Thank you for your reply. It seems, we both have something in common, also with many others!
I may add to my post that seeking for any options, I just underwent additional extensive hearing tests because of my extreme discomfort with noise. Any noise, like washing dishes in the kitchen sink, a vacuum cleaner nearby, are almost unbearably loud. Setting the HAs to mute helps somewhat, but HAs, I guess, were not meant to be ear plugs.
Furthermore, I was explained that while a typical/normal range of hearing is at 75-80 dB, mine is at 35-40 dB, As I understood it, my “loudness discomfort level” requires “squeezing” the hearing aid adjustments into that 35-40 dB range. Newest HA models will not help improve my very low word recognition, nor help with the loudness discomfort.
Conclusion: I just qualified for Cochlear Implant, initially on one side.
I am trying to understand and learn the details about CI, primarily because I was already told that eventually I may have to chose from one of the 3 FDA approved CI manufacturers. The surgeon and his audiologist will assist with making a choice because there is no trialing, like with HAs.
I decided to accept the challenges, the unknown length of the adjustment phase, as well as any risk related to the procedure. I hope that at my advanced age of 85 I might be able to regain hearing to a better level and be able to enjoy again many things, like participating more in social events or going to classical music concerts, for the remainder of my life.
@deberh
I have rare hearing problem called autophony. My own voice is extremely loud in my head but other voices are barely discernible. Can't tolerate any thing coming over or through speakers. Church is not bearable as is with any group. I bear some family gatherings but it is stressful. Nearly all restaurants. Do not understand why music needs to be added to the cacophony. I can't find any ENT nor Neurologist who can help. It is heartbreaking to have to learn isolation at age 85 when community was your life. I am planning to apply to Mayo very soon. My doctors tell me it is futile but Heavenly Father will be the judge of that. I discovered one trick to release noise pressure that lasts for a few minutes. Started by cupping my palms over my ears and pumping a few times. ENT okayed my doing it. Since have found You Tube videos about using it for tinnitus. Relief for a few minutes sometimes helps. If anyone can give light here, please🙏 do.
@deberh
I have rare hearing problem called autophony. My own voice is extremely loud in my head but other voices are barely discernible. Can't tolerate any thing coming over or through speakers. Church is not bearable as is with any group. I bear some family gatherings but it is stressful. Nearly all restaurants. Do not understand why music needs to be added to the cacophony. I can't find any ENT nor Neurologist who can help. It is heartbreaking to have to learn isolation at age 85 when community was your life. I am planning to apply to Mayo very soon. My doctors tell me it is futile but Heavenly Father will be the judge of that. I discovered one trick to release noise pressure that lasts for a few minutes. Started by cupping my palms over my ears and pumping a few times. ENT okayed my doing it. Since have found You Tube videos about using it for tinnitus. Relief for a few minutes sometimes helps. If anyone can give light here, please🙏 do.
@bootblack
Sorry to learn about the issues you have been facing. I can imagine how frustrating it is. By the way, we share the same age!
I can only mention my own experience about wich I have posted elsewhere before.
With hearing aids in both ears in the past, not only was my own voice too loud, but everything was too loud, regardless where I was. At home, when my wife was banging dishes in the kitchen sink, it could be even painful. Road noise in the car, any restaurant with background music was annoying and it was almost impossible for me to understand when someone was talking too me. Since I got a cochlear implant in one ear and continue to wear a hearing aid in the other ear, I don't hear myself any longer as loud as in the past, and it does not bother me. For me the most important outcome is being able to understand someone talking to me, and as a lover of classical music, being able to enjoy a concert of the symphony orchestra. (Bear in mind that I am still in the lengthy adjustment phase after getting the cochlear implant activated month ago).
The term "autophony" never came up in my discussions with my Clinical Audiologist, however, extensive hearing tests prior to my receiving a cochlear implant, indicated that I had Hyperacusis - I was hearing everything too loud. That diagnosis was never brought up or emphasized by any of the ENT's audiologists I visited, but rather the Clinical Audiologists at the Dallas Ear Institute (We live in a suburb of Dallas).
Regarding your thoughts about consulting with Mayo Clinic, if I would be living nearby and in your situation, I would give it a try.
You mentioned Tinnitus relief. I tried acupuncture and got relief, except it lasted every time for only a few days - and it is expensive. Since I got the cochlear implant, the tinnitus is only sometimes noticeable, and it is by far no longer as bothersome as in the past.
@rustycat18 The hearing aid industry is unique. Isn't it amazing that every brand created is called 'the best' by its manufacturer? Hearing aid advertisements mislead us.
We are all looking for a miracle 'cure' for poor hearing. There isn't one. But hearing aids that are well fit can make a very positive difference for most people. Well fit is a key to getting help.
Quality hearing aids are far more expensive than we'd like them to be. It's frustrating that insurance & Medicare rarely cover them. We pay far more money than we ever dreamed of paying for a common health issue for these products. Is it worth it? YOU have to make that decision when you are fitted with a product.
The best advice I can share is the value of a well-qualified hearing aid fitter. Go to a provider that has a good reputation. No matter how good a hearing aid is, if it's not fit well to your individual hearing loss, it will not work as well as it should. Hearing aids used to be basic amplifiers. Today, they are capable of much more, but still are not perfect.
When you get tested for hearing loss, ask the provider to explain your audiogram. Learn what it means. Ask for a copy of it. Be sure you understand the return policy, which gives you a limited amount of time to try those hearing aids out in all the places you frequent; restaurants, worship centers, meetings, family gatherings, etc. If you find they are not helping, return them and explain why. Be sure to do it within the trial time period.
