Connect
← Return to Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others
Discussion
Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Jan 5 4:23am | Replies (1550)Comment receiving replies
You definitely didn't throw too much at me. I really appreciate all of the insight. I'm trying to get as much info/ experience/ advice as possible! In your experience, has wearing hearing aids slowed down your progression? My ENT said that it could but I didn't know if that was actually true or if he was meaning what you were saying about using and stimulating the things that were still functioning. Also, if you don't mind me asking, has your hearing loss been a steady progression over time or has it varied? (I know everyone is very different. It just helps me to see other people's experience over time with the same type of hearing loss)
The audiologist I will be seeing is in my ENT office and they have checked my ears for wax and such which is good!
Thank you for the advice of finding an audiologist who I like. I have had bad experiences with doctors in the past so there are times I've just given up if I don't vibe with the specific doctor. I looked up what brands the office uses of hearing aids and it seems they use 5 different brands.
My dad is one of the only people I am close with that has them. He only just got them though and I believe his audio gram is the opposite of mine.
I'm definitely not opposed to hearing aids. Even though I'm only 24 I already use medical devices (feeding tube, wheelchair, ankle braces, service dog). I don't necessarily want hearing aids but I'm already noticing the loss of hearing even though it's mild right now and I'm frustrated with not being able to hear things/ people. I also feel like it would be easier one I am hopefully more connected with people who are dealing with the same thing!
Thank you so much! Feel free to ignore this if I've asked too many personal questions!
Replies to "You definitely didn't throw too much at me. I really appreciate all of the insight. I'm..."
Connect
@ameliabrinker You are getting good information from FL Mary, so I won't go there with similar information. My HL was diagnosed when I was 22 years old. I suspect it was there in my teens, but not serious enough to notice it. The medical doctors who diagnosed it said there was no known cause, and also no solution. That was in the 1960s. A lot has changed since then.
Today I benefit from a cochlear implant and a hearing aid that work together.
My experience after diagnosis was that my ability to hear declined gradually. By the time I was in my mid-30s I was struggling. Hearing aids had improved by then and I was fitted with one; only one. I should have been fitted with two. Time passed, I discovered hearing assistive technology that helped me beyond that hearing aid. Today's tech is superior to what I used. When getting hearing aids I strongly recommend you insist on telecoils and BlueTooth. Ask about remote microphones and other devices that bring sound directly to your personal hearing aids. They can keep you in the hearing mainstream. Unfortunately, providers do not always share this information as it takes time. It should be demonstrated, not just mentioned.
Most important, take care of the hearing that you have. Stay away from loud noises unless you use professionally fit ear plugs. Excess noise can exacerbate hearing loss. I know that exposure to loud sounds including rock music, hunting with my father, and teaching in a loud gymnasium likely moved me forward on the hearing loss spectrum faster than if I had not been exposed to those loud sounds. We know that excess noise is the most common cause of hearing loss. Also, that it is a preventable cause. Protect the hearing you have!
Take care and think positive. Today's research has made a positive difference. Tomorrow's research may ultimately find a way to regrow the hair cells in the cochlea that are gradually destroyed as hearing loss becomes more pronounced.
Good luck to you. You are wise to be asking questions now.