Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

It is difficult to determine the cause of hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by issues in the inner ear or cochlea. Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the middle ear. If sensorineural hearing loss has been identified, it's possible there is a genetic link. Are there people in your genetic line who have or have had hearing loss?

I'm glad you asked about prevention. The most common cause of hearing loss is over exposure to noise. Noise is everywhere in our environment, but exposure can be limited by avoiding it and by using well fit ear plugs when that's not possible. Things like loud music, noise at large sporting events, fireworks, gun shots, noisy machinery, etc. are problematic. Sudden extreme noise and lesser noise experienced over time can both damage hearing. Best to avoid exposure is possible, and to use ear protection if not.

Anything over 90 decibels can damage hearing. Again, duration matters. You can download a decibel meter on your cell phone. It's interesting to see how noisy the environment can be. Here is a link to what audiologists refer to as 'the speech banana'. It shows where typical hearing lies on an audiogram, and shows some common sounds that are dangerous.
https://www.ndsd.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/Presentations/Audiogram-Sp-Banana.pdf
It's important to understand that some people seem to be less prone to noise induced hearing loss than others are.

Was your granddaughter born prematurely? In some cases hearing can improve after that initial infant testing. Your granddaughter should be retested regularly.

Thank you very much. This answer helps a lot.

Thank you!

This information about the AGB LEAP program just came to me this morning. It would be an interesting experience for a teenager with hearing loss to participate in this program online. Registration deadline is coming up soon. There is no fee to participate.

The start of STRONG CONNECTIONS
Discover a World Where You Belong! Join us at the Learning Experience and Adventure Program (LEAP)—a virtual space for high school students who are deaf or hard of hearing, just like YOU! Calling all High School Students, ages 14-18, with bilateral or unilateral hearing loss who use Listening and Spoken Language as their primary communication method.

Why LEAP?
1. Connect & Bond: Meet and connect with peers from across the country who understand your experiences. It’s a place to make lasting friendships and share stories in a welcoming virtual environment.
2. Fun & Interactive: Dive into exciting activities and games designed to inspire and engage you. From creative workshops to thought-provoking discussions, there’s something for everyone!
3. Learn from the Best: Our sessions are led by successful adults who are also deaf or hard of hearing, proficient in Listening and Spoken Language (LSL), ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.
Session Details:
• October 18-19, 2024
o October 18: 7:00-9:30 PM ET
o October 19: 1:00-4:30 PM ET
• Apply Here: https://form.jotform.com/233385284519262
• Application Closes: October 17, 2024
• Cost: Absolutely FREE!
• After applying, keep an eye on your inbox for more exciting details!
We’re here to help! Contact us at LEAP@agbell.org.

Don’t miss this opportunity to leap into fun, friendship, and an unforgettable learning adventure. Spaces are filling up quickly—secure your spot today and be part of a community that understands, supports, and celebrates you!

Our Contact Information
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
3417 Volta PL NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-337-5220
https://agbell.org

Thinking back, I may have had mild hearing loss since adolescence. However, I was not officially diagnosed w hearing loss until age 47 by audiologist at my ENT’s office in 2005. This was after a sudden & serious hearing loss issue after I had a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2004, that was corrected with the coiling procedure through my leg! Miraculously, hearing loss was my only disability after the aneurysm.
I began with in-the-canal Hearing aids for 18 years.
One year ago I chose behind the ear Hearing aids as I wanted Bluetooth.features and the raved about automatic adjustment in multiple noise situation feature.
Even with nany program adjustments and tweaks, I still find myself asking people to repeat themselves, hearing other words, particularly words beginning with consonants and simply not hearing someone, although in the same room!

I just wonder why hearing loss can't be treated better than other problems. If astronauts had hearing problems, I think someone would figure a better system!
Thank you for letting me vent!

I am a Army National Guard Veteran and 14 year American Tinnitus Association volunteer who has moderate to severe high frequency hearing loss and 4 noises with Tinnitus. I have helped hundreds regain quality of life conducting tinnitus support group classes, peer one on one training and support as well as public speaking for the Hearing Loss Association (Chapters in HLA) and many other organizations as well as promoting tinnitus and hearing loss on ABC, Fox, The Hearing Journal, Growing Boulder and many other media sources. There are many helpful tips and lessons learned that can help others when buying or understanding hearing aids. Please remember if you lost 20% of your hearinng the aids are basically made up of computer chips and tweaked to support your hearing loss through software programs and an "Expert hearing professional". They can only make sounds louder to compensate that 20% loss and the brain is the engine that drives the hearing. In most cases we hear with the brain not the ears. So many other support options out there to help you. God Bless all of you.