Ask the fitter about Bluetooth and make sure you understand how it works. Ask about hearing assistive technology that goes beyond hearing aids, especially those that can be used in those noisy social settings where you feel left out.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be fitted by a person who is well qualified to fit hearing aids. In most states licensure is granted to people who have doctorate degrees (AuD) in the field of audiology, AND also to people who have far less education. The lesser educated generally have HIS after their name (hearing instrument specialist).
Some HIS are good at fitting hearing aids. In some geographical areas there are no AuDs available. AuDs are able to diagnose issues that HIS have no experience with.
There is a lot to think about when one knows they need help hearing. Ask people you know who use hearing aids about their experience with their provider.
I have 'blathered' too much here, but my 45+ years of hearing aid experience fuel my energy! 🙂 As someone who is a 'bimodal' user of both a hearing aid and a cochlear implant, sharing my experience is pretty legit! Be assertive in getting help. Seriously. But be realistic. There is no 'cure' for most acquired hearing loss. There is help though.
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@deberh
I have rare hearing problem called autophony. My own voice is extremely loud in my head but other voices are barely discernible. Can't tolerate any thing coming over or through speakers. Church is not bearable as is with any group. I bear some family gatherings but it is stressful. Nearly all restaurants. Do not understand why music needs to be added to the cacophony. I can't find any ENT nor Neurologist who can help. It is heartbreaking to have to learn isolation at age 85 when community was your life. I am planning to apply to Mayo very soon. My doctors tell me it is futile but Heavenly Father will be the judge of that. I discovered one trick to release noise pressure that lasts for a few minutes. Started by cupping my palms over my ears and pumping a few times. ENT okayed my doing it. Since have found You Tube videos about using it for tinnitus. Relief for a few minutes sometimes helps. If anyone can give light here, please🙏 do.
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3 ReactionsWhat do you recommend for the best aides for clarity ?
@bootblack
Sorry to learn about the issues you have been facing. I can imagine how frustrating it is. By the way, we share the same age!
I can only mention my own experience about wich I have posted elsewhere before.
With hearing aids in both ears in the past, not only was my own voice too loud, but everything was too loud, regardless where I was. At home, when my wife was banging dishes in the kitchen sink, it could be even painful. Road noise in the car, any restaurant with background music was annoying and it was almost impossible for me to understand when someone was talking too me. Since I got a cochlear implant in one ear and continue to wear a hearing aid in the other ear, I don't hear myself any longer as loud as in the past, and it does not bother me. For me the most important outcome is being able to understand someone talking to me, and as a lover of classical music, being able to enjoy a concert of the symphony orchestra. (Bear in mind that I am still in the lengthy adjustment phase after getting the cochlear implant activated month ago).
The term "autophony" never came up in my discussions with my Clinical Audiologist, however, extensive hearing tests prior to my receiving a cochlear implant, indicated that I had Hyperacusis - I was hearing everything too loud. That diagnosis was never brought up or emphasized by any of the ENT's audiologists I visited, but rather the Clinical Audiologists at the Dallas Ear Institute (We live in a suburb of Dallas).
Regarding your thoughts about consulting with Mayo Clinic, if I would be living nearby and in your situation, I would give it a try.
You mentioned Tinnitus relief. I tried acupuncture and got relief, except it lasted every time for only a few days - and it is expensive. Since I got the cochlear implant, the tinnitus is only sometimes noticeable, and it is by far no longer as bothersome as in the past.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@rustycat18 The hearing aid industry is unique. Isn't it amazing that every brand created is called 'the best' by its manufacturer? Hearing aid advertisements mislead us.
We are all looking for a miracle 'cure' for poor hearing. There isn't one. But hearing aids that are well fit can make a very positive difference for most people. Well fit is a key to getting help.
Quality hearing aids are far more expensive than we'd like them to be. It's frustrating that insurance & Medicare rarely cover them. We pay far more money than we ever dreamed of paying for a common health issue for these products. Is it worth it? YOU have to make that decision when you are fitted with a product.
The best advice I can share is the value of a well-qualified hearing aid fitter. Go to a provider that has a good reputation. No matter how good a hearing aid is, if it's not fit well to your individual hearing loss, it will not work as well as it should. Hearing aids used to be basic amplifiers. Today, they are capable of much more, but still are not perfect.
When you get tested for hearing loss, ask the provider to explain your audiogram. Learn what it means. Ask for a copy of it. Be sure you understand the return policy, which gives you a limited amount of time to try those hearing aids out in all the places you frequent; restaurants, worship centers, meetings, family gatherings, etc. If you find they are not helping, return them and explain why. Be sure to do it within the trial time period.
Ask the fitter about Bluetooth and make sure you understand how it works. Ask about hearing assistive technology that goes beyond hearing aids, especially those that can be used in those noisy social settings where you feel left out.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be fitted by a person who is well qualified to fit hearing aids. In most states licensure is granted to people who have doctorate degrees (AuD) in the field of audiology, AND also to people who have far less education. The lesser educated generally have HIS after their name (hearing instrument specialist).
Some HIS are good at fitting hearing aids. In some geographical areas there are no AuDs available. AuDs are able to diagnose issues that HIS have no experience with.
There is a lot to think about when one knows they need help hearing. Ask people you know who use hearing aids about their experience with their provider.
I have 'blathered' too much here, but my 45+ years of hearing aid experience fuel my energy! 🙂 As someone who is a 'bimodal' user of both a hearing aid and a cochlear implant, sharing my experience is pretty legit! Be assertive in getting help. Seriously. But be realistic. There is no 'cure' for most acquired hearing loss. There is help though.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
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