ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: Syl on December 03, 2008, 01:20:25 pm
-
Hello friends,
Both my Dr. and audiologist said that I am not a candidate for a regular hearing aid. BAHA is out of the question because I do have some hearing left. I made an appt. to get a hearing aid or at least test some out. Anyone else out there who wasn't a candidate for hearing aids but proved the Dr. and audiologist wrong? Am I wasting my time thinking that there is a device out there for me?
Syl
-
So I ordered a hearing aid. I'll get it in 3 wks and will have a month after that to work with the audiologist to program/adjust it for my needs. It may not help me at all, but I have to try.
Syl
-
Usually AN patients need to direct their hearing to the other ear. Croslink is one type of hearing aid that may work. But, maybe you'll find something else that will do the trick for awhile.
Good luck,
Sue in Vancouver USA
-
Hi Syl
I went throught the hearing aid process a little over a year ago. One thing I would suggest is to get a loaner from the audiologist to try it out. Hearing aids are a little shocking at first. They don't just amplify what you want to hear -- they amplify everything. Since my hearing loss in my good ear is so severe, I opted for the best aid - a Widex Inteo A good audiologist can tune that thing to perfection -- or close to it. Other than that, you may want to consider a CROS.
David
-
Hi Syl,
I think it is a good move to give it a try. You may find that while it falls short of perfect, it provides enough help to make things more manageable. I hope you also find that headaches and other pains lessen as the weeks and months go by.
Steve
-
What I'm getting is the Resound Ziga which fits behind the ear. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a loaner. Will have to pay $1500 before I can take it home.
Sue and David: Isn't the CROS or Croslink for patients with total hearing loss in the AN ear? I googled the Widex Inteo. It looks just like the one I'm getting.
Steve: I'm weaning myself off of the otc Tylenol. I was taking the max of 4000mg/day. I'm down to 1150mg on bad days and about 650mg other days. I do wake up with a soar neck everyday, but find that the headaches occur less frequently. It is getting better. Thanks.
Syl
-
yes , i have a cros aid for SSD, the digital is good for cutting out some of the background noise
-
Syl -
good luck with the hearing aid.
Keep us posted.
Jan
-
Thanks you all for your input. I will keep you posted.
Syl
-
it may be only oklahoma law dor consumer protection? but in Okla, we have a time frame after we get the hearing aid that we can return it for a full refund. this is a cooling off period. i also know tha toregon and ny have simular laws
my audiologist had demo aids. she put me in the cheapest variety. i wore this for a week. then a grade up for a week. when i expressed what i liked and did not like, she asked if i wanted to try an oticon pro ... the most expensive so far. i did not try to next level up.
she said that she always starts with the least expensive and only goes up with the request of the patient as they might like what they are not willing to spend.
i paid a security deposit of a few hundred dollars. when i made my final selection, i paid the remainder and this si when the cooling of period started. i believe that it was 4 weeks????? no she made 3 sets of adjustments before she actuially sold me the unit ... teh audiologist gave me booklet on my consumer rights as i made the purchase
then all costs for the first year were also included. you may wish to check consumer laws to see about a back out period if you have to pay before you leave. ... i believe that the audiologist could keep a percentage of the returned fee for their srevices????
so if you do not like it - you wish to look at your options.
-
I have 30 days to test my hearing aid. I will get it Dec. 29, and will have to pay for it in full. I will have til Jan 29 to decide if I want to keep it or return it and get a full refund.
Syl
-
I know here in Illinois you have a 30 day return policy on hearing aids.
Maybe this is standard in all states? Anyone know?
Jan
-
Ohio is the same. I wouldn't be surprised if all states had the 30 day grace period.
-
I'm out in Califonia.
Syl
-
Hey, when do I get my 4th star? Seems like it's been forever that I've had 3 stars.
Syl
-
Hey, when do I get my 4th star? Seems like it's been forever that I've had 3 stars.
