We were at a Senior Fitness Fair in Waipahu and received a notice for a FREE hearing test at Sam's Club in Pearl City from Tuesday until Saturday (10AM-6PM).
I wanted to go because the loud music in Zumba class bothers me and high pitches of sound have almost hurt. I use ear plugs when I go to Zumba.
I wanted Art to go because he NEVER hears the dishwasher downstairs beep when the dishes are done. I have to trudge down and up all the time to turn off the beeping thing. Yes. Yes. It could be selective hearing, but I wanted to know for sure.
We'd also been to the First Hawaiian Bank Health and Finance management type seminar where a speaker talked about how hearing impairment can affect the brain and contribute to dementia.
I was expecting a long line of people at Sam's Club, but no one was there at the hearing center.
We met Taryn who was the very knowledgeable, professional, kind audiologist.
She used some kind of scope that looked at our ear canal. I didn't know there were so many hairs in the ear canal. She said I had a small canal and Art had a medium. (Now I know which size of ear buds I should be using.)
She gave us another hand-out explaining the connection between hearing loss and possible dementia.
There was no strong sales pitch to buy hearing aids. However, it was confirmed that he should get them. Taryn suggested we look into our military benefits to see about getting them for free.
Art got to try on some hearing aids, but he said it made the background sound too loud. Taryn explained that his brain would have to adjust to the sound. She also said newer hearing aids would be able to target the sound that is in front of you.
Taryn sent us home with a diagram to show how we scored as well as some reading material and a bunch of freebies which I love.
I discovered that my hearing is actually very good except for the very high pitches. She said those are the reasons probably contributing to my discomfort of the loud Zumba music.
As for Art... yes... he should get hearing aids. I'll be asking at Tripler about it for him because he is strangely reticent about getting them.
I have a feeling he then won't have an excuse about not hearing the dishwasher beeping.
I wanted to go because the loud music in Zumba class bothers me and high pitches of sound have almost hurt. I use ear plugs when I go to Zumba.
I wanted Art to go because he NEVER hears the dishwasher downstairs beep when the dishes are done. I have to trudge down and up all the time to turn off the beeping thing. Yes. Yes. It could be selective hearing, but I wanted to know for sure.
I was expecting a long line of people at Sam's Club, but no one was there at the hearing center.
We met Taryn who was the very knowledgeable, professional, kind audiologist.
She used some kind of scope that looked at our ear canal. I didn't know there were so many hairs in the ear canal. She said I had a small canal and Art had a medium. (Now I know which size of ear buds I should be using.)
She gave us another hand-out explaining the connection between hearing loss and possible dementia.
There was no strong sales pitch to buy hearing aids. However, it was confirmed that he should get them. Taryn suggested we look into our military benefits to see about getting them for free.
Art got to try on some hearing aids, but he said it made the background sound too loud. Taryn explained that his brain would have to adjust to the sound. She also said newer hearing aids would be able to target the sound that is in front of you.
I discovered that my hearing is actually very good except for the very high pitches. She said those are the reasons probably contributing to my discomfort of the loud Zumba music.
As for Art... yes... he should get hearing aids. I'll be asking at Tripler about it for him because he is strangely reticent about getting them.
I have a feeling he then won't have an excuse about not hearing the dishwasher beeping.
I went for a hearing test a couple of years ago, thinking I had a problem, and was surprised when the results came back normal.
ReplyDeleteI know I have hearing loss in one ear, but I kind of like to turn over at night and cover my "good" ear and muffle the sound of my partner's breathing. I should go for a hearing test, though. I use ear plugs when I go to the local theater because the trailers, if not the entire movie, are always WAY too loud for me. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed. No one told me these details when I had my last tests done. Hearing loss and dementia is frightening. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious to see what he buys. David needs a new hearing aid also. He lost his in the park. We looked high and low and couldn't find it.
ReplyDeleteOuch! They are so expensive!
DeleteYour husband is retired military? that is why you can live in Hawaii and use the military benefits? Hearing is very important indeedy, if one can't hear a lot one misses out on a lot!
