The Emotional Side of Hearing Loss

@julieo4 Thank you for your response . Since I have hearing loss in both ears, I believe that system would not work for me. I appreciate the information .

@golfmama1 You are welcome. Many years ago when I finally accepted the reality I needed hearing aids, I was fit with a bicross aid. I should have been fit with 2 basic hearing aids, but wasn't. I had fairly equal hearing in both ears then. I used that bicross system for several years. The 'unaided' ear became far worse than the one that was receiving the sound. I learned I had 'auditory deprivation' because that ear wasn't working to hear.

I was advised by a very wise friend who was involved in HLAA to get an aid for that ear, and spend substantial time using the telecoils in the aid with a neckloop plugged into a small portable radio to listen to audio books. That helped get that ear back in 'the groove' a bit but it took nearly 2 years.

When I decided to get a cochlear implant 20 years ago I insisted it be done on that newly aided ear. So glad I did as the CI has helped me immensely.

I often tell people to do that prior to getting a CI. Make your ears listen via telecoil, neckloop and an audio device. (Remember the old Walkman radios?)

This is information that people rarely get from the healthcare system. I'm so glad I got it as my CI would never have been as successful as it has been if I hadn't.

Sorry, so long, but that story is one of my favorites. Auditory deprivation happens when someone who needs hearing help doesn't get it.

Julie

@julieo4 @golfmama1
I’ve had the bicros about five years. I stopped wearing the earpiece that had the mic in it because even though it does allow you to hear sounds coming from the “deaf” ear, it doesn’t orient you in space. I still would look to my right or twirl around until I realized the sounds were actually on my left - I’m not sure if I’m being clear. In any case, Very disconcerting. But you may feel differently. It does at least allow you to hear conversations coming from that side and that’s a big deal if in a restaurant or walking in a group.

Thank you so much for your informative story. I wish more people were aware of how difficult it is to hear , even if you have hearing aids. People think if you hv sis that it makes hearing perfect. It dies not. & I wish insurance would cover the hearing aids as there are so many that coukd use that to help them purchase hearing aids. Thank you for letting me voice my concerns!!

@wendymb Thank you for sharing your story. My bicross years were pre 2003 so I would expect the technology to be better than it was then. Sounds like it may not be. Everyone experiences hearing loss and hearing help differently. It's so good to share our experiences.
Julieo4

@julieo4 @golfmama1

I had BiCross Phonak aids 3 years ago and loved them. I was disappointed that my newer upgrades did not offer that choice. When I did use them I was able to hear from my left weaker ear and could actually locate where sounds were coming from most ( not all) of the time. The only thing that concerned me was that the left ear was not being stimulated at all and was just receiving sounds. If Phonak comes out in the future with something similar I would try them again. I am sticking with Phonak because I need their awesome power and I do wear 2 aids constantly. That’s my story 😀

FL Mary

I tend to withdraw from many conversations because of my hearing loss. I refrain from personal to personal discussion much too often so my discussion with friends I used to talk with often has dwindled way too much.

@jssjss Very open to ways of improving my face to face conversations

@jssjss This is very typical for people who have adult onset hearing loss. It can be a major life change. It affects our ability to be spontaneous. That alone confuses people we visit with.

It's so important to be upfront about how your hearing loss is affecting you in those personal discussions. There's nothing wrong with asking your friends to meet you in a quieter environment than what has been traditional.

Do you use hearing aids? If not, getting well fitted hearing instruments may be a huge step up for you. If you have them but that's not the case, did your provider talk to you about add on technology? How to connect to it? Options in your personal technology?

Most major hearing aid brands are designed to connect to small microphones that can be hand held or set on a table during discussion. They show, so a lot of people don't use them. I learned that when I used something that 'showed' people were curious about them, asked questions, said they knew people who needed them, etc. People generally do want to be helpful when they know how. My hand held mini mic 2+ goes everywhere with me.

Besides the small microphones, there are apps that can be added to your cell phone that provide captions in conversation. Ask your provider about those.

Providers, in general, do not take enough time to educate people with adult onset hearing loss. We need to insist they help us this way. Be assertive. If possible find a support group in your area where people come together to share their experiences. The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is very special. http://www.hearingloss.org has information about chapter locations, typical hearing issues, technology, etc.

It sounds as if you are willing to learn and want to remain in the hearing world. Go for it!

I was diagnosed with Ménière’s disease & have tried several different hearing aids & still have trouble understanding completely. I go to a MD audiologist and he gives me the report. I then take the report to Costco to program my hearing aids. Are there any new hearing aids that have proven to be exceptional??