Question for you: You had hearing aids for 18 years prior to getting BTE aids. Did you have telecoils in those ITE hearing aids? Do your new BTE aids have telecoils and Bluetooth both?

Telecoils have been available for decades, but many hearing aid manufacturers have not included them. In some instances, they are included but not activated by the provider.

It's complicated. Telecoils can connect a hearing aid or cochlear processor directly to a sound system in a theater, room, worship center, etc. IF there is a system in that venue that is compatible with them. People with hearing loss, who are willing to speak out, have been advocating for assistive listening systems in venues for years, but primarily since the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1988. The law mandates these systems be available, but ONLY IF the people who need them request them. Then, of course, it takes time to purchase and install the technology and it often gets forgotten or is determined to be a cost that the venue cannot afford. The reality is: People with hearing loss don't advocate enough for themselves so their voices are not heard. We get ignored, sadly.

I realize this doesn't answer your question of solve your dilemma, but I had to ask.

I also wonder if your hearing aid provider mentioned the possibility of cochlear implants. It would depend on the results of your audiology exam. Also, on the knowledge of that provider.

Most people with hearing loss struggle in situations that have background noise, regardless of the capabilities of the hearing aids they use. It's frustrating. The emotional side of hearing loss is like a big bear in the room. But, with assistive technology we can manage it. We also have to learn what works and find ways to explain that to people. Are you familiar with support groups that bring hard of hearing people together? If there is an HLAA chapter in your area, I encourage you to check it out. You can learn more at http://www.hearingloss.org Mutual help like what you will find on MCC is wonderful. If you can get together to meet others in person, it's even better. HLAA brings people together.

Those are my sentiments exactly. I still don’t think this country priorities hearing loss the way it should.
I know they are now working on finding a cure for hearing loss but my question is what took them so long. They didn’t start to even address it until 1988. Hearing aids have come a long way but the ultimate answer is going to be finding a cure for hearing loss. Maybe not in my lifetime but hopefully for generations to come.
My new Signia IX BTE hearing aids are the best yet and I hope they keep getting better.
I actually went outside my TruHearing network to the UCH audiology department at UCH in Denver and after 45 minutes of testing my audiologist determined getting CI would not make a noticeable difference in my hearing loss and then proceeded to tune them better than they have ever been tuned before. The testing was also much more extensive than anything I had experienced before. I didn’t leave her office till after her office officially closed at 5:30. I was there for 90 minutes.
It cost me $90 but it was worth every penny. Future tuneups will only cost me $50. Just realize many private audiologists have seen their patient load increase and they have gone from two audiologist to one in their offices. Just a thought for those out there that don’t feel their hearing aids are working as well as they should be.
Another set of eyes never hurts when it comes to hearing loss.

Thank you for the work you're doing for the American Tinnitus Assn. and for HLAA.

One of the hardest things for people with adult onset hearing loss and related issues like tinnitus and Meniere's, is feeling so alone with their frustration. These support organizations help alleviate that, but people have to be willing to get involved.

I was fortunate to find HLAA, which was SHHH back then (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People), when I was fearful, frustrated and fatigued trying to live with progressive sensorineural hearing loss that was diagnosed when I was in my early 20s. I honestly believe getting involved saved my life. I felt so alone. No one understood what I was going through. If I tried to talk about it my feelings were minimized. Isolation leads to depression. Glad I had the courage to say 'yes' to becoming involved with SHHH at the national, state and local levels. It sure brought me out of the shell I had created for myself!! So very thankful.

Thank you for what you are doing!

Most of us who live with hearing loss want a cure. I believe it will come, but the reality is that research in this field is relatively current. Prior to the first successful cochlear implant, it was believed that the acoustic nerve was 'dead' if sensorineural hearing loss was diagnosed. CIs proved that it was dormant, not dead. And in many cases that nerve could be activated by bypassing the damaged cochlea. Surprise! Again, what a blessing!!