I Can Relate -- Hearing Loss Issues

[dcraig]

I guess tinnitus is something that you just have to get used to.
I have it also and hearing aids help some.
3 old men on the beach.
#1 says,,,,its windy today
#2 says,,,,no its thursday
#3 says,,,,.;me too, lets go have a drink!

 

[rijndael]

It's interesting that my favorite hobby is firearms related and I have the opposite problem. I'm hyper sensitive to sharp & loud noises, it's been that way for as long as I can remember. If I'm hammering a nail, I have hearing protection on. If I'm using any kind of corded power tool, the muffs go on. Live music at a restaurant or brewery? No way, guarantee to be too loud. When I'm at the indoor range, I use plugs and muffs. And, I'm hyper sensitive to muzzle brakes. The only ones I can use are the Heathen brakes, the first port is horizontal.

Overall, I'd probably be much happier in life if it was socially acceptable to wear hearing protection 100% of the time.

 

[Retired shooter]

After a weekend range trip with my son end of July,my already bad hearing got worse.. Got in to see audiologist, hearing tested, about 50 per cent loss. I wonder why, years of firearms of all types, military time, around 8 in. Howitzers, almost 30 yrs of aircraft work. Long story shortened up, hearing aide's, allowed 30 day trial period. Back for adjustment every week. Restaurant time, could hear every voice in the area, cab and road noise got worse, listening to T V got a little better, still could not understand wife, sitting 3 ft from me if TV was on. She did the same as others have mentioned, start talking and turn head away from me.

Ended up gave the hearing aides back, Were not just cheap aides, as the audiologist, also a shooter and his wife used the same brand. Told me just might not have been ready for aides. Most guys I have talked with, same story. So while technology has improved, I dont think the efficiency is that much better.

As a side note the audiologist was prior Army Ranger, still shooting, said the best hearing protection is still the foam plugs. Add a set of muffs if wanted.

 

[LHSmith]

On a normal day it's chirping, on a bad day it's a D-8 Caterpiller's tracks screech. I believe it's affected by blood pressure.

 

[nmkid]

On a normal day it's chirping, on a bad day it's a D-8 Caterpiller's tracks screech. I believe it's affected by blood pressure.

I don't know about the BP thing The last few years my BP has been around 107/75 and my ringing has gotten worse. Most people on the forum know, but, I'll repeat...Protect your hearing!!!

 

[Liven The Dream]

Well have had hearing aids for 20 years ( Thanks Uncle Sam).
Every time I get New ones still have trouble hearing my Wife ?
She makes me appointments to have them checked ! Most times she will write me a note.
I hear the Guy's at the Range just fine.

 

[M-61]

Told me just might not have been ready for aides. Most guys I have talked with, same story. So while technology has improved, I dont think the efficiency is that much better.

Here’s one guy with a different experience. That’s me.
How, where, and when my hearing became bad is irrelevant.
My current hearing aids are my third set. Each has been better than the previous ones. The current set are superb. Last person I thought would want this is me but this pair is paired to my cell phone. Before this a phone conversation was impossible. Keep in mind my hearing is just above stone deaf so in a situation I need them.
Covid ( yeah figures into everything somehow) and the mask requirement eliminated my ability to read lips. These hearing aids aside from working with my cell phone also are adjustable (through the phone) adjustment) for all surroundings such as restaurants, music, etc. my phone rings thru the aids. The conversation is broadcast thru my aids with a total block out of any noise.
In normal (?) conversations the quality of hearing is superb. As an aside my ability to pick up the sound of say a bearing going bad, engine noise from something faulty is second to none.
The brand is PHONAC and they are either German or Swiss. I’m sure they are a fortune but they were supplied and paid for by the VA

 

[Soup]

Fellows,
My hearing loss was a gift from the NVA! I've been wearing aids supplied by the VA since I was 20 and there have been many pairs as my hearing gets worse. I'm lost without them.......completely!
Anyone thinking of getting aides needs to first go to an MD ear, nose, and throat specialist. He will give you an honest evaluation as he doesn't sell hearing aids. Don't get conned.

Good shooting
Soup

 

[Doug Casner]

Look at me when your talking. If you want me to hear you. Doug

 

[Myshootinstinks]

60 years of shooting has my ears ringing. We were lax in the early days on ear protection and I’m paying for it now. Good news is that hearing aids have gone down in price recently.

