Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

@colleenyoung @catladyde9 I don't know if there is anyway for me to know that my email is bouncing. How will I know if it happens again? 🙂

I posted when I had problem and then got a solution. Periodically listen in but haven't anything to say about tinnitus or other issues so visit when time permits and am interested in the problems and possible solutions even if it doesn't pertain to me.

If you do not receive any email notifications for 48 hours or more, 1) check you spam folder and 2) send me a message using the form: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

90+ male. High-frequency hearing loss increasing over 30 years. OK with certain earbuds connected to a separate cheap "personal sound amplifier". Can tune to higher frequency spectrum by loosening the buds. Also OK with $30 Chinese open-fit over-the-ear model. Appalled by the cost of hearing aids, considering today's usual dirt-cheapness of microelectronic devices.

I would love to buy a Bluetooth earbud device with a separate electronics unit, that could be programmed via a USB connection to a computer, with a graphic equalizer program like EqualizerAPO64-1.2.1 (which allows me to tune my computer speakers to my hearing loss). Well, as long as it doesn't cost over $50, which it shouldn't.

It would be nice if the earbuds could be stored in, and recharged in the separate box.

Does anybody have any news of such a thing?

@dickya, I don't have any current knowledge of such a device but what you describe was pretty close to a product called Soundhawk. The Soundhawk was a Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP). It was programmed by an app on your smartphone and used a 5 channel (I think) equalizer. It came with a recharger, so did not have user replaceable batteries. It was only for people with mild to moderate loss and initially cost in the $800 range. I know the price dropped dramatically before it eventually went the way of the dinosaur. I have to believe there are similar devices but I don't know of any offhand.
Tony in Michigan

I have a hearing loss that was the result of gun noise and pressure waves from Navy Ship big gun practice.. My left ear is just decoration .. my right ear is much better .. not great .. but I am 83 years old.. While I did not complain of hearing loss when I got out of the service the Veterans Administration does not give me any disability and that's a hassle but they did allow me to go to the VA to get hearing aids finally as I too was always appalled at the high price of hearing aids and how much those companies spent on advertising.. Before retirement I did use hearing aids I purchased but they were antiquated compared to the ones the VA gave me ... I only had to pay a nominal amount for the test and a doctor visit.. I have Starkey Hearing Aids that are rechargeable, over the ear (quite small) that work beautifully.. the left ear aid rebroadcasts the sound it receives to the right ear hearing aid... they came with a little box where I put the aids at night to recharge.. or anytime I do not wear them ... as I live alone I often do not wear the aids as I like the quiet...but going out they really help me relate to what people are saying.. The Hearing Aids work with my smart phone and come with a remote microphone on a lanyard that I wear around my neck .. that remote mic can connect me to the phone beautifully... or you can give the remote mic to a person you care about hearing so they can be 15' away and I can hear them...no problem.. Hearing aids work best with Apple and Top quality cell phones..

Hello Ken, I think you are entitled to receive compensation for your hearing loss from VA and for free audiology and medical care from VA as well. Some veterans have to apply more than once to get approve. Contact your Veterans Service Officer (usually from your county) for help with the application. They know how to help veterans like you. It is certainly worth trying.

Glad to heat you got hearing aids that work for you. And thank you for your service.

Jim

Hi I’m Judy, just found this forum through HLAA. I started losing my hearing about 7 years ago. Today my hearing has progressed to profound loss in my right ear and severe loss in my left ear. I saw my audiologist earlier this month, I’m due for new hearing aids. Needed to connect with others like myself. Sometimes I feel so alone, even though I have family and friends

@jett215, Hi Judy, Welcome!.! still feel relatively new to the list, having been on it for a couple of months. I also learned of the list from HLAA - board members of the NYC chapter. Where do you hang out? 🙂 If I weren't on the board I don't know that I would have heard of this list. How did you learn from HLAA? Your hearing situation seems to make you a candidate for a cochlear implant and reminds me that I briefly watched an excellent HLAA sponsored panel just this afternoon about cochlear implants. They emphasized how so many people who would benefit from them, don't have them. Has a CI been ruled out for you?

One has to turn on Closed captioning, stay current.. and seem interested in what is going on around you...talk to people.. there are all sorts of remedial hearing amps that pick up the sounds around you .. while waiting for hearing aids.... don't let the hearing loss isolate you .. Good luck..