250 posts. To reach the higher levels, you must not only be prolific, you must be patient. ;)
Steve
-
Syl,
IMO, it's about the quality , not quantity of posts ;) ;D
Mark
-
So, I'm now wearing my new and fancy Resound Ziga hearing aid. Just got it Monday. I've worn it mostly in my house. I've been so sick with the flu that I haven't gone walking around my hood with it or to the store. Jennifer, my audiologists, programmed it and tuned it a bit for the high pitch sounds which got the lower scores on my audiogram. I do notice a difference with those sounds. I was able to hear the beeping of trucks picking up the leaves out on my street. So I am very optimistic. I will take notes for a week indicating what sounds are too loud or not loud enough. Jennifer said there is alot she can do to make it better. I hope so because I haven't noticed much of a change with word recognition.
Syl
-
I was feeling much better and decided to test my new hearing aid outsid of the house. So I went to visit my sister and her family. I was trying out the different programs for different environments and turning the volume up or down. Well, each time I set the volume at the highest level, my hearing aid began to whistle. Everyone began looking around wondering what that noise was. So i had to turn th volume down.
Then my brother invited me over to his house. Same deal there. I adjusted the volume and changed the program. Then the whistling began again. Everyone there began looking around wondering about the noise. Had to turn the volume down again.
My hearing aid is driving everyone crazy with all the whistling.
Syl
-
Hi Syl,
Some comments on my early experience with a hearing aid, and a question. Do you have the open style ear piece, a little dome thing that is open to the air, or a fitted ear plug style? I think the whistling is more common with the open kind; I have the fitted plug style.
I found that high frequency is enhanced more than middle or low, it is the range that hearing aids can do really well. At first it didn't seem to help with voices, but with a little time, I got used to it more. It does help with picking up the consonants more clearly, so I can make out words better, but it took some getting used to.
Mine does the program adjustment automatically, I only have a small range of volume to control. I mostly just leave it at normal all the time. I definitely pick up odd high sounds that I don't remember hearing at all before, like the truck you mentioned, and anything that rustles or crackles. I remember one sound, a light tapping, that stopped every time I stopped walking to listen closer. Turned out it was the end of a shoe lace tapping on the floor. :)
I suspect your audiologist can do some adjusting to avoid most of the whistling sound. I hope it works out, but it may be a tough call to decide if it is worth it. Meanwhile, enjoy the adventure.
Steve
-
Steve:
Part of my hearing aid fits in the ear and part of it--the microphone, adjustment buttons, and battery compartment--hangs behind the ear.
Did it take you longer than a month to get used to the voices? I'm concerned that one month may not be enough time to thoroughly test it.
How much does the hearing aid help with directional hearing? I think more than anything that is what I miss the most. It drives me crazy not knowing where sounds come from. Yesterday, while at home, something fell. It was hard to tell if it came from outside or if it was in the house. I went through the entire house looking for whatever made the noise. Turns out it was the shampoo bottle that slipped from the suction holder on the shower wall.
I'm not paranoid, just cautious. I have reason to be suspicious of loud noises. You see within one year, 2 cars have driven onto my property. One of them was a hit-and-run that left the outside of my bedroom wall damaged--not a nice sound to wake up to at 2 am. And when I go for a walk around my neighborhood, it's just nice being able to identify where sounds are coming from, especially if it's a pit bull charging towards me and my dog. Or it's very helpful knowing where a speeding car is coming from so i know which way to dive for safety. That directional thing also comes in handy when I'm on the road and there's the sound of a siren near by. It's a defense mechanism that I really miss.
Syl
-
Syl:
My hearing aid has the same design you described - a fitted piece in the ear, and a behind-the-ear part as well. I guess the whistling is just the volume up too high.
I'm a little vague on how long it took, but it did seem like more than a month to get used to voices, etc. A month does seem a little short to me. Can you get an extension, maybe?
My directional hearing has some quirks. It is a little like a poor man's stereo, with the tweeter on the left, and the woofer on the right. I hear high pitch sounds mostly with the hearing aid, so I can't place them directionally. It must be amusing to watch me look for a bird when I hear a high pitch bird call. Some lower pitch sounds I hear only with my right ear. I am better now at many sounds, though, such as knocks on a door, or someone speaking to me when I'm not looking at them.
