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How do we get clear information about hearing assistive technology?
Are the audiologists and hearing instrument specialists who serve you explaining the advantages of hearing assistive tech that adds value to hearing aids?
Do you want to be able to hear well at theaters, performing arts centers, meetings, worship centers, etc.? Or doesn't that matter to you?
I continue to be shocked and amazed at how many people come to our HLAA chapter meetings who have high quality, well fitted hearing aids, but know nothing about the helpful options that let us hear better in settings where noise can be a demon that stops us from going there.
How can we let providers know we want to hear as well as we possibly can, and that we need them to show us how these options work. If all they do is tell us they exist without demonstrating how they help, it's a losing battle.
It's even worse when hard of hearing people don't get any information about these options because they express that they are more interested in hiding their hearing loss than helping it.
I'd like very much to hear both positive and negative experiences. We want and need to respect and trust our providers but sometimes we find ourselves having to educate them a bit.
Let's talk about it!
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@daveshaw The ADA only works when those who need accommodations follow procedure and get out and let venues know they expect accommodations and follow through on filing complaints if they are not provided.
And, yes, it's much harder for people with invisible disabilities like hearing loss than it is for those who need obvious accommodations.
HLAA was founded in 1979 because the only accommodations made for people with hearing loss then were American sign language interpreters. 95%+ of the population with hearing loss need accommodations other than ASL. At the time HLAA was founded, the hard of hearing population was largely ignored. Like it or not, stigmas about hearing loss have prevented far too many people from speaking up and getting involved.
Be thankful for all the good things that have happened in the last 45+ years...and keep advocating publicly. Lots of people to thank for that.
@julieo4 I appreciate your thoughts.
I recently went to Portugal and Germany and they were even worse.
All the bathrooms in restaurants were in the basement and involved walking down stairs. I don’t know how people with disabilities function in Europe.
Hopefully things will continue to get better as far as addressing hearing loss in this country.
I know they are actively trying to find ways to regrow hair cells in the inner ear. Hearing aids also continue to get better and as much as I am not a huge fan of AI it has really helped with making hearing aids better.
Phonak has a new hearing aid with an extra chip which helps with clarity and background noise. It has drawbacks but it will only get better. I am a firm believer in not trying the first generation of anything.
I have Signia IX 7 hearing aids and I am looking forward to their next breakthrough. My Humana Gold Plus Medicare Advantage plan enables me to buy the pair for $2,000.
I am guardedly optimistic regarding the regeneration of hair cells but at 74 probably not in my lifetime.
Best of luck to you.
While the captioned glasses might be great for someone not visually impaired, they would not be considered ADA compliant for providing necessary communication access.
The audiologist and hearing specialist that sets up your hearing aids for you doesn’t understand what we are experiencing. Hearing affects every aspect of the human experience. People that can hear think that we put hearing aids in and like glasses we can hear everything perfectly fine like we could before we lost any hearing in one or both ears. As our severity increases of course, even around moderate hearing loss especially bilateral we can’t hear anything anyone is saying in restaurants, outside, basically anywhere with background noise even with our hearing aids on. The technology my seem simple to them but it’s all we have to navigate in a busy world and to be able to hear the person behind the glass at the Dr. office or friend sitting next to us at a restaurant with our edumic. I go online and read about my hearing aids, features, how to use to stream music, set up for phone calls, etc. They also have a lot of great videos on line I like to watch on my phone. I have severe hearing loss so I don’t have any noise on in the house so I can hear on the phone or someone I am with talking to me.
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2 Reactions@cnichols26 There is no question that extraneous noise is the demon that haunts those of us with hearing loss most, and that noise is just about everywhere!
I encourage you to explore the 'support group option'. HLAA and ALDA offer wonderful opportunities to get together with other people who fully understand what happens with hearing loss. You don't have to deal with this alone.
HLAA is The Hearing Loss Assn of America http://www.hearingloss.org
ALDA is the Association of Late Deafened Adults. http://www.alda.org
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2 Reactions@pmrsuzie Hi there, thank you for sharing your experience. What you described—feeling lost during conversations in noise, even with hearing aids—is extremely common, and it’s not a reflection of anything you’re doing wrong. Background noise is one of the hardest listening environments for everyone, especially with sensorineural hearing loss.
Even with basic hearing aids, there are assistive options that can make group settings more manageable. Many Oticon models can work with external microphones or remote microphones that send the speaker’s voice directly into the hearing aids. That kind of setup often helps more than making the hearing aids “stronger.” If you ever have the chance, ask your provider to demonstrate these accessories can give you a clearer idea of what might help before making any financial decisions.
Limited resources and confidence with technology shouldn’t prevent access to clearer communication. Small changes, like learning how to use a remote mic or having your provider adjust noise-reduction settings, can make a meaningful difference.
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4 Reactions@mayamb, thank you for responding to my comment. I will follow up with audiology to see if any adjustments can be made to my hearing aids. Your concern is much appreciated.
I lost my hearing in my left ear Aug 6th and now 4 months later and going thru all of the protocols, I am now considering a Cochlear Implant. I tried 2 sets of CROS HA's. 1st was Resound, I didn't like them because the transmitting HA would deactivate when streaming. The 2nd set was Opticon because they wouldn't deactivate. I tried each for 6 weeks. I like the app for Resound and the new models have a smaller footprint. I like Oticon because the portable charging case comes with the HA's.
I am to an audiophile, but I do enjoy my tunes and I am still working a bit, so do like to have both ears active. Since I lost hearing in my left ear, 100% no word recognition. AllI get are the hums and bells of tinnitus. I am confused a bit, if I lost hearing in that ear, why am I still hearing the bells and whistles? LOL!!!
I have been reading more and more about the CI's. One thing that intrigues me, the possibility of reducing or maybe even eliminating the tinnitus. No promises but it does happen. Also, with having the hearing loss occur recently, it will be easier for your brain to get accustomed to the sounds. I look forward to more input. Yes, we are all different and everyone is going to have different outcomes.
Happy New Year to all those that suffer from hearing loss. I just wonder why you don’t even post comments on this site
Why can’t we share information on what hearings work for you and which ones don’t? This should be safe place to do that. There are millions and millions of us that suffer from various degrees of hearing loss and as our population ages those numbers will continue to grow.
The ADA ignores our needs and unless we speak up for ourselves who is going to do it. Restaurants are only getting noisier and yet who is regulating the sound level in those restaurants.
The ADA has required all establishments be handicap accessible. Is hearing loss not a handicap? Let’s get a backbone and stand up for ourselves. Nobody else will. Where is the HLLA in this fight? They have conventions and ask for donations. How about holding restaurants and other public venues accountable. Auracast is coming but if is not something that is regulated and it’s use enforced what good will it do?
Hopefully this gets somebody attention on this site.
@daveshaw sorry I left out “aids”
Has anyone found any hearing aids that really address background noise?
I heard the Phonak Infinio Sphere I 90 Ultra might finally be on to something.