Despairing of ever hearing well: Could use encouragement and hope

Hi @banshee. How unfortunate that the dog got your hearing aids. I am so sorry. I know my parents had tried to find the right device on their own and even went to Costco until they made an investment in what was recommended and they've seen a massive difference. Again, I am not sure of your personal situation, however, it may be worth considering to get the right device.

Have you been to an audiologist who was able to fit you properly for what your needs are?

I have an unusual severe hearing loss and the specialist I went to said I should never try getting hearing aids at Costco, which I already knew. They are fine there if you've got a simple age-related hearing loss but sounds like you need to see an audiologist for your specific hearing loss.

@banshee Those Oticon OPNs are among the best hearing aids out there. What a shame that the dog managed to get a hold of one of yours. Lesson learned to always keep them in a safe location when they are not being worn. This is not an uncommon happening. Dogs are attracted to the very slight odor of the ear canal on the ear molds or domes.

@healthnut76 and @banshee A cochlear implant may be an option for you. Have either of you ever been evaluated for a cochlear implant?

Did your specialist give you a copy of your audiogram? You have a right to that document and can use it if you choose to go shopping for an appropriate hearing aid elsewhere. I don't recommend going to Costco or any other provider, but do know that Costco sells brand name hearing aids that are good quality products. The skill of the person fitting hearing aids is extremely important for a proper fitting. What is your 'unusual' hearing loss?

Costco is fine! The only difference my wife and I have found… is the price. I have used them for 5yrs. My wife (severe loss) has the same pair for the last 6 yrs. Costco won’t replace hers because they are still working great. I would say: try Costco 1st. You may be happily surprised!

Love to know the model of Oticon. By knowing the Model of HAs you wear, I might be able to offer some hope. One thing you will need to do with your AudD is have frank discussions of what you are hearing and what you would like to change eg. ‘Feels like I’m in an oil drum’ or ‘Loud sounds make my heart race’ or ‘When my mom is on my right side I can’t hear her as well as on the left” or ‘Sounds like I have a cold, like my ears are stuffed with cotton’. This kind of language will help your AudD to understand. Plan to have a long term relationship with your AudD, become friends, talk a LOT, the more this helper knows you the better they will understand your unique hearing loss language. Don’t give up. Let me say that again, Don’t Give UP! Hearing Loss - the invisible disability - is one of the most difficult to get remediated. I often went to my AudD Candace three or four times a year for adjustments, sometimes more often. She let me know when it was time to move up to the next HA based on my increasing loss. Finally, I was at the strongest aids, adjusted to the strongest support possible and I just could not understand - my word discrimination had diminished to the point that I could understand 4-6 words out of a hundred with both aids on in testing, much less in public. I knew I had been relying on sight reading, my training as a psychotherapist to body read and context to be able to be part (though fractured) of any conversation. A kind AudD when I was traveling and came in for a ‘desperation’ adjustment clued me in… there was nothing else HAs could do for me. Wow! Changed my life. I now have a cochlear implant and use one of my high powered aids in the other ear for balance. Oh my, am I ever part of the conversation now!!! I went to a Pink Martini concert a couple days ago (first since my processor was activated 2 years ago). I could hear distinct instruments, the words of songs and the very fast talker Thomas Lauderdale on his MC mic. Fabulous!
Good luck. Again, do not give up. You are worthy the effort. Train your people and strangers to look at you when speaking, to enunciate clearly and to employ a little kindness as you are an amazing person who just happens to have trouble understanding conversation!

Well said. There comes a time when a person has to move to the next level of hearing help if they want to remain in the hearing mainstream. And giving up should not be an option! Sadly, many people get stuck there. Thank you for sharing your good advice.

@banshee, how are you doing? Have you taken the first steps to getting replacement aids?

The prior technician REFUSED to provide me with a copy of my audiogram. Unbelievable. I want to go back because my 2nd pair of new Costco aids (Rexalls were no good and Phillips aren't cutting it) don't give me speech comprehension as well as my old Oticons. But I am appalled by their business practices. My insurance is sending me to Hear USA where I can explore BAJAs

Oh, my loss isn't completely presbycusis loss of high tones. It's flat with a cookie bite. I have 2 sisters with low end loss.