In my usual convoluted, overanalyzing way, it dawned on me that hearing loss is attributed to loud sound exposure, especially if it is prolonged. My own hearing loss took decades to get bad enough to seek help. I did that two years ago. It also dawned on me that hearing aids, in order to make one hear, must actually be screaming into one's ears. That constitutes "loud sound", so I reasoned, might hearing aids contribute to further hearing loss? I asked the audiology guy, when I was being examined and tested for my aids two years ago, do aids contribute to hearing loss? He skillfully evaded answering directly, with some hodge-podge of malarkey, (or, maybe I didn't hear him!). In the two years I've been using the aids, my loss has most definitely worsened, by quite a bit. Now, it's difficult to get all of my wife's words accurately even when facing her only a short distance away (without the aids). Have any of you had a similar experience? Or would it have worsened the same amount without the aids? Frank
I have had Hearing Aids since 1994. Years on a Flight Line will do that. Both of the sets I have had were digital in nature, and have read that the analog ones amplify the signal. Digital ones process the sound before it is allowed to the ear. But those are very expensive. I was just thinking about how much the really good hearing aids cost and who could afford those. My first set retailed at about 1400 USD per ear and my newest one are 2600 USD per ear. I know that if I had to pay for them, I probably couldn't afford that kind of lay out. The ones I have now are CIC, ( completely in the Canal built from a mold of my canal ) Starkey i110 . I go in next week for a check up on them and ask some questions.
I have a bi lateral hearing loss that has become worse over the past 35 years. I have BTE (Behind TheEar) aids that even though state of the art leave me with 30% hearing that is not good at all. I have learned much about hearing aids over the years and have become a ADVOCATE for the Hearing Impaired. The ones I now wear are the fourth set. There is much that Audiologist could tell us but don't for some reason or other and I am totally convinced that most people that get their very first hearing aids get the WRONG kind, and the reason is VANITY. They will definitely hear better with that first set but as time goes bye they still have hearing problems. Typically they go with the in the canal aids because they are hardly noticeable (VANITY). The smaller the hearing aids are not large enough to carry the circuitry and power necessary to improve certain hearing loss. I am currently looking into Cochlear Implants. I cannot hear or appreciate music of any kind and I sorely miss music. One positive is the I Phone that I haveh as a Ap that will stream phone calls directly to my hearing aids and if I don't answer on the first ring the caller is advised to speak slowly and clearly. Their message is then transcribed to text and appears both on my I Phone as well as my email. I cannot hear on most all land lines so my I Phone is my only phone. I can also pair my I Phone with my TV and have though not great sound directly to my hearing aids. Social Intercourse is a real struggle and I am becoming more adept at Lip Reading. I would gladly give my right foot to have normal hearing again because my hearing loss has been one of the most upsetting and frustrating things in my life time. But I am gratefull because there are people out there that would be most happy to trade disabilities with me.
Tim--- I too was in the Air Force as a young 19 year old working as a Aircraft Instrument Tech on F 86 Sabre Jets In Korea 1953 and later in Florida on B 47's1954 1955. Protective head gear was not used back then. It wasn't until 10 years ago that a golfing buddy suggested I apply to the VA for a service connected disability. I did and was rated at 70% Disability receiving a monthly check as well as VA supplied expensive hearing aids.
Sometimes people chose in the canal due to the type of work they do, not vanity. Many types of hearing loss. Mine can be helped with these, and I can wear them doing physical work. The VA does a very good job with hearing aids.
@Tim Burr @Ren Tanner Thank you both. Mine are behind the ear, 8-channel, digital, list price was $2400 each, a special sale was being offered, was why I went to the guy in the first place, and got the for $1500 each. Initially, I was very satisfied with them. One selling point was, they are rechargeable, come with a charging stand having a separate hand-held remote giving 4 choices of background environment, and + and - settings in increments for loudness. Wearing them for about 8 hours requires a recharge time of only an hour, max. He sweetened the deal by guaranteeing free new rechargeable batteries for life. He stated they are usually good for about 3 years, depending on amount of use. I've had them 2 years. Years ago, an audiologist tested my hearing while I worked fort Sears, he had a concession with them selling aids. He said I had classical "welder's ear", a hearing loss heavily situated in specific frequency ranges attributed to extensive arc-welding use! I thought that sounded nuts! He said the "spattering eggs" sound created by arc welding had high intensity, and damaged the hearing. The guy I bought the aids from had never heard of it. Frank EDIT: Just found this: http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/noise-vibration.htm Hearing protection is recommended with arc welding! Sound intensity as high as 115 Db(A)! Who would have thunk it?
@Ren Tanner, I am sorry to hear of what you have gone through, and continue to suffer. I have had some hearing loss, having worked in paper bag manufacturing plants for sixteen years. These machines are very loud. Unlike most of my coworkers though, I insisted on wearing the full-ear headset protectors rather than the rubber plugs that most people opt for. Still, my wife habitually sets radio and television volumes two clicks below that which I can hear comfortably and I can't always hear what people are saying.
My niece has a hearing aid even before she turned 20. Her one ear was very weak, something like 20% of hearing only so the doctor prescribed a hearing aid. At first, she was kind of ashamed to use it but her hearing loss was getting evident so my sister bought another hearing aid which was more expensive but not obvious because it's not that big. Now, here is a snippet of a new hearing aid. A boy was testing his new hearing aid to his girlfriend. Boy: This looks like a great hearing aid. Girl: Oh, really? Boy: Yeah, now I can hear anything with clarity. Girl: Looks expensive. How much is that? Boy: Just yesterday. PS. It's a joke.
My hearing aid when I need it is a piece of wire which I put over my ear making it quite visible when anyone sees it they start automatically talking louder.
That is a good one wearing a wire to get people to talk louder. I had no idea had no idea that hearing aids were different. My Mom is hard of hearing, when she goes into the hospital or visits the doctor I make sure they know she is hard of hearing. I ask her and tell her let people know she is hard of hearing. She hears good most of the time its just that she has tinnitus and its worrisome at times. Hearing aid is not covered by Medicare, so we are trying for integration now Medicaid and Medicare combined and waiting for the decision from the local Med Quest office.