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Hearing loss -- I can't understand conversations
Hearing Loss | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (6)Comment receiving replies
Excellent explanation in understanding how hearing aids work. I have been wearing aids for over 40 years and have only come across one audiologist who adequately explained what I would be experiencing, what to expect and the limitations of hearing aids in general.
I am not sure what @jane87 means by clarity but I suspect it has to do with speech perception or understanding . I have a profound bilateral hearing loss and wear powerful Phonaks. I don’t have all the bells and whistles programmed because, no matter how high end the aid is, I will always have trouble understanding what people are saying especially in loud environments. I am better at one on one conversations and rely on a phone app (Live Transcribe) for back and forth in groups.
It’s unfortunate that most audiologists or hearing aid techs don’t give adequate explanations to their patients. This should be in their training.
The only additional information I could offer is to be very clear and specific to the Audi what exactly are the problems you are experiencing . Keep a journal and jot down the situations where you are having the most problems. It’s a big help in adjusting and reprogramming.
I hear ya
Fl Mary
Replies to "@deberh Excellent explanation in understanding how hearing aids work. I have been wearing aids for over..."
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Thank you for your reply. It seems, we both have something in common, also with many others!
I may add to my post that seeking for any options, I just underwent additional extensive hearing tests because of my extreme discomfort with noise. Any noise, like washing dishes in the kitchen sink, a vacuum cleaner nearby, are almost unbearably loud. Setting the HAs to mute helps somewhat, but HAs, I guess, were not meant to be ear plugs.
Furthermore, I was explained that while a typical/normal range of hearing is at 75-80 dB, mine is at 35-40 dB, As I understood it, my “loudness discomfort level” requires “squeezing” the hearing aid adjustments into that 35-40 dB range. Newest HA models will not help improve my very low word recognition, nor help with the loudness discomfort.
Conclusion: I just qualified for Cochlear Implant, initially on one side.
I am trying to understand and learn the details about CI, primarily because I was already told that eventually I may have to chose from one of the 3 FDA approved CI manufacturers. The surgeon and his audiologist will assist with making a choice because there is no trialing, like with HAs.
I decided to accept the challenges, the unknown length of the adjustment phase, as well as any risk related to the procedure. I hope that at my advanced age of 85 I might be able to regain hearing to a better level and be able to enjoy again many things, like participating more in social events or going to classical music concerts, for the remainder of my life.