Hearing aids in but still not understanding words

Hearing loss is considered to be a defect. Deaf is okay you have sign language. But hearing loss is invisible and reflects that you are either not paying attention or stupid. I am now 88 years old and lived with hearing loss since I was four years old.
Ms. Hermine Willey

@hedgerow Remote mics can be a huge help in certain situations. I use the small Partner Mic for my fellow passengers in the car when I am driving. The road and car noise keep me from hearing anything they say but if they wear or hold the mic their voices go directly into my hearing aids and overcome the road/car noise.

I've also been using the Roger On in Board meetings. I put it in the middle of the board table or on a chair if we the tables are in a U-shape. It allows me to hear people from each corner of the tables if I sit at the head of the table. Without it I would have to resign my board position because previously I wasn't hearing people with soft voices or those at other end of table. As the Treasurer it was important that I hear everything discussed.

I just got my cochlear implant activated last week so now i have to practice with my stereo CI and hearing aid combination.

I suspect my hearing aids distort sound due to the extreme volume boosts coupled with frequency clamping. I also suspect the audiologists (VA ) are not interested in spending the time necessary to fine tune this stuff, easer just to use computer which does reach this level of fine tuning.

You can reach me at Dave.shaw4651@gmail.com or call me at 720-244-1369.

Remote mics have been a lifesaver for me for years. The first one I saw was at....you guessed it...a SHHH/HLAA convention in 1984. Hardwired and plugged into a guys hearing aid with direct audio input. Looked like a cigarillo on a cord. I bought one and used it for years before wireless devices became available. There is much we CAN do if we are willing to adopt it and do it.

Good luck with the CI activation. I hope it's going well! Did the audiologist activate the telecoil in the processor? Many don't. Mine did and I found it quite amazing. Yikes! That was 19 years ago.

I want everyone to read about the Esteem implant by a company called Envoy.
We talk about hearing aids and Cochlear Implants but this Esteem implant is far superior to anything else on the market. It is categorized as a hearing aid and is therefore not covered by Medicare. If it would be reclassified as a prosthetic it would be covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
Bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to have it reclassified.
Read about it and let’s get active in writing to our representatives on the House and Senate to make this happen.
There is something better than Cochlear Implants and expensive hearing aids.
Do your research and write letters.

Dave,

I find it suspicious that you are pumping this Small Cap company that has very little revenues and just went live with a Securities Registration this week. My background is as a CFO of a public company and have taken numerous companies public. There might be something here in the future but it is very early and has a very limited distribution network i.e. very few audiologists selling/implanting. I am not sure it is appropriate for what people are looking for on this site. Just my opinion.
Mike

Mike I have no interest in this company other than the fact that are bills in the House and Senate to change its designation from a hearing aid to a prosthetic. The Esteem implant has FDA approval and has been available for over a decade.
I am tired of paying for overpriced hearing aids and hesitant to go the CI route.
Just the thought that I could keep these on all day and go swimming with my granddaughters makes me think maybe they are worth advocating for. Surely you must admit CI’s have drawbacks. Maybe if Medicare paid for these like they pay for Cochlear Implants the millions of seniors with hearing loss could make that decision. Isn’t it at least worth giving them a try. If they are not effective let the market decide that.
The manufactures of Cochlear Implants have powerful lobbyists that would like to keep their monopoly going for those with severe or profound hearing loss.
Maybe there is a better product out there.
Just keep an open mind.
I appreciate your feedback.

It's really not appropriate to say that a device is "far superior to anything else on the market" or "better than cochlear implants and expensive hearing aids."

The Esteem implant is relatively new. According to most information I have been able to access on it, it is not for people with profound hearing loss. It may be appropriate for those who have moderate to moderately severe hearing loss, many of whom would not qualify for a cochlear implant.

When we care enough about an issue that needs to be regulated by law, it's important to let your legislators know of your concerns. Go for it. The bureaucratic system does not move quickly.

There are thousands of people who are ecstatic about cochlear implants. The success rate is very high. I feel fortunate to be living in times when this is possible. Should implanted hearing aids become successful I am sure people will feel that way about them too.

I appreciate your comments. They are only for people with severe to profound hearing loss.
I am just asking people to do research and ask questions. Let’s at least have the choice between those and CI’s. Think how far CI’s have come since the first came out.
Technology is any amazing thing and for those that don’t have forever to wait let’s at least give our community a chance at something new.
Everyone have a great weekend.