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.

karlotta | @karlotta | Sep 14, 2020

In reply to @eileen123 "What specific hearing aids do you have? Is your loss severe or profound? One ear? Or..." + (show)

I have profound hearing loss in both ears. I go to Miracle Ear because of the special help they were able to give me. I am a music teacher.

tarheel | @tarheel | Sep 14, 2020

In reply to @karlotta "My hearing aids totally erased my tinnitus but they are not cheap. My insurance would cover..." + (show)

My hearing aids (2) cost $3,000 each, and my hearing loss is classified as "moderate." It has a setting for tinnitus (on my phone) but it is simply a wave noise, and it does nothing for the tinnitus. I am still within my 30-day period where I can cancel, and I am trying to decide what to do. Any advice. I am not having a great deal of problem hearing without the hearing aids, but, of course, during the corona virus, there is not much social interaction anyway.

rosemh | @rosemh | Sep 14, 2020

Here's what I would do. I'd return them because they are not meeting your needs with the tinnitus. Try a different brand. Don't settle.

tarheel | @tarheel | Sep 14, 2020

In reply to @tonyinmi "@tarheel, you should not give up on hearing aids because of the lack of tinnitus relief...." + (show)

thanks for your response. I am not sure what "moderate" hearing loss means. While $6,000 is a lot of money for 2 hearing aids, it's not so much the money but rather a combination of other factors that makes me lean toward cancelling the purchase (30 days in MA.). I hear everyone okay with the exception of my wife who speaks very softly. I don't like wearing them. Wearing them while putting on and taking off a mask is a pain. And the lack of any tinnitus relief - all combine to make me wonder if I'll ever wear them. Mostly they have been the case since I acquired them. I think that the audiologist "oversold" the idea of any tinnitus relief (the remote control has a setting for tinnitus, but it does not help). I could reconsider but I'd appreciate any thoughts you or others might have to help me to decide (my appointment is coming up soon). Thanks.

Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Sep 14, 2020

In reply to @tarheel "My hearing aids (2) cost $3,000 each, and my hearing loss is classified as "moderate." It..." + (show)

If they are not helping your tinnitus as was promised (or suggested), I would return them. However, I would not then decide not to get hearing aids. Try a different brand or model. Tell your provider why you are not willing to make this costly decision at this point. Everything is different during this COVID19 time. As long as you're not doing much socially, it's the wrong time to try them in situations where they will help you socially. I always advise anyone who buys new hearing aids, whether they are first time users of experienced users....USE THAT TRIAL PERIOD TO GO EVERYWHERE YOU ENJOY GOING, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW WELL THEY WORK FOR YOU IN THOSE SETTINGS. Obviously, right now is not the best time to do that. Be sure you get a copy of your audiogram in case you decide to try a different provider. If you like the current provider, AND, they have different options available in their practice, tell them you'll be back when the time is right. Hearing aids are too important, and too expensive to make a mistake.

lioness | @lioness | Sep 14, 2020

@tarheel I wouldn't get rid of your hearing aids if you like them I have hearing aids they mask your tinnitus but you won't get rid of it my Ear Dr told me so if you,ve found a cure let me know Closest I've come is Mullein Leaf tea 🍵 You don't get rid of it but it helps to quiet it down

nurseheadakes | @nurseheadakes | Sep 14, 2020

Right you are...I have had tinnitus for three decades and just live with it. My hearing aids have a tinnitus program that I full rely on to mask the high pitch noise that I have had for so long. If I want, I can use the other tinnitus app that comes with my Resound hearing aids. It is called "Relief" and I can play any type of sound or set up my own tones to mask my noise in my head. I found what I like and use two different programs to muffle it and I don't really hear it anymore. You train yourself to hear the 'new' sounds instead of the phantom sounds that your brain is making and that way it is fooling your brain and you can concentrate on things that are more important than what's going on in the troubled world of the limbic system of your brain. Eloise

eileen123 | @eileen123 | Sep 14, 2020

In reply to @nurseheadakes "Right you are...I have had tinnitus for three decades and just live with it. My hearing..." + (show)

Do you like your resound hearing aid? I have profound sudden loss in my right ear and have been reading about the resound hearing aid for profound loss.

karlotta | @karlotta | Sep 14, 2020

I don't have any way to set my own hearing aids but I don't live far from the office. After I purchased the pair I have now the person who fitted me came to my home to adjust them for use with my piano and surroundings. I'm so used to them now everything sounds normal to me. I can set the programs for whatever I'm doing. I notice some tinnitus when I'm not wearing the hearing aids.