Almost
ten million Americans today are currently using hearing aids. This
number is just a mere fraction of those who have actually been
diagnosed with some form of hearing impairment.
I was one of those who has a hearing loss, but postponed getting
hearing aids because of vanity. Eventually I spent $6000 on Vivatone
brand digital hearing aids a couple of years ago and they are
gathering dust on the bathroom counter.
(Anyone need some 10 size batteries?)
If you have a hearing loss and are still denying you need hearing
aids, before you shout “aha!” and email this to your spouse or
significant other, my hearing loose is due to tinnitus.
Not to put to fine a point on it, tinnitus is the perception of sound
in the ears of head when no external source is present.
Tinnitus has
many forms, ringing,
hissing, static,
crickets, screeching,
whooshing, roaring,
pulsing, ocean waves, buzzing,
dial tones, even music.
A
friend has his traced to 12,450 megahertz. (I’m assuming the audio
file plays OK, but I can’t hear it.)
As with most tinnitus sufferers, my tinnitus was caused by a lot of
exposure to noise. In my case it was go-karts, motorcycles, and hot
rods – all without mufflers- when I was a teenager.
But the hearing loss is just as complete and devastating.
Like most others, I put up with it. When
one is younger, wearing hearing aids just isn’t cool.
Even when I approached 60, I didn’t want to be the old man with the
hearing aids. I wore glasses all my life without a hitch. But only old
people wearing hearing aids, right?
While in the case of eyesight impairment, wearing glasses
or contacts seems the most normal thing of all and nobody feels
shameful, when it comes to hearing aids, people get shy and reluctant
in wearing them, because they’d be perceived as being
handicapped.
Hopefully my experience is different from yours. I wish I could hear
better by using hearing aids. But it is not so.
Researching online, I found a ton of homeopathic remedies and cures
for tinnitus. But my audiologist said there was no scientific evidence
to support any claim they work.
He recommended I try digital hearing aids in hope that by amplifying
the natural sound, it would suppress my recognition of the perceived
sound.
About the same time, a friend the same age as I, who had a hearing
loss was raving about his new Vivatone digital hearing aids and the
improvement it made in his life and wife.
They were small, behind-the-ear, flesh colored with an almost
imperceptible wire to the ear. They
were Vivatone brand digital hearing aids.
But they were expensive. $6,000 at that time. Much less now, I’m told.
I was in a position to afford them, so I made the leap.
There was no “getting used” to them. I found them comfortable and easy
to maintain. The only real maintenance, outside of changing the
batteries weekly, was to change ear wax catchers, and this was made
simple due to the design of tool used to install them.
The advantage to the Vivatone digital hearing aids is there is nothing
in your ear canal but a small tube that fits in the ear canal. No need
for a special mold. The dealer fit me immediately in his office.
I liked the way I looked. I wear my hair longish and wear glasses, so
my hair covered some of the hearing aid, and my glasses frames covered
some. The wire leading to my ear canal fell within the natural folds
of my ear.
Not invisible, but darn close.
It was also a time that I started to take control of my hearing loss
by announcing to my co-workers that I had a hearing loss, but was
wearing hearing aids. This was a big step and I got a lot of positive
feedback on how nobody could tell I had hearing aids.
Then slowly, over a matter of months, I came to the realization that
I had wasted my money. The hearing aids were not doing what my
audiologist and I had hoped. Sounds were not clearer. My tinnitus was
not masked.
I still was frustrated in restaurants as the clatter of dishes and the
underlying murmur of conversations at other tables made it almost
impossible to carry on a conversation at my table.
I found myself wearing expensive digital hearing aids, but still
lip-reading, laughing at jokes that I didn’t understand because I
didn’t hear clearly, and saying “pardon me” in a dozen different ways.
Huh? Whut? I’m sorry. Could you repeat that? Again, please?
were back in my conversations with too much regularity. The hearing
aids were worthless.
I truly wish it were different. With the technology they way it is
today, hearing aids are giving relief to millions.
I just wish I was one.
Before I go any further, I would like to point out one small [!] error – my tinnitus is around 12,450 Hertz, not MegaHertz! I have high frequency sensitivity, but not that high!
One of the biggest problems I have found with tinnitus is not the whistle, as I am used to that. It’s the way the tinnitus distorts sound perception. Any sort of background noise seems to distort other sounds so conversations in a crowded room [or restaurant] are very difficult. My hearing is very sensitive, and I can frequently pick up on distant sounds that others miss, yet I find I can’t listen to someone beside me if the radio is on.
I have read as much as I could find on the subject, and like yourself have come to the conclusion that it is just one of those things. It’s a case of concentrating intently with a smattering of lip reading, and if all else fails – shout “WHA??”
Nice article, M.
