I think I'm going deaf - what do you know about hearing aids?

Even though I'm 56, I just cannot get used to thinking of myself as "old", and I'm having a hard time accepting the signs of aging, like bad eyesight (my eye doctor says I have cataracts that will eventually need surgery, but "so do most people your age").  One of those signs is bad hearing.  I've always been extremely sensitive to noise, but apparently I'm not so sensitive any more.  For several years now, I've found myself asking people to repeat themselves because I can't understand what they're saying.  It's gotten worse in the past 6 or so months, especially because I work in a retail store with canned music, PA announcements, and a lot of background noise - people talking (especially customers who are constantly on their cell phones), babies crying, children screeching.  It's gotten to the point where I think I'm losing my mind because even when I stand close to someone and watch their face for clues, I can't make out what they're saying.  I can hear them speaking, but they might as well be speaking in Martian.  This is complicated by the fact that I'm a Yankee living amongst southerners, but you'd think that after living here for 12 years I'd be used to deciphering the local accent.

I've had no ear infections for at least 20 years.  Having my ears candled made no difference.  I did finally persuade my store manager to turn off the loudspeaker that blares into my department (I can still hear the music and announcements from nearby speakers, but it's a relief not to have it going on right above my head all day long).  I asked my internist about it and since he couldn't see anything wrong in my ear canals, he referred me to a hearing clinic, but the soonest appointment I could get is in late July.

I'd be willing to use a hearing aid if it doesn't distort sound.  Do any of you have any experience with hearing aids and any suggestions about what to look for or what to avoid?

Thanks,
Jean

Hi Jean

I have the same problem with speech recognition. I can hear sounds but not understand what people are saying. It's a common hearing issue in "people our age".  Because I am stil in the workforce I was referred to the state voc rehab people to see if they would help pay for hearing aids. The deaf and hard of hearing org referred me.  The voc people paid for my hearing aids.  They are very expensive. Retail mine were about $2500 each.  They can easily cost twice that much. You need to contact your local deaf and hard of hearing organization and they should be able to steer you in the right direction for financial aid. I don't believe there are any max income limits to qualify, at least not in Nebraska.

As for how well they work... it depends on the amount of hearing loss you have. You will need to see an ENT doctor who will have you tested with an audiologist to measure the type and degree of hearing loss. My loss is termed severe.  The hearing aids help me hear about 50% better than without them. They are not 100% effective and I still cannot understand a lot of what is said, especially on the phone. I am told it is a condition I have to live with or consider cochlear implants which seems a little drastic for someone my age.

Good luck with this and let me know if you have any other questions,

Thanks, Barbara.  Would you say that your hearing aids are better than no hearing aids?  In other words, they don't make hearing too loud. confusing, or uncomfortable?

Jean

They are most definitely better than no hearing aids. My tv is at about half the volume it used to be. I can understand more speech.  They do take some getting used to but a good audiologist will be able to adjust the aids to reduce background noise. If you can afford them or get help paying for them I would definitely go for it but you must get a good pair. They do not distort sounds or make hearing sound "canned". It's very natural sounding. I just think at first I was expectiing to have my hearing restored to a "normal" level and that is usually  not the case.

Thanks so much!

Hey Jean,
i began losing my hearing at age 23. I am now 55. I have been wearing hearing aids since then.
In the beginning,I felt like the aids were a "p;ug" in my ear making it even harder to hear. after a few weeks of use,that feeling went away and when I would take them out at the end of the day,it was like someone turned the sound down,literally and that is when I began to realize how much they were helping.

Todays aids are so much more advanced than they were when I started using them. They re expensive. My last pair were $1800.00. i am way over due for a new test.

The distortion usually happens because you have them turned up too high. It just takes time and a little practice to finesse that part.

It is definately worth it to have them. You will find out how much you were missing before once you get some.

Good luck,
Holly

Get a hearing examination from a licensed audiologist.  Do NOT go to a "Hearing Aid Salesman", go to a licensed audiologist and get a really good evaluation.

They will prescribe what you need, and not more than you need.  Sadly, all too many hearing aid salespersons will sell you something you don't need, and sometimes make the problem worse.

If you are by any chance a veteran, go to the VA.  They have the best hearing service you could want, and it is free of charge to most vets (and very low cost to all other vets).

Yes, that's what my internist said - don't go to Beltone, all they want is to sell you a hearing aid.  I made an appt. with an audiologist.

Thanks

Hi Jean,
My hearing is much improved with my hearing aid.  I have 40% loss of hearing in my right ear.  I have an "in the canal" hearing aid.  It was $2900 five years ago.  It is not the kind you can adjust the sound yourself.  You have to have an audiologist do it using a computer.
Some hearing aids are designed to filter out background noise so you can focus on the person who is talking to you.  Sometimes when you are in a room with a lot of people, it gets overwhelming.  Your ears are directional so a lot of times you pick up what is going on to your right side more than what is in front of you. 
I've been talking to my husband and I think it's time to have my left ear checked.  What I have is calcification between the small bones that pass the vibrations to the drum. It's genetic.  It could be fixed with surgery but there is a chance I could lose my hearing altogether in that ear.  I'm not willing to risk it.

I think next time I might consider an "out of canal" hearing aid.  Just for the reduction in cost.  I go through batteries about every 4 to 5 days.  Mine does 3 little beeps when the battery is running low.  The first few times, it scared the bejesus out of me.  LOL.  I buy my batteries at Costco.  I always keep them in my purse.

I've had mine repaired twice in five years.  Once because the humidity was so high and it shorted.  The other was I forgot and jumped into a pool with it still in my ear.

I definitely feel impaired if I forget to put it in in the morning and go off to work without it.  That's when all the "what?" "huh?" "say that again"  and "people sneaking up on me" starts.

I definitely would recommend them for quality of life.  My Dad delayed getting a hearing aid and got mad because he did not hear right what the people around him were saying and took offense.  When he did get a hearing aid, he got a cheap one that gave him too much background noise.  There were seven kids so all that conversation was overwhelming.

Good luck with your choice.
Bev

Thanks, Bev.  All those details are very helpful!