Hearing loss

[Derkali]

Hearing loss and tinnitus are definitely two different problems. Unfortunately, I know both.

I have had severe tinnitus in both ears for decades and have learned to come to an arrangement with it. The tinnitus did not reduce my hearing or speech comprehension, as was also determined over the years with hearing tests by an otorhinolaryngologist (ENT doctor).

However, recently I have noticed that it has become increasingly difficult to follow conversations in noisy surroundings. I can hear, but understanding is getting harder and harder. At my last visit to the ENT doctor, after the hearing test showed a slight deterioration compared to the previous year, he recommended that I consider getting a hearing aid. That was in January.

My family doctor also advised me to get hearing aids, as current studies show that presbycusis (hearing loss in old age) can lead to premature mental deterioration and even dementia. According to statistics, about one in three people over 65 is affected. As a result, I did a lot of research into the problem of hearing loss and hearing aids. I read a lot about it and asked friends who wear hearing aids about their experiences. Now I have been wearing hearing aids for three months. I tried two brands and, like 'Alister M', I chose Oticon. Oticon also because it has a very good music programme 'My Music'. And yes, it takes time to get used to the hearing aids and a few sessions to adjust.

A little advice for AirPods PRO 2 owners. Do a listening test with the Mimi app and synchronise the result with the AirPods. It must be the Pro 2, as only these have the transparency mode. You'll be amazed what you've been missing! Listen to music from your HiFi/HiEnd system in the transparancy mode of your AirPods - not streaming - and you'll be amazed!
It convinced me that I needed a hearing aid to be able to follow conversations easily and to listen to music better again. Nevertheless, the AirPods are no substitute for a good hearing aid, which can do many things better.
Unfortunately, it's a matter of fact with hearing aids: you pay more, you get more.

I am glad that I decided to get a hearing aid.

 

[akamatsu]

I read an article recently saying that some folks don't like the stigma of wearing hearing aids, so they opt for Apple AirPods instead. Apparently there is a way to have them function as hearing aids. And reports say they work rather well. I guess it's more hip to walk around with AirPods. Here's an article but not the one I originally read.

https://www.soundguys.com/how-to-set-up-your-apple-airpods-pro-as-hearing-aids-85802/

 

[HIGHWAY61]

So you will not be buying one of these then :

 

[Jail4CEOs2]

Interesting, but it looks like it's iOS only.

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

We like big expensive amplifiers driving big expensive speakers and then listen through titchy little microphones, amplifiers and speakers in earbuds? I don't get it. It would be like trying to evaluate HiFi or a musical instrument using the speakers in your PC monitor!

 

[ChrisS]

I've been enjoying listening to music on my stereo system again since getting Oticon hearing aids! Since the beginning of this year, my listening has been enhanced by the Music Program that's been incorporated in the latest hearing aids. https://www.oticon.com/inside-oticon/news/news/2022/jan-5-mymusic-ces

 

[akamatsu]

I'm turning 50 in a few months and honestly I can't find anything to celebrate because for now my hearing is OK but nature has programmed every us living beings to wear out. I will celebrate the day that I go from 49 to 48!!

The latest I've read is that there is no genetic "program" to age. It is all environmental. In that regard, there are things we can do to slow down the process. I've found that a program of strength training (weight lifting) can be quite effective.

 

[fschmeis]

one more aspect to consider: Without hearing aids the brain gets particulr frequencies less and as a result forgets to hear these frequencies => don‘t wait too long to get hearing aids ..

 

[Wenge1]

The latest I've read is that there is no genetic "program" to age. It is all environmental. In that regard, there are things we can do to slow down the process. I've found that a program of strength training (weight lifting) can be quite effective.

Oh c'mon - How can that possibly be the case! You can't stop aging. There are things that you can do to help cope with it and maybe slow the decline in some aspects (as you yourself said) but stop it - I don't think so. Complete wishful thinking

 

[Bianchennero]

We like big expensive amplifiers driving big expensive speakers and then listen through titchy little microphones, amplifiers and speakers in earbuds? I don't get it. It would be like trying to evaluate HiFi or a musical instrument using the speakers in your PC monitor!

But even our eardrums are small...

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

But even our eardrums are small...

but aren't they designed for listening to big speakers?

 

[Nopiano]

We like big expensive amplifiers driving big expensive speakers and then listen through titchy little microphones, amplifiers and speakers in earbuds? I don't get it. It would be like trying to evaluate HiFi or a musical instrument using the speakers in your PC monitor!

Not quite how I would have put it, but that’s roughly my concern too. The idea of processing everything digitally through tiny buds doesn’t appeal at all, but I’ve no qualms about wearing them in principle.

Also, everything sounds fine at a concert hall (though my hearing is still there), but obviously that loudness level isn’t what I typically use to replay at home!

The other thing is that aids don’t do much above about 8kHz apparently, so nothing is going to fill in those missing higher frequencies. I gather that’s because aids are primarily to make speech more intelligible, not to enhance our experience of music or birdsong.

 

[Nopiano]

one more aspect to consider: Without hearing aids the brain gets particulr frequencies less and as a result forgets to hear these frequencies => don‘t wait too long to get hearing aids ..

I thought the brain in effect “turns up the treble” and a symptom of that is tinnitus.

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

well if hearing aids don't work above 8k I won't bother

 

[Nopiano]

well if hearing aids don't work above 8k I won't bother

I was hoping the Oticon mentioned above might, but I can’t see any technical info, just that they won an award and that an aging rockstar promotes them!

Still looking, and maybe @ChrisS might know more.

 

[Bianchennero]

but aren't they designed for listening to big speakers?

This is true.

 

[Bianchennero]

The other thing is that aids don’t do much above about 8kHz apparently, so nothing is going to fill in those missing higher frequencies. I gather that’s because aids are primarily to make speech more intelligible, not to enhance our experience of music or birdsong.

It is true. I took my father several times when he was an old man to the ears doctor for earphones due to hearing problems caused by loudness sound during his job. the audiometrist told me that the main task of hearing acoustic devices is limited to the frequencies of the human voice. You have to understand what other people are saying, that's their main job.

 

[Mark57]

I have mild age related hearing loss and have been wearing aids for about five years now. Two facts:
* What’s gone is gone. No aid can restore losses.
* Aids are designed to help hear speech and will amplify those frequencies, not higher or lower.

I really don’t notice and still enjoy my system, even though I must be missing some of the top end. Oddly enough my son is keen for me to keep the system up to scratch. And says he is happy to take it off my hands if I’m not getting full value any more

 

[ChrisS]

Get your hearing checked professionally to determine what your needs are... I'm extremely pleased with how much my hearing has been restored with Oticon hearing aids. Since starting with the Oticon hearing aids nearly 6 years ago, I've completely revamped my stereo system and have modified my listening environment to accommodate how much more I can hear! (Yes, Nopiano, we all age, including musicians!) https://www.oticon.com/solutions/more-hearing-aids

 

[HIGHWAY61]

A brief Google found :

(1) There are specific hearing aids produced for listening to music/musicians to use while working. The best model is Danish and costs £5,000.

(2) There are specific hearing aids for dogs, a snip @ £3,000.