I guess I would say do your best to get it tuned by the audiologist, and wear it for a month, and try walking around without it now and then. If it is an improvement, you then have to decide if it is enough improvement to be worth the money. It is not likely to turn out perfect.
Steve
-
I just wanted to let you know that in CA, the law is the same as the others have reported...you have 30 days to return your hearing aid for a full refund if you are not happy.
-
Syl- I have had a Digital hearing Aid for over 2 years now. I am in the State of kansas. Totally deaf in left ear- so hearing aid in right is my only source of hearing. This is what I have learned. I tried several hearing aid styles and prices before I chose mine. it cost $2500 dollars. The brain has too adjust to this new sound> I was told to give it at least 2 weeks. The more you wear it the more the brain adjusts to that sound. My hearing aid is programmed to my hearing audigram with alot of pitches programmed out. It still magnifies some sounds very detailed. In my case-people think that they have too talk louder which actually distorts sounds more. I have only 29% good hearing left in my good ear so the hearing aid does help. Your audilogist should also advise you how too take care of them. Ear Wax or Mositure in the hearing tube can completely block hearing or distort it. I have a plastic tube that runs from my ear to the hearing aid which fits behind my ear. If wax gets in the opening of the tube or mositure gets in it blocks hearing or distorts it-or shuts it off completely. They do make little instruments to clean out the wax and dryers that eliminate mositure. Good luck on your endeavor. I had SSD for 18 years before a 2nd tumor was found in my right ear-so I adjusted to one sided hearing-now I miss that so much but this is better than nothing. God Bless-Ron
-
Cynaburst: My audiologist did inform me that I have 30 days from the day that I got my hearing aid to decide if I want to keep it or get a refund. It sure seems like a really short time to test it.
Donnalyn: I think that the BAHA and the BAHA surgery are generally covered by insurance. It is a regular hearing aid that isn't covered. I know that had I been a candidate for the BAHA, my insurance would have covered it and the surgery for the BAHA. However, I had to pay $1500 for the hearing aid that I'm trying out right now.
I think the ENT generally sends you to the audiologist for the regular hearing aids that don't require surgery. I went straight to the hearing center where the audiologist is and made my appt with her.
The hearing aid I have is what the audiologist recommeded for me. It's digital and was programmed for my needs or to my audiogram. It has 2 programs: one for quiet/indoor environments and one for loud/outdoor environments. This week I am taking notes about what is or isn't working. Then on Monday, it'll get adjusted some more.
Ron: The 29% hearing you have, is that word recognition? The reason I ask is because my ENT and 2 audiologists told me that I'm not a candidate for either the BAHA or a regular hearing aid. But I'm trying the hearing aid anyway. My word recognition is 20%. So far I'm doing really well with direction. I can tell which direction most sounds come from. That alone is a big improvement. However, I'm not having much luck with word recognition. The audiologist did say that there is alot that she can do at my next appointment to fine tune it some more.
Thank you all for your input.
Syl
-
Syl- The 29% is the percentage of hearing left in my ear. It is not word recognition. At my last hearing test-6 months ago my word recognition actually improved to around 65%. My audiologist told me that is because of the use of the hearing aid. They say-if you don't use it-you lose it. That is coming from our local audiologist who sold me the hearing aid. I had 25 sessiions of radiation 2 and one half years ago at Johns Hopkins. I know of cases where radiation has improved hearing in people after 2 years but mine seems to be going the opposite direction. Sounds are becoming more distorted or muffled. However- i am not complaining because surgery at the time would have left me completely deaf due to the size of my tumor and being an NF2 does not help. My next recourse of action if hearing goes is a Cochlear Implant. I really do not no about the BAHA but I thought i would chime in on your circumstance with the hearing aid. I was given 30 days to decide too-but given different brands and levels. The $2500 Phonac seemed better than a $1500 Bernefon so I chose the Phonak. In my case as the tumor shrinks it is probably damaging the hearing nerve more and more. At least i never had to face surgery (yet) which I did on my 1st tumor that left me deaf in my left ear. Well I can ramble on and on- I hope this answers part of your question you had. Again-God Bless and here;s wishing you the best. Ron
-
Excellent news!!!!
