Loss of hearing clarity: Solutions or strategies anyone?

Hi I’m new to MayoConnect and although I’ve worn hearing aids for 20 years I’ve found useful information from the posts. I have profound loss in my left ear and have moderate loss in my right ear. I’m struggling with clarity also and although my word recognition has just recently dropped I am not eligible for a CI under Medicare guidelines. I have a first generation Phonak BiCros which means they are not standalone Bluetooth capable and I need a ComPilot neck loop to connect with my ALDs. Also the BiCros doesn’t have directional mics. I use a Roger Pen or RemoteMic in meetings so I can hear everyone. I link up to my iPhone Bluetooth w my neck loop. I also have TVLink which Is an absolute necessity because with my loss of clarity I struggle to understand what is being said on the TV. Like every other person I’ve spoken to with hearing loss hearing in venues with background noise is impossible. The ALD’s are not Helpful in those situations because they make all the sound louder. I have trouble if even two people are talking at once. Right now I recommend InnoCaption for captions on the cell phone and the app AVA for voice to text that you can use to read what’s being said in real time. I have my T-Coil turned on but not many places in our area are looped. To find venues in your area that are looped type your zip code into http://www.aldlocator.com/#/home.

I also came across this YouTube Tedx Talk about the latest technology in hearing... The Future in Hearing is Loud and Clear by Keith McElveen.

I also came across this YouTube Tedx Talk about the latest technology in hearing... The Future in Hearing is Loud and Clear by Keith McElveen.

Thanks for all the good feedback! This has really helped me sort through my issues and not think that I was the only one dealt the problems. Just read Smart Hearing from Katherine Bouton and thought it was a very worthwhile resource. This week I am going back to my audiologist and she is going to let me try out the Phonak Roger Select to use in a meeting environment....will let you know how that works. I am retired but still stay active with a couple of organizations which means I attend meetings which are very hard for me. I also teach a technical class Monday nights but have just instructed the students about my hearing issue and I think they understand and try to help me. I don't want to go sit in a corner like I see some hard of hearing people! One thing I did accomplish was to have a hearing loop installed in our church over Christmas and this has been received very positively! But HA users need to know how to utilize it otherwise it won't be of any benefit to them.....enough for now but thanks for all the suggestions!

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!

Thanks. This is all good information to help us hard of hearing! I have two year old Phonaks(Audeo 70) BTE that did not have bluetooth capability which I wish they had since my hearing loss has gotten worse during this time. I am retired but participate on several different boards(meetings are tough to hear!)....I like to try different bells and whistles and am currently trying out the Phonak Compilot II which is basically a neck loop that converts bluetooth to T-coil and am somewhat happy with the set up....phone calls work well and playing music from phone eliminates earbuds/headphones for working out. You can also utilize for TV's but I have had limited success with that part of it. The unit is $300 bucks and will probably buy it. Going forward I think bluetooth or something similar will be the way to go. Keep up the conversations! I find them very helpful. Have a nice day!

This is in reply to an old post...
I’m more interested in knowing if the Roger Select works in noisy situations as my Roger Pen and Remote Mic work well in meetings but pick up so much background noise they’re an assault on my senses and unusable.

@judysmayo
Hi,
The background noise is the main complaint on all these ALDS. I tried the ComPilot with my Phonaks and the noise was overwhelming in those situations. I only know one person who uses the Roger Pen and she is having problems with it. I’m thinking the Roger Select May have more directionality and just focus on one person at a time. . I have a speech in noise program that focuses on one speaker at a time and dramatically cuts out ambient noise. Another speech in noise program that is Omni directional and a failure at cutting down background noise. So, if you can trial it for free..I would give it a whirl. I have the option of trialing the Roger Pen with my Audi but chose not to because of the background noise I’ve experienced in trying a variety of ALDS.

Very interested in what you decide.

Regards from FL Mary