 

[SEM]

It's interesting that my favorite hobby is firearms related and I have the opposite problem. I'm hyper sensitive to sharp & loud noises, it's been that way for as long as I can remember. If I'm hammering a nail, I have hearing protection on. If I'm using any kind of corded power tool, the muffs go on. Live music at a restaurant or brewery? No way, guarantee to be too loud. When I'm at the indoor range, I use plugs and muffs. And, I'm hyper sensitive to muzzle brakes. The only ones I can use are the Heathen brakes, the first port is horizontal.

Overall, I'd probably be much happier in life if it was socially acceptable to wear hearing protection 100% of the time.

well its ok to wear a mask all the time, so wearing hearing protectors that will prevent hearing AIDS ..... should be the next decree form the Covid givers

 

[rjtfroggy]

I guess it is time I make an appointment with the audiologist, because I am ready to start wearing my electronic muffs around the house. Lack of hearing comes from 20+ years standing behind the air horns or sitting over the Federal "Q" siren.
Couldn't possibly be my range time.

 

[redrockranger]

Have the chirping, squealing, etc since Army days (of course)...so 55+ years of it now.
Last year I had one of my 6 monthly ear wax suction 'clean out' appointments. Works great and helps with the hearing. Highly recommend this.
But went to a nearer clinic that had just started up as my normal one was booked up for weeks ahead...'what could possibly go wrong'?
The female operator was quick (rough as guts quick), and sent me on my way. Ears hurt for the next couple of days which is not normal. Then I also noticed a weird 'chirping' going on.
Just moving my head would make the sound appear.
Managed to get an appointment at my usual clinic and they found that the previous rough as guts job had pushed a hair (in my ear canal) down onto the diaphragm of the ear. So it was sort of like scratching a record player needle across an LP. Scritch, scratch, squeak, chirp, etc.
If you have been poking at your ear with cotton buds, match sticks, etc then you may have shoved a hair down onto the diaphragm too.
Worth having it looked at, and maybe get a wax suction job at the same time.

Try a bobby pin for removing wax. CAREFULLY.

 

[rjtfroggy]

I was told as a kid " the only thing you put in your ears, are your elbows."

 

[M-61]

Look at me when your talking. If you want me to hear you. Doug

Read your eyes?
The mask created huge problems.
Never realized how much is done through reading lips with the slightest loss of hearing.

 

[M-61]

I was told as a kid " the only thing you put in your ears, are your elbows."

Key words are “…as a kid…”

 

[No.343]

Anymore, the only place where I feel peace and quite is in the shower.

 

[CJ6]

I just got hearing aids last week. I can certainly relate. Mike

Yup...I picked up mine on Tues. It's amazing how loud typing on this keyboard is.

 

[john 800]

Ok, as long as we are on the subject, I have some questions for you guys who have been down this road. I had a hearing test and had fittings and consults and follow ups scheduled, but due to insurance changes I canceled the rest of the appointments. My responsibility for the $600 hearing test was $585 (glad the insurance company kicked in $15!) my question is this: is there anything o er the counter that you guys have had luck with? This just seems like such a waste of time amd money and I would sure think could probably be served by something over the counter. Anyone gone this route?

 

[Retired shooter]

Here’s one guy with a different experience. That’s me.
How, where, and when my hearing became bad is irrelevant.
My current hearing aids are my third set. Each has been better than the previous ones. The current set are superb. Last person I thought would want this is me but this pair is paired to my cell phone. Before this a phone conversation was impossible. Keep in mind my hearing is just above stone deaf so in a situation I need them.
Covid ( yeah figures into everything somehow) and the mask requirement eliminated my ability to read lips. These hearing aids aside from working with my cell phone also are adjustable (through the phone) adjustment) for all surroundings such as restaurants, music, etc. my phone rings thru the aids. The conversation is broadcast thru my aids with a total block out of any noise.
In normal (?) conversations the quality of hearing is superb. As an aside my ability to pick up the sound of say a bearing going bad, engine noise from something faulty is second to none.
The brand is PHONAC and they are either German or Swiss. I’m sure they are a fortune but they were supplied and paid for by the VA

The aides I had were also bluetooth compatible with my cell phone. Of course I had to get a new phone as the other while still working would not connect to the hearing aides. It was nice to turn volume up or down in restaurants ,or watching TV , but in a group of people it was just mast confusion. Noise from everywhere. The audiologist said he could adjust for that but never got it there.. Can hear fine on a speaker phone, womens voices are the worst especially when they are leaving a return call number, and have to rattle it off at 100 mph.