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DiscussionSudden Hearing Loss: Want to connect with others
Hearing Loss | Last Active: May 24, 2022 | Replies (85)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "I'm curious to know what device you were given to transfer sound from your deaf side..."
After talking with the audiologist about options, I decided not to use anything. The hearing in my good ear is quite good, and I have learned to compensate well. The option presented at the time, ie several years ago, was to put a transmitter in my deaf ear and run a wire around the back of my head under my hair to transfer collected sound to my good ear. I know from listening to people with hearing aids talk about them that the technology has really improved to filter out background noise and reduce static; and I will ask about new technologies at my next hearing test. I had to laugh because at my last hearing test I mentioned that I wasn't hearing as well. The test results indicated otherwise (showed no change), and the audiologist said she noticed people were really mumbling more. Someone from a recent post said something that has been so important for me in getting along with being deaf in one ear, ie telling people I have a problem, asking for help and letting them know what they can do to help me. For example, in a meeting where you go around the table and introduce yourselves, I always include something about being deaf in my left ear and tell people if I don't respond when they talk to me it is because I don't hear them, ie I'm not being rude. Co-workers, friends, and family automatically walk with me on my right side so I can hear them, make sure I'm looking at them when they are talking, repeat something if they sense I haven't heard it properly, and wait for me to sit where I need to at a table or in a room to hear most effectively before they sit down. Their thoughtfulness really enables me to get along pretty well. As a result, after my acoustic neuroma surgery and the loss of hearing in my left ear, I went to graduate school, worked in my chosen profession, volunteered, and traveled...all the things I would have done with two functioning ears with needed adjustments. At age 74 looking back I feel pretty lucky actually.