Loss of hearing clarity: Solutions or strategies anyone?

Comments in this discussion show how unique everyone's hearing loss is. What works for one person may or may not work for another. Then the question becomes; is it because of the product, the fitter, or the uniqueness of the individuals hearing loss?? Even the cause of the hearing loss can be a factor.

If you have been told that you have 'nerve deafness or nerve damage', that is what people were told 30+ years ago before cochlear implant research and development showed that, in most cases, the auditory nerve is functional but is not being stimulated properly. The damage is in the cochlea, not in the nerve or in the brain.

You have to have some understanding of the cochlea and what it does. It is a very tiny organ that has hundreds of 'hair cells' that send different sounds to the auditory nerve, which sends those sounds to the brain for interpretation, The hair cells deteriorate due to different causes including excess noise, ototoxic drugs, genetics, aging, etc. They rarely go all at once (but can if there is sudden sensorineural hearing loss). In most cases it's gradual and we lose our ability to understand certain sounds. Usually, but not always, the higher pitches go first so it's harder to hear children and women's voices. In most cases consonants start to go first. Vowels give speech power so we hear them. Consonants give speech meaning.

Example: This is a 10 letter word with only vowels. i_ _o_ _i_ _e. I doubt you know what that word is.

If I give you only the consonants it would look like this: _mp_ss_bl_ There's a good chance you would figure that out. Try this with a sentence. You will be able to explain the stress that comes with poor hearing with others. It's exhausting to always be filling in blanks.

Back to reality. Some hearing aids are better at picking up what's missing than others are, but it will depend on what is missing. It will also depend on the skill of the hearing aid fitter to make adjustments. Your audiogram will share some information on that.

When it gets to the point where you are not able to understand as much as you used to with your hearing aids, cochlear implants may be an option. Cochlear implants bypass the damaged cochlea and stimulate the auditory nerve directly. It's pretty amazing. Of course, it means that your brain must learn to interpret sound differently. It takes time to adjust.

I'm curious about the 27% comment. Most people who experience considerable difficulty with clarity in speech have a far greater percentage of hearing loss. Many are far below 50%. Again, though, that is related to what you are hearing and what you are missing.

When in doubt, it makes sense to try a different provider. Compare the audiograms done by all providers. Make sure they are similar. And yes, sometimes a different brand of hearing aid can make a difference. Many providers sell and fit only one or two brands. It's OK to shop around if you are not getting the help you need. Always request a copy of your testing so you can compare results.

I also am fully in favor of using hearing assistive technology that works with hearing aids and cochlear processors.. Has your provider mentioned telecoils, Bluetooth, and/or accessories that work with them?

I would highly recommend seeing a private audiologist. Most if not all people at Costco are not certified audiologists.
Even many audiologists are so swamped that you might actually go to the audiology department at a hospital. They have more time and better equipment to test your specific hearing loss.
Good luck.

Hi
I am deaf. I lost my hearing over time because of nerve damage from a brain tumor that I had when I was young. I have the same probelem. Volume and clarity are my problems. I use an app called AVA FOR THE DEEAF AND HARD OF HEARING best out there. If you come up with ideas will you please share. I have been having a t terrible time finding Somme thing to use besides. Ava.

@suesue

I tried AVA years ago and didn’t care for it. I have an android phone and constantly use Live Transcribe app for speech understanding. Otter is an excellent app originally designed for meetings and has a fee but there is a free limited number of minutes version you can try. I also use Innocaption as my phone app. Go to the play store or App Store on your phone and look for speech to text apps. Most are free…read the reviews…try them out. There are so many of these apps available you should be able to find one. There is no reason , regardless of age, not to be invested in trying these assisted listening apps if you have a smartphone.

Also check this forum under hearing loss and you will see an enormous amount of topics about all facets of hearing loss from hands on experience people. You will learn what is being used and how it helps them navigate through life. I am late deafened (small d)…wearing bilateral BTEs for 40 plus years…hear almost everything but have lost the speech perception.

FL Mary

Thank you, FL Mary I will look what I really am looking for is is there a way to talk on communication without the captions? My sister does not live captions but when I’m not around her, I use a lot the time.

Thanks, Mary. I will try what you suggested. I am really looking for a way to communicate without using captions if you can think of one or someone has any idea that would be wonderful. Let me know. Thank you

@sue22

What you use depends on how severe your loss is and what you need. I had a pocket talker years ago that brought sound directly to my ears which was great then and also a great pair of Bluetooth hearing aids connected to an app Today I need something more visual. With the live transcribe app I have the phone in my hand and it is picking up the speakers voice. I look down at it when I don’t understand something but mostly am okay with a one to one convo. What I like about it is that it keeps conversations for 3 days. I automatically use the app even when I don’t really need it. It’s a good record.

FL Mary

@sue22

My entire family and friends are fine with captions on tv or me using the app….doesn't bother them at all. I’m not sure what you mean in regards to your sister but , sorry, she will have to “suck it up” and deal with whatever you decide to use if she wants to communicate with you. Case closed.

Smiling from Florida…..Mary

Agree that a private audiologist can give you a very comprehensive hearing test, have a range of hearing aid brands to choose from, and can use Real Ear Measurement to assure that your hearing aids are actually performing their best to improve your hearing. Not every audiologist or practice use this best practice measurement so be sure to ask if it is provided before you commit to working with an audiologist. Also inquire about a range of possible hearing aid brands so there are options for you to try. Costco usually has Hearing Instrument Specialists. They can be very knowledgeable but not always...just as there are differences between audiologists. Costco doesn't always have the highest level of hearing aids with features you may need. The more severe severe your hearing loss, the more you need a real audiologist. You can shop around as suggested above. You can also search on Youtube for Dr Cliff, and Mathew Alsop as very experienced audiologists who review hearing aids and best practices in audiology. Assistive devices can be an incrediuble help, as can the options on smart phone, and your audiologist can help you coordinate those. There are online support groups and HLAA at hearingloss.org has resources to check out too.

Don’t forget TruHearing and other discount hearing aid companies that each have their own network of Audiologists. You can save $1,000 on the most current brands from all major hearing aid manufacturers.
Some Advantage Medicare plans offer excellent pricing on hearing aid brands. Humana Gold Plus gives you half price on many top of the line Signia models. Top of the line Signia hearing aids are $999 per hearing aid. You can’t beat that at Costco and you get a qualified audiologist. Worth looking in to.
Good luck to everyone.