Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Apr 12 - 03:43 PM

I have only one ear that works (bad genes perhaps). The solution from my audiologist is the Phonak system. One small hearing aid for the good ear, and a mini transmitter that sits on the dead ear, thus giving me the equivalent of two-ear hearing. The system is provided with a small separate control on which I can select the range of response- wide (for music, etc.) and voice range for general hearing. Expensive, but worth it.

Some time ago I saw a link to a company providing a hearing aid for musicians with one good ear; both channels from a sound system are fed into the good ear. Cost a few hundred, so reasonable.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: GUEST,Gamer3877
Date: 24 Apr 12 - 03:40 PM

I wear hearing aids and I use headphones with them on. mine fit in the ear with a tube and the unitbehind the ear. I use headphones that are light and set on the head with a band. they press a little on the aids but it doesn't bother me. go to a store that has headphones and try them out. I'm sure you'll find some that work for you.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Apr 12 - 02:52 PM

My father had severe hearing loss by his 90s and even with expensive hearings aids could not carry on a regular conversation with my mother at home. We found out by experimenting that he could do quite well with a set of headphones and a mic for her; he resisted of course but they could hold regular conversations without her shouting or writing messages on a pad. Wish we had convinced him sooner to use the headphones.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Arkie
Date: 24 Apr 12 - 02:50 PM

Made a visit to my audiologist for minor adjustments this morning and was introduced to the latest in hearing aids he supplies. Far smaller, using wire instead of plastic tubes, and more comfortable ear piece for us who are approaching severe hearing loss. I have about a year and a half to go before my insurance will cover replacement. Wish I could do it now. I would guess the newer hearing aids would work better with enclosed head sets.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: GUEST,Hookey Wole
Date: 23 Apr 12 - 08:56 PM

When I was a little boy my dad used to take me out every Saturday morning
to explore the world.
We always ended up in his favourite pubs.
I was happy enough with my pop and crisps, playing pinball,
while dad got on with blokes business with his mate.

One time I asked him what the dispensing machines were in the Gents toilets ?

He told me "Hearing Aid Batteries"

I believed that for many years afterwards....


I have family genes for deafness and blindness.
So far no one in my family has ever lived long enough to be profoundly afflicted by both
I'd expect my hearing to start going more rapidly;
and I have a variety of earplugs for gigs, including specialist NHS moulded for my individual ears.
Up to now only got tinnitus and partial hearing loss.
See how it goes...

I've got some ok quality Audio-Technica studio monitor closed headphones,
but I'm reluctant to use headphones at all because it's too tempting to keep them on for too long at slightly more than sensible volume levels.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Edthefolkie
Date: 22 Apr 12 - 11:17 AM

Of course in addition to the above aids mentioned, there are in-ear ones which have mics, same as the behind the ear ones - they aren't inductive.

This type vary in size - the really tiny ones are invisible apart from a tiny pin thingy which you use to take them out, switch 'em on etc. I have a middling size pair which comes with 3 or more programs for different situations, e2e wireless which links left & right, and a remote control.

In-ear aids do seem to be less prone to feedback with headphones, but you do have to fiddle around a bit to seat the phones. I too find Sennheiser HD280s & similar are good.

My biggest problem with aids is that they are a bit "toppy" - although mine are programmable the nice lady audiologist can never seem to quite fix this problem, even when using a dedicated music program. I imagine it's inherent as you probably can't get a hifi frequency response out of a tiny transducer. But I hope I'm wrong....

Best of luck with 'em Les, you will soon find that more people than you think use aids! Very handy when you forget the spare batteries. And beware showers and swimming pools!

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: scouse
Date: 22 Apr 12 - 05:30 AM

So now the big question!!! how many of us Catters using hearing aids are as a direct relation to playing Music throughout their lives??? I'm sure I think I'm one.

As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 22 Apr 12 - 04:02 AM

Thanks for that information Bernard - looks highly practical, but at first it sounded like something the Borgs would use.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Bernard
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 08:30 PM

CORRECTION! I should have written Bone ANCHOR Hearing Aid...

