Hearing Aids

[Furncliff]

Those of you that have them, I'd appreciate your input. Makes, models, cost, what ever. Doc says it's time for me to get'em. Hearing loss not gun related; I was a bush pilot back before there was info on the problems associated with prolonged noisy environments, didn't get good earphones till the damage was done..

Yours truly,

Almost older than dirt.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Doc says it's time for me to get'em.

Been there and done that. They never did me a speck of good.

I shoot with a fellow who works for a hearing aid company. From what he says, the technology has come a long way since I wasted money on mine, but they still can't replace lost hearing.

If I were you, I'd shop around before signing on the dotted line.

 

[OCJ]

what?

 

[mondocomputerman]

Having previously worked making and repairing hearing aids…

The technology has come a far way in the last few years. Most places charge too much for what you get.

The place I worked at (still work there as needed for extra cash) makes their own hearing aids instead of sending the ear impression off to a big company to make them. That cuts the cost down a little bit. Still, the circuits themselves only cost from $50 for the inexpensive aids to $150 for the multi-channel digital aids. Add $20 or so for the materials for the shell, and the rest is labor and mark-up. It takes about an hour and a half to make each hearing aid.

After you take the hearing test, the hearing specialist will be able to tell what kind of hearing aid or aids will work best for you. If you need two hearing aids, it is better if you do get two instead of one. The main reason is that you will be able to hear better, generally. You will also be able to tell the direction of sounds. Another overlooked reason is, if you don’t stimulate the ear with loud enough sounds, like those from a hearing aid, you will actually start to loose hearing in that ear.

Some people only need a large amount of amplification, from a linear circuit such as a Class A or Class D. Other people will benefit from a compression circuit, as too loud of a sound will actually hurt. Digital circuits are great, and they offer the most amount of adjusting and sound processing, but most people don’t “need” them. Digital circuits sometimes have situation switches, generally a small pushbutton on the face of the circuit, that will customize the sound for different types of environments. They change the frequency response and compression limits.

I think it’s funny when some hearing aid dealers say a circuit is 100% digital. Remember, the sound going in and out is both analog. The chip has to first use an analog to digital converter on the input, and a digital to analog converter on the output. The amplifier is also analog.

Generally, the larger the hearing aid, the less problems you will have with it. The biggest enemy to the aids is moisture and wax. The further down the ear canal you want the circuit, the smaller they look from the outside, but you will have more problems with it. Also, it is hard to get a lot of amplification with the smaller aids. For those with profound hearing loss, a behind the ear (BTE) works the best. They also generally have built in telecoils for easier listening on the telephone. They just look bigger.

For analog circuits (linear Class A and Class D) make sure they have at least one, if not two trim pots. There are usually high and low cut adjustments. It is basically a way to turn down the high frequencies (treble) and low frequencies (bass) For problems with background noise, the low cut trim-pot is turned down. For high pitched squealing, the high cut trim-pot is turned down, etc.

Hearing aids don’t sound nearly as good as normal hearing, so don’t expect to hear like you used to. They will help with peoples voices. Individual results will vary. I am not a hearing specialist and don’t actually do the hearing tests or fittings, I’m the guy in the back making the aids. I’ve made about 1000 hearing aids and fixed thousands more. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[skidmark]

I got hearing aids a month ago. It's amazing the number of noises out there that I had become used to not noticing. It's also nice that I can hear the Significant Other - although some of the things she says are not the kindest.

I tried several brands & "technologies" before committing myself to paying. Those things can range from under $200 to over $5K! I wet with the top end of Beltone's "open" digital technology, as it seemed to provide both the best sound amplification, adjustment to meet my particular desires, and long-term comfort. After trying some inserts made by taking an impression of the ear canal I found they were difficult to keep adjusted in the ear canal - could have been a bad impression or bad casting. Trying to "fix" them by grinding here & there just made it worse. I've got some little "florettes" now that are comfortable and also do not accumulate wax as much.

