Expectations of Power Hearing aids for severe to profound loss.

Highlands said:
Thanks and I want to ask something I forgot to add . Does feedback cancellation lower sound quality of hearing aids ? My hearing aid has 'static' feedback cancellation not dynamic cancellation. My audi did run static cancellation programme . I heard some beeping sounds while testing and the software performed some settings . Yet, I'm thinking of getting it removed after having gotten proper earmolds. What is acrylic earmolds? I already have soft and full shel earmolds and no luck even after fