1. < Hearing Loss
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Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Feb 5, 2019

Welcome to the Hearing Loss group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with hearing loss, and friends and family supporters. Whether you were born deaf or hard of hearing, experienced hearing loss after birth or with aging, it helps to connect with others. Together we can learn from each other, support one another and share stories about living with hearing loss, coping with challenges and celebrating milestones.

Let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What is your hearing loss experience? Got a question, tip or story to share?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

tarheel | @tarheel | Aug 6, 2020
In reply to @tonyinmi "@tarheel, it sounds like you will be new to hearing aids. I typically hate talking on..." + (show)
@tonyinmi

@tarheel, it sounds like you will be new to hearing aids. I typically hate talking on this subject because everyone's experience is different. So many people that buy hearing aids end up putting them in the drawer. THEY DO NOT CORRECT HEARING AS GLASSES CORRECT FOR VISION. So, I make no recommendations, but only as person that has worn hearing aids for all of my adult life. Since your loss is moderate, you would be a candidate for an Over The Counter (OTC) device. The high end aids are recommended for people that have severe to profound loss and need fast processing to filter the background noise. Even with the high end aids, which I have, the background noise filtering is by no means perfect. I still struggle. The OTC devices are still not quite ready to go to mass market. Bottom line is that you may do fine with a low end product. Since you mention that you have tinnitus, maybe an aid with tinnitus masking will help. Having the amplification will help with the tinnitus but when you remove the aid at the end of the day, the tinnitus may return (as in my case). Fortunately, it goes away after a short time.
Tony in Michigan

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Tony in Michigan: thanks very much for your insight on my initiation into the world of hearing aids. Yes, my hearing loss is moderate, so your point is well-taken. My tinnitus is really my biggest issue, although I definitely have some hearing loss. thanks again, and I will post what the audiologist recommends and maybe seek some advice. My appointment is today. Yikes!!!!!

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tarheel | @tarheel | Aug 7, 2020

Thanks for your insight about hearing aids; very helpful. I went back to the audiologist yesterday, and she was very helpful and patient with my questions (which surprised me). I slowly developed a rapport with her, I think, and I will be trying a brand new product which, while not inexpensive, she seemed to think would suit me and also help with the tinnitus. I did ask a lot of questions so - fingers crossed - this will work out in the end.

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3 replies
tonyinmi | @tonyinmi | Aug 7, 2020
In reply to @tarheel "Thanks for your insight about hearing aids; very helpful. I went back to the audiologist yesterday,..." + (show)
@tarheel

Thanks for your insight about hearing aids; very helpful. I went back to the audiologist yesterday, and she was very helpful and patient with my questions (which surprised me). I slowly developed a rapport with her, I think, and I will be trying a brand new product which, while not inexpensive, she seemed to think would suit me and also help with the tinnitus. I did ask a lot of questions so - fingers crossed - this will work out in the end.

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@tarheel, there is so much to hearing loss than just hearing aids. I commend you for reaching out to others with hearing loss. Most people rely only on their hearing health care provider for their expertise. Many are not aware of other technology that's available. You may want to consider joining HLAA (www.hearingloss.org). Membership gets you a subscription to their magazine, which is printed every other month. You'll join others in our advocacy efforts to make hearing loss an issue of national concern.
Tony in Michigan

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1 reply
ekobylak | @ekobylak | Aug 7, 2020
In reply to @tarheel "Thanks for your insight about hearing aids; very helpful. I went back to the audiologist yesterday,..." + (show)
@tarheel

Thanks for your insight about hearing aids; very helpful. I went back to the audiologist yesterday, and she was very helpful and patient with my questions (which surprised me). I slowly developed a rapport with her, I think, and I will be trying a brand new product which, while not inexpensive, she seemed to think would suit me and also help with the tinnitus. I did ask a lot of questions so - fingers crossed - this will work out in the end.

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Glad you are off to a good and confident start with the audiologist! I believe that the more we participate in our hearing health care, the greater the chances of happy success. The kind of rapport you describe helps us to develop realistic expectations about what is possible with a chosen treatment and how to get there. Continued good luck to you!!!

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ekobylak | @ekobylak | Aug 7, 2020
In reply to @tonyinmi "@tarheel, there is so much to hearing loss than just hearing aids. I commend you for..." + (show)
@tonyinmi

@tarheel, there is so much to hearing loss than just hearing aids. I commend you for reaching out to others with hearing loss. Most people rely only on their hearing health care provider for their expertise. Many are not aware of other technology that's available. You may want to consider joining HLAA (www.hearingloss.org). Membership gets you a subscription to their magazine, which is printed every other month. You'll join others in our advocacy efforts to make hearing loss an issue of national concern.
Tony in Michigan

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I completely agree with Tony about HLAA resources. This organization literally changed my life... going all the way back to early 1998, when it was still called SHHH.

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1 reply
barbb | @barbb | Aug 7, 2020
In reply to @tarheel "Thanks for your insight about hearing aids; very helpful. I went back to the audiologist yesterday,..." + (show)
@tarheel

Thanks for your insight about hearing aids; very helpful. I went back to the audiologist yesterday, and she was very helpful and patient with my questions (which surprised me). I slowly developed a rapport with her, I think, and I will be trying a brand new product which, while not inexpensive, she seemed to think would suit me and also help with the tinnitus. I did ask a lot of questions so - fingers crossed - this will work out in the end.

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@tarheel It's always great to see someone making good use out of offered good advice!

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barbb | @barbb | Aug 7, 2020
In reply to @ekobylak "I completely agree with Tony about HLAA resources. This organization literally changed my life... going all..." + (show)
@ekobylak

I completely agree with Tony about HLAA resources. This organization literally changed my life... going all the way back to early 1998, when it was still called SHHH.

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@tarheel @tonyinmi Ditto for me re HLAA's tremendous impact for the individual!

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1 reply
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Aug 7, 2020

You did something most people don't do. You asked questions of other people with hearing loss/tinnitus before you followed through on buying a product. So many ask their questions afterwards and end up frustrated because they didn't know what to ask or expect. Congratulations! Yes, HLAA is a wonderful organization. Well worth supporting. Glad you had a positive experience with your audiologist. Listening is one of the most valued gifts a professional can share with a client/patient. Sounds like you have a good one! Good luck with the new hearing device. The technology keeps getting better and better. We are fortunate to live in times when hearing help is available. There is a lot of research going on right now on tinnitus. So many of our service men and women return from combat zones with tinnitus and hearing loss. Consequently, it's getting more attention now. Also more attention Is now focused on preventing noise related issues. Hearing loss and tinnitus often in that category. Please keep us posted on your progress.

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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Aug 7, 2020
In reply to @barbb "@tarheel @tonyinmi Ditto for me re HLAA's tremendous impact for the individual!" + (show)
@barbb

@tarheel @tonyinmi Ditto for me re HLAA's tremendous impact for the individual!

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It's important too, to note that by joining HLAA we are impacting HLAA's ability to do what they do for all of us. HLAA needs us too.

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