caution raunchy
One thing I do know the difference between analog to digital Hearing aids is amazing. And Pricey but worth every penny. Just can't replace hearing "morning Daddy" from your 2 year old clear as can be.
We are demoing a new model, as my current aids are 4 years old and only have 4 programs I can switch between.
The ones I am trying right now. are pretty sweet. by adjusting 1, it communicates with the other and adjusts it as well, when switching from program to program.
I Really Suffered the first 3 months of having them. Out of Reflex you almost say "huh?" or "What?" when ever anyone would talk to you . Wind noise in vehicles was alarmingly loud, as was our fans/air conditioners in my office.
My audioligist had me take a small pad and pencil around with me for a few weeks having me note things I liked and disliked about them, things that annoyed me, or things I wish I could hear better, After about 2 months of going back and forth for adjustments I was able to come up with 4 programs that I can use in most inviroments. 1 for around the house, 1 for in the office, 1 for outside and 1 for watching TV late at night with what I call super hearing. on this setting, while staying at my parents townhouse on vacation, i discoverd how great these are. Pretty much a duplex like setting I was up at 2:30 in the morning watching TV, and I kept hearing water running, went around while everyone was asleep and checked all the toilets to make sure none were stuck, it was a constant sound of water pouring into something.
long story short after searching for hours i gave up. Went to my parents neighbors next door the next day for dinner, and discovered what I had been hearing was one of their Tranquility fountains that they leave running in their living room 24/7, They couldn't believe I could hear it though the walls. From that point on I was sold on never going without them again.
Funny to say, but you almost have to learn to hear....as most of my life I was so passive and figured that if someone wanted my attention or to talk to me they would give it. at 4k a piece for each ear they aren't cheap, but you can't really put a price on what they do for your life over all. Another thing I am doing this year is taking a class on "hearing/listening" at our local community college. Sounds funny but it is definately something I can see helping with getting past the huh/what reflex. I don't know about some of you, but when you can't hear I think I learned to anticipate conversation, what was going to be said, and so forth. I know to a certain degree we all do. But to me, It almost seemed like I was Psychic or something because there were times I just knew what the person was going to say word for word. The doctors were amazed at the level of my loss and how seemless I was able to function in the world or even make it through school without aids. Thank god for Reading retention, as I was too "cool" to sit in front so I just sat in back and read lips....Pratice makes perfect. People with Mustaches were difficult at times, and hearing Frans Dreashor (spelling) for the first time almost made me take them back not knowing that people could really sound that annoying.
I do enjoy the fact that when the kids are screaming, the wife is nagging. or the 11 neices and nephews are over for a visit, I am just a push button away from silent bliss
and to end this blog.....
True story. ......
First day I got my Digital Hearing aids to go out in the world with, we headed to the local mall. I was amazed on all the conversations I was actually able to hear, instead of trying to read lips. Well I know from time to time every person in there life has tried to sneak out the old "silent air bisquit" in public and play it off like nothing happened. With my wife, while walking in the mall I let one go.........."BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAApppppppppppp" The sound was alarming...."holy $h!T" I chirped, "Have they always been that loud?" My wife to this day still cries laughing everytime she thinks about that incident. But to me...a fart never sounded so good!
