Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

@steve1385
Steve, I can relate very well to your wife's situation. I started experiencing the same thing 2 decades ago that was manageable at first but over the past 10 years slowly progressed to the point where I also started avoiding social situations because of feeling left out. A table of 4 I can handle, but not large groups or tables of 8 or more where I can only communicate with those close to me.

What I've done is rely on technology in addition to informing my friends and family how to best communicate with me. Communication, even just around the house with you, comes down to 3 simple rules. One, don't start talking to the person with hearing loss until you have their attention. Say their name, pause, then start talking slowly and clearly. Two, face them. People with hearing loss do actually get better with experience reading lips. Not 100% correct, but enough that we can put together the words we can understand with lip reading and facial expressions that we can usually follow along. And three, ideally be within 6-10 feet.

From a technology standpoint, I use the free captioning app that comes with my smartphone when I am in one-to-one conversations i.e. medical offices, retail counters. If phone is close enough and there is no other conversations going on the captioning is very accurate. Both Apple and Android have these built in apps under Accessibility in Settings. You just need to activate them. I also use a microphone that communicates by Bluetooth to my hearing aids. There are small Partner mics for one-to-one conversations such that you can wear and when you talk, the words go directly into her hearing aid. Great for driving in car. I also use a Multi-mic (Phonak Roger On) that I can point to several people around a table depending on who is talking. Great for having dinner out with my family. The table mic can also be put in the middle of a table there people are sitting on all sides like at a bridge game or a Board meeting and it will pick up 360 degrees around the table.

So there are options. As to support groups, depending on where you live you she can join a Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Chapter or Resource group to meet others with the same issues and learn from them. HLAA was my savior 10 years ago and I now give presentations to senior living facilities on How to Live Better With Hearing Loss based on all that I have learned from HLAA and using the internet.

Let us know where you live and I can set you up with a Chapter. HLAA also has an annual Convention each June where you can meet hundreds of people with al levels of hearing loss as well as talk to vendors who provide products to the hearing impaired. It is in Louisville this year.

Look forward to hearing from you.
Mike M HLAA Chester County PA

Hi all, having a fitting this week for Phonak Spheres. I have auditioned these before and was not happy, but I beleive I have a very poor audiologists. All she did was get the order in an dprogram them. No additional anything. I did not like them. But now I am doing a fitting from a competent Auduiologist that supposedly will spend an hour and half ensuring they are programmed correctly, including a new hearing test with the hearing aids installed.

My main question is, based on my audiogram, what would you suggest as my dome type? Currently have open with an older set of Phonaks, but background noise is horrible. The previous tried Power Domes but it felt like ears were plugged up. Thanks in advance

@bohaiboy I found the shared file interesting. It appears this audiologist is well prepared to help you. Hearing aids have options that are not mentioned. Did he explain how hearing assistive technology that goes beyond those hearing aids helps? Did he mention telecoils or Auracast?

Telecoils can connect personal hearing aids to hearing assistive technology that is installed in places such as performing arts centers, theaters, worship centers, meeting rooms, etc. Most of those facilities have installed hearing loops, FM systems or infrared systems. They bring the desired sound direct to your hearing aids and bypass the background noise that interferes with our ability to understand. Auracast is a newer type of bluetooth technology that is currently being installed and tested in some areas. Because it isn't readily available, It is recommended by consumer groups that support people with hearing loss, to be sure that new hearing aids include both telecoils and Auracast receiving capability. Don't let them tell you this is 'old' technology. It is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act for communication access. Unfortunately, it requires some advocacy to get it in some locations. Hard of hearing people need to speak up more about their unique needs instead of trying to be invisible.

Quality hearing aids can also connect with personal assistive technology in what we often refer to as 'the cocktail party atmosphere'; places where background noise such as people talking, music, etc. make it difficult for us in social settings. Phonak has such devices available to use with their quality hearing aids. Yes, they will add some cost to your purchase, but they are well worth it for most people.

I'm unfamiliar with the term 'power domes' and wonder if that means professionally fitted earmolds. Those require casting of the ear for fitting and are fit to the individual's ear. They do a better job of helping with background noise for some. Yes, those molds can be uncomfortable if they are poorly cast and fit, but they can be filed down to fit comfortably. People get used to them. They can also be created with different materials if there is an allergy issue. This is a professional procedure that requires skill, much like a dental inlay.

