Hearing test today

[billinohio]

And I studied for it and still flunked.
My hearing has been getting noticeably worse recently, so, I decided to go get some “expert”opinions  of what to do about it.
I went to an ear nose and throat guy. He only looked in my ears, seemed to ignore my sinus problems, which I believe is a big part of my problem.
I can hear things, but there are some people that might as well be speaking foreign languages. Most people I u nderstand, but background noise can be overwhelming.
Unfortunately, my wife is one that I can not understand. This is not good for domestic relations!
Anyhow, the doctor said hearing aids probably won’t help and he went straight to cochlear implants.
This sounds expensive!

Do any of you all have any experience with them???

[Erstwhile]

Eeh, what did you say? Speakup.

Wow. I never heard of that implant. Seems interesting.

[f2036]

I have a daughterinlaw that has one. Actually her second one. As I understand it, it is held in place on your head (magnetic??)I'm not sure how but any way there was some kind of problem with her skin where it sat on her head so they had to move it to the other side, and she got a new one. My son says he can never win an arguement or get the last word in It has helped her a bunch, when she doesn't have it turned on her world is pretty silent.

[rustyfarmall]

No experience with such things but I am familiar with sinus problems and stopped up sinuses can screw up a whole lot of things.

Due to my recent experience with doctors, I think a second opinion is in order.

[billinohio]

Rusty, I totally agree with you. This doctor didn’t look at anything but the test results and in my ears. I told him about the tinnitus and it might as well been an off color joke, no response at all.
It is kinda odd, I can hear some very faint sounds, but certain conversations are totally lost. It is mostly the consonant sounds that are missed. Background noise, which probably is not all that bad, can be deafening to the point of painful for me.

Of course, my chosen pastime of welding doesn’t help a bit. Fumes, grinder dust, cinders all keep my nose and sinuses stirred up, and the crackle from the welder is loud, too.

I would probably quit complaining, if I could just understand what my wife is saying……..

I know a couple people with the cochlear implants, but they were quite deaf., seems to be a bit different situation. I intend to ask lots of questions.

[rustyfarmall]

If I am in a crowded room where everybody is talking at the same time I usually just set there and don't even try to join in any conversation. It is just a jumble of noise.

[billinohio]

You and me, both!
We went to the granddaughters band concert on Sunday. I hope my hearing was bad, because, otherwise it was awful. Furthermore, I could not understand a single word coming over the PA system.

[rustyfarmall]

Far too many people do not understand the need to speak slowly and ENUNCIATE when using a P.A. system.

[RedDave]

May 8, 2024 9:08:31 GMT -6 rustyfarmall said:

Far too many people do not understand the need to speak slowly and ENUNCIATE when using a P.A. system.

Especially younger women.  They speak in a high voice and as fast as they can spit the words out.  I still have fairly good hearing and it sounds like squirrels chattering to me.

I tell my daughters, speak slow and low. In a low tone and slow down if you want to be understood.  I spent 40 years out in the business world, beginning in the all men era and into the entering of women into the workplace era. I can tell you that the women who chatter at high speed in a high pitched voice do not get accorded the respect and are not deemed as credible as those who have learned to speak more clearly. It may not be fair, but it is true.

And don't even get me started on the sing-song Indians that we seem to get for tech support. I flat out tell them to go get me somebody who speaks English.

[Erstwhile]

You-all are preaching to the choir.  ... and it ain't just the hearing, it's that my brain is about 10 steps behind what's going on.  I am a champion for making dumb looks nowadays.

[504]

the implants are what Rush Limbaugh had to keep him on the air after he had a total heating loss.

[grump]

I've worked around loud noises all my life, ship yards, mining, steel fab shops and heavy equipment just to name a few and my hearing is about gone. In crowds or any background noise and it all jumbles together. A doctor once told me that it's what's called "nerve deafness", namely nerve damage over the years and not a lot can be done except hearing aids might help.

[rustyfarmall]

I can hear you just fine. I am simply just ignoring you!

[billinohio]

I have suggested adding subtitles, but, no one takes the hint.

Maybe, I am not too old to learn sign language? My daughter in law always signs when she talks to the children, ages 1 and 3. And my best ex’s nephew does about the same with his girls, ages 3 and 5. They will wiggle their hands around and start giggling. As far as I know, none of these people have any hearing issues, it is a little something extra to learn that may be valuable some day in the future.

[Erstwhile]

May 9, 2024 5:58:35 GMT -6 rustyfarmall said:

I can hear you just fine. I am simply just ignoring you!

Yep, that's a lot of my hearing problem, after all at my age I've heard almost everything I need to anyway.  And that brings up television; my normal consumption of TV in a day amounts to about 10 minutes of morning news and weather, a couple music shows on Saturday nights, and a Sunday morning Church service or two.  Besides, most of what I do hear occurs about 10 minutes after spoken because of senility anyway.  SHE attends every Doc appointment with me and they sit there and discuss my whatever issue with each other while I nap.