Video

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Bernard
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 08:19 PM

Jim - there's a third type of hearing aid for people who are so profoundly deaf that the two you mentioned above don't work, and it's the BAHA... Bone Attached Hearing Aid. Part of it is quite literally surgically attached to the user's skull, and the electronic bit clips on to complete the system.

Yes, this is irrelevant to this thread, I know, but I thought I'd mention it. A member of the Morris side I play for has one, and there's information on YouTube including a very moving video of a chap who is hearing for the first time using one of these.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Arkie
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 05:35 PM

I have been using Klipsch in ear headphones with my Ipod, I think the Image S3 model. They are comfortable and the quality of sound seems better to me than the cheaper ones I have found at Wal-Mart. I have also been able to use Sennheiser HD 280 which fits over and surrounds the ear when at the computer. I do have to fiddle with these to avoid the feedback whistle. I have also seen ads for something called a temple transducer that is supposedly developed by the military and fits against the temple instead of in or over the ear. I have no idea how comfortable or effective this technology may be but it does sound tempting. Would like to know if anyone has tried this.

Klipsch in ear

Transducer

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 04:55 PM

Les, get in touch with Action on hearing loss (formerly RNID). They have a lot of goodies for free loan, like a round-the-neck hearing loop infra-red thingy for listening to music/radio/telly without deafening the rest of the household. And if you're registered deaf (they can do it for you) you can get a disabled person's free bus pass without having to wait till you're old enough (assuming you're not!) You maybe able to use it for peak-time travel too.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: artbrooks
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 03:52 PM

My experience has been different - and I've been wearing aids since 1974. The ones that feedback for me are the ones that sit on the outside of the ear, with pads about 1 1/2 inches across. I've had no feedback problems with the ear-enclosing cup kind, and I've used a couple of different brands. Bose are great, if you can afford them (I can't).

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 03:12 PM

Les
Shoud say - as far as I can make out there are two different systems of hearing aids
1. Where the transmitter rests on the ear and transmits sound into the bone at the back - presumably by vibration (they used to make spectacles that had built-in transmitters into ends of the arms using this method - possibly still do.
2. Where the transmitter is connected to a thin tube which fits inside the ear (this is the type I have)
It is the latter that can cause the feedback if covered.
I found a reliable test when choosing headphones was to cup your ear (as if you were about to burst into Dirty Old Town) - if you get feedback, that's the one you have to manage (can't see why you should have a problem with the first type - speaking as a total layman)
I do a great deal of sound editing, so I have headphomes that cup my ear but if necessary, can be push slightly back so my ear is not completely covered - works for me.
I hope you're prepared for all the tasteless jokes:
Beethoven was so deaf he thought he was a painter.
Middle aged couple went to the doctor to prepare for their thirteenth child and the Dr told them that they had reached the age where they should consider family planning.
He says, "We have so many children because of her poor hearing".
Asked to explain, he says "When we go to bed at night I always say "shall we go to sleep or what?" - she always replies ""what?".
Sorry - just a warning - they do get worse.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 01:55 PM

Thanks - so headphones that don't cover the whole (hole) of my ear are probably best?

Love the Liverpool idea

L in C#

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: scouse
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 01:49 PM

I bought a pair of Bose headphones which lets outside noise in! in other words they let you hear the music or listen to the telly without shutting out the rest of the world and even when I'm plugged (Using me h-aids) they are great. Plus you have to let time go by and get used to your plugs the secret is don't listen with your ears but let you brain do the processing.. Takes a little time but it works.. also it depends how good your plugs are of course.. Hope it helps.

As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 01:39 PM

Of course - you could try the 'Liverpool hearing aid' - hang a wire over your ear and everybody shouts at you.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 01:37 PM

Hi Les,
Join the club
Problem with headphones that cover all the ears is that the hollow created by them causes them to whistle - sort of like cupping the hand over the ear.
I found the smaller area of the ear covered the less feedback.
Good luck
Jim Carroll

Subject: Tech: Hearing Aids and Head Phones
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 Apr 12 - 10:54 AM

Having joined the ranks of the hearing impaired I am breaking in a pair of NHS hearing aids. The world is roaring at me and somebody is following me round rustling paper all the time. I guess this will settle down.

Advice please on listening to Ipod etc. through head phones. Should I buy great big ones the cover most of my head or what?

Thanks

L in C#