Went for my follow-up with the audiologist today. After wearing my new hearing aid for a week and taking notes regarding what does or doesn't work, she made some more adjustments. My directional hearing was the first improvement I noticed last week, but besides a limited range of tones, I wasn't getting much, if any, improvement with word recognition. Well, now I notice a greater difference with my word recognition! I keep playing with the volume, and I keep taking the hearing aid out of my ear just to convince myself that it isn't the good ear playing tricks on me. I definitely hear conversations better. The radio sounds so much better. But the real test will be when I'm driving my niece around in my car. She is very soft-spoken and our conversations are dominated by "what?" or "can you say that again?"
I'm very excited, and at times crying with joy. You see, it's been about 1.5 years since my initial hearing loss. I was optimistic about my hearing aid, but realized that it might not help. So far, I think it's a keeper, and I've only had it for 1 week. Even the audiologists' face lit up when she saw my reaction after she made the adjustments.
So far so good.
Syl
-
I'm reading about your search and trials of all the different hearing aids. And the expense of them...does most insurances cover the cost of these aids or is it considered "cosmetic" and not a necessity?
Good luck with your new hearing Aid, hopefully it will be the right one for you. Seems everyone has different preferences as far as I can tell from all the posts.
-
Syl -
it sounds like you're having a very positive experience with your new hearing aid ;D To find that it's working even better than you originally hoped it would must be a terrific feeling!
Thanks for updating us - and for sharing your joy!
Dawn -
it tends to be a pretty universal practice that insurance companies don't cover hearing aids, but I don't really know why that is. I don't think it's because they are considered cosmetic though. I've never heard of anyone opting for a hearing aid to improve their looks.
BAHAs technically aren't hearing aids, they are implants (like Cochlears) so when coverage is granted it's based on that fact. I have heard cases of insurance companies agreeing to cover the BAHA surgery because that's the implant part, but then refusing to cover the processor since it is a hearing aid. However, the implant without the processor doesn't do anyone any good, so this is basically the insurance company's way of getting the insured to pay part of the cost of the BAHA "package".
Jan
-
Syl,
That is indeed excellent news. There are still conversations that don't work for me, where I say what a lot, but usually the person catches on pretty quick. Kids sometimes don't get it, though. If you have that much useful new hearing from the aid, I would tend to agree that it is a keeper. It is great that your audiologist was able to dial it in so nicely.
Jan and Dawn,
I think the insurance companies don't do hearing aids because it isn't considered to be a medical treatment, plus eventually everyone needs one or two. :-\
I think of my hearing aid as providing useful hearing improvement for the next five years, which works out to less than $50 a month. That is less than some cell phone and cable bills, so it doesn't seem that unreasonable to me.
Syl,
Once more, woo-hoo for modern technology, I am glad you tried it and are finding joy with it. 8)
Steve
-
I'd like to chime in on hearing aids also, since i wear one in my non-AN ear. The whistling (or feedback) is caused by air circulating around the soft plastic dome that fits in your ear. Those domes come in different sizes and you usually you can't tell that you even have them in if they are the smaller ones. I have been happy with my soft plastic domes, even the larger one, until recently. My audiologist told me that to get better word recognition I would have to up the power. However, to do that I would have to have hard plastic earmold made for my ear. Those would block all air going thru, eliminating any whistling. However, my ear would feel "plugged", but I'd hear much better. I haven't done that yet, but think I will have to. Everything sounds very mumbled on that ear since I found out about my AN. Since it's my nonAN ear, I wonder if it's a mental thing? Anyway, Steve...does your ear feel really plugged since you use the hard plastic piece?
Mine is also digital, with the little piece that fits behind the ear.
Tisha
-
Hi Trish i also wear a hearing aid in the non AN ear, my ear is always filling with fluid so my ent doctor wants me to consider a BAHA.