It's nice to be able to hear "crisply" again - seems I was loosing both the high & low ends but getting enough of the middle tones to be able to guess & figure out by context most of the time. Did you know that rain makes a noise as it falls through the air?

A big downside to hearing again - I now can hear exactly every singe word of the inane chatter folks are doing on their cell phones while wandering the aisles of the grocery store and waiting in line at 7-11 to pay for coffee. If I knew I would have to hear that "loud and clear" I might not have gone through with getting the aids.

Be sure to take a good water/dust proof box with you to the range. You do NOT want those things to pick up crud in your pocket and then try to jam them in your ear. Ask me how I know that.

stay safe.

skidmark

 

[bill.l.johnson]

Got mine about three years ago. All the above is good advise. I get them from the VA. Lost 30% of my hearing in the Army. Took another 30 years to get to the hearing loss that made the hearing aids a necessity.

Like was said, they don't replace the lost hearing, just enhance what you have left. Not perfect, but after a few weeks of dedicated wearing they will feel right and you get used to them.

I had to have mine "fine tuned" many times before they gave the best reception. Every environment you are in is a little different. For example a busy (noisy) restaurant ussually makes me just turn them down or off because of all the background amplification.

Sometimes the best part of having them is having the ability to take them out and not listen to everything. Not realizing how deaf I was I got used to not hearing and the sudden intrusion of the noise just wears on you.

I think most manufacturers are pretty good. The audiologist will know which is best after they test you.

Good luck and be patient.

Bill

 

[calzoom]

This is good stuff. What about the Game ear???

I keep getting these cracker Jack hearing aid salesmen coming around and telling me they can get the G-ment to pay for them. When I tell them I'm not a minority, nor alien import they head for the door.

They to the one say yes I have damage. But I have to pay even though it's work related. I say," Wanna bet?" They say you'll be hearing from us.

I'm still wating. Some as long as back in the 90's.

When I'm in noisy restaurants or such, I read lips. Makes some servers nervous when I mouth their words as they speak. Kind of fun tho. I do like the sounds of silence.
The song and the day.

could you repeat that please? I wasn't looking at you.

 

[BB93YJ]

Costly as heck, leastways, mine were. 25 years sitting underneath some big extremely loud horns while running freight trains sorta took it's toll.

Wearing the hearing aids, I get less strange looks from my family due to my having misinterpreted what they say these days though, so it's not all bad.

However, I do enjoy taking them out for a little "peace and quiet" time to time. That and driving the Jeep with the top on or off is a lot quieter too.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Driving without hearing aids may be quieter, but keep in mind that the sound is still there. I say this only because the local range manager wears hearing aids and his way of dealing with the loud reports of gunshots is to turn them off and take them out. He thinks that if it isn't loud to him, no damage is being done. Sadly, even hearing damaged folks need hearing protection to preserve what they got.

 

[buckshott]

bad hearing

You might want to try "Hearing Help Express". 1-800-221-2099 They have many different models to choose from. Easy payments. If you are not satisfied with one model, you can try another. Money back if not satisfied.

 

[hso]

the local range manager wears hearing aids and his way of dealing with the loud reports of gunshots is to turn them off and take them out. He thinks that if it isn't loud to him, no damage is being done.

Double Naught Spy,

I wonder what other stupid things he does? How exactly does he think his hearing got damaged?

 

[Furncliff]

Many thanks for the great replies, I really appreciate them. My father and FIL both wore aids, both Hated them. My doc said the have changed a lot recently and thought I'd be happy with the over the ear type. I have tinnitus and a huge drop in the hearing chart about mid range (going toward high range). My family has been very patient with me, but it's gotten to the point were I ask for them to repeat more than once, although selective deafness comes in handy from time to time. It does have it's funny side. My wife and I have made a game of it, I repeat what I THINK she said, and we laugh at the absurdity.

 

[nearthebeach]

Bill: "I have the newest, best, most expensive hearing aid ever invented"

Mike: "What kind is it?"

