I got Phonak Hearing aides...

Just to clarify, the Roger Pen is not an 'amplifier'. It's a microphone that allows someone to hear better in noisy settings. It helps clarify conversation. Prior to the development of this device and other streaming devices that work with hearing aids, many people used a personal FM system or a direct audio input microphone that could be connected to a hearing aid with a wire. Those both worked well, but were somewhat cumbersome. I certainly understand why you prefer not to add more expense to your new Phonak hearing aids, and hope you will benefit greatly from those excellent hearing aids.

Deciding to undergo 'corrective surgery' of any kind is a personal decision. CI surgery is intended to be corrective in that it can, and most often will, bring clarified sound back to a person who has serious hearing loss. It's usually done on an outpatient basis, and is a relatively minor procedure. It is not 'brain surgery' as some would have people beelieve. There are some naysayers out there among the culturally Deaf population about cochlear implants. They feel their deafness is their identity and their 'norm' and don't want to be 'cured'.

I'm surprised to know there's a detailed video on cochlear implants that would be such a turn off. I'd like to see it. Do you know how I can access it?

@julieo4 , my audiologist forwarded the link to Cochlear implants video. I don't have the link anymore. It showed the details of the actual surgery, and I believe had real patients veiwed. To me it looked as though the wires go into the head, to the ears. Also it said some patients need to stay overnight...it certainly looked involved to me. As for a turn off, please know, I'm speaking for myself. It may not seem as graphic to someone else. I do believe they work to the utmost for those who qualify. With my loss at 83% in speech clarity, I agree, I'm likely a good candidate.
As for now, and my lifestyle, Phonak aides should be enough for my needs. I'm real good without them, one on one, face to face. I need help in a group, stores, sometimes with drs talking to me...I miss alot. Of course there are many sounds I can't hear either, which I already noticed I'm hearing. Sirens, birds, my windchimes, to name a few. Happy about that. Now we will continue to tweak my aides to help with more speech clarity. I was hearing better before we made this last adjustment. I think because I asked to take down the overall high frequency...I complained about hearing tinny and too loud, even after I manually set the volume down. Liked it better the 1st time, so im looking forward for another adjustment. There's so much to adapt to, they're not perfect. So im trying to take what I can get and put up with some minor annoyances . Have a great weekend, appreciate your responses.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Much of what you have described is typical of people who have profound hearing loss. I am one of them and I can identify with you. I am very thankful for the technology I use.

To function as best they can, all hearing aids need to be adjusted for our unique hearing loss. It takes a skilled professional to do that. It sounds as if your audiologist is working with you. The only person who can explain the frequency frustration, and what is happening is the one who is wearing the hearing aids.

I hope your audiologist is using real ear measurement. I also hope s/he has explained the telecoils feature. That feature can help with a lot of the assistive technology that is installed in venues like theaters, worship centers, meeting halls, etc. It can also be helpful in noisy social environments. There are devices besides that costly Roger Pen device that are far less expensive. There are also several apps that can be used on smartphones that will transcribe speech into text.

Keep working on that adjustment, and don't hesitate to go back if you feel it isn't set correctly. You have to be 'the judge' of that.

Went back for my follow-up this week. We programmed my aides back to the original setting. I had complained last time about pitch and tinny sounds, so we lowered something. Then I immediately realized I lost the clarity I had before. So now, I'm back at the original setting, and today was a great test at my vehicle service appt. I heard everything said to me, and also had to sit inside my car while we went over alot of the technology devices and set some apps. Thank God, I heard the guy explain everything.

It sounds like you are taking responsibility to get things set up correctly. That's terrific. Clarity is the key issue when it comes to helping hearing loss with technology. We have to be assertive enough to let the fitters know what's working and what isn't.

So happy to hear you're doing well.

Has anyone used the lenire treatment for tinnitus

@bettersleep68 , I haven't tried treatment for tinnitus. I started having it since my 20's...I thought I was hearing birds in my head...drove me crazy. I quickly got used to it, and hardly notice its there. There are days it's louder, VERY LOUD, more so if im feeling run down, and always when I get sick. Kinda doesn't bother me anymore. I did wear headphones with soft music when I first experienced this. I hope you find relief.

hi,

what are the apps that will transcribe speech into text and do you have a favorite?

Thank you

I have the Otter app both on my Iphone and my Ipad. It's free for 300 minutes a month or you can pay for the Pro (which I don't need). It's very handy when I have a business call and I just can't hear. It's very accurate when transcribing. What I like to do is have it open on my Ipad and my Iphone close by. I can read what they are saying. I have a hearing aid and a Cochlear Implant and hearing on the cell phone has been a problem for me. Most of my family and friends text me any more. Business calls I have to be able to hear what they are saying. I have Bluetooth on my hearing aids too.