-
JFAnne,
Do you have any hearing left in your AN ear? What kind of hearing aid do you use, digital?
-
Anyway, Steve...does your ear feel really plugged since you use the hard plastic piece?
Not in a bad way. :)
I have the fitted hard plastic ear piece for the same reason, to get more power (they call it a power receiver). I am just on the border of needing it, but it gives me room to grow if my hearing continues to fade. I can tell that the ear is plugged, but it is a gentle feeling, not uncomfortable. I do notice that my ear seems to produce more wax, so the ear piece gets waxy every day. It has a disposable little wax guard on the end, which I change every week or 10 days. I don't miss having the ambient sound cut off, since I can't really hear that without the aid anyway.
Steve
-
Hi Trish i dont have any hearing in the right ear now, i have a cros aid which mean i have to wear two aids
-
JFAnne,
I as just wondering because if I'm one of the unlucky few that loses hearing after CK in my AN Ear, I will need something at that point. I don't know if my hearing aid ear will work well enough with a different ear mold in my ear...enough to help compensate with no hearing. I'll have to check out to see what a cros ear is.
thanks
Tisha
-
Thanks Steve
I have an audiologist exam tomorrow. I think I'll talk to them about it. It seems like a waste to be wearing this $2500 digital aid and words are mumbled. The little soft plastics ones are so comfortable, but useless if it's not working.
Tisha
-
Thanks to all for the info on the cost of hearing aids. It is a shame that insurance companies don't consider hearing to be a medical necessity!!
Thanks again
Dawn
-
I, too, agree that it's a shame that hearing aids for AN patients are not covered by insurance. On the other hand, I think for me $1500 is a small monetary price to pay considering how little the rest of my AN-related bills were. My co-pay for surgery and a 5-day hospital stay: only $250.00, yes that's two hundred and fifty dollars and 00 cents. Once again, I must remember to count my blessings.
Syl
-
I wanted to chime in on hearing aids; I had my translab a couple of years ago which left me completely deaf in the right ear. My left ear suffered some damage in a car accident a few years before that (which I didn't notice the diminished hearing until my right ear started to lose its' hearing. They did some surgery on it and repaired the inner bones and I have about half the hearing back with a loss in mostly the high frequency so I got a Phonak Eleva for it, and also decided to add the Bi-Cros system. I can tell you the Bi-Cros system adds a "depth (which is the only way I can describe the increase in sound and tone). Unfortunately for me, in Bi-Cros mode, you also pick up extra RF noises (buzzes as you go through those security bars at stores, which wasn't that big of a deal, but I'm an IT person that works with computers all day and you wouldn't believe all the extra sounds those suckers put out. So I started looking into the BAHA and found on Aetna's website that they describe the BAHA as a prosthetic and necessary device if your hearing loss was due to a illness or tumor which in the case of the translab, the inner ear was removed to gain the best access to the tumor and to help preserve the facial nerve. I went through the pre-certification asking all along to make sure the processor was covered too. I bugged them to death, but they came back with fully covered, no out of pociket expenses other than the $250 deductible that I paid at the hospital at the time of the day surgery to put in the titanium abutment. It's now 3 months later and I just got my BAHA processor a couple of days ago and am thrilled! I had donated my Bi-cros system in December for a tax write-off, so I've been just with the hearing aid for several weeks and really missed the extra that the bi-cros added. The BAHA gives me the added plus of when I'm in t-coil mode on my hearing aid (which turns off the microphones so that my TV pipes right into my hearing aid so I don't have to have the TV way up and bother everyone-I looped my living room and hooked it into the TV so that I can hear the TV anywhere I move within the room- I never could hear anyone trying to talk to me; we had the "raise your hand so I know you want to talk to me and I'll put myself back in regular mode procedure, which was irritating. With the BAHA, I can hear the TV plus anyone else talking because it's independent of the hearing aid. I heard you mention that you only had a couple of programs turned on, be sure to ask them if it has a t-coil mode and if they can turn it on for you. That opens up a whole new set of options to pipe sound directly into the hearing aid and not rely on the microphone. You can get neck loops that pipe your computer or ipod directly into the t-coil mode. I was like a kid in a candy store finding out how else I could improve my hearing. Voices still continue to be a challenge and I guess always will be; it's amazing how they can pick up the odd sounds (I can hear my dog crunch her food at 20 feet, yet I need to be facing someone and within 4 or 5 feet of them to understand them clearly). The website of www.tecear.com has the best explanation and choice of t-coil products. Just wanted to share my experiences with the Bi-Cros and BAHA.