Bill: (looking at wristwatch) "about two thirty"

 

[ball3006]

I have been wearing hearing aids for 30 years....

I was first issued one in the air force, worked flight line with '50s technology jet engines, the noisy kind, and hearing went down hill. Ever since I got out I have got mine from the VA. At first they helped a little but now I have reached the point where I lip read and have to be close and face the person I am speaking with. I don't go to movies but now I hear they have closed caption movies. Gotta try one out. TV is mostly worthless without closed caption. Last fall I had my 5 year checkup and now I am losing the low freq. The VA did a MRI tos see if they could see what is going wrong but everything still looks ok. They don't know what the problem is. Next week I am going to a hearing specialists here in town to get a second opinion. The last set if hearing aids are the digital kind but they don't help much. I wear them when I fly somewhere so folks notice I am hearing impared. Doesn't mean squat to the TSA though. They still give me a hard time because I don't hear their instructions and get really pissed when I give them a pad and paper to write down what they want me to do........chris3

 

[BobCat]

mondocomputerman is quite right, hearing aid dispensers charge quite a lot more for hearing aids than they cost to make. However, I've been told that 1) they sell few enough instruments that they need the markup to make a living, and 2) there is a lot of followup and adjustment that they don't charge for at the time - you pay up front, in the original cost.

I've worn hearing aids since 1973. Lost my hearing to disease, not to loud noises. I've had Beltone, Siemens, and Starkey instruments. The Starkey with the K-amp circuit is the best I've had - less distortion, better filtering / compression than the old linear circiuts had. I have been told not to get too much into brand loyalty - the best company now may be one of the worst a few years ago, and vice versa. The compression and filtering is very important - loud restaurants with clashing dishes, or outside in the wind, can be killers.

Mine is old technology, from 1997. Things have progressed quite a lot since then, but when I tried (they will let you do this with a behind-the-ear aid, not an in-the-ear or in-the-canal, for which they have to make a mold) a modern all-digital aid, it just did not sound enough better for me to spend the money at that point. I will be upgrading when it is time though... waiting until "they perfect them" -- just like color TV.

Having a good audiologist, who knows what instruments are available and is interested in fitting you with the right instrument, is crucial. Hard to know a "good" one, but it he or she is well-established, that can be a tip. Referrals from friends can be valuable.

BTW I hope your family has a sense of humor. My wife calls me the Auditory Mr. Magoo (if you don't recognize the comic, web-search it, it is funny). She asks me, "Did you feed the cat?" and I tell her, "Sure, I've got my hat." When you start answering questions that no one asked, it might be time for a hearing aid. Or, when people accuse you of ignoring them, or "selective hearing", it might be time. - Ok - just read the rest of the thread - good you and your wife can laugh about it, that's a blessing.

Anyway, hang in there. No hearing aid will replace your hearing, but they can help a lot, and enrich your life. And - plugs + muffs at the range, and leave the aid in the car.

Regards,
Andrew

 

[MillCreek]

I have had a severe bilateral hearing loss since birth. It is a nerve deafness of unknown etiology and cannot be helped by any medical or surgical treatment. My left ear has a 60% loss and my right ear has a 75% loss. I used a hearing aid from childhood to my early 20's and then stopped. I just got a new set of aids about a year ago. They are the Oticon Syncro model. For someone in my situation, hearing aids are not covered by insurance. I had to pay $ 7000 out of pocket. It has been worth it. The hearing aid technology has advanced tremendously in recent years.

 

[woerm]

seimens digital

I have had hearing aids since 88 and the ones in the 80's were all but useless.

note with new hearing aids you find out just how nosiy western civ is.

I currently have Seimens' digital programmagable.

1 program is 'converational normal'
2nd is knock off 10% of background noise and ampfily the spoken range
3rd is telephone voice coil only.

the #2 setting is for mall/store or driving.

the 10% off the background noise works. the first two digital noise supressors I used were all but worthless, this one works.

r