Hearing aid questions for users

I use the Oticon with bicross. Hearing aids are really good at amplifying sound, but not great at isolating voices when there is a lot of other noise. When you increase volume on the aid, it not only increases the sound of voices, but also the sound of everything else that seems to be getting in the way of hearing the voices.

That said, I would never hear any conversation without them unless someone were speaking with their mouth an inch from my ear. Aids take a little getting used to, not only with the change in sound, but also with the feeling of having something in your ear like that. And if you wear glasses, there’s that challenge as well competing for the space behind your ears.

if they are compatible with the Oticon phone app, you can use you phone as a microphone, but that works best with one-on-one conversation.

Environmental and non-speech sounds always seem louder than voices. I think because speech comprehension is lower due to the ear damage—opinion only.

I had problems with TV, when the hearing was good in my “good” ear. It seems they mix he music and non-vocal sounds louder than speaking. I use wireless headphones with the TV.

Hope this helps, feel free to DM o reply if you have any more questions.

 

Hi, June. I also have one Oticon hearing aid. When I initially got it six and a half years ago, I wanted one that would be the best one for music; at that time, I was still able to play my clarinet. Now that I'm not playing anymore (I have pitch distortion), I don't know if the Oticon is the best for me. Now the hearing in my other ear has plummeted, and it looks like it's not going to return like it has in the past. I am currently trying out using a hearing aid in the other ear because the audiologist suggested I might have less distortion if I did. I have found that it has really helped. But I still have trouble understanding speech, depending on the timbre and pitch of someone's voice. You can have "speech in noise" programmed into your hearing aid, but I got rid of mine since it didn't seem to help. Yes, the background noise is a big problem with hearing aids, and I would also be interested to know if anyone has an aid that deals with that successfully.

 

I use Signia Pure 7AX with CROS - sound from my left gets transferred to the right. My good ear fluctuates A LOT. when it is 50% or better the aids help. When good ear is bad, nothing helps. For TV sometimes I use the aids. I have a sound bar on the TV that accentuates speech, a bit. I always have the captions on and would be pretty much lost without them on most days.

 

I just picked up my second one (single aid)today from Costco. It’s a Phillips.
It’s a newer model of the one I bought 2 1/2 years ago is actually $250 less than the original one, as they negotiated a better price with the supplier !
It cost $1100.O0 and that included a charger and a remote microphone which was a $260 option.
When I pick up the new one they will send back my old one, and it will be rebuilt with a new battery free of charge !
I only wear one in my Good ear, as my bad ear is useless.
I will never go back to an audiologist for a hearing aid again !

 

Excellent, free filters, free cleaning and free replacement if you lose it for 3 years. They do not work on Commission there. Audiologists will give you a song and dance why they are no good because they can't (or won't) compete with them. I have been to 4 audiologists and their service was no better.

 

Well, I adjust the volume using the app on my phone. I set the environment, eg noisy room, outdoor sport. Not much adjusting.

 

June, after reading your post, I would like to share my experience as a user of Oticon devices. While hearing sounds has indeed improved for me, the ability to process information remains a separate issue. Overall, my quality of life has improved, although there are instances where I choose to mute them.

Regarding directionality, you may be mistaken. Both of my Oticon devices (I use the Real during the day and the Own for the night as tinnitus masker) can be adjusted to have directional settings, and the Real model specifically has the capability to filter out unwanted noise. I recommend seeking assistance from your reseller, as they can help you with the settings. This feature has greatly aided me in challenging environments like restaurants, where it now requires less effort to follow conversations in front of me rather than hearing what is said behind me.

One error I initially made was raising the volume in challenging situations. However, by reducing it and utilizing the built-in Oticon compressor/ limiter, I have found that loud sounds from plates and glasses have become more manageable. In locations such as airports, it is necessary for me to lower the volume or even mute it, as it can otherwise be overwhelming. I am uncertain if your device includes a wireless microphone, but it can be incredibly beneficial in specific scenarios.

During work, when there are often numerous noises, I decrease the ambient sound by 12dB when I am on a call. This significantly aids in maintaining focus on the conversation.
Lastly, the standard domes did not work well for me. Instead, I opted for custom ear molds with a vent hole of 0.6mm. This has made it much easier for me to hear, and the bass performance has also improved, allowing me to perceive lower frequencies once again. When streaming audio from the TV, it provides a delightful sound experience. However, a downside is that it becomes challenging to hear others in the same room when they suddenly start talking. Fortunately, with my phone, I can decrease the volume of the audio stream and increase the microphone audio.
I hope you find this information helpful as well.

 

Hello June,
I am currently in communication with Oticon and have extended my professional assistance to help find a solution that allows individuals with continuously fluctuating hearing to independently adjust their hearing aids. While they have expressed openness to this input, the ultimate outcome remains uncertain.

In order to aid your audiologist in the setup of your hearing aids, I have made the decision to regularly conduct measurements using a calibrated headphone. In my opinion, this is the most effective method for obtaining an accurate average of your hearing loss, particularly if it fluctuates. It is advisable to consult with your audiologist regarding the possibility of creating a customized program that includes supplementary amplification. In my case I have an additional increase of 50dB, if necessary, during periods of significant hearing loss.


