Hearing Aids

[milkman]

Thanks Bird, I'm getting a lot of good info, some of it a little scary, with so many glitches, I know that as small as they are they're a somewhat delicate and complicated instrument. I think I've found a reputable dealer, he's been here for 21 years so I think if he's a sheister, he'd have been tarred and feathered by now. He did mention the problem with feedback, the older ones he had would scream when his wife would hug him or if he'd put the phone up to his ear, not near the problem with the newer ones. I'll have to go back through all the responses and make notes to take with me when I pick them up.

 

[mikim]

No one is mentioning tinninitus (ms) which I have quite bad. Some days are better than others - today is really bad. I guess I need to go to a good audiologist and start from there. Inspector - what brand is yours? They sound like a real cadillac version.

 

[jimg]

Im particularly interested in the digitals b/c I think theyre far more flxible in what they can do than an analog. Some of this conversation seems to bear that out a bit. Ive been after my dad for some time to try out a digital but hes not interested...mainly b/c of $$$. Right now he has an *old* analog that really isnt help him but b/c its familiar he doesnt want to part w/ it. To date his plan was to continue turning it up to hear better. I think hes long since past the 'all the way up' setting. Anyway, Id really appreciate all the pros/cons of digitals you all have experienced. Perhaps I can come up w/ enough to convince him to give it a try. Right now he misses 95% of everything said to him.

 

[kidr]

No one is mentioning tinninitus (ms) which I have quite bad. Some days are better than others - today is really bad. I guess I need to go to a good audiologist and start from there. Inspector - what brand is yours? They sound like a real cadillac version.

There are basically 2 types of hearing loss, conductive and nerve.Condutive caused by damage to eardrum or small bones in the ear. nerve caused by damage to nerve cells from loud noise etc.Tinnitus is the sound of nerve cells dying. This effects hearing high pitched sound. Conductive losses affect low pitch.Very hard to correct nerve loss.When high pitch is amplified, so is the low.With an earmold in the ear the effect is like being in a car with a teenager blasting the bass on the radio. I understand work is being done on open air earmolds that wont trap the low sound in the ear. If this works it will be a boon to those of us with nerve losses, who can't wear aids. Some of this info may be outdated, but I think It's basically sound. Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[mikim]

kidr -- are you saying that because of my tinnitus and most prolly nerve damage from high noises that I am probably not going to get any help from a hearing aid? ...mixed emotions about that..... don't want to mess with one but sure would like to hear better. .. wish I was younger too - but that ain't gonna happen either.

 

[texasjohn]

My experience is from my son.... he's had various hearing problems over the years. I've learned the following:

There are doctors that specialize in hearing and there are audiologists that sell hearing aids.

First step is to go to a doctor/hearing specialist and get an accurate diagnosis of the problem and how best to augment it. There are in-the-ear, behind-the ear, bone conduction, many different kinds for different situations and problems. Given the prescription, you can take that prescription to the people that dispense hearing aids for proper fitting.

And, too, there are a whole bunch of options... directional microphones, digital vs analog, things that synchronize between ears...

Net, it's very complex and what is required for best results is a proper diagnosis... In my son's case, his problem went improperly diagnosed for years... he needed an operation, actually several, to give him best results. Audiologists can't do the proper diagnosis... takes a doctor... with the right equipment...

Anybody in the Central Texas area, PM me for details.

I recommend very highly the ENT clinic at Scott and White in Temple.

 

[Bird]

kidr -- are you saying that because of my tinnitus and most prolly nerve damage from high noises that I am probably not going to get any help from a hearing aid? ...mixed emotions about that..... don't want to mess with one but sure would like to hear better. .. wish I was younger too - but that ain't gonna happen either.

I think the first time I went to a doctor (ENT specialist) about my hearing was in 1981 and I went because of the tinnitus, not because of trouble hearing. He told me then that I'd need hearing aids someday, but not right then. Sure enough, 11 years later I got them. And while I know of nothing that eliminates or cures tinnitus, the hearing aids actually help with it, and yes, I have nerve damage from too many years with too much loud noises.

 

[kidr]

kidr -- are you saying that because of my tinnitus and most prolly nerve damage from high noises that I am probably not going to get any help from a hearing aid? ...mixed emotions about that..... don't want to mess with one but sure would like to hear better. .. wish I was younger too - but that ain't gonna happen either.

Hi Mike. No I'm not . You need to see a professional for a diagnosis. In my case I have a classic trauma from gun fire and artillery.At a certain frequency I drop off the chart and then return later down the line.Nothing at present can be done in my case. Hopefully your situation is different.Preserve the hearing you have left by always wearing protection. Certain frequencies are more damaging than others and may not be recognized as dangerous. Certain brazing torches,and comercial oil burners for instance.Many young people are damaging their hearing now with I Pods and such, and won't realize it till later in life. Of course they won't listen to advice.Good luck .

 

[milkman]

Well said TJ, I don't think anyone here can say who is a candidate for a hearing aid or what kind of hearing device, but there is a lot of personal experience with the different scenarios. I apreciate hearing them all, I have gotten some real good pointers to help me know what to expect and what to ask when the time comes. Some even have a problem similar to what I am having and have had good results with the type that was recommended for me, that was reassuring, maybe I should have come here and asked before i went shopping. Hopefully by posting the thread, others that have tried hearing aids without good results a few years ago can see that a lot of strides have been made and there is now help for people that had none just a few short years ago.

 

[Inspector507]

Inspector - what brand is yours? They sound like a real cadillac version.

Phonak