-
jlamborn:
Thanks for your input, I'll check out the site.
Syl
-
Hi all,
Went for another appt. with my audiologist so she could adjust the program in my hearing aid. I was getting lots and lots of popping/crackling (distortion), esp. when flushing the toilet or when running the tap. She adjusted that and the popping/crackling has diminished. The whistling has pretty much disappeared too. My audiologist explained that it was caused by high frequencies. so she tuned those down a bit.
It seems my brain is getting accustomed to the input from the hearing aid. I'm not as conscious of the input from it. And, my hearing certainly feels more balance. Sometimes I feel it doesn't help, sometimes I know it does. Still debating whether to keep it or not.
Getting back my directional hearing is a big plus. But do I want to keep it just for that? I did ask my audiologist if there is a cheaper hearing aid that can help just with directionality. The least expensive gadget they offer has a price tag of $1100--not that cheap if you ask me.
I still have to say "what" quite often in less than quiet environments, even with my hearing aid on. However, just the other day I went to a party at my sister's house. She had lots of people, lots of kids, lots of noise. I was chatting with one of the guests who was sitting next to me on my AN side as the noise went on all around us. My hearing aid kicked in and did it's job. The conversation went on with minimal "whats" from me. That was certainly another plus.
I think I need to get out alot more and see how it works in public environments. That's where I need the help more than anything. In quiet environments, such as the office, my healthy ear works fine on its own.
Well off I go to the oudoors and noise to test drive my hearing aid some more.
Syl
-
Hi Syl,
I would say that sounds pretty good. Several things you said sound familiar to me: brain accustomed to aid, not as conscious of it; more balanced; sometimes seems to help, sometimes not; still say what, but not so often. The conversation at your sister's party is a really good sign too.
I think you are getting a good trial of the hearing aid, and getting a good sense of what it would be like. Whether the improvements are worth it is up to you. Rather than feeling like I hear really well, I mainly feel that for much of the day, and most of the time, hearing is not an issue. I don't have to think about it much, which I consider to be a good result.
Enjoy your test drives in the world of sound. :)
Steve
-
Hi Syl!
Sorry I'm late in coming to this thread. It sounds like your hearing aid is helping you a lot but you should test it for the full 30 days if you're unsure. I have to say I envy your sense of directionality. I am completely deaf in my AN ear and one of the things I miss most is my directionality. I finally found a way to stop misplacing my car in parking lots (I tend to forget where I park I don't know why just one of my foibles -- before I lost my hearing in my AN ear I would set off the alarm with my key fob to help me locate it) -- they usuallly have number signs for each area of the lot and I take a picture of it in relation to my car with my cell phone, but I'm getting off the track. I hope the hearing aid works out for you. It's amazing what we take for granted until it's gone.
Best wishes,
Wendy
-
jlamborn -
glad to hear you like your BAHA! Just one more satisfied customer ;D
Jan
-
I got this wonderful idea today. I thought I would try out my hearing aid with my good ear. Why? Just wanted to see what it sounded like to a normal ear. Boy was it loud. There is so much that my AN ear is missing out on. I got a perspective on how much hearing I've lost on my AN ear. I usually keep the volume on its highest setting, and even then, there is so much that the hearing aid can't do for my AN ear. It's helping more than my ENT and 2 audiologists told me it would, but my word recognition is so far gone-- though not enough for a BAHA--that I'm somewhat disillusioned. Still have time to continue test driving so I'm not giving up just yet. What a rollercoaster ride this is.
I seem to not notice my tinnitus as much since I got my hearing aid. It's still present, but for some reason it appears to be milder. Another plus to having the hearing aid I would say.
