Hearing Assistive Technology - What do you find helpful?

Thanks! I don't have telecoils in my hearing aids. I plan on making an appt. with my audiologist as my hearing aides are about 5 years old. Will this technology (loops and telecoils) work with an older tv and soundbar?

Thanks! I like using closed captioning but it's not appealing to others in my household but they do it for me. Often, the captions don't sync with the visual properly or they are not available for what I'm watching.

Do you have to have Phonak hearing aides and can others still hear the audio?

I have wireless ear buds but when I connect to the tv no one else can hear the tv!

Yes, they will work with older TV equipment. Be sure to tell your audiologist that you want telecoils. Often they try to convince people that telecoils are 'old tech'. They are, but they are simple to use, and don't add cost to a hearing aid. BlueTooth adds considerable cost. BT can connect you to your TV and cell phone. Telecoils do that too and can also connect you to much more, especially in larger venues where you want to hear a speaker, performers, etc. Ideally, you want both technologies in your hearing aids.

I am not sure if this should be in this thread, but I am curious if you or anyone here know about or has any feelings about aftershokz head sets. My brother has a bit of hearing loss and he uses these bone conduction headsets for his phone. He gave me a set and I love them, but I would hate to endanger my hearing.
Any thoughts on this?

@auntieoakley Yes, the bone conduction headsets can cause hearing loss. Listen at a safe level. Unfortunately, I’m not certain how we measure the dB output from those bone conduction headphones. Hearing loss from noise, whether it’s desirable or not, usually damages the inner ear. It doesn’t matter how the sounds get there.
Tony

Good question. I'm not familiar with bone conduction headsets. I do know that noise over 80 decibels experienced in long duration can cause nose induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Some people are more inclined to be affected by extreme nose than others are. However, there is no way to know who is and who isn't until hearing loss occurs. Noise induced hearing loss is irreversible. If there is hereditary hearing loss in your family I'd be cautious about over exposure to noise. Ear buds/headsets bring that sound directly to a person's ears. If the volume is excessive it's asking for trouble.

Interesting factoid: The Walkman radio, used with headsets, was invented in 1975. The incidence of noise induced hearing loss increased greatly in people under age 35 in the years that followed.

NIHL is preventable but not repairable.

What has your brother done about his hearing loss?

Since I am very sensitive to sound, I listen at a low level when I listen to music. Mostly I use them because I can use my phone hands free without plugging my ears. This is a safety issue in a car or with the horses. Also I hate that people plug their ears then scream when they talk. My brother is doing nothing for his hearing loss as I couldn’t convince him that he needed to, and now he is in hospice. 😏. I love these headsets but I was concerned about the steady bone conduction being a problem.

I doubt it's a problem for you if you're keeping it low volume. I am sorry about your brother. It's such a shame that so much shame and stigma is associated with hearing loss. It prevents people from getting the help they need. Cost of hearing aids is also a factor.