This has been a long time coming...
I've been noticing for a while that Art hasn't been able to hear certain things. He used to say it was me who was hard of hearing. I even had my hearing tested when we were in Illinois and they laughed and said it was probably "selective." Loud whistling noises do bother me and so does the very loud Zumba music. In fact, I'm the only person at Zumba who wears ear plugs because I really don't want to take a chance with my hearing deteriorating.
Art had his hearing tested a few years ago and tests showed some loss, but he didn't feel it was bad enough. We then got his hearing tested again at Sam's Club some months ago that showed more loss which still didn't move him toward getting hearing aids. Tripler Hospital sent him again to get his hearing tested and it all showed that yes, yes, he should get hearing aids. He also has tinnitus which is a ringing in the ear.
He admitted that it may have been a subconscious feeling that hearing aids would admit his aging. Or maybe it was how people who had them said everything got noisy and was distracting.
Going to a seminar where it was mentioned that hearing loss could contribute to the deterioration of unused brain cells and possibly hasten dementia that probably finally motivated Art to agree to getting hearing aids.
Whatever it was, there we were finally getting hearing aids for Art. We are very grateful to Linda of Linda Letters who gave lots of extremely helpful information based on her experiences.
There were a number of choices, but when our sales assistant at Tripler recommended ReSound, we opted for Starkey's Halo which is the brand that Linda went with. We know she did a thorough research and Art also did his due diligence.
It should be arriving in about a month. It will be just in time for him to be able to hear our granddaughter clearly when she, our daughter and techie son-in-law arrive. I hope Art doesn't turn the sound on the TV so low now that I won't be able to hear it.
POSTSCRIPT:
For my friends in Mexico: Happy Cinco de Mayo!
For my Japanese friends: Happy Children's Day! (Kodomo no Hi) It used to be Tango no Sekku (Boys' Day) but now it's inclusive of both sexes. March 3rd was Girls' Day (Hinamatsuri). Whatever the case, we've sent a carp wind sock to our grandson.
I've been noticing for a while that Art hasn't been able to hear certain things. He used to say it was me who was hard of hearing. I even had my hearing tested when we were in Illinois and they laughed and said it was probably "selective." Loud whistling noises do bother me and so does the very loud Zumba music. In fact, I'm the only person at Zumba who wears ear plugs because I really don't want to take a chance with my hearing deteriorating.
Art had his hearing tested a few years ago and tests showed some loss, but he didn't feel it was bad enough. We then got his hearing tested again at Sam's Club some months ago that showed more loss which still didn't move him toward getting hearing aids. Tripler Hospital sent him again to get his hearing tested and it all showed that yes, yes, he should get hearing aids. He also has tinnitus which is a ringing in the ear.
He admitted that it may have been a subconscious feeling that hearing aids would admit his aging. Or maybe it was how people who had them said everything got noisy and was distracting.
Going to a seminar where it was mentioned that hearing loss could contribute to the deterioration of unused brain cells and possibly hasten dementia that probably finally motivated Art to agree to getting hearing aids.
Whatever it was, there we were finally getting hearing aids for Art. We are very grateful to Linda of Linda Letters who gave lots of extremely helpful information based on her experiences.
There were a number of choices, but when our sales assistant at Tripler recommended ReSound, we opted for Starkey's Halo which is the brand that Linda went with. We know she did a thorough research and Art also did his due diligence.
It should be arriving in about a month. It will be just in time for him to be able to hear our granddaughter clearly when she, our daughter and techie son-in-law arrive. I hope Art doesn't turn the sound on the TV so low now that I won't be able to hear it.
POSTSCRIPT:
For my friends in Mexico: Happy Cinco de Mayo!
For my Japanese friends: Happy Children's Day! (Kodomo no Hi) It used to be Tango no Sekku (Boys' Day) but now it's inclusive of both sexes. March 3rd was Girls' Day (Hinamatsuri). Whatever the case, we've sent a carp wind sock to our grandson.
I have more loss than he and have been trying out new aids for almost two months. There's not perfect solution for me but good enough, I guess. I had Starkeys once, and they were pretty good.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we take our senses for granted.When the loss is insidious, that too can play a role in self awareness. So glad Art was able to properly evaluate his options and settle on a type that will work for him.
ReplyDeleteGreat that Art will get the hearing aids he needs, good analysis. I know some people who refuse to claim their senior discounts. You can get some of those after 55. Then again I am sensitive to salespeople who give the discount without asking. But this is a different topic!
ReplyDeleteArt won't be sorry. Any oddities are quickly adjusted to. He may want to have his hair cut a little higher off his ear. I wear my hair short, like his, and I need to have it cut higher than the aide, because new cut hair is bristly and scrapes on the aide with an irritating sound. As my hair grows, it seems to have softer ends and doesn't make that irritating sound. I have the same kind of hearing aids; my only suggestion.