In addition to providing my ENT specialist with the measurements, I also include my symptoms for the day. This information can assist them in gaining a better understanding of the situation. According to the AAO-HNS 2020 guidelines, calculating the average Pure Tone Average (PTA) at 500, 1000, and 2000Hz can serve as a reliable indicator for determining whether it is a definitive case of Meniere's disease or not. By summing up these three values and dividing them by three, this number can also provide insight into the severity level of the condition, ranging from level 1 to 4.

Finally, I concur that not having hearing aids is akin to walking around with my fingers plugged in my ears. I am also pondering how I managed to endure without the assistance. While circumstances will never be identical, I have successfully integrated them into my daily existence.

 

Hi, June,
As a musician (relative to days when I can actually tolerate the sound of my instrument), music has sounded off key since I developed cochlear hydrops. I don't think there is anything a hearing aid can do to help that based on the inner ear damage to the hair cells. Most days I can't tell the difference between a C Maj chord and a D Maj chord--so frustrating. I mean I can see the difference, but I just can't hear the difference and music, after all, is about hearing. It's just all in the frequencies that are damaged. The non-damaged hair cells in the inner ear try to compensate for the frequencies of the damaged cells and I believe that's what causes the pitch difference. The only way I can really enjoy music to some degree now is with headphones. I don't believe the off key or pitch shifted thing will ever get better.

On another note, I would find it hard to believe the manufacturer or audiologist would provide user access to the hearing aid settings. As much as I would love that, it really doesn't make good business sense to do so imho. That industry has created a middleman similar to auto manufacturers and car dealerships. I don't have a degree, but with 22 years' experience being a musician before being struck with this vicious disease, I believe I may know more about frequencies than my audiologist.

Anyway, not my intention to be a gloomy Gus. Just want to help set realistic expectations. Like I said, it's not always horrible. Headphones are your friend with music to increase enjoyment. In time, you will find a way to cope with the off-pitch voices. It's just adjusting to a new normal.

 

I apologize for my delayed response. I am currently occupied with various tasks.

Initially, audiologists and manufacturers tend to be skeptical about the self-adjustment of hearing aids until they realize the benefits it offers. The cost of adjusting hearing aids every few weeks is not included in the price you see.

I suggested to Oticon that they should allow users to switch between a variety of presets that can be customized based on their current experience. This would greatly enhance the functionality of the four built-in programs. In my opinion, this would be a positive first step.

The hardware required for programming the hearing aids is easily accessible and commonly known as Noah. However, the software is currently only available as a licensed product for audiologists. It appears that there are third-party software options available, however, utilizing such software may invalidate the warranty.

My second recommendation to Oticon is to enable users to measure their own hearing through the hearing aid. By updating the aid's program based on the measured curve, individuals can achieve the best match for their current level of hearing loss. This would be particularly beneficial for those with fluctuating hearing loss.

(@June, yes your hearing aid specialist should be able to provide you with measurements, I take them whole the time to my ENT appointments)

Specialist settings, on the other hand, do not need to be adjusted on a daily basis and are best left to the expertise of professionals.

Regarding June's experience of hearing sounds off-tune, I have developed the following theory. I strongly believe that the hair cells in the inner ear undergo changes over time, making them sensitive to different resonance frequencies. As a result, they no longer vibrate at the corresponding frequency, leading to a perception of certain frequencies as off-tune. My knowledge in this area stems from my involvement in the creation of "artificial ears" for the purpose of measuring audio as perceived by humans.

I also agree with Kevin's observation that our perception of sound and what we consider in pitch or not is partly a matter of acclimating to certain sounds. Over time, we can adapt to new situations and establish a new normal. However, with fluctuating hearing, there is no time to adjust, resulting in a loss of reference.

In my view, the act of listening to music adds another layer of complexity. If one octave is out of tune due to significant hearing loss while the remaining octaves remain in tune, the overall sound will be distorted. Regrettably, existing assistive devices are unable to restore the affected frequencies to their correct pitch. This, in my sincere opinion, explains why musicians with hearing impairment often detect this discrepancy in their hearing more quickly than individuals who rely solely on their hearing for communication purposes.

I trust that the information provided above is of some assistance. It is important to note that I am not a medical professional, but rather a certified engineer with extensive experience in this field. I have been applying the principles of physics to my personal observations of my own hearing loss for many years.

 

Greetings June,

You are correct that the situation is not entirely negative; in fact, it is quite the opposite. However, in my opinion, I believe that if the settings are not adjusted properly at this time, they could potentially exacerbate issues and act as a trigger. Essentially, individuals with fluctuating hearing loss could benefit from a simple software adjustment. Considering the significant number of devices they sell under their own and Amplifon brand, the potential risk of this specific group ceasing to use them due to dissatisfaction should serve as a strong incentive. Moreover, they possess a unique feature that other brands have not yet developed. The third point I would like to make is that I trust these businesses are motivated by more than just financial gain; they also aspire to make a positive impact on individuals like ourselves.