Syl
-
I think I made up my mind about my hearing aid--it's a keeper. It does seem to help me with word recognition in a noisy environment when I'm having a conversation with someone right next to me on my AN side. Unfortunately, it hasn't been very helpful at checkout counters where there are a few feet of distance between the cashier and me--that's a situation that comes up often.
What has been most pleasantly surprising and very beneficial is the directionality that I have gained. I don't want to be without that again. I have also noticed that my tinnitus is diminished when I wear the hearing aid all day. Yesterday, I decided to go without the hearing aid. At the end of the day, my tinnitus was louder.
It wasn't easy deciding if my hearing aid was a keeper or not. Though my word recognition is pretty far gone and my neurotologist and 2 audiologists didn't think it would help at all, I'm certainly better off with it than without it.
So now that I know I'm keeping it, I think I'll name it. I'm taking suggestions for names--preferably names for a female.
Syl
-
Syl,
I saw this post earlier, and somehow forgot to reply sooner, although I meant to.
I think you will be happy with that decision. My hearing aid falls short of restoring me to perfectly natural hearing (sniff, sniff), but it definitely helps. The best effects are the ones that you don't notice, because they aren't an issue anymore. I have to reflect now and then: "hey, I've had three mini-meetings at work today, and I don't remember saying what or not hearing what people said. Must be working after all."
The register checkout is a tough one, I think. I notice that my hearing aid will sort of dial in on some sounds, like a radio playing, or the background of a store. Once it is tuned like that, someone speaking is almost filtered out - like it is saying hey, I'm concentrating on this other sound, don't interrupt me. If they speak continuously for a little while, it will refocus its attention on them. Try being chatty with them, and encouraging them to be.
How about Chatty Kathy - wasn't that a doll? ;)
Steve
-
Ooohhhh....I like Chatty Cathy. And, yes. It was a doll. I still have mine from when I was a little girl (minus the string that made her talk, drat the bratty kid that broke it off).
I've actully been contemplating whether to investigate a hearing aid or not, but after reading this it makes me more interested in checking it out. I do get tired of saying "what" so often. :(
I saw an tv advertisement and they were saying that they have a 7 day free trial, but after reading posts here isn't 30 days a more realistic trial period?
Cathy
-
Steve:
I like "Chatty Kathy".
Cathy:
I did have to pay up front for my hearing aid. If I decided not to keep it, I'd get a refund. But I do highly recommend you test one out.
Another benefit to my "Chatty Kathy" is that it looks like a small cell phone ear piece, but without the blinking light. If I need to get away from someone, I can just say "I'm sorry but I have a call I need to take." I'm going to have so much fun with this!
Syl
-
HI Syl,
I love Steve's suggestion of Chatty Kathy (kudos to you Steve) I have been trying to come up with some good names but I think this name is a keeper! ;D
I think your idea of getting away from someone by saying you have to take a call is an excellent and hilarious means of escaping someone without seeming rude!
Wendy
-
What a useful and informative thread this is! Maybe Phyll won't even send us to the basement for this on! Tee hee hee....
One of the great things about attending the symposiums is getting to talk to the hearing device vendors and getting to try out their gizmos. The BAHA blokes had a headband thingy and the transear people had an earpiece. I put that headband on my head and my friend Kathleen started talking to me on my deaf side with a bunch od background noise and I could actually hear her! I just about cried.
If I needed one of these for work I sure would get one. When I got my disability money it was a toss-up between getting myself out of doc and prescription bill credit card debt or getting a gizmo. I chose to pay me bills!
A young working person who becomes SSD through a brain tumor? Shame on the insurance company that doesn't consider that an "artificial ear"--a prosthesis if you will.
I would love to get a gizmo--the inventor of the Transear has an office about 2 hour drive from where I live and my headaches are improving all the time so I'm able to paint a little more. I sure would love to hear my Buffett in pseudo-stereo!!!
Good Luck to all of you in your "Quest for Hearing!"
Hugs,
Capt Deb. 8)
-
Thanks Captain Deb.
Syl