Posted on 04/23/2009 12:30:40 AM PDT by cva66snipe
I went to a long time needed hearing test and I will be needing hearing aids in both ears. I know there is a ping list related to hearing issues and many in here who have hearing loss. I need some to find out some answers. First thing I'll do is give the results. All frequencies are from mild to profound loss. From 125 - 1000 Hz I'm at 40db or mild to moderate loss. At 2000 I'm best starting at 30db from 2000 to 4000hz I drop to severe at 70db, and from 4000 to 6000hz 90db dropping into profound range. The chart looks like from there I jump back to maybe 70db in sever loss range. Left ear is at 40% loss. Right ear is 46%. 60% loss in speech range and 40% loss over all. The loss is due to nerve damage.
I have some other problems that compound this also. I have sensory processing problems both audio and visual. But obviously right now I have to work on dealing with hearing aids VS the audio. I can't tolerate certain sounds or sudden loud noises. It makes me seizure. Simply meaning it causes what is called myoclonic seizures or severe upper torso spasms. Thus one of the reasons I've been dragging my feet on this so to speak. Another issue is the triggers I mentioned generates major anxiety attacks as well. IOW my sensory processing system is also shot. I've been dealing with that for 15 years when it reached being a point of disability.
I understand a considerable amount of sudden loud noises can be filtered through automatic sound leveling. Other annoyances are things like back up alarms on fork lifts at Lowes which set me off or even low level frequencies like someone’s sub woofers cranked up in their car beside me.
I'm thinking about getting a BTE {behind the ear} to get directional sound but that limits a few things like phones. I know because I watched my grandson deal with it. Does Bluetooth technology work fairly well from cell phone to Bluetooth capable hearing aids? That too is a biggie for me I need the phone due to wife’s medical issues so she can contact me. Music is something else important to me. I play an acoustic 6 & 12 string guitar no problem there. But I also like listening to a MP3 player I like to use when doing things like shopping that I will need to work out if anyone has suggestions.
The company I was tested at is an Audibel dealer. I didn't get a second opinion because I know the loss is there and the results he gave seemed to match my loss. That and my grandson was checked by three places and all showed the same results so I’m reasonably sure about the results. . Money is somewhat an object I need to stay below a total of $5000 if possible and still get what I need. I need some input as to what to watch out for etc like inferior products with bad reputations.
Thanks
LOL my poor wife has done that with me for several years now. Frustrating for her and me both. I was getting to the point of reading lips while trying to hear her. Now she says she has to be careful what she says around me LOL.
A grenade took out my right ear in ‘71 and my left has been slowly catching up to it. The VA keeps me supplied with Starkey digitals and they are outstanding! I still have trouble hearing children and high female voices, but It beats the near-deafness I have without them.
My dog ate them once but that’s a story for later.
Yea, right. Along with your homework I'll bet.......LOL!
I'm glad now I went with BTE and not in the canals. The BTE's are about as small as I can see to deal with and I sure don't want anything deeper either.
I went over to W-M and their size 312 was $7.79 per 8 pack and the only brand they had was Eveready, it had some B.S. on the packaging about being "green", probably why they cost so much. I avoid buying any product that hypes the word green, if at all possible. I don't buy Windex any more for that reason.
Zon is Starkey also according to a site called aidrite. For batteries I’d go with Enegizer or Duracell. They generally seem to last longer from my experience and I like the dispenser they use.
LOL with wearing glasses and hearing aids I still remember the movie Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder did. Pryor’s blind and Wilder’s deaf. So far it’s glasses, corrective shoes, false teeth and now hearing aids. So what happens at 60 do I really want to know? :>}
While traveling a couple of days ago we stopped at a motel. My grand daughter and I headed for the pool. She went to the shallow end but I wanted to get used to the water fast, so I dove into the deep end and swam down to her.
I put my finger in my ear to get the water out and had an “oh s***” moment. A hearing aid was in my left ear but none in my right ear.
Me and a couple of teen age boys spent the next half hour diving and looking for it in the deep water, one of the boys finally found it, I gave them $10 apiece and they were happy and so was I.
They are water proof and the left one dried out quickly but the one that stayed on the bottom of the pool didn’t dry out until the next day. I stuck it in my car air conditioner vent and that dried it out in about a half hour or so.
They are insured for loss but I believe it’s a $250 deductable apiece.
I am so used to having them in, I forget they are there.
I'm still doing a lot of tuning between environments. Driving with a window down is torture and I cut them down with the S/C on full. Still a lot better then not hearing the things I was missing though.
BTW For BTE ear molds I have a quick way to dry them after cleaning them. Every few weeks I soak the ear pieces. The I use a can of computer cleaner with the tube to blow the water out. The Hal-Hen Mini Dry Aid canister gets used after that to make sure no moisture remains.
What causes a lower comprehension level?
BTW the main thing when you get them wet is to imediately get the battery out. This prevents damage by short circuits due to water. Wipe the battery area good first though. Next is use computer cleaner. I don’t recommend using a hair dyrer unless a person is experienced at this as you can overheat the device. I’ve dried out cell phones, pagers, even a police scanner.
You can also wash your key board in a dish washer, I’ve done it. Take it out before the drying cycle and let it dry in the sun. It worked for me.
I haven’t tried that one yet :>} I’m surprised it doesn’t do a number on the warp board though.
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