ReplyDeleteUmmm.... Can you tell me who you are? Just your first name would be helpful. My husband was in the Air Force and then moved to the Public Health Service which is a branch of the military.
DeleteI'm so glad you got this test and know what your hearing status is. Not hearing well is very isolating.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had this looked into for both of you!
ReplyDeleteHe really should look into them, and the technicians will adjust them until they are perfect. I've read about the correlation between hearing loss and dementia. I'm not only looking at it in my own family, but understand the relationship perfectly. Before hearing aids I simply stopped interacting and played the placid onlooker. After hearing aids I understood what I was doing to myself. Now I am watching a cantankerous brother in law refusing to admit he cannot hear, but his episodes of agitation when he doesn't understand what's happening because he cannot hear and no one will stop to synopsize the hour he's missed are becoming too frequent.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when my son in law had his hearing tested because of everything he didn't hear he was diagnosed with very selective hearing, to my daughter's great dismay.
Uncle R got top of the line hearing aid for free cuz of da military benefits. No can see 'em at all when he wear 'em. And da cell phone connect to da part he wears around his neck under his shirt so can use 'em to answer phone. No shame for him an no need us yell at him now. Way better den going pupule. ��m
ReplyDeleteNo joke! Gotta be akamai.
DeleteArt should have wax removed from his ears before a hearing test, as wax can have an impact on his ability to hear.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info Kay! I understand with Art, who wants to accept they need hearing aids... I would go through some denial for a bit...but great that you both got tested. I hate the loud music at my aerobics class.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you suppose they need to have the music so loud at those exercise classes anyway?
DeleteHey Kay,
DeleteMaybe the zumba instructor has a hearing loss and has to turn up the volume so she hears it? Only slightly kidding. Holly
Your dishwasher keeps on beeping after it is finished? Mine only beeps once, very softly. Maybe you can set it to not beep?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would want to wear a hearing aid either. There is already so much ambient noise with airplanes and traffic noises constantly in the background, sometimes a dull muffle is preferable. If dementia is feared, look up natural supplements. Curcumin (turmeric) and/or coconut oil are great, and green tea is very good for detoxification and other benefits.
Our older dog is deaf and can't hear commands so she just does what she wants. However, when it is dinnertime or fireworks, she is able to hear just fine. Selective hearing, just like Art.
Yup, our dishwasher beeps every so many minutes. I don't know how to set it to stop beeping after a couple of warnings.
DeleteI had a hearing test at about age 55 for a required physical. I was surprised to learn that I had already experienced hearing loss and could not hear low beeps. The tech said that kind of loss is common for folks over 40. I remember just sitting and waiting to raise my hand for the beeps and not hearing a darn thing. Yup there were beeps but it was too low on my hearing spectrum. That's what I get for all those rock concerts and dancing in front of speakers at clubs. -N
ReplyDeleteArt says he suffered hearing loss from all the house renovation work he was doing with his power equipment. We really have to protect our hearing.
DeleteThis is a whole lot of helpful information, Kay. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. My mama doesn't hear well, she knows it and we know it. However, her doctors have not suggested a hearing aid yet, just did the ear wash procedure. Siiiigh, maybe soon.
ReplyDeleteIf Art is serious about hearing aids, and if he is having hearing loss, he probably should be, make sure you get the ones that are programed to hear the sounds he is missing, etc. Jim has worn them for about four or five years now. He has the kind that fit behind the ear and then a little tube goes into the ear. (Poor description.) Also, make sure the testing is done by an audiologist. I honestly thought Jim had dementia before he had his hearing tested. He was not hearing me at all. That is why it appeared he didn't know what was going on. I am sending you a link privately to a very close friend of mine who is very knowledgeable about hearing loss and hearing aids. She is traveling right now, but she might be able to get back to you if you have questions.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sally! I'm still trying to convince Art that he should get them.
DeleteWe tend top have some vanity when it comes to getting hearing aids. Glasses...not so bad. But hearing aids no.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about the stigma about hearing aids? I wouldn't hesitate if told I needed them. Guess they are like bifocals use to be.years ago. They are a visible badge of aging. Wasn't aware of the dementia connection also. Just one more reason go get them Hope Art finds ones that suit him.
