Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

Thanks for this. A big help!! Appreciate your taking the time to provide thorough info!

Sorry for jumping in late. I incurred my singled sided hearing loss back in May ‘19 thru a work related injury; therefore fortunately covered by a very reliable Workman’s Compensation grp.
I’m currently 72, and prior to my injury I had near 100% hearing in both ears. Following injury my R-ears word recognition dropped to 76%.
As others have cautioned it’s imperative your Audiologist needs to determine what type of hearing loss you have (sensorial or conductive)? I was originally fitted with a single sided hearing device by Phonak which thankfully my Workman’s Comp paid for; but unfortunately since ‘19 my word recognition declined to 42% this past June because it was then determined I had a sensorial hearing loss (inner/outer cochlear hairs were damaged) which is why my hearing aid wasn’t providing the clarity I required. On Aug 3 I had a procedure where a Cochlear -OSIA2 was implanted (bone conduction implant) that has produced remarkable results since my fitting and programming last month. Again thankfully my Workman’s Comp grp. paid for. My point here is to emphasize you determine what type of hearing loss you have before purchasing even an OTC hearing aid that may not even address your hearing needs so you don’t waste your money. I say this because I stopped wearing my Phonak, as good as it was, but glad I didn’t have to pay for it as it was quite expensive. Had I had a conductive hearing loss it likely would have been worth every penny. Wishing you all the best!

I was implanted in 2005 with the Nucleus Freedom by Cochlear Corp. It made a very positive change in my life. I have continued as a bimodal user, but with the N8 upgrade I will get later this month, I will likely decide to go with a ReSound hearing aid even though I've been a loyal and successful Widex user for years. The Widex worked very well with my upgrades, but in experimenting with an N7 I realize that with the BlueTooth capability that is now available, it makes sense to have binaural hearing.

I'd suggest to anyone who will be a bimodal user of both technologies (HA and CI) to go with the HA that will work with your CI choice. I would not have said that prior to the advent of more sophisticated BT technology. If the hearing aid you use is working well and is relatively new...stick with it, but plan to upgrade the HA situation when you need a new aid.

The goal with all this technology is to hear as well as we possibly can. Also, that technology you chose should also include telecoil capability if you want the whole package.

Do you have experience using the telecoils in your hearing aids?

Regarding OTC hearing aids: Before you decide to go the OTC route get tested by a clinical audiologist so you know where your hearing loss falls on the spectrum. If it goes beyond moderate, OTC hearing aids will likely not do enough to help you to be worth the cost...even a low cost. The FDA rules clearly state that non prescriptive hearing aids (OTC) are only for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you're having problems hearing in noisy settings, it's likely your hearing loss goes beyond moderate.

When you get tested, ask for a copy of your test results (audiogram). You have a right to have that information which will allow you to shop around if you decide to get a hearing aid. Don't buy anything that doesn't allow you a trial period and a decent return policy. Hearing aids take time to get used to, so a week-long trial period is basically worthless. You need a month or more.

It is also important to know that the best OTC hearing aids often cost nearly as much as the prescriptive ones. It may be worth the cost to hear much better rather than hearing amplified sound as some of them provide.

I don't promote providers or brands, but I will say I know several people who have taken an audiogram to Costco for hearing aid fitting there. They have been satisfied with the products. Again, it's a matter of trying them. Insist on having enough time to test them out in places you want to go.

I'd love to hear more from people who have OTC experiences of all kind.

Have you tried an OTC hearing aid?

I agree with you - but the Resound HA will be another $2,000 dollars in what has been an expensive year, and I have two really good Widex aids. I will probably upgrade within a year or so. Having the implant and the aid controlled by the same app just makes perfect sense, I know. I have telecoil, not in the aids themselves but in my sound assist device, but don’t use it because my hearing discrimination is so bad. I’ve rather given up on live theatre etc but hope to get back to it.

Thanks to all who replied. I only had hearing loss the seconds right after the discharge. The various noises have disappeared, but the grinding sound happens when I burp or swallow. Wanted to give it a few weeks to see if it resolves. If not will have to see an ENT. A similar situation occurred 30 years ago after an Alabama concert. I was right by the stage and had a ringing in Rt ear for a month. Saw ENT & had lost some high pitch hearing, but only a little. So will see. Can just hope.

Good luck to you! It would be interesting to compare that old audiogram with a recent one. Be sure to request a copy of your audiogram this time around.

Thanks to the new law that past in 2022, there’s now lots of OTC hearing aids available. For me, who has severe to profound hearing, I won’t order online or go to retail stores to get advice. I want to see audiologist and get recommendations. This advice is also what is recommended by Cleveland specialists. My Medicare Advantage plan has allowed some $ to be used only at a company I do not trust so I am dismayed. I now cannot even see a audiologist at health partners clinics because they will only use Tru Hearing aids. Anyone else in this situation? All of my expenses will be out of pocket plus I’ll be paying into insurance that isn’t benefiting me. I’m looking into new health plan but feel very sad about this discrimination.

So the people you know that went to Costco, did they have severe to profound loss?

How did they determine that the cochlear hairs were damaged? Do you suffer from tinnitus also?