Domes are easier for the audiologist to fit since they are not custom made.

It's good to ask questions and share experiences. Don't hesitate to return to the audiologist for help. You may need longer than 2 weeks trial to be sure they are right for you.

Another thing that is different about today's hearing aids is the type of controls they have. I've always preferred being able to control my own volume. Some aids have automatic control. That's a choice. Now so much is controlled by our cell phones. Good for some people but not for everyone.

Lots of good information at http://www.hearingloss.org That is the Hearing Loss Assn. of America. There are chapters of HLAA in Texas. It helps to talk to other people who live well with hearing loss.

I hope this information is helpful. Good luck to you.

Julieo4

The ADA is just the law - setting the standards. There are no "ADA police" (vs traffic enforcement which does)

People who use wheelchairs submit complaints if something is not accessible. People with hearing loss need to do the same.

If you encounter a facility without a functioning system, you can educate staff or file a complaint. A few facilities lack a system, but the vast majority have one.

Have you educated the staff? What did the staff tell you when you talked with them? Have you submitted a complaint if you couldn't resolve things?

New to the group and I have a issue that I hope I can relate to someone here who might be having the same hearing problems. I have always had problems with my ears but recently (3-weeks ago) I woke up after being in a noisy bar , Superbowl Sunday. My ear was full and i had drainage in the back of my throat and when the fullness in the ears started to subside voices sounded echo and distorted. All this started to improve but I still get the echo and distorted sounds when people are talking. The big problem is when I'm at a facility where there's lots of noise I can't understand and words in the room cant hear the person next to me and whats really weird is I start to get a terrible pain in my left ear. Please anyone is there any hope.
Thank You

@burnt If you haven't already done so, I suggest that you schedule an emergency appointment with an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) specialist. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) can be the result of overexposure to noise. Sometimes steroid treatment can help, but not always. It must be done shortly after the onset of the hearing loss.

Hearing loss due to noise exposure whether its sudden loud noise or exposure over time is quite common. I encourage you to follow through on getting a medical diagnosis. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent. You would surely want to do everything possible to keep it from getting worse. Ear protection in those noisy places is important.

Hearing aids will likely provide some help, but it's important to understand that they are not a cure. Do follow through on that ENT appointment. Good luck to you. Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope you'll keep us posted on updates.

@hedgerow Good morning. I could not disagree more. The ADA sets rules but unlike for people in wheelchairs who can sue and force establishments to accommodate them they do not allow people with hearing loss to sue an establishment that refuses to install better acoustics or add carpeting or drapes to bring down the sound level. In fact in this country the noise level is only getting worse in restaurants.
As far as telecoil and Auracast as it becomes available the ADA will still not demand it be installed.
The ADA is toothless when it comes to hearing loss in this country. If you doubt that Google how many lawsuits have been filed have been filed by people with hearing loss.
If you don’t provide access for people in wheelchairs the restaurant or venue can be sued and fined. Not so much for those with hearing loss.
I wish the ADA would do as much for us.

@julieo4
Thank You Julie for the concern. I'm on Prednisone 60mg/2x daily day nine now and will see how things go. So many things go through your head like will it spread to my other ear, is it AIED, Three weeks in now.
Thank You.

@burnt It's good to know you are receiving treatment. Hopefully it will work. If not, there are options for hearing aids that can be helpful. Learning to live well with hearing loss is challenging, but it's possible. Should the hearing loss be permanent, it is wise to ask more questions of people who live with it. HLAA is a good place to get that kind of information. The Hearing Loss Assn. of America has chapters in most states. The mutual help/peer support provided can be very helpful. http://www.hearingloss.org

Good luck to you.

Julieo4

Hi I have worn 2 brands of hearing aids,6 thousand dollar Oticons,and 2 thousand dollar Jabbas,the Oticon app was inconsistent,after a couple of issues of breaking down I sent them out for repair,and found out they were locked,they were a couple of years old when they died.My second pair is Jabba,which also owns Beltone,I bought on line.When they worked they were good,but I am on my 3 replacement set in 2 years.When you have remote care with Jaba,they put you through a laborious process to get rebuilt units.My next set will be Beltone Envision,3k,I have found local support to be essential.