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Hearing Loss Experiences - Can you find humor in some of it?

Posted by Julie, Volunteer Mentor @julieo4, Jul 20, 2021

People with hearing loss can easily mishear and respond to something out of context. Obviously, this can be a big problem. Most often it's not. How about sharing some of the experiences we have had. I believe that being able to laugh and find humor in some of our experiences can be healthy. What do you think?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

lizzy102 | @lizzy102 | Jul 27, 2021
In reply to @dwi "Thank you for sharing your experience. I live out of country where everyone has different accents..." + (show)
@dwi

Thank you for sharing your experience. I live out of country where everyone has different accents which I never experienced when I had both ears. Accents are impossible for me to get around using by aids.

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Oh gosh, I traveled to many other countries for work and know exactly what you are dealing with! Bilateral HAs and adjustable speech clarity levels, learning how to say “Please speak slowly” in the language of the country where I was posted and being a good advocate for myself certainly helped!

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joyces | @joyces | Jul 28, 2021

Age is only a number...it's the way that you function and are willing to tackle new challenges that makes a CI work for you...or not. I had two friends who got them within the last 10 years. One was a woman in her late 70s...almost as soon as they had turned her CI on her husband reported that he had to clean up his speech (she had never allowed cursing) and that she now knew how much he had lost at poker! The other, in his 50s, refuted the belief that if you haven't heard for quite a while, the CI won't work: he had lost all hearing in one ear when he flew through a windshield during a head-on collision, but he benefitted from the CI almost immediately, and, of course, even more as he worked to utilize it. Imagine hearing from an ear that had been dead for over 50 years!

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lizzy102 | @lizzy102 | Jul 28, 2021
In reply to @sueprichard "Are you willing to share how old your were when you got your CI? I have..." + (show)
@sueprichard

Are you willing to share how old your were when you got your CI? I have a couple of friends who have them and one did really well, because he worked at it, as you did. The other one did not do as well and invested little effort into it. Am wondering if age has any bearing.

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I was 69 when I got mine, should have gotten it 5-10 years earlier because my hearing loss was so severe.

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Coppermoon | @coppermoon | Jul 29, 2021

I think that the attempt at humor is a superficial response by normal hearing people to a real tragedy being experienced by others.

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1 reply
willows | @willows | Jul 29, 2021
In reply to @coppermoon "I think that the attempt at humor is a superficial response by normal hearing people to..." + (show)
@coppermoon

I think that the attempt at humor is a superficial response by normal hearing people to a real tragedy being experienced by others.

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I agree whole heartedly. I not sure which is worse though, deafness, hyperacusis, tinnitus, or musical ear. I have all of the above. Makes some aspects of life so hard, and complicated.

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Coppermoon | @coppermoon | Jul 29, 2021
In reply to @willows "I agree whole heartedly. I not sure which is worse though, deafness, hyperacusis, tinnitus, or musical..." + (show)
@willows

I agree whole heartedly. I not sure which is worse though, deafness, hyperacusis, tinnitus, or musical ear. I have all of the above. Makes some aspects of life so hard, and complicated.

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I sympathize with you. In attempts to help me, an zEnt doctor yesterday did just do the shot into my eardrum with steroids to see if my right ear has some infection. Those shots really hurt!

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willows | @willows | Jul 29, 2021
In reply to @coppermoon "I sympathize with you. In attempts to help me, an zEnt doctor yesterday did just do..." + (show)
@coppermoon

I sympathize with you. In attempts to help me, an zEnt doctor yesterday did just do the shot into my eardrum with steroids to see if my right ear has some infection. Those shots really hurt!

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Thanks for the info. I will avoid any such suggestion by an ENT. I case you are not familiar with musical ear, in my case anyway it is a constant repetition of the same musical phrase, over and over. Not lucky enough to hear an orchestra or just a Chopin piece on the piano!

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Len Allman | @newhorizons | Jul 29, 2021
In reply to @lizzy102 "I hope you’ve found an excellent audiologist who understands that your quality of life depends on..." + (show)
@lizzy102

I hope you’ve found an excellent audiologist who understands that your quality of life depends on making music. Find an audiologist who focuses on “Patient Centered Approach.” That is a well studied approach. Not many big box audiologists practice that way.

I have used Phonac and Resound HAs. They are pricy but with my love of music and being a psychotherapist it was imperative for me to have top of the line HAs. My last ones were Resound 3D Linx (my hearing loss is severe). My Audiologist tailored my HAs to my hearing loss as it progressed so that they gave me optimum performance. Your Audiologist makes all the difference!

It is important for you to use HAs that stream from either a microphone (optional equipment from HA manufacturer), a cell phone or other device. The quality of sound is excellent because it streams directly to your ears, much less distortion. I also understand that In The Ear (ITE) aids are best for musicians. Some can’t use them because of issues like itching or moisture accumulation tho.

Here is some good information for you.

Audiology offices are often in contract to sell only certain aids, Look online for recommendations from other musicians for aids that are particularly designed for musicians.

Corrective Hearing Aids For Musicians

Hearing loss is a serious issue for musicians, which is why you must treat the problem quickly and in the most efficient manner. If the hearing care professional determines that you do suffer from lost hearing, hearing aids are likely to be the best form of management.

Of the three main types of hearing aids, in the ear (ITE) are usually the preferred solution because they fit in the ear canal. Those that don’t, such as behind-the-ear (BTE) devices won’t pick up the noise if played through headphones. Meanwhile, in-the-canal (ITE) hearing aids can be preferred because of their natural listening experience.

There are a number of hearing aid styles and features that are specially designed for musicians, and your hearing care professional will discuss the best options for your particular needs.

The best devices boast technological advancements that make life a lot easier for musicians. One available feature that is preferred by musicians is a speech enhancement technology that allows you to better understand song lyrics.

*****Meanwhile, custom accessories like wireless streaming devices can transmit music directly to the hearing aids, making it a safer way to hear the sound you need to.

Advanced music hearing aids can separate voices from music, processing them in different ways to provide clarity to the listener while other attributes include the ability to process a wider range of sound resolution.

Aural rehab and sound therapy can be used in conjunction with hearing aids. Still, choosing the perfect device is ideal.

Sorry this is such a long post. I hope the info is helpful. Liz

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Thanks for you thorough an well explained reply. This is the first time "In the Ear" was discussed and recommended me. Finding a competent Audiologist experienced in working with musicians is provng difficult. I consulted the "Sensaphonic" (Chicago) website but the two Gold Circle AuD's in NC are retired or not available. Any suggestions you care to make would be greatly appreciated.

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lizzy102 | @lizzy102 | Jul 29, 2021
In reply to @newhorizons "Thanks for you thorough an well explained reply. This is the first time "In the Ear"..." + (show)
@newhorizons

Thanks for you thorough an well explained reply. This is the first time "In the Ear" was discussed and recommended me. Finding a competent Audiologist experienced in working with musicians is provng difficult. I consulted the "Sensaphonic" (Chicago) website but the two Gold Circle AuD's in NC are retired or not available. Any suggestions you care to make would be greatly appreciated.

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https://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/20q-audiologic-care-musicians-27689. Try this and from here don’t be afraid to contact people mentioned. Good luck!

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jshdma | @jshdma | Jul 30, 2021

There is nothing to laugh about in hearing loss. Would anyone find humor in vision loss?

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