← Return to Loss of hearing clarity: Solutions or strategies anyone?

Discussion

Loss of hearing clarity: Solutions or strategies anyone?

Hearing Loss | Last Active: Jan 4 12:03pm | Replies (111)

Comment receiving replies
@stephenmcelroy

Clarity solutions for me has been a problem of communicating effectively with the audiologist as to what I am not understanding. The hearing test allows them to set the decibels according to the frequencies their test tells them needs enhancement (increased decibels). HOWEVER it has been my experience that those tests do not always indicate what you are hearing in real life (as opposed to the tones in the hearing booth) Adjusting their settings according to what you tell them is educated guessing on their part. I have required multiple "fitting"(as in a dozen more or less) for them to adjust the decibels of different frequencies to a point where it works for me. Using hearing aids that have multiple programs helps a lot. I have them leave the original program. Add an adjusted program. Compare the 2 then return to let them know what I experience. Again add a 3rd program leaving the first 2 and again comparing. Repeat until all programs are used. Checking each program in different environments. Car. TV. Restaurants. One on one conversations. Meetings. Deciding which work best (finding some work better than others in different environments.) Then eliminate any that are not that good. If need be, replace those with any additional adjustments.

Recently, I found sites on line for student audiologists to practice on. They have tones at the different test frequencies used by audiologists.
Wearing my hearing aids, I set the computer volume at what seems to be a normal and comfortable level for the 2000 frequency (test middle value) then I compare either side (1000 and 3000) to the volume level of the 2000 and record whether it seems louder of softer of about the same. Then compare the 1000 to the 500 and record the same result louder or softer and then the 500 compare to the 250.

Then I go in the other direction comparing and recording the result 3000 to 4000 to 6000 to 8000.
Now the hard part. I have the audiologist create a program that balances the volumes according to adjusting up or down volumes based on the adjustment variation from what ever THEIR original 1500 setting is. I can then compare that program to others.
I find applying this to the original, while also being prepared to give a verbal account of what I am hearing to the audiologist, for them to create a modified original the way they usually do, (leaving the original as is) that gives me 3 programs to compare.

I find my method gives a pretty good balanced volume where one frequency of sound does not drown out other frequencies. Also any frequency that is not effectively being heard by MY ears will be increased which I find makes all the difference in the world for clarity. Many audiologists use a technology that they charge an arm and a leg for (usually built into the higher pricing of their hearing aids) called real-ear measurement, which tells them what sound is actually getting to your ear to see if it corresponds to your audiogram... different things can cause a variance. My method allows me, I believe, to be able to tell more precisely what I am ACTUALLY hearing... and be able to effectively communicate that to the audiologist. I find some reluctance from audiologists to do as I request, possible they think I am telling them how to do their job and might be offended BUT I tell them I am just attempting to give them all the information I can so they can give me the best possible hearing experience from my hearing aids.

I realize this is probably too much information but use it or not as you desire.
Hearing aid users note that you can have your audiologist do a new test on you and adjust your aids if your hearing has changed. (and then get adjustments to the new settings as needed) When you are looking for a new hearing aid, find out how many years you can get adjustments from them at what charge? Some are free for 3 years. Some may limit to 3 free adjustments then $25 or much more per adjustment.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Clarity solutions for me has been a problem of communicating effectively with the audiologist as to..."

@stephenmcelroy Thanks for all that info - I don't have the details down yet, and may not have the patience to apply as thoroughly as you have, but I'm all for making my expensive high-tech hearing aids work for my individual hearing. I've been wondering how to communicate to the audiologist where my problems are. And I've been meaning to look for an online test that would help me pinpoint what I'm missing.
It is surprising to me that the audiologists don't routinely test to see what is actually getting through. Also, I think that the normal testing is kind of a blunt instrument, and that I may have some odd random hair cells(or whatever) that just don't work.
That idea of using different programs is a good idea although I think my aids only have 2 extras. Your summary of the different hearing environments is handy too -maybe I should be more methodical in checking each environment. I can never tell in the audiologists office whether my HAs will work in other environments. You've given me lots to ponder and work on . . .thanks again!

Wow! So much good info. Thanks. I wanted to let people know that recently I attended a Washington, DC HLAA meeting that was extremely helpful. The guest speaker (will post name a little later when I find the info) emphasized that it’s extremely important for the audiologist to do a “real ear measurement” (as Stephen mentioned above) in order to truly be able to adjust the hearing aids to best fit your particular hearing loss. She said that the majority of audiologists do not do this as standard practice but that they really should. Perhaps cost is a reason many don’t do this. Having this measurement done is key to the audiologist being better able to give you the best clarity. I haven’t had this done yet but planning to do so soon because clarity is the biggest issue for me.

@stephenmcelroy Very informative -- thank you for describing your experiences and strategy. Can you provide further information re the practice nline sites for student audiologists -- it would help us who would like to try to follow your path. Thank you!

Thanks for outlining your procedure which sounds pretty thorough to me. Regarding Real Ear Measurement--how would that be expensive? That is a "best practice" and if an audiologist does not use it, I would find another clinic. There is such an excellent video on this that explains that is the ONLY way to match your Hearing prescription (audiogram) to the your own hearing aid...otherwise you are using a manufacturer's default!! Not good! The 10 Minute video is called: The Most Important HEARING AID Video You Will EVER Watch! What are Real Ear Measures? by Dr. Cliff Olson...google it!

Recently, I found sites on line for student audiologists to practice on. They have tones at the different test frequencies used by audiologists. Wearing my hearing aids, I set the computer volume at what seems to be a normal and comfortable level for the 2000 frequency (test middle value) then I compare either side (1000 and 3000) to the volume level of the 2000 and record whether it seems louder of softer of about the same. ...

Stephen, what is the online site you've used?