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Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others
Hearing Loss | Last Active: 5 hours ago | Replies (1519)Comment receiving replies
Hello Everyone-
I am new to this support group and grateful that I have an outlet for my frustration.
My hearing loss started about 8 years ago with tinnitus. Not sure exactly what the cause was but it may have been swimming in cold water without (DUH!) earplugs. Any way its seems to be getting worse. I have Eargo hearing aids but am still lost in conversations (especially group conversations) even when I'm wearing them. I do have a good life in semi retirement and I would get the most effective top of the line hearing aids but I still can't afford them can't afford them. The worst part is the confusion that comes with being lost in conversations. Sometimes I think I have dementia. Interested in any new affordable technologies that users have found to improve cognitive abilities associated with hearing loss as well as new and more affordable hearing aids, especially those with BlueTooth capabilities. Thank you for 'listening'!
Replies to "Hello Everyone- I am new to this support group and grateful that I have an outlet..."
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Your story is quite typical. Frustration in noisy environments, high cost of hearing aid possibilities, feeling left out, and not knowing what caused the hearing loss in the first place.
The over age 60 population commonly experiences age related hearing loss that is often caused by exposure to noise over time and or genetic predisposition to it. As we age it gets more common.
Hearing is priceless. You say you cannot afford top of the line hearing aids. But have you had your hearing tested by a professional doctor of audiology? A provider that has the initials AuD after their name? You should be sure to do that whether you purchase hearing aids from that person or not. You will know more about what you are missing by the audiology exam and the audiogram it produces. Discuss your hearing loss with that professional and ask for a copy of your audiogram. You can take the audiogram elsewhere within a reasonable amount of time and try hearing aids that are far less costly.
Many people on this forum had shared that they have been pleased with hearing aids from Costco or other Big Box Stores. If you go that route, get tested by them and then compare the audiogram you have with the one they get by testing you. They should be the same or very close. Try a pair of hearing aids from that provider and see how they work for you. I know that Costco sells good quality brand name hearing aids. Most are rechargeable if that is important to you. They also allow a 6 month trial period.
It is OK to shop around. When you buy OTC devices you are pretty much the one who is responsible for setting them, learning what they can and cannot do, etc.
There are assistive technologies that go beyond hearing instruments that can be an amazing help in noisy social settings. You need the 'telecoil component' to connect to them. You need someone to explain and demonstrate that for you. Do you know what telecoils are?
Go to http://www.hearingloss.org to see if there is a chapter of The Hearing Loss Assn, of America (HLAA) in your area. Chapters are organized and led by hard of hearing people themselves. It's a great place to learn.