ReplyDeleteYou are smart to protect your hearing from loud music. I know it is hard to admit the need for hearing aid, but it is definitely better to get them before the hearing loss is critical.
ReplyDeleteLet me know how the hearing aid works with the tintinitus.
ReplyDeleteAren't blogging friends wonderful? So glad you were able to connect with Linda in Seattle to share information. Good luck to you and Art in the coming adjustment period.
ReplyDeleteGrandma, I hope Grandpa can hear better soon! :) KC
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Hi, KC! How exciting! My first comment from you. Wait till I show Grandpa. He'll love it!
DeleteHow exciting, the first comment! I recently got a first email from my granddaughter, and it was like the beginning of something great.
DeleteI wonder why it is so hard to get hearing aids that work really well with all the advances technologies.
ReplyDeleteI hope it goes well
ReplyDeleteI'm 52 and I think I will be needing them by the time I reach 60. I can notice my hearing loss getting worse as the years go by.
ReplyDeleteWe never embraced May 5th as Childrens Day. If March 3rd is Girls Day, then my wife & I celebrate May 5th as Boys Day only. Old habits are hard for us to change.
We're just like you. We don't think of May 5th as Children's Day. It will always be Boys and Girls Day for us.
DeleteDid you see my post about the free hearing test at Sam's Club? It's terrific. They'll tell you very clearly how good (or bad) your hearing is. And they're very nice there too!
Good for Art. I'm trying to persuade David to get a second hearing aid so he can hear me no matter where we are. We do have funny conversations, however.
ReplyDeleteI live in a straight line about 1-1/2 blocks away from the Mililani Y and I can clearly hear their Zumba classes. It is LOUD and we live right behind the main street too. I wondered about the hearing impairment for their dance members if it's that loud here. I remember taking a pre-employment hearing test and I couldn't hear the low tones and the tech said that's normal for aging and I was only 50-ish! My hearing aid wearing neighbors told me they can't stand wearing their aids becuz all the sounds around is magnified too and was more annoying and distracting. BB
ReplyDeleteI really need my ear plugs during Zumba and I keep wondering about the ladies who are dancing near the speakers. It just can't be good.
DeleteSome things about aging are very hard to accept. I'm one who should have a hearing test.
ReplyDeleteAs you will see in my most recent post, I have had some trouble adjusting, mostly because my hearing loss is in the high frequency range. But yesterday I got upgraded to the Halo 2, which just came out. Find out if you are getting the latest model.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... Art is also in the high frequency range. I don't know which Halo he'll be getting.
DeleteIt is good that Art is getting help with his hearing. My husband was also tested and found to need hearing aids but he kept saying it was because I did not articulate well enough – could be my French accent, he said … But the memory specialist at his Alzheimer’s doctor said not to get him any because it will lose them as soon as he gets them. They are expensive and she said that most of her Alzheimer’s patients lose them again and again – so I am trying to ar-ti-cu-la-te clearly and loudly!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get along without hearing aids in situations like today when I had to take notes at a meeting. They can't restore your hearing to what it was,but they sure help.
ReplyDeleteFunny how the conversations among my friends have evolved over the years, and lately it has been about health and care giving issues, and we all need to have things repeated - either because we forgot what was just said or we couldn't hear it well.
ReplyDeleteEver since our kids became teenagers, I think they lost their hearing, especially when I talk to them. Getting older is really rather funny. I know that they will feel the same when they become my age - and hopefully they can laugh about it.
I should get my hearing tested, too. I know that I've lost hearing in my left ear and have tinnitus in it occasionally, but the other ear seems pretty good. I have friends at the coffee shop who are REALLY getting deaf and it really drives me crazy sometimes to have to shout at him so he can hear me. But he's stubborn and won't go for a test. Maybe I should and then he'll be shamed into it. :-)
ReplyDeleteTell him to just drop by Sam's Club or Costco and get it tested there. Maybe going to a doctor is scarier? Check first if you have the same free hearing test offer though in your area.
DeleteLike Mage I am very interested how the hearing aids effect tinnitus. So far I think I my hearing is OK but would really hate it if aids made the ringing in my ears louder. Hope he has a smooth transition.
ReplyDeleteApparently the hearing test is actually supposed to reduce the tinnitus. I don't know if it eliminates it, but it's supposed to make it better. Art is hoping.
DeleteJust happened to be visiting Mage's blog and saw yours listed on her sidebar. And here you're talking about a hot topic between my husband and me. He needs hearing aids but we haven't a clue what brands are good and which to avoid. Thanks for covering this for us! I don't know where you are located, but we're in California. I'll have to do some checking for your husband's hearing aid brand. I'll need them before too much longer... Getting old sucks so baaad!
ReplyDeleteGood for Art! Please let us know how it is. So the hearing aid is only in one ear?
ReplyDeleteHe was going to get just one but it was recommended that he get two.
Delete