How does hearing loss change you?

Let's explore options to see what might help. Smart phones and speakers recognize your voice and can display a text transcription of it. So it's like writing a note and showing it to the hearing impaired person. Of course when all else fails you can text each other over your smart phones with the ring vibration mode turned on.
How about a little sign language? Everybody already understands some simple signs. That reinforces other habits that help like remembering to turn and face your husband when you speak to him and to reduce all the noise sources in the environment (like loud TVs) that make it harder to hear someone. I find myself automatically yelling to my wife "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" which of course exasperates her to no end. How can I break the habit? I must take the time to physically face her (with a smile on my face) and calmly ask her to repeat what she said without yelling at her.

I am trying to figure out when I should get hearing aids. I've been tested and have some loss. I find dinner with 5 or 6 people at the table in a restaurant, hard to hear the conversations but I live alone and I am 82. Really don't have a problem with daily life or one one-on-one conversations. Would it be smart to get them now or wait until my hearing gets worse? I have no idea what kind to get, either! Thanks for any info.

I have been told by more than one Doctor. The longer you wait the faster the decline occurs and that can effect awareness of your surrounding, balance etc. I have no reason to question this as I listened and started with hearing aids about 25 years ago. With each new pair they had to be adjusted but it was minor. As my hearing loss is from very loud noise it is progressive and I have arrived at the place where I have to start gathering information about Cochlear Implants
so time marches on. I am 88 now and with the correct hearing assistance I should be able to hear to the time I go toes up. As to hearing in restaurants or noise environments it is still some white troublesome but if you are with a friend there is a clip on or one the table microphone you can place with them and that really makes a difference. Somanode10

Caption call is great, their assistance and service is stop notch. There are two versions of
CAPTION CALL now, the Home Model no WI-FI required, prints out conversation when said, so you can have a conversation with some one and more recently added was the service for Cell Phones. I received my first one about 25 years ago and it is great and though I have not had add ed my cell phone yet as it connects automatically with my hearing aids when I am on the phone and is works seamlessly. In case you have not figured it out I whole heartedly endorse it.
Sure is a long way from the old cupped hand and lots of huh’s. In addition there is a built in message system, if you want to monitor calls you can and either delete, or delete those pest
Calls as it prints out who the call is from such as a friend etc and also if it is from Mr. Spam,
Miss Unavailable, and Cousin Urgent or block them as they come along. And no I do not work
For them company and am not a stockholder.
Somanod10

I encourage you to get the hearing aids now. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to adjust to them. Who tested your hearing most recently? Was it an audiologist? Regardless, you would be wise to ask them for a copy of your audiogram for comparison.

It sounds as if your hearing loss is mild or moderate because you've been getting along without having them. You may want to try Costco if there is one in your area. They sell basic hearing aids. Their products are not the over the counter variety. They will test you so you can compare the earlier audiogram with the Costco one.

The advantage of Costco is the lengthy trial period they allow. Most providers allow no more than 45 days; many only 30. Costco allows 6 months. That gives you time to try the hearing aids in just about every possible situation where you will want to have them. If they don't help enough you can return them and get your money back.

I do not endorse products or providers, but I feel it's important for people to be aware of different policies.

The hearing industry is interesting. There are people with doctorate level degrees (AuD) that dispense hearing aids. There are people with high school diplomas who become Hearing Instrument Specialists (HIS) through training. Some have master's degrees. The important thing is to find a product the works and a provider who is helpful.

Good luck to you.

I have been tested by an audiologist a few times in the last 4-5 years and each time I was told I "could use" hearing aids. Now I am realizing my hearing loss (slightly). My insurance covers (not all of it) Signia, which I understand is a good brand, so I most likely will go with that. I am not sure I could use Costco's hearing aids for 6 months and then return them if I didn't like them?? Seems like too long...I'd feel bad! Also, if I am not going to be around people for the day should I wear the hearing aids anyway?

When you start using hearing aids it takes time for your brain to adjust to them. So, yes, you should wear them during the day. There are sounds all around us that we miss without realizing it. That can be kind of shocking at first because you suddenly realize what you have been missing.

A pair of hearing aids may cost in the neighborhood of $4000 - $6000 dollars. You are fortunate if you have insurance/Medicare that will cover some of it. Many people don't have that. The hearing aids at Costco are good quality, but I fully agree that having a pair of Signia hearing instruments fit by a doctor of audiology is best if you can afford it.

Costco is unique. Their fitters are not paid commission on sales. They receive a salary. Consequently, they do business differently. If that is the best route for a consumer to go, there's no reason to feel badly about returning them. It's a business; a very big one.

If/when you get those hearing aids let us know what new sounds you're hearing.

I am not sure I am ready for hearing aids, although I have some hearing loss. How will I know when it's time? I can hear what most people say, it's just people who speak softly and noisy restaurants! But how often is this a problem? Not at the market, or the drug store..not at home by myself (most of the time!) I can still hear in the movie theater, on the phone and at the doctor's office...Can still hear my turn signals (in one ear!) I don't want to get them too early because I think I won't use them. I am sure if I go to my audiologist he will say I need them and I need them now ($$). So I am asking the group for guidance about "when". Thank you all!

The question is: Can you understand what people are saying at the market, in a restaurant, etc.? People with hearing loss can 'hear', but have difficulty participating in conversation due to misunderstanding.

It sounds like you have mild sensorineural hearing loss, but that can only be diagnosed by proper testing. Test results will let you know what you're missing, and whether or not it's time for hearing aids.

Have you been tested by a professional audiologist? One who has doctorate level training?

I agree with all the above. You have to be tested by a professional. And you don’t know what you can’t hear or understand. I have profound hearing loss, have had hearing aids for 10 years and I STILL miss parts of conversations, esp in restaurants or from someone who is soft-spoken. Just get tested!