primitives discuss hearing aids

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/114822

Oh my.

Finally, at long last, some action in the deaf and hard-of-hearing forum, which usually collects more cobwebs than air.

kjackson227 (2,033 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

Hearing Aids?

I'm trying to decide whether to get one or not. I've gone to an otolaryngologist and he did confirm that I have hearing loss (he said that I can hear men's voices better than women's). He told me to be sure to talk only to men frequently (ha-ha). But, seriously, I accumulate a lot of cerumen, so I have to go back to him twice a year to get my ears cleaned.

I have noticed that my television sounds some-what muffled at times. I can't make-out or understand television programs which feature actors/actresses with British accents (Downton Abbey) very well, so I have to blast the sound even more, but it really doesn't help that much. AND, my co-workers complain that I can't hear because I always ask them to repeat what's been said (in a jovial manner).

So, do hearing aids help quite a bit? Are we allowed to name brands of hearing aids here, and if so, which ones are the best, and which are the most discreet?

Scuba (15,207 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

1. I've got a whole box full of them that are useless with my tinnitus. Good luck....

... I have constant ringing, lots of it. I have great trouble hearing soft voice, male or female, and almost any dialogue on the teevee.

Do what franksolich does.

Don't bother watching television.

It doesn't kill anybody, not watching television.

lpbk2713 (20,635 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

2. Tinnitus here too.

From what I read hearing aids don't help that much so I just live with it.

kjackson227 (2,033 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

3. My doctor told me I have tinnitus also...

but I don't notice it much if at all. I know that sounds weird, but it's true. No, I don't think hearing aids will help with tinnitus. I've read articles about supplements that MIGHT help with this problem. Have you guys tried any of
those?

Scuba (15,207 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

4. Nope, I just say "what?" a lot.

DavidDvorkin (10,978 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

5. They've helped me a lot, and I highly recommend getting them

I wrote an essay on the subject: http://www.dvorkin.com/essays/hearing.html

Since I wrote that, I've switched to Costco for my hearing aids. I got good -- if not great -- ones at a price I can afford. With them in, I can' t hear perfectly, by any means, but the improvement is enormous. I can understand people far better, I can hear bird and insect sounds, and I enjoy music much more. When I'm wearing them, I'm not aware of tinnitus at all.

As for TV, we have closed-captioning turned on, and that helps immensely.

[Delmar]

Scuba (15,207 posts) Profile Journal Send DU Mail Ignore

1. I've got a whole box full of them that are useless with my tinnitus. Good luck....

... I have constant ringing, lots of it. I have great trouble hearing soft voice, male or female, and almost any dialogue on the teevee.

I've worked for years in loud industrial environments where people have to wear hearing protection.  I've known a lot of guys who were told of the long term effects from noise but still wouldn't wear the hearing protection.  I've heard people make jokes about how after retirement hearing loss wouldn't be so bad since they wouldn't have to listen to the wife nag.  But I've known a couple of old timers with tinnitus and the complaint isn't that they can't hear, it's that they have the constant, maddening ringing.  So, wear your ear plugs when you ought to and turn down the volume on that rock it to me, sock it to me heavy metal racket you kids listen to unless you want to end up like poor old Scuba.

[franksolich]

I've worked for years in loud industrial environments where people have to wear hearing protection.  I've known a lot of guys who were told of the long term effects from noise but still wouldn't wear the hearing protection.  I've heard people make jokes about how after retirement hearing loss wouldn't be so bad since they wouldn't have to listen to the wife nag.  But I've known a couple of old timers with tinnitus and the complaint isn't that they can't hear, it's that they have the constant, maddening ringing.  So, wear your ear plugs when you ought to and turn down the volume on that rock it to me, sock it to me heavy metal racket you kids listen to unless you want to end up like poor old Scuba.

I've hollered about that for years. 

It defies logic, that people with hearing would endanger it.

[Celtic Rose]

My dad got hearing aids just a couple of months ago.  The doctor told him that he was amazed that he could function so well without them.  They have made a huge difference for him. 

[Skul]

I've hollered about that for years. 

It defies logic, that people with hearing would endanger it.

Happens all the time.
Same applies to sight.
Drives me nuts to see someone without eye protection in hazardess areas.
Fortunately for the primative, hearing loss can be mitigated.
DUmpmonkey needs to shut his yap, and get a damn hearing aid.
Makes a world of difference.
For lurking DUmpmonkeys, that comes from experience, not half-baked opinions from wannabes.

