I've had deteriorating hearing for the last 5 to 10 years. I've tried to ignore it. I've tried to live with it. I've tried to blame it on others like the Micro Manager. I've tried to blame it on other health issues.
About a year ago I finally admitted the obvious. I had to get hearing aids. Then came the shopping. There's a very wide selection of places who want to take your money. Lots of warranty and service are promised.
In Alberta we have something called aids for daily living. That gave me about $900.00. My health insurance agave me another $900.00 I pay about 1/3 for the hearing aids I got.
I got the no frills aids. It's very basic. Not much more than volume control. Yes ,they set them according to your test and what you can and cannot hear.
Off you go!
Well, on the way out to the parking lot I was amazed at all the things I hadn't been hearing for a while...car doors slamming, shopping carts and car motors running. The car motors is important. When I would walk through a parking lot I had to watch cars start to back out. I couldn't hear which cars were running and about to start backing up. So this is actually a serious safety issue.
When I got in the house I stopped many times to say what is that. Footsteps, fabric rubbing, faucets running (very loud). I could hear the radio at the back of the house again.
Most of all I can hear the micro Manager.
I got the behind the ear type
One hurdle I haven't mastered yet is to insert the aids into the ear.
So over all I'm very happy and look forward to the time that it's easy to insert them into the ear.
I have had my hearing aids for several years now, and I am very used to them, but at first I was startled and annoyed by things like paper rattling. It was so loud. It took a while to get the settings right, to get the high frequency boost that I needed without hissing or rattling. I still lose consonant sounds and have trouble in group settings with multiple conversations. Good luck with your new hearing aids. It's good that you took action.
ReplyDeleteThe first meeting I went to I was surprised that I picked most of it up even when several people were talking.
DeleteWhat a magnificent revelation! God is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the putting those and eye lenses take some trying.
I will get there . The left ear is fine but I still can't get the right ear.
DeleteCongratulations for moving ahead with this! It is wonderful for both you and your loved ones. The last year before my mother died she had very bad hearing problems but would not give in to hearing aids. I lived in a different state and our primary contact was by phone. It got to the point where I could not even talk with her over the phone because she could not understand me and this was before phones with volume controls. I'm sure you will get used to these and before long you will wonder why you didn't get them sooner. I'm happy for you Red!
ReplyDeleteI've had more and more trouble on the phone. It's a problem with important calls..
DeleteGood stuff, Red! I know hearing aids have limitations but you sound like even the basic ones have added to your life
ReplyDeleteSome people seem to have difficulties and can't get benefit from them.
DeleteIt is good to have the techniques so improved so you are able to hear more than before.
ReplyDeletea hearing aid can be programmed for the sound you miss.
Delete...over the years I've worked around loud machinery and listened to loud music. Up to now I haven't paid the the price, perhaps my time is coming.
ReplyDeleteMy loss was noticeable in the last 5 to 10 years. I'm 80.
DeleteCongratulations on your new ears. I have moderate hearing loss but it's pretty normal for my age. I'm not ready yet to make the plunge. I get no deals at all from my health plan. :-(
ReplyDeleteI had major problems on the phone and in conversation. You have to be able to hear for appointments.
DeleteIt is nice to be able to listen, think of all the birds you may have missed
ReplyDeleteOh I knew I missed birds but I do most of my birding in a group.
DeleteThat is terrific! Enjoy. When the time comes that I need them, I will happily invest in getting the help. There are so many wonderful sounds that I don't want to miss.
ReplyDeleteand then the regular things like clothing swishing, taps running...
DeleteThat seems like good coverage from your province. Good for you for recognizing it was time to do something. My husband is quite hard of hearing but won't consider aids; I wish he would! It's tiring for other folks to keep repeating themselves to him. I bet the Micro Manager is happy about this development :) And you'll be able to hear the bird calls when you go out birdwatching!
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to appointments it's very important to be able to hear. The Micro Manager had started coming with me.
DeleteSeems like all my friends are getting hearing aids. But I don't have a problem, as long as people will just remember to SPEAK UP!
ReplyDeleteIt's that some of the frequencies we can't hear. My volume was fine...some tones I could not hear. You miss syllables or word or a series of words and then you miss the meaning.
DeleteHello, my hubby only wears the behind the ear aids. He says they are the best. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI have behind the ear with a wire the has the stuff to go in the ear.
DeleteI've been real lucky and I hope it stays that way for me. It's wonderful that you can hear very good again.
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck.
DeleteJust be careful not to lose them!
ReplyDeleteI like reading your sense of them and what you now hear. I'm probably going to need hearing aids soon too. I wonder how it will be to hear all that stuff again.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I'm happy you can hear again!
ReplyDeleteI had all the same issues. Of course my micro manager complicated the issue by accusing me of "selective hearing for years"...:)
ReplyDeleteYeah for hearing!
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends lost one of his while shoveling snow.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure your wife is appreciating them as much as you are! Paul got his a few months ago and it was so not to have to shout and repeat. I hope they work out well for you.
ReplyDeletePARDON? WHAT DID YOU SAY RED? PLEASE SPEAK UP!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with them!
ReplyDeleteHi Red, I'm glad to "hear" you are hearing all the sounds again. That is an interesting comment about how you had to be careful in parking lots and not being able to hear which cars might be running. It is a big safety issue, isn't it? Well, also, it's always good to be able to hear the Micro Manager. :-) Thanks, Red, for your comments on my blog. Have a fine week ahead and take care! John
ReplyDeleteExcellent! I'm glad your hearing is back up to par! You're right -- not being able to hear in public places like parking lots can be dangerous. You might even enjoy all those sounds you didn't know you were missing, once you get used to them!
ReplyDeleteAnd now, Red, yo will no longer have any excuse for not hearing the micro manager when she asks you to do something. Glad the new hearing aids are being so helpful.
ReplyDeleteI think my husband and I both need hearing aids. We spend all our together time yelling across the room- What? What did you say? And the volume on the tv is always set at a high level. I blame mine on listening to loud music. His is from working in a paper plant. He lost his high range about twenty years ago. I'm glad you found a good pair!
ReplyDeleteFantastic news! I think it must be like a person who has lost some vision and marvels at seeing everything so clearly for the first time. I'm glad your hearing aids are working out for you.
ReplyDelete