Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

[Kiwi Phil]

Now I know what makes you deaf, mother told me, so this is serious chaps.<br /><br />I have a hearing disability and collect a small pension from HM NZ Forces (and they are such generous bxrstards).<br /><br />I have always had 'whistling' in my ears, and always had difficulty in hearing things.<br />A few weeks ago the whistling in the Right ear has become quite bad and I am really having trouble hearing things.<br /><br />I have an appointment to see the Audio blokes, and know they are going to sell me hearing aids, if that is all the problem is (ie if it is not something more serious causing the loss - which I doubt it is at this point).<br /><br />When father died (years back)I grabbed his hearing aid, cleaned it up, and believe me, it made a big differance. <br />Problem is, it is one of those with a tube from the ear piece that goes over front of ear to a box that sits behind the ear. It is not very comfortable, and looks old-fashioned, so have seldom worn it....up until now of course.<br /><br />Veteran Affairs have given me a voucher for $600 for aids, and when I asked at time of booking Audio appt what one would cost me, they quoted the basics from around $6-900 upwards of $2,000.<br />I have been getting the neighbours Pensioner Magazine and the little push in ones are advertised there for around $50. They are digital.<br />So here are the questions:<br /><br />1) Does anyone here have hearing aids?<br /><br />2) From your experience, do I HAVE to have an expensive model as opposed to the cheaper mail order ones.?<br /> (they are digital, and have a number of different moulds to choose from (fittings))<br /><br />3) Am I correct in believing an aid is just a mini microphone connected to a speaker with a volume.<br /><br />Keep in mind this thing of Fathers works a treat, just not confortable, plus looks a bit odd.<br /><br />I am very sceptical of the fringe medical profession as they seem to be over-priced and over-service.<br /><br />I am serious when asking for opinions and advice as will have to make a decission shortly and any info will be appreciated.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

From what I remember of my Grandfather's hearing aid, the earpiece of the type you've described as having tried is moulded specifically to the user-maybe having one moulded for you would alleviate the discomfort. Won't unfortunately do anything for the looks though <br /><br />Can you 'try before you buy' with any of them?

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Phillip, the whistling you describe in your ears sounds more like tinnitus than hearing loss. As such I would be very wary of anyone that tries to sell you an aid to deal with that symptom: to the best of my knowledge there isn't a device on the market that can effectively treat/reduce the symptoms of tinnitus so beware.<br /><br />Having said all that, maybe someone in the outside world knows of such a device?<br /><br />Hearing problems like this just aren't taken seriously enough and I sympathise greatly with you on this one: hope you get some good advice and help on this..........

 

[OBJ]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

The key here Kiwi is getting a professional that can determine the severity of your hearing loss and the amount of amplification you need.<br /><br />The hearing aid with the tube running into the ear is actually one of the best to have. The small ones that fit in the ear may not be for everyone with hearing loss.<br /><br />One thing for sure, your ear needs to be fitted for an aid. This means a plastic impression should be taken to get the correct fit. Stay away from the $50 specials.<br /><br />All my aunts and uncles on my fathers side (8 in all) all wore hearing aids including my father. And yes I'm noticing hearing loss my self. So I pay attention to what my father does for his hearing loss.<br /><br />Getting the right hearing aid is very important. My Dad considers his hearing loss (which is considerable) only as a hinderence and not a disability. Makes a difference.<br /><br />Hope this has helped.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Stan is quite correct. It's tinnitus. Had it for years. Too many rock concerts, hi-performance hifi's, and pistol shooting w/o muffs. To me, it's annoying and I like to have a fan (or fan-type noise) around me because it masks the ringing somewhat.

 

[JB]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Been there, Phil. Still there.<br /><br />Chronic tinnitus is one thing, hearing loss is another. Like you, I have both.<br /><br />Oddly, as my Doc explained it to me, most tinnitus is biochemical rather than mechanical damage done in earlier years. I have had mine since puberty. The hearing loss is from years of driving unmuffled race cars and flying around in military aircraft with big fans on the wings.<br /><br />Also, hearing loss is rarely general...all of the audio spectrum. Mine is at the higher end in both ears, but slightly different between them.<br /><br />An "aid" that is merely and amplifier will not help much, and an earpiece that is not moulded to your ear canal is guaranteed to be uncomfortable.<br /><br />Though I rarely use them except when in conversation with children or hunting, I have customized digital aids moulded to fit my canals. They are tuned to boost only the portions of the audio spectrum that that ear has weakness in. They cost me about $4500 USD in 2000.<br /><br />You need, first, to have the exact nature of your hearing loss diagnosed. Any solutions should be tailored to fit the problem.<br /><br />Best of luck to you, mate.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Do you take aspirin? Excess aspirin intake can cause tinnitus.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

3) Am I correct in believing an aid is just a mini microphone connected to a speaker with a volume.

