1. < Hearing Loss

One or two hearing aids

Posted by imallears @imallears, May 28, 2019

Hi all,

I have a profound bilateral hearing loss...started out with one hearing aid then progressed to 2 because all Professionals tell you 2 is better for balance etc.
That’s true to a certain degree . My right ear is the good one and over the years I have learned that using only the good ear provides a better hearing experience in certain situations.

I try to wear both as much as possible and generally do so in the normal day to day life. However, in noisy situations such as auditoriums, parties and some restaurants I take the left aid out. I can cope with all the extraneous noise better even though I have noise suppression programs. I actually understand better with only the good ear aided. I have been doing this for quite a few years after 40 years of wearing hearing aids and wonder how many others feel about 2 versus 1 aid....or CI.

Regards from FL Mary

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

Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Apr 9, 2023

I would be interested to hear how people who responded to this string have done. @oldmandove48 Did you get the second hearing aid? If so, how are you doing with bilateral hearing support?

@gordy6898p Have you been evaluated for a cochlear implant?

REPLY
gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Apr 9, 2023

A few years ago I asked the VA doc about an implant. Not much of a reply... just mentioned that it's a possibility., and I've never checked further.

Just night, just before bed, I swabbed my ear canal with iodine. The pain is now gone completely, hope that lasts!

REPLY
3 replies
gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @gordy6898p "A few years ago I asked the VA doc about an implant. Not much of a..." + (show)
@gordy6898p

A few years ago I asked the VA doc about an implant. Not much of a reply... just mentioned that it's a possibility., and I've never checked further.

Just night, just before bed, I swabbed my ear canal with iodine. The pain is now gone completely, hope that lasts!

Jump to this post

I don't use my left hearing aid. It distorts too much. According to the VA doc, my speech recognition is only 60% in that ear. In the right ear it's about 80%

REPLY
1 reply
gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @gordy6898p "I don't use my left hearing aid. It distorts too much. According to the VA doc,..." + (show)
@gordy6898p

I don't use my left hearing aid. It distorts too much. According to the VA doc, my speech recognition is only 60% in that ear. In the right ear it's about 80%

Jump to this post

If it gets worse, I'll push for an implant. But I doubt the VA will go along.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @gordy6898p "If it gets worse, I'll push for an implant. But I doubt the VA will go..." + (show)
@gordy6898p

If it gets worse, I'll push for an implant. But I doubt the VA will go along.

Jump to this post

Again, I suggest you approach the cochlear implant possibility. Medicare covers cochlear implants, as do most insurers.

Here is a relatively recent research study done that might be of interest.
https://www.research.va.gov/currents/0722-VA-ear-surgeon-studies-management-of-severe-hearing-loss-in-Veterans.cfm

REPLY
1 reply
gordy6898p | @gordy6898p | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @julieo4 "Again, I suggest you approach the cochlear implant possibility. Medicare covers cochlear implants, as do most..." + (show)
@julieo4

Again, I suggest you approach the cochlear implant possibility. Medicare covers cochlear implants, as do most insurers.

Here is a relatively recent research study done that might be of interest.
https://www.research.va.gov/currents/0722-VA-ear-surgeon-studies-management-of-severe-hearing-loss-in-Veterans.cfm

Jump to this post

Thanks for that very informative article... I wasn't aware that the VA was
seriously involved with providing for implants. I'll approach them again
to check into the possibility.

REPLY
1 reply
cherriann | @cherriann | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @gordy6898p "My right hearing aid works fine. Not so with the left. It distorts sounds so badly..." + (show)
@gordy6898p

My right hearing aid works fine.

Not so with the left. It distorts sounds so badly that I don't us it at all. The VA advised me that speech recognition is only about 60% in my left ear.

Jump to this post

I have hearing aids for both ears, but have better hearing in my left ear. When in situations where it is important to determine direction sounds are coming from, more easily follow multiple conversations, or in places like restaurants..... I don't use the left hearing aid. Doctor tells me it is better to use both for optimal hearing, but I find this just isn't always the case for me when there are certain noise levels. If left hearing was as bad as my right there would be no choice and I'd need to use both, but I've used hearing aids for seven years now and with little change in hearing, I use one aid often.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @gordy6898p "Thanks for that very informative article... I wasn't aware that the VA was seriously involved with..." + (show)
@gordy6898p

Thanks for that very informative article... I wasn't aware that the VA was
seriously involved with providing for implants. I'll approach them again
to check into the possibility.

Jump to this post

Thumbs Up! Let us know what you learn.

You may be interested in participating in the online Veteran's Group that is sponsored by the Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA) https://www.hearingloss.org/event/hlaa-veterans-across-america-virtual-chapter-meeting-26/?instance_id=1216

REPLY
1 reply
passerby | @passerby | Apr 10, 2023

Sounds like the same boat I’m in. Hang in there.

REPLY
passerby | @passerby | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @cherriann "I have hearing aids for both ears, but have better hearing in my left ear. When..." + (show)
@cherriann

I have hearing aids for both ears, but have better hearing in my left ear. When in situations where it is important to determine direction sounds are coming from, more easily follow multiple conversations, or in places like restaurants..... I don't use the left hearing aid. Doctor tells me it is better to use both for optimal hearing, but I find this just isn't always the case for me when there are certain noise levels. If left hearing was as bad as my right there would be no choice and I'd need to use both, but I've used hearing aids for seven years now and with little change in hearing, I use one aid often.

Jump to this post

Thank you So much for your post. It validates what my gut tells me. So glad you’ve had no big changes in 7 yrs.

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