← Return to Loss of hearing clarity: Solutions or strategies anyone?
DiscussionLoss of hearing clarity: Solutions or strategies anyone?
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Jan 4 12:03pm | Replies (111)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "Clarity solutions for me has been a problem of communicating effectively with the audiologist as to..."
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?
@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!