No, not a "real" hearing aid anyway. It's a tiny computer that has been told what your specific hearing issue is and which shapes the sound to work around that. It can amplify certain things and reduce others, as needed.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Phil, see a doctor that is specific in the hearing department only.<br /><br />No, don't go with the cheap units if you need them.<br /><br />After 22 years driving a truck and countless hours on a tractor, I have lost 95% of my hearing in one ear and the other one is not much better but I put up with it and keep people to my right side as much as I can.<br />It's tough, but hang in there and see the doc for the right cure.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Phil, I have a friend who has a hearing problem caused over many years by being a rock n roll drummer. He has been fitted with customised hearing aids (like JB) which compensate for the various frequencies that he has difficulties with. They work amazingly well.<br /><br />What also impressed me about the new hearing aids is how they can (very) quickly change the level of amplification depending on the audio circumstances. For example, he can suddenly hit a drum or cymbol (really loud) after complete silence and the hearing aids don't blast him with an amplified version of what is already very loud. Very clever technology. He raves about them - they make a big difference to his quality of life.<br /><br />Good luck with getting it sorted!

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Thanks for the comments and advice. Will let you know how things go after my specialists appt.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Well, got 2x new hearing aids fitted this friday past. Apparantly I really needed them, like several decades ago!!!!<br />They are the behind-the-ear type. They are really small (not like I expected) and I am hearing things I havn't heard for 30+years. Apparantly some of the behind the ear models (like mine) are pretty good.<br />Have one problem though...they take a bit of getting use to in so much as they sort of hurt the ear they rest on, but apparantly I will get use to it in time.<br />In 3 days I have learnt already to turn them off when I don't want to talk to anyone. It is amazing really. I spend hours working by myself, in silence, and I find being able to hear the traffic, the birds having dog fights, some neighbour down the road on his ride-on, a real nuisence....I much prefer the silence so I switch them off and go back to enjoying the silence.<br />My wife has me worked out tho. She now asks me "have you got those aids turned on?" and even if I have, I just look dumb to see her get excited.<br />These aids have the makings of a lot of fun.<br />Veteran Affairs paid for them, and meet all battery and maintainance costs. <br />I'm happy.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[roscoe]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Great news, selective hearing. <br /><br />You really should listen to the birds though.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Thats great Phil. Good to hear it was a relatively simple fix and the Veterins Affairs paid for it. Now you can say "I hear ya" when someone says something off center.<br /><br />Great News.

 

[heycods]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Cool Phill, Im kind deaf myself, and sometimes like you I enjoy the silence. My worst times are in a crowd It just drives me nuts when everone is talking at one time. How does the aids work in a crowd and in the wind?

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Mine comes with 4 programs, but the tech has only set 3 of them.<br />No1 gives you what I think is surround sound. You can hear from 360 degrees.<br />No2 gives you hearing from the front and a little each side. Apparantly this is for when in crowds, in a room with a lot of people and air-conditioning running etc. It is more directional.<br />No3 is "off" so you can use the phone if the aid amplifies the phone speaker too much.<br /><br />At the market on Sunday I did experience a little wind noise, I think, but that OK.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Great news that you got it sorted Phil. <br /><br />The off switch sounds like a very handy feature

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

That's great news Phil, really glad they are working for you.<br /><br /><br />The added bonus of having a remote "mute" button for the missus must be worth it's weight in gold <br /><br />Now would be the time to ask her for a new boat

 

[Pascal]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

I heard somewhere that married men who drive go deaf in their right ear first........... <br /><br />any other way just ain't natural.........<br /><br />horray for mute buttons<br /><br />JD

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Hearing Dissability- any advie-comment

Down under Mate, they go deaf in the left ear first.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip