[DianaJH]

I had worn analog aids since I was 15. Till then, no one knew I couldn't hear. Certain tones, some high, some low are lost in my hearing and the analogs basically cranked up the volume of those sounds I could hear. In 2004, I received digital aids. They turned up the bands for the sounds I couldn't hear all of those years (I'm 48).
The first thing I heard was my own voice! I would start talking to the audiologist and crack up laughing, settle down, talk again, crack up laughing again.
I went home and it started snowing.
I never before knew snowing made a sound! It was wonderful.
Birds singing, the leaves on the trees rustling, and the refrigerator motor!
Very worth it. I hear sounds people take for granted.
I think it is almost a gift, the hearing loss, because of appreciating those sounds I had never heard before.

[llg]

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

Are you hearing impaired?

I'm sorry I didn't answer you question before, Sue. I didn't see it. But now that this thread has been resurrected ...

15 years ago, I suddenly lost 100% of both the hearing and balance function in my right ear. In the span of about 10 seconds, that ear went from totally normal to totally non-functional. My other ear has remained normal.

There are hearing aids for people like me with uni-lateral hearing, but not everyone finds them helpful enough to be worth it. So, I have chosen not to wear an aid for now. But if my left ear ever starts to go, that will be a whole new ballgame.

[Suesquatch]

I finally understand something I never got before - people with disabilities getting annoyed when people think they're so inspirational and well-adjusted when, to them, this is their normal.

I enjoy taking the hearing aid out after work. I retreat to the world I know - the nicely muffled one.

[llg]

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

I finally understand something I never got before - people with disabilities getting annoyed when people think they're so inspirational and well-adjusted when, to them, this is their normal.

I enjoy taking the hearing aid out after work. I retreat to the world I know - the nicely muffled one.

A lot of my friends with hearing aids say the same thing. By the way, the online club I belong to for people with hearing impairments is called the SayWhatClub. You might want to check it out. It's free to join.

[psychnurse1998]

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

I've had a mild hearing loss for years but have put off getting the aids, mostly because of money and, I confess, fear of change. As annoying as missing a lot of stuff was, I was also in my comfort zone and it wasn't usually ME who was annoyed at the television being too lod.

The audiologist decided I could go with only one, since my right ear is appreciably worse than the left with a greater loss of the frequency in which one hears consonants - hence those familiar to many, I'm sure, misunderstandings. "You want a Coke?" "Why would I want a coat? It's hot in here!"

Well.

Everything makes noise! I never realized that the reference to a mouse click is because it actually, you know, clicks! My keyboard is a noisy little sucker, and my SLIPPERS make noise! The dogs' toenails make noise!

This was so worth doing. He told me it could be a long adjustment period - he's wrong. I got it this morning. I. am. THRILLED.

Hi Sue, I have a hearing loss between 2000 and 6000 cps..with the biggest loss at 4000 cps. on both ears. My audiologist recommend a hearing aid, but the cost made me think twice. Now I am trying to practise lung sounds, and dont think I hear normal sounds like I used too. I wonder what a difference a hearing aid would be at my my particular hearing loss, and would i be able to hear lung sounds. I think too, when one puts the stethosscope isnt the hearing aid in its way? Now I know I covered this when i was studying Neuro..why dont I know these things..<smile>..actually this question is for anyone that can help...Thanks

[psychnurse1998]

Originally Posted by DianaJH

I had worn analog aids since I was 15. Till then, no one knew I couldn't hear. Certain tones, some high, some low are lost in my hearing and the analogs basically cranked up the volume of those sounds I could hear. In 2004, I received digital aids. They turned up the bands for the sounds I couldn't hear all of those years (I'm 48).
The first thing I heard was my own voice! I would start talking to the audiologist and crack up laughing, settle down, talk again, crack up laughing again.
I went home and it started snowing.
I never before knew snowing made a sound! It was wonderful.
Birds singing, the leaves on the trees rustling, and the refrigerator motor!
Very worth it. I hear sounds people take for granted.
I think it is almost a gift, the hearing loss, because of appreciating those sounds I had never heard before.

Great you explained to me something I didnt know..so digiital hearing aids amplify the frequencies one has lost and not the good frequencies...and the analogs dont. I take it they still make analogs, must be the cheaper ones. I lost most at 4000 cycles..I remember recently my sister dropped a 1 qt glass jar, and I didnt hear it. I guess the sound of glass breaking must be near 4000 cps. Right now I want to be sure i can hear lung sounds for my clinical. I am considering getting a hearing aid

[WarEagle4Life]

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

I finally understand something I never got before - people with disabilities getting annoyed when people think they're so inspirational and well-adjusted when, to them, this is their normal.

I enjoy taking the hearing aid out after work. I retreat to the world I know - the nicely muffled one.

I now understand that statement, Sue. Just got my aids a couple of weeks ago. I found out in December, 2007 that I have a mild-to-moderate hearing loss, I was told I was really missing a lot of conversation. I went to see the MD for dizzy spells and found out I couldn't hear well. Couldn't get them until the FSA re-charged at the beginning of the year.

I was amazed at what I was missing. My computer is noisy and the mouse is awfully noisy! I had no idea of how noisy my house is, my car, etc.

I am having an adjustment period. There are times I just have to take them out - I am so overstimulated. I just have to retreat back into my nice, safe muffled world.

I have asked for accomodations at work - basically the E-scope for in the ear hearing aids.

[Thanet]

I wear bi-lateral hearing aids and have done so for many years.

I forget I am wearing them sometimes now. I have even got in the bath with them on. (Thank goodnes I wasn't having a shower!)

Taking them off after a noisey and busy shift can be a God send sometimes. REAL peace and quiet !!

[Marvie]

Yeah to you... That is exactly how I feel...normal, not super-nurse or
'inspirational', just doing the best job that i can with what i got. And yes, the peace at home is a retreat, my heavenly abode however muffled and silent.

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

I finally understand something I never got before - people with disabilities getting annoyed when people think they're so inspirational and well-adjusted when, to them, this is their normal.

I enjoy taking the hearing aid out after work. I retreat to the world I know - the nicely muffled one.

[*ac*]

Can you use a regular stethoscope with hearing aids?