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How do we get clear information about hearing assistive technology?
Are the audiologists and hearing instrument specialists who serve you explaining the advantages of hearing assistive tech that adds value to hearing aids?
Do you want to be able to hear well at theaters, performing arts centers, meetings, worship centers, etc.? Or doesn't that matter to you?
I continue to be shocked and amazed at how many people come to our HLAA chapter meetings who have high quality, well fitted hearing aids, but know nothing about the helpful options that let us hear better in settings where noise can be a demon that stops us from going there.
How can we let providers know we want to hear as well as we possibly can, and that we need them to show us how these options work. If all they do is tell us they exist without demonstrating how they help, it's a losing battle.
It's even worse when hard of hearing people don't get any information about these options because they express that they are more interested in hiding their hearing loss than helping it.
I'd like very much to hear both positive and negative experiences. We want and need to respect and trust our providers but sometimes we find ourselves having to educate them a bit.
Let's talk about it!
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@daveshaw Have you ever attended an HLAA convention or a chapter meeting? While the Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA) has a very small staff in Rockville MD, it is run solely by volunteers who experience hearing loss at the state and chapter levels. More people need to get involved.
So far, HLAA has effected positive change in many areas including ADA inclusion, medical research, technological research & development, and by providing in person peer support via chapters and 13 existing state associations. It takes involvement & participation. It takes people who are willing to step up, stand out to advocate and educate.
Unfortunately, stupid stigmas continue to prevent people with hearing loss to speak up about it and come out of hiding to participate in that advocacy & education. It's much better than it was when I was diagnosed with hearing loss 40+ years ago, but that stupid stigma is still there...sadly.
What can YOU do to change that?
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2 Reactions@j6957d Good to know you are looking for information. There's a lot of it out there. You may want to check a few of the CI discussion groups on Facebook. There are a lot of different opinions and experiences.
Hearing Loss is still under researched. Stigmas prevent many people from talking about it openly. It's way past time for that to change, but it doesn't.
There are many people who have had tinnitus issues minimized with hearing technology, including cochlear implants. Tinnitus is something very different from hearing loss. While it is often accompanied by hearing loss, it isn't always. Sometimes it just goes away and sometimes it doesn't.
There is considerable research being done on the tinnitus topic but they don't have a cure. It's important to understand that tinnitus doesn't occur in your ears, it is in the brain. Very different research topic. I suggest you look for information at http://www.ata.org The American Tinnitus Association website has current information about research.
Please keep us informed about your CI decision. Cochlear implants are modern miracles for millions of people, but not all have the same results. I strongly recommend that you be evaluated for a cochlear implant at a surgery center that specializes in the procedure.