybody can tell, unrelated to my hearing loss. The vertigo is from nerve damage though and I wonder where exactly the damage is. Often nerve damage in one ear can affect hearing and balance. Not so in my case. After about 35 years of vertigo I'm pretty used to it so I no longer worry about it. But I would love to know the base cause, just because I want to know.
Eric

 

[cdaigle430]

My vertigo comes from the middle ear hairs breaking off and setting of the remaining middle ear hairs.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I can relate to all of the above. I have to question the in the ear design? My current Signia's from the VA came without the stabilizer or "concha lock as the VA calls them. No matter the size of my ear piece, they would not stay in my ears. So, the VA tech fitted them with the concha lock and now they stay put.

I don't think that the in the ear design would work for me.

FWIW, I like the rechargable over the batteries. If you don't have to regularly travel, I think it's a better option.

 

[Camofurever1]

Chances are, most people who enjoy being around tractors, large trucks, heavy equipment, loud music, etc will develop, or have developed hearing loss and tinnitus. I developed tinnitus back in my late 20's and started wearing HA's around 40. Just imagine how quick this Millennial and Gen Z generations will develop tinnitus and hearing loss aimlessly walking around with earbuds stuck in their ears 24/7, never even being exposed to the things our generation/s was exposed to?

 

[newbury]

good ear scope

Any recommendations for what a "good" one is?
/edit for spelling

 

[QRTRHRS]

Chances are, most people who enjoy being around tractors, large trucks, heavy equipment, loud music, etc will develop, or have developed hearing loss and tinnitus. I developed tinnitus back in my late 20's and started wearing HA's around 40. Just imagine how quick this Millennial and Gen Z generations will develop tinnitus and hearing loss aimlessly walking around with earbuds stuck in their ears 24/7, never even being exposed to the things our generation/s was exposed to?

Then there are the people driving around with high end audio systems that make the ground shake.

 

[cdaigle430]

Any recommendations for what a "ggod" one is?

I bought the BEBIRD Ear Wax Removal system from Walgreen's.

 

[newbury]

Thanks

 

[etpm]

I get wax buildup in my ears and I use an ear syringe filled with warm water to remove the wax. An ear syringe is just a rubber bulb. Here is a link to one: Amazon.com
Anyway, while taking a shower I get the water as hot as I can comfortably stand, then hold my cupped hand against my already washed torso, and fill the syringe with the water. Then I gently squirt the water into my ears to wash the wax out. It usually takes several syringe fulls but the wax gets warm and comes loose and washes out. The process is painless, at least for me. It may make some folks dizzy. I'm dizzy all the time so I'm used to it and don't find it bothersome.
Eric

 

[Deere Dude]

I get wax buildup in my ears and I use an ear syringe filled with warm water to remove the wax. An ear syringe is just a rubber bulb. Here is a link to one: Amazon.com
Anyway, while taking a shower I get the water as hot as I can comfortably stand, then hold my cupped hand against my already washed torso, and fill the syringe with the water. Then I gently squirt the water into my ears to wash the wax out. It usually takes several syringe fulls but the wax gets warm and comes loose and washes out. The process is painless, at least for me. It may make some folks dizzy. I'm dizzy all the time so I'm used to it and don't find it bothersome.
Eric

I understood that water squirted into ear canal should be distilled water so infection has less of a chance to sprout. Just a thought.

 

[etpm]

I understood that water squirted into ear canal should be distilled water so infection has less of a chance to sprout. Just a thought.

You raise a good point and I suppose that is indeed a better idea. Even better would be to boil the water first, then let it cool enough to use. And just because I have been using the method I described for about 40 years and have never had an ear infection because of it doesn't mean that it is safe. So do as you please.
Eric

 

[goeduck]

At my yearly physical I ask my doctor to have one of the cute (female*) nurses clean my ears. Once a year seems to do it.

* These days I need to clarify.

 

[ultrarunner]

A friend list hearing in both ears in his forties… it’s life changing for someone in business and very social… right and left brain tumors.

He didn’t take it lying down… learned sign language, married a captioner for deaf, got appointed to the PUC for California relay, etc.

Lip reading works surprisingly well depending on circumstances.

Simple things like hearing your keys drop are not possible… or a night on the town can be isolating but with determination much can be overcome.

 

[lman]

I remember when I was a kid, we used a hammermill in our granary to grind feed for the hogs and it was so loud that my ears would ring for about 10 minutes after the job. It was so loud that you couldn't talk or even yell at somebody else for instructions. My father never wore or said anything about ear protection. Many years later I would occasionally help on the farm and mentioned to him that he should use ear protection when driving his 100 hp open station tractor. He said he needed to hear the equipment to detect any problems.
Of course, he lost most of his hearing and had tinnitus in his later years and had total loss by the time he died at 93.
I now have tinnitus or I tell my wife that I hear crickets in January and she gets tired of the TV being loud. I have resorted to using cc on the TV. I will be getting medicare/insurance soon and hope to find something that will help with hearing treatment.
I am glad that kids now don't have to go through that and can protect their hearing as that wasn't an option for me. Of course kids in the city may lose their hearing or their life from the nightly gang shootings.

 

[newbury]

she gets tired of the TV being loud

My solution for loud TV is bluetooth earbuds and a Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver for the TV (mine doesn't have built in bluetooth). And with bluetooth version V plus I can wander all over the house and not drop reception. I've found bluetooth earbuds, highly rated and very good, for about $20 on sale when a new model comes out. Apparently the buying public think last years model lose some "magic".
But hearing aids are an entirely different different level. They use to require a professional to sell them, and that jacked the price up. Now they are relatively inexpensive but it seems to me they are still trying to charge a premium for "magic".
I don't like paying for "magic". I'll wait a bit.