ReplyDeleteI used to think Mike was always just ignoring me until I went with him for a hearing test. By that time, he was so hard of hearing that he really wasn't interested in adjusting to the hearing aids. He told the audiologist he wanted hearing aids so he could hear crickets at night. The audiologist said, "Oh, you will never hear crickets again. They haven't invented hearing aids that are that good!" Your chart looks great!!
ReplyDeleteI went to an audiologist or hearing doctor because of ringing in my ears. he said I had perfect hearing and would have to get used to the ringing-it's disappeared now I notice!
ReplyDeleteI only realized how expensive hearing aids were until recently. Some are worth a good bit more than my car.
ReplyDeleteI have a hearing loss and should probably look into hearing aids, but I am reticent too. Everyone I know who gets them either hates them because the amplify noise but don't help sort out conversation, or they have to keep upgrading them, each time spending at least $3000 an ear. I am waiting until the problem is more severe before I get on that band wagon.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has hearing aids from the VA. He was drafted in the 60's and served for 2 years. We paid big bucks for the first pair years ago before we knew he could go to the VA and get a pair of the latest and best for $50. Tell Art to go get tested there so a record can be kept. He may not want or really need hearing aids yet but if the loss continues over the years he will see the progression. Seeing the hearing loss on a chart is what convinced my husband that he was missing more sounds than he thought. Good luck - Mary.
ReplyDeleteFWIW one of the first assessments any competent licensed and nationally certified audiologist should provide is to peer into your ears looking for your pearly white eardrums. They'll observe immediately if you have earwax & recommend any necessary wax removal. Important for hearing aid recipients to use their new aids so their hearing system in the brain can adapt over time and to differing communication situations. Too many new aid users get frustrated before they adapt to aids and leave them in a box in a drawer. Hearing loss can result in individuals not hearing sounds and words correctly. This can result in misunderstanding as the person with hearing loss may provide responses that don't make sense to the listener. Each may begin to think the other is crazy. The person with hearing loss providing inappropriate responses may even be thought to have dementia.
ReplyDeleteHearing screenings can assess presence of loss. Recommend if loss a hearing examination by a licensed Audiologist -- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association with Certificate of Clinical Competence. You can visit the Internet site of this nationally recognized professional organization for information. FWIW one of the first assessments any competent licensed and nationally certified audiologist should provide is to peer into your ears looking for your pearly white eardrums. They'll observe immediately if you have earwax & recommend any necessary wax removal. Important for hearing aid recipients to use their new aids so their hearing system in the brain can adapt over time and to differing communication situations. Too many new aid users get frustrated before they adapt to aids and leave them in a box in a drawer. Hearing loss can result in individuals not hearing sounds and words correctly. This can result in misunderstanding as the person with hearing loss may provide responses that don't make sense to the listener. Each may begin to think the other is crazy. The person with hearing loss providing inappropriate responses may even be thought to have dementia.
Hearing screenings can assess presence of loss. Recommend if loss a hearing examination by a licensed Audiologist -- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association with Certificate of Clinical Competence. You can visit the Internet site of this nationally recognized professional organization for information.
Sorry for the duplication in my comment. I'm new to using this mini iPad and had a problem posting my comment which somehow I managed to copy twice, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joared! So very nice to meet you. No problem with the duplication. I'm just impressed you could write all that on a mini iPad. We LOVE our regular sized iPad and use it all the time. Actually Taryn is an audiologist and she did look into our ears to check our ear drum. Art did have more ear wax than I did but she said it wasn't enough to hinder his hearing.
DeleteIt's a sign, isn't it? We spent years convincing my gramma to get them. I spent 15 years convincing my parents. Hubby has a 30% hearing loss, since childhood, he's been tested, but they won't solve his issues. sigh. I've used ear plugs when we've watches movies. I feel so sorry for him. That, and his cancer. He's pretty positive, though.
ReplyDelete