Cochlear Implants: How well do they work at an older age?

I've found that the background noise is so overwhelming that I can not hear conversations unless in a quiet location and one on one. In the kitchen the refrigerator is so loud it blocks out conversations. It is like it is doing the opposite of what I need.

I've found that the background noise is so overwhelming that I can not hear conversations unless in a quiet location and one on one. In the kitchen the refrigerator is so loud it blocks out conversations. It is like it is doing the opposite of what I need.

Billchitwood Please go to a cochlear audiologist who works with your brand of hearing aid. They need to retest your hearing and make big adjustments to your processor! Don’t delay. Cochlear set ups are amazing, living without proper adjustment is terrible!

A hearing aid or cochlear processor without a telecoil is like a car without air conditioning. You don't need it all the time, but when you do it's invaluable!

The telecoil is what connects your hearing devices to all the technology mandated by the American's with Disabilities Act. That is referred to as 'communication access'. Transmitters should be installed in all performing arts centers, in auditoriums, in meeting rooms, churches, etc. However, the ADA also requires that people ask for access, so it forces us to know what we need in order to be able to ask. Consequently, many places get by without providing access. In regions of the US where HLAA chapters are active, you will find far more places with this technology because people have requested it, educated about it, and advocated for it. It's a vicious circle, but the reality is, we who have hearing loss deserve to be able to participate in society just as those who need curb cuts for mobility access do.

It's a terrible shame that the people who sell hearing aids do not educate their 'customers' about the options a hearing aid can provide. There has been a huge push to sell BlueTooth features that add considerable cost to hearing aids. Telecoils add less than $15. BlueTooth is wonderful at connecting wirelessly to some audio devices, but it doesn't work in venues with public address systems. The reason, in a nutshell, is that in order to connect with a BT hearing device, the speaker/PA system has to have a microphone that interacts with each specific BT device. Imagine a presenter having to wear 50 microphones because there are 50 people in the arena that need to connect. One transmitter, attached to a PA system is all that is needed to connect to all the telecoil equipped 'receivers' in the arena.

Telecoils don't matter until you know what they can do. Ask the audiologist you are working with about them, and insist that they let you try them before you buy hearing aids.

When I researched my Phonak hearing aid model on-line, I saw that they came with telecoil but at my final audiologist visit I wanted to verify it with her. To my surprise, she said that telecoil is an *option* with my HAs but **I needed to ask for it up front**. She acted like there aren't many venues around here using the technology, which may explain why she didn't mention it initially, but she also said I can exchange mine for the same Phonak HAs with telecoil and my trial period will be extended as well. I just want to echo what Julie said here - ask your audiologist!

That is amazing, alarming and very upsetting! Seriously, a patient is supposed to know what to ask for when getting a new hearing aid???? The audiologists are supposed to be the experts; the teachers, the counselors. They should know that we want to hear in every possible situation. "Communication Access' is our right. Very few of us use sign language, but if we asked for it they would have to provide it. Hard of hearing people who use hearing aids and cochlear implants get left out in the cold, but we have the same rights. Telling someone that venues in the area aren't using the technology is a close out. If they cared very deeply, they would be out there advocating for this kind of connectivity for their clientele.

Another side of this is the frustration we hear about when places install the necessary technology and wonder why people don't use it. But you have to know it's there to try it. You also have to know what it is and what it does. The telcoil in a hearing aid is the key to connecting to all of it. Sadly, stigmas about hearing loss also add to the confusion.

Here is a link that explains the 3 types of hearing assistive technology available to meet the mandates of the American's with Disabilities Act. https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/ To connect your hearing aids to these systems, they must have telecoils. Unless you want to remove your hearing devices and put on a pair of headphones that connect to a receiver. If you're in a 'looped' venue, all you have to do is click the telecoil button on your personal hearing device and you are connected to the sound system. .

Keep in mind, that telecoils can also connect you to personal devices like computers, iPads, iPods, radios, etc.There are personal microphones one can use in noisy settings with telecoils. Problem is they show when you use them. Realistically, it shows that you are doing everything you can to hear and make conversation go smoothly. Telecoils can make a difference everywhere.

What part of the country do you live in? There are also a few websites that list the locations of installed hearing assistive technology. You may be surprised to learn about places in your area that have this tech.

That is amazing, alarming and very upsetting! Seriously, a patient is supposed to know what to ask for when getting a new hearing aid???? The audiologists are supposed to be the experts; the teachers, the counselors. They should know that we want to hear in every possible situation. "Communication Access' is our right. Very few of us use sign language, but if we asked for it they would have to provide it. Hard of hearing people who use hearing aids and cochlear implants get left out in the cold, but we have the same rights. Telling someone that venues in the area aren't using the technology is a close out. If they cared very deeply, they would be out there advocating for this kind of connectivity for their clientele.

Another side of this is the frustration we hear about when places install the necessary technology and wonder why people don't use it. But you have to know it's there to try it. You also have to know what it is and what it does. The telcoil in a hearing aid is the key to connecting to all of it. Sadly, stigmas about hearing loss also add to the confusion.

Here is a link that explains the 3 types of hearing assistive technology available to meet the mandates of the American's with Disabilities Act. https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/ To connect your hearing aids to these systems, they must have telecoils. Unless you want to remove your hearing devices and put on a pair of headphones that connect to a receiver. If you're in a 'looped' venue, all you have to do is click the telecoil button on your personal hearing device and you are connected to the sound system. .

Keep in mind, that telecoils can also connect you to personal devices like computers, iPads, iPods, radios, etc.There are personal microphones one can use in noisy settings with telecoils. Problem is they show when you use them. Realistically, it shows that you are doing everything you can to hear and make conversation go smoothly. Telecoils can make a difference everywhere.

What part of the country do you live in? There are also a few websites that list the locations of installed hearing assistive technology. You may be surprised to learn about places in your area that have this tech.

Thanks for this, Julie, your passion shines through in this post and I appreciate all the details!! I live in the capital region of New York between Albany and Saratoga Springs.

ChristyJ, there is an HLAA chapter in Albany NY. You may want to connect with them. HLAA is the consumer organization that is making a difference for hard of hearing people through education, information sharing, advocacy and peer support. Everything I know about hearing loss has come from my being involved in this wonderful organization. Here is the chapter's website address: https://hearinglossalbany.wordpress.com/ Rochester and NYC also have very active chapters. Since most chapters are meeting on Zoom videoconferencing, at least part time, you can connect from anywhere if you know when the meetings are held. Lots of good info at: http://www.hearingloss.org