Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

have lived with a hearing loss for over 30 years gone thru several aids with only minimal help about 5 years ago found the Hearing Loss Ass here in the Twin 'cities of MN and the association with them and learning how others cope was my biggest help and also that you have to be your own biggest advocate Ned Kronberg

Hi @godogsuga and @kronberg, welcome to the Hearing Loss group on Connect.

@godogsuga, you asked specifically about challenges with hearing loss and working in healthcare, for example the challenges of using a stethoscope and hearing aids. I wonder if @lioness @julieo4 or @nurseheadakes might have experiences to share with you.

There are several discussions on Connect about hearing aids and devices:
- Hearing aids https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hearing-aids-1/
- One or two hearing aids https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/one-or-two-hearing-aids/
- Roger Select & MyLink https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/roger-select-mylink/
- Loss of hearing clarity: Solutions or strategies anyone? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/loss-of-clarity/
- INNOCAPTION + app for cell phones https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/innocaption-app-for-cell-phones/
- Phonak Nadia...Perennial Problems..What should be my brand? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/phonak-nadia-perennial-problems-what-should-be-my-brand/

@godogsuga Thanks Colleen and welcome to connect. When I was working in nursing my TINNITUS was more of a problem I had hearing aids but they where in the canal so using a stethoscope wasn't a problem but since I'm retired I have seen my hearing deteriorate my Left ear is worse I've often wondered if it's because of my fracture ,compressed more on left side I do have Phonax for both ears

Hi, my name is Jim and I've had hearing loss since serving in Viet Nam which has become worse over the last 50 or so years. I receive my audiology care at VA but have also used private practice audiologists as well. I have profound high frequency sensorineural healing loss which means I can hear noise well but can't understand speech. With hearing aids I can hear birds and crickets etc., but they don't help my speech understanding much. Drive-up windows, restaurants, loudspeakers in gymnasiums, and multiple people talking at once are impossible for me. Phones, and TV (with technology are OK) and one-on-one conversations face to face in quiet settings are OK too.

More recently I have started to learn ASL for 2 reasons. One, to improve my ability to communicate and two, to challenge my aging brain by learning a new language. I think both are successful. I advocated for a hearing loop in our church and I'm actively advocating for veterans with hearing loss. I'm happy to find this site because mutual support is so important to us.

Good morning Jim. I'm sure your answer to this question is yes, but have you worked with your audiologist to help you find the best possible way to sync your hearing aids to your cell phone? My Resound app has a speech clarity button, and also a "boost" button for VERY hard to understand voices. Those options combined with volume control have helped me understand voices i couldn't manage before. I love your idea of learning ASL. Best of luck to you!

Hello, My name is JoAngela. I have profound hearing loss. I am 58 years old. I wasn't always this old, but I have always had hearing loss since I was a young child. I have been on this site for a couple of months. I check in periodically. Anybody want to talk about the difficulties of hearing loss in a hearing world?

Good morning sparkle gram. Yes, my phone connection works fine. Other than user error the only weak link there is the weak battery on my iPhone 6 which Apple won't replace - not even if I pay them.

Well...Grrrrr. There must be someone who can help you with that. I wonder if your medical insurer, specifically your audiologist, could persuade Apple to either replace your battery or GIVE you another phone for medical purposes.

@arrowshooter -- Do you have a Batteries Plus store near you? I had them replace the battery on my wife's iPhone 6 Plus and it was cheaper than sending it to Apple or taking it to an Apple certified repair center. If you schedule the repair online you can get a $10 off coupon. https://www.batteriesplus.com/product-details/device-repair/device-repair-in=store/un=branded/ris11109

Jim.... good for you for learning ASL. I am looking into studying that as well. My daughter wants to take classes with me which would be great since I will have someone to sign with. Are you doing classroom learning or is this on your own or online? I've read that learning a new language does help your brain as well. I am afraid of eventually losing my hearing completely and want to be prepared for this. Good luck to you. Judy