I have posted previously about my husband, Tarey's sudden hearing loss.  He has been treated with oral steriods, then they punctured his ear drum and shot liquid sterioids into the inner ear twice.

After the second shot to the ear,Tarey began to hear "echoes", mostly of his own voice.  The second hearing test shows good improvement in the lower tones, and marginal improvement in the higher ranges.  His ENT is not sure that he will be able to regain his hearing completely, so a hearing aid is a definite probability.

Now, here's our question.  We have no idea about anything to do with hearing aids.  I'm certain the ENT will give us information as to what's required for Tarey's personal hearing loss.  But, there are so many different types, styles (in the ear - outside the ear).  Does anyone here use a hearing aid, or knows something about them to kind of guide us as to types, how they work, and could offer us some advice?

sign me clueless

Sandy

Sorry Sandy......although Ruth says she thinks I need one especially when she is talking to me.  ::)

Can't help you on this one.

No prob, Jimi.  I'm beginning to wonder if Tarey has "selective" hearing loss because he can understand some things I say, but not one word of criticism .

Hmmmmm ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Sandy

I don't use one but I do know that hearing aids have become a staple of some very iffy types that charge too much for a lot of stuff that doesn't work well or at all. Some of this is due to the huge increase in aging boomers and big amps. I get offers every day for the things. Take your time.

Charlie

I'm quite hearing impaired and have had 2 sets of hearing aids.  I don't wear either of them.

As long as you remember that they are "aids" at best you can get used to them though.  I prefer to watch peoples' lips - between what I can hear and what I see I can generally put a conversation together.  The other thing I'm aware of is the subject matter.  I remember long ago working in an office and the manager said to start a new giraffe at the top of the page - giraffe doesn't fit office terminology, so what sounds like it? - ah - start a new paragraph at the top of the page.

Not to be discouraging - I think my expectations were set to high.

Gayle H

There has been great advances in hearing aids.  The behind the ear models are quite small now and have a very small clear tube that goes in the ear.  Cost is 2,500.00 - 5,000.00 depending on his type of hearing loss.  Your ENT should have models available for Tarry to "test drive" to see if they work for him.  I don't know much about the inner ear type.

Beth

Hi Sandy.. I actually worked for an audiologist for several years, and I can give you this much information.  Every hearing loss is different, and only a hearing assessment will enable a qualified specialist to determine which hearing aid will work for you.  Lifestyle, and the various situations the patient 'needs to hear in' are the determining factors as to which aid will best serve.  There are many very sophisticated models now, some of which are virtually invisible to the casual observer, but the nature of the hearing loss is the deciding factor always.   Your audiologist, who may also work in conjunction with the ENT, is the best one to decide.    Hope this helps.

Thanks for all of the responses and info.

I honestly hope that Tarey does opt for a hearing aid because he is driving himself, and me nuts with his inability to hear on his right side.  

We went to our daughter's last weekend and spent a day at a town street festival - lots of people, bands, dancing, music - lots of noise.  He couldn't hear a single word unless I stood right at his left ear and shouted.  He said that all of the background noise literally echoed and drowned out everything.

He took me to a very nice upscale restaurant for my birthday dinner - relatively quiet place, but even the clink of dishes and utensils at neighboring tables caused problems in our conversation.  I am finding myself always speaking loudly - even when he's not around.

We'll probably get info on hearing aids at his next appointment.  The audiologist will test him again, and we'll see from there.

Sandy

wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2013 at 1:58am:

A hearing aid is a battery-operated, electronic device, which amplifies and changes sound to allow improved communication. Hearing aids receive sound through a microphone, which then convert the sound waves to electrical signals. The amplifier increases the intensity of signals and then sends the sound to ear with the help of a speaker.

Thanks for that.

He has been "unceremoniously" pushed out of the life raft and fed to the sharks. ;)

Joe :(

This is a serious topic.

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What?????

Amazing.  This guy went all the way back in the archives to May of 09 to say that.    ::)

Linda_Howell wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2013 at 12:52pm:

Amazing.  This guy went all the way back in the archives to May of 09 to say that.    ::)

Probably not even a human but instead some code that searches forums, looking for a post relating to hearing aids and it then will automatically create an account before posting the on topic spam post.

Mike NZ wrote on Jan 24^th, 2013 at 3:34am:

Linda_Howell wrote on Jan 23rd, 2013 at 12:52pm: Amazing.  This guy went all the way back in the archives to May of 09 to say that.    ::) Probably not even a human but instead some code that searches forums, looking for a post relating to hearing aids and it then will automatically create an account before posting the on topic spam post.

Computers...such a blessing....such a curse!!!

Joe

Guiseppi wrote on Jan 24^th, 2013 at 9:35am:

Computers...such a blessing....such a curse!!!

Computers run this forum and let people with CH interact from all over the world. Such a huge blessing in comparison to an odd spanner.

Wow, I saw Annette's post before I realized the date......!

Mike NZ wrote on Jan 24^th, 2013 at 3:34am:

Probably not even a human but instead some code that searches forums, looking for a post relating to...

That would certainly account for a couple of our longer-term members, too.

AussieBrian wrote on Jan 24^th, 2013 at 10:09pm:

Mike NZ wrote on Jan 24th, 2013 at 3:34am: Probably not even a human but instead some code that searches forums, looking for a post relating to... That would certainly account for a couple of our longer-term members, too.

C'mon Brian say what ya mean.

          Potter

I was wondering why this post came up.  I know Sandy hasn't been on the board in awhile.

Did I miss any fun?

deltadarlin wrote on Jan 25^th, 2013 at 6:57pm:

Did I miss any fun?

Just a spam posting that was soon dealt with by one of the moderators, so nothing fun.