[seahorse513]

As some of you know, I am in the process of getting them myself.......

[Skul]

As some of you know, I am in the process of getting them myself.......

You won't regret it. 

[BEG]

I have tinnitus in my right ear, it started January 2009. I hear it all the time unless I am super focused on something. It makes it hard to fall asleep at night.

[obumazombie]

I have tinnitus in my right ear, it started January 2009. I hear it all the time unless I am super focused on something. It makes it hard to fall asleep at night.

That sucks. I would hate to have to struggle with that incessantly. I thought I maybe heard about some tinnitus treatments somewhere ?

[Skul]

That sucks. I would hate to have to struggle with that incessantly. I thought I maybe heard about some tinnitus treatments somewhere ?

Running dual side is bad enough.
I think having a single side is far worse.
I can't emagine trying to adapt to that.

[Big Dog]

As some of you know, I am in the process of getting them myself.......

Good for you!

I have new BICROS hearing aids. I am still learning, but the difference really is amazing.

[Skul]

Good for you!

I have new BICROS hearing aids. I am still learning, but the difference really is amazing.

Damn right it is.
Only thing, when you piddle in a toilet...sounds like the world is coming to an end.  Honest.
Am I right, BD?

[JakeStyle]

I have tinnitus in my right ear, it started January 2009. I hear it all the time unless I am super focused on something. It makes it hard to fall asleep at night.

I have it bad in my right ear as well, along with pretty serious hearing loss in that ear.  It is very annoying and it really makes sleep difficult.  I took a very cavalier attitude towards wearing hearing protection when I was on active duty and I am paying the price for it.   

[Skul]

I have it bad in my right ear as well, along with pretty serious hearing loss in that ear.  It is very annoying and it really makes sleep difficult.  I took a very cavalier attitude towards wearing hearing protection when I was on active duty and I am paying the price for it.   

We were invincable.
Still are.
Just not quite so much.

[JakeStyle]

I've worked for years in loud industrial environments where people have to wear hearing protection.  I've known a lot of guys who were told of the long term effects from noise but still wouldn't wear the hearing protection.  I've heard people make jokes about how after retirement hearing loss wouldn't be so bad since they wouldn't have to listen to the wife nag.  But I've known a couple of old timers with tinnitus and the complaint isn't that they can't hear, it's that they have the constant, maddening ringing.  So, wear your ear plugs when you ought to and turn down the volume on that rock it to me, sock it to me heavy metal racket you kids listen to unless you want to end up like poor old Scuba.

That describes it perfectly.  I'm only 47 so I don't think I qualify for the old timer status yet, but it sucks hard when I want to just relax and read a book.  I find myself reading the same paragraph 6 times without understanding it because I am so distracted by the ringing, it's really annoying. 

[Skul]

That describes it perfectly.  I'm only 47 so I don't think I qualify for the old timer status yet, but it sucks hard when I want to just relax and read a book.  I find myself reading the same paragraph 6 times without understanding it because I am so distracted by the ringing, it's really annoying. 

Just a hint.
Most folks when reading, prefer peace and quiet.
Change that routine to fit your needs.
Turn on a radio or tv.
Bring some background noise in there to distract from the ringing.
Keep in mind, a program you may be interesed in, may not work.
Tune in oprah or somthing equaly vapid.

[obumazombie]

Just a hint.
Most folks when reading, prefer peace and quiet.
Change that routine to fit your needs.
Turn on a radio or tv.
Bring some background noise in there to distract from the ringing.
Keep in mind, a program you may be interesed in, may not work.
Tune in oprah or somthing equaly vapid.

This sounds like a good idea for a whole new thread.
How about that Maury Povich show about baby daddies ?

[Big Dog]

Damn right it is.
Only thing, when you piddle in a toilet...sounds like the world is coming to an end.  Honest.
Am I right, BD?

Brother Skul, you speak the truth.

You know what else? I learned those "silent" farts I was sneaking in the elevator at work.... aren't silent after all.

 

[Big Dog]

Just a hint.
Most folks when reading, prefer peace and quiet.
Change that routine to fit your needs.
Turn on a radio or tv.
Bring some background noise in there to distract from the ringing.
Keep in mind, a program you may be interesed in, may not work.
Tune in oprah or somthing equaly vapid.

Good advice!

Another tip- a fan in your bedroom will help you to sleep. One of the three settings on a typical box fan will be close to the frequency of your tinnitus.

I have seen CDs of white noise, but haven't tried them.