Advice For The Hearing Impaired

[Lon]

Without going into detail let me tell you that I am a EXPERT when in comes to Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids.

A large number of people with hearing loss are in denial because they don't want to have devices in or hanging on to their ears so never get tested. Then when they do get tested and the audiologist tells them that they would certainly hear better with hearing aids they go for in the canal aids because they are less visible. It's a VANITY THING AND A BIG MISTAKE because that individual will be back to see the audiologist very soon saying their aids don't work very well. The larger aids and the most visible ones are large because they carry sufficient circuitry to take care of most all hearing loss. The smaller hearing aids can't do that. Because of my own stupid Vanity I learned this the hard way. I now wear very noticeable BTE (Behind the Ear), but they are what is needed for my severe hearing loss which is 70%.and the 30% that is left barely helps to hear better, so I am investigating Cochlear Implants.

 

[fureverywhere]

I think it's good that you're keeping us up to date on options for hearing loss. It's something some folks are still embarrassed to admit to having difficulty with. I know hearing aids have improved greatly from years ago. My grandfather worked as a blacksmith from an early age...don't think he ever heard a word I said. He had an over the ear device that made all kinds of weird noises when it wasn't tuned right. Needless to say most of the time he didn't use it.

I've gotten good at paying close attention and lip reading. There must have been a reason why Mom was always screeching at me to turn down the stereo...

 

[Catlady]

@Lon = I realize this thread is almost 2 years old. You said = " so I am investigating Cochlear Implants". Question: Did you get the cochlear implant? My doctor wants me to get one due to my severe hearing loss, but I've read conflicting results. Since only one of my ears can be worked with (the other one is completely deaf, dead nerves), he also told me there is a 50% possibility that the implant might not work and I'll become completely deaf. BUT, he said, I will eventually BE 100% deaf, anyway. At 75, I really don't want to go through another ear surgery, I've already had 4 since I was 5 years old.