Posted by Grandad | 19. Dec, 2009, 6:44 pmA fascinating article, somewhat depressing but mirrors some of my own experiences. A massive firework, the skyrocket type, exploded at my feet in a confined space ater being thrown by a child in my school. My hearing has never recovered and I suffer a fairly high level of (buzzing) tinnitus. The numerous audiologists I have consulted seem intent on selling me aids and dismiss the tinnitus. Even the NHS, who make no profit from me, seem reluctant to discuss that problem.
Having bought in-the-ear half-shell aids privately (the NHS ones being worse than useless!) for nearly £2,000, I thought the problem was solved. I find now that, not only are they uncomfortable, do very little to clarify sound – merely amplifying unwanted noise, they also distort my perception of my own speech to the point where I avoid speaking! The social effect is catastrophic! Now, not only can I not understand what is being said, when I can my replies are monosyllabic or curt! Soon I will be Brian-no-mates!
Next week I try yet another private audiologist who, and this is the clincher for me, offers aids on a month’s trial. This time I will not let vanity colour my choice of model, just effectiveness, oh, and price, of course!
Posted by Brian Lightowler | 08. Jan, 2010, 3:48 amIam also another sufferer, I lost my hearing last year. Right now I cant hear completely. Can anyone out there assist me with any solution on this deadly malady.
Posted by Henry Busienei | 12. Jan, 2010, 7:13 amIam also another sufferer, I lost my hearing last year. Right now I cant hear completely. Can anyone out there assist me with any solution on this
Posted by Bruce | 19. May, 2010, 6:53 amHi,
I recently got a pair of Unitron Moda 13 Behind the Ear Digital hearing aids.
There so new that I’m still in my dialing in phase. I have noticed a big improvement with my Tinnitus already. It has really cut down the amount of noise I hear and Im sure as the Technician and I dial them in I will hear less and less of it.
Hope this helps anyone thinking about trying hearing aids. The 30 day trial that some have mentioned sure seems the way to go.
Good luck all
Posted by Dan | 26. May, 2010, 10:49 amI too have a hearing loss and can identify with all the comments. However I have been wearing Starkey Hearing Aids and they are great. I wear CIC with the new IQ Series. they really are great in crowds. Programing is very important and you must go back and have them adjusted for problems that are individual to your hearing situation. Also not everyone should wear a RIC as this depends on your hearing loss. If you have what they call a Cliff fall High Frequency loss the RICs maybe for you, however if you have High and low frequency in the ear like the CIC is a great fit. However I also know that I am fortunate because I have a great hearing aid specialist that is a Starkey dealer out of Grove OK.
Posted by Rhonda Bouvier | 29. May, 2010, 10:18 amSympathize with all. I was in a head on car collision 10 years ago, air bags went off and so did the noise in my ears permanently. First few years was almost unbearable, wanted to cut my ears out but the sound was inside my head so that course of action wouldn’t help. I discovered I had lost some of my high ended hearing and was continually asking what, what I was really frustrated. I eventually bought behind the ear hearing aids and while they did help me hear more, I still have an issue with distinguishing words so now I hear more but understand about the same as no hearing aids. Eating out is a chore, hate all the noise in restaurants so I try not to go out to anywhere there is social gatherings. Find that the buzz coming from florescent lights makes the hearing aids go crazy sometimes. Wish I could offer more positive feedback but I continue to review and investigate newer hearing technology hoping for the breakthrough. I would rather have the hearing aid than not – just personal preference. Behind the ear seems to be the best fit, no occlusion (own voice feedback) comfortable and actually does have some positives.
Posted by Bob | 31. May, 2010, 8:46 amI am a 70 year old ex Navy Aviator that lost hearing in Vietnam due to Aircraft noise and ordinance.
I have both ringing and it also sounds like an airplane engine is just over my head. The engine “roar” gets much worse in high noise … guess my brain tries harder to hear. I have had 5 sets of aids – old analog and multichannel digital from early 40′s to now. Did without from about 62 to 69 … just said “what?” a lot and read lips. I cannot even hear my auto engine run … have about destroyed the starter trying to start it when it is running.
In Nov 2009, I purchased Rexton Cobalt 16 channel from CostCo – good price, no commission … fitter is on salary. Also allow 90 days return.
The first fitter was not very skilled … high sound lever but no better with understanding. Tried another Costco and fitter … very good results. Good understanding one-on-one and with many adjustment over 6 months I can not hear and understand much better in social situations and in noisy resturants. Not perfect but acceptable. Can Hear my auto engine, blinkers, and even key rattle and the music on the radio ( and of course my dear wife of 48 years who always speaks to the car window)
Moral! Keep going back and find a fitter that does not just tune aids using the technology. My current fitter listens to me and changes many settings – there are 100′s – until we agree that the sound is getting better. I go out and try the aids and come back and we re-tune. Keep trying and the ringing and roar gets better when you can hear better. Trains the brain to ignore the constant ringing and roar. Good luck.
Posted by ed edmondson | 13. Aug, 2010, 11:37 pm