Help with hearing aids, please!

Imadickens · ‎06-15-2016

I have moderate hearing loss. I've had it my whole life. I can hear normally when people talk, but I can't hear a low voice or a whisper! It got so bad I stopped asking people to repeat themselves and just smiled! I found out my insurance would cover good hearing aids so I got tested.

I got got the inside the ear AIDS a year ago. They drove me crazy as when I spoke it echoed in my head. I misplaced them for many months, but recently found they had been in my ds car! Now, I'm trying them again. Any advice for how to get used to them? I don't mind how they feel, but I still get the echo!

Never underestimate the power of kindness.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

My suggestion is to go back to where you purchased them, and have them adjusted to block out the echo.

My mother purchased digital hearing aides last month for her moderate hearing loss. The hearing aides were initially set very low while she got adjusted to wearing them. Each time I took her back, the hearing aides were tweaked a little more, and this last trip increased the volume to exactly what she needed.

My husband stopped wearing his hearing aides because of the echo, and not being able to get adjusted to that feedback. His problem was that all digital hearing aides ordered thru the VA arrive preset to levels based on the patient's hearing test, but my husband should have gone back for fine tuning until they were set at a level comfortable for him.

Based on what I learned with my mothers experience, my husband is now waiting on new hearing aides, and understands that the preset levels may not be exactly what he needs, but all it takes is some fine tuning to find the settings that do work.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

You're very lucky that your insurance covered your aids. I've never been that lucky. I've been wearing hearing aids for several years. Originally I tried the kind that are completely in the ear and they drove me nuts. The bone structure in my ear canal is such that any kind of movement (yawning, chewing, coughing) would disloged the aid out of place and I was constantly readjusting. While still within my warranty period, I was able to switch to the behind the ear style with the dome inside the ear. I like them a whole lot more. When you start with aids, there is an adjustment period. Don't expect to hear exactly like you used to, they will be a little of a tinny or electronic sounding, but if you're experiencing an actual echo, they may need to be adjusted (something internal or the volume). I'd make an appointment with your audiologist. Assuming your settings are all OK, you might start out wearing them for a few hours a day and increase by a few more hours every few days until you're wearing them all the time. They won't help you a bit, if they're in a drawer or glove compartment.

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

Redtop gave you good advise. In fact when I got my hearing aids they included 6 months of adjustments. You should not have an echo. They need to be adjusted. It should not matter you bought them a year ago. There should never have been an echo.

Did they come with a remote control? I can adjust my hearing aids up or down or adjust the direction - if needed.

As for getting used to them - it takes time. I have behind the ear type of hearing aids. I prefer not to wear them but it does come in handy. Especially when people ae facing down into a computer and talking to me as I stand across the room.

Please keep us posted. I understand your trouble.

Imadickens · ‎06-15-2016

@drizzellla wrote:
Redtop gave you good advise. In fact when I got my hearing aids they included 6 months of adjustments. You should not have an echo. They need to be adjusted. It should not matter you bought them a year ago. There should never have been an echo.

Did they come with a remote control? I can adjust my hearing aids up or down or adjust the direction - if needed.

As for getting used to them - it takes time. I have behind the ear type of hearing aids. I prefer not to wear them but it does come in handy. Especially when people ae facing down into a computer and talking to me as I stand across the room.

Please keep us posted. I understand your trouble.

Great suggestions! No, I didn't get a remote! Mine are in the ear, too, and I do find if I yawn or bend over they "pop"out! I wore them for 8 hours yesterday, no prob, but I was alone, only talked to the dogs! Today I tried when I went to a group meeting. I did a lot of talking. After one hour they had to go! The "internal noise" drove me crazy! My audiologist is great and will adjust as needed. I just know sometimes "real people" have tricks the professionals don't know (or don't tell!)! Thanks, everyone!

Never underestimate the power of kindness.