Aging and Hearing Loss: Can You Talk About It?

Becky how sad that you have had these hearing events that have caused you such pain and anguish. When one looks back it often happens we blame ourselves for the problems we are experiencing and that leads us to feel depressed and hopeless and it seems impossible to imagine any further worthwhile activities or pleasurable days ahead. While not as severe as your accidents and the resulting problems I do know how you feel because I too have felt that way at one time. I am 75 years old. The event that caused me to loose some hearing and result in hyperacusis and tinnitus in both years 24 hours a day since then was a night club that I attended with friends. The music was terribly loud and I requested that it be turned down. It was minimally Improved but not as much as needed for my ears. At that point I should have left but I didn’t. When we finally exited I asked others in the group if they felt a fullness in their ears and a ringing. They all said no. Which just goes to show that we are all different. I was 43 at the time so I have had this hyperacusis sensitivity where everything became painfully loud along with tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Now I am more tolèrent of sound but the tinnitus sounds have been louder and increased in terms of now hearing multiple sounds, for example, hissing, roaring, cicadas noise, musical phrases all at once in both ears. Quite a cacophony of sound. How I regretted going to that night club for years afterward. Now I am just resigned to never hearing silence again in my life. I recall that the sounds of silence were pleasant as was a walk in nature to hear those special sounds that I can’t hear anymore, just the awful ringing. I do have masking devices but they just seem to add to the noise. They say that tinnitus is a disorganization in the brain, no treatment whatsoever. Sometimes I wonder what will happen to me in the future. But I try to live one day at a time and enjoy the good days and tolerate the not so good. I hope, for your sake that you can eventually come to a spot where there are still things in life that you appreciate and not blame yourself for what happened to you.

If Costco hearing aids are right for you, the price of a membership is a small price to pay.

I encourage everyone who have severe noise induced hearing loss (sensorineural hearing loss) to look into cochlear implants. The minute people hear the word 'surgery' they tend to back away. It's important to know that cochlear implant surgery is outpatient surgery in most cases. Healing takes place quickly, but a CI recipient does have to be dedicated to the rehab exercises it takes after the implant is activated. The brain has to work to learn how to hear differently.

In the HLAA chapter I founded in Wisconsin 35 years ago, we have several CI recipients who were elderly when they had CI surgery. They have had great success. Three are in their 80s; two are in their 90s. All are doing remarkably well and wish they had had the procedure done years ago. Bringing someone back into the hearing world where they can associate with family and friends, participate in activities, and relax in social settings is priceless.

I'm mentioning this because so many people tend to think they are 'too old' to consider CIs or even try hearing aids. You may want to check out some of the conversations on the Hearing Loss forum in Mayo Clinic Connect. Ask a question; start a discussion!

I am throughly confused regarding my hearing loss. It is moderate hearing loss. I don’t know which one is best for me.

@heria The only way to find out is to get tested by an audiologist. Get a copy of your audiogram, and shop around for a hearing aid that helps you. The audiologist who tests you will likely have hearing aids they recommend. Try one.

Just be sure to try it in as many places as possible during the trial period they offer you. Do what you usually do so you can see if the hearing aids help. Go to meetings, restaurants, theaters, etc. if those are activities you want to enjoy.

If you are not satisfied with hearing aids you try, take them back. Depending on policy, the seller may let you try something different and extend the trial period. Just be aware of the timeline of the trial period so you don't miss the deadline. Ask about it because it's probably in the fine print of your purchase agreement. Most providers offer 30 - 45 days for trial. Costco offers 6 months.

Everyone's hearing loss is different, so there is no 'one size fits all'. The best thing to do is 'get started'. Once you get a pair of well fit hearing aids you'll wonder why you waited.

Are you ready to move forward?

I just received a flyer from Medicare saying that $500.00 toward hearing aids will be allocated if needed starting next year. I hope that is true. I am waiting until 2023 to get my hearing aids.

See if you can test two different sets of hearing aids at the same time.

Also search YouTube for the doctor whose name escapes me who has excellent videos on how to evaluate the different hearing aids,

Search YouTube.com for Dr. Cliff videos.

These 15- minute + snippets are the best.

That's worth waiting for. Medicare plans are confusing. Some of them will help ONLY with in network providers. Be sure you know who those providers are, Are OK with them.

I’ve had a hearing aid (one ear only) for about 6 years and haven’t worn it much last 5 years. I’m almost totally deaf in the one ear and have tinnitus. When I get in group discussion, can’t hear and aid does not help so that’s main reason I don’t wear it. It’s also a pain to put batteries in it and clean all the little pieces.