Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

80 is young Lou. You've got me by 2 years. I hope your new hearing aids have two things; manual volume control and manual telecoil. Vital if you want to take advantage of many other technologies out there. Resound is a good brand. A lot depends on what you want to hear. Telecoils can connect you to the performing arts and to any audio device that has an input jack from cell phones, computers, etc. to iPads, portable radios (you and I know about those, some of the young folks dont!) Good luck to you.

And Lou - Like Julie says...I have Resound hearing aids, also 5 years along with them and I love them. They work well with my hearing loss. I work with them on my iPhone 8+. I have 4 programs that allow me to set up whatever I need depending on where I am and what I need. My audiologist set them up so that I can use them for everyday need, the tinnitus use, the t-coil use and the loud-eating establishments places. I use all programs and it makes a difference. I can manually change my settings on my iPhone depending on where I am if I am not pleased which what the default setting is. My hearing aids learn how I use them - so I don't have to do that too often. Tell your audi just what you need the aids to do for you. I needed my aids to help me not hear my tinnitus 24/7 and I needed to blank out the background noise in the restaurants. I also wanted to hear in the loop at church with my t-coil or on my cell phone. Each hearing aid these days have many new features that Julie and I didn't have 10 + years ago before they became digital. It is amazing....

Like you, I use my iPad to control my aids using all of the programs. Looking forward to getting the new set using the 3D app. My aids still work well, but they are “in the ear” and the fit has changed over the years, plus I had a new audio gram which revealed my changed profile (age 80). Thanks for the reply. I still have a flip phone that I have had for years, plus it is rarely, ever turned on. As for tinnitus, I try to keep my vitamins up to Date to reduce the effect. Thanks, Lou

Maybe, but I’ll take 70 over 80. Yes my aids have all those feature for other devices like the tv, phone etc. I prefer not to use those features as I use other methods like a Vox speaker on the tv, etc.. I do control my aids from my iPad with the Smart app for volume, ranges, etc.. But looking forward to the new ones, due in next week.

Sounds much like what I had. Diagnosed as Menieres. Meclizine and HCTZ (diuretic) helped most. Recently had an episode after 4 yrs and a week of Meclizine and HCTZ fixed it for me.

Wondering what state you live in Lou. If there's an HLAA Chapter anywhere near you, you should check them out.

Hello. My name is Dean. I am 73 retired living near Chicago. Healthy active engaged in hobbies including dancing w my wife of 53 years, photography, cooking, art, travel--the usuals. Was diagnosed recently w Auditory Schwanomma left ear w typical Sudden Hearing Loss symptoms including tinnitus, etc. Have decided to wait and watch with MRI every 6+months to check growth, or hopefully lack thereof tumor. Have recently (6 months since diagnosis) developed balance problems which affect walking mostly, which is manageable but concerning since dancing w a partner is balancing on 4 feet.

I have the same, right side, hearing absent that side. I had gamma knife radiation and, after one year, no growth. Will be getting an MRI after another year passes. Dizziness also, unsteady walk, although being 87 doesn't help the unsteadiness I imagine. If it's still growing after 6 months I wouldn't wait asking about some form of whatever 's available in your case - the gamma radiation is not atomic type, consists of gamma waves in my case.

Hi Dean. Welcome to 'Connect'. It really does help to compare experiences and situations. So good that you are staying active with hobbies you obviously enjoy. My hearing loss is of the bilateral, sensorineural, progressive type that has been a part of my life for nearly 60 years. Because I've been involved in the Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA) for over 37 of those years, I've met many people with the diagnosis you describe, along with many other diagnoses. Some things you have to learn to live with, but don't let anyone tell you there is no help for your hearing loss. Hearing aids can make a huge difference. There are devices that will transmit sound from the 'deaf' side to the hearing side so you don't have to struggle with single sided hearing loss. There is a whole slew of technologies that help in different situations, but many don't know they exist. Living with hearing loss is a lifelong learning process! There are chapters of HLAA in the Chicago area. It might be worth connecting with one of them. It's good to openly discuss our concerns with people who understand. More information at: http://www.hearingloss.org

Thanks for reply. I am starting to think about radiation in case my benign tumor grows, doing an MRI soon to compare w the first. Obviously radiation of any kind poses risks to further loss etc etc. Wait n watch works only if nothing changes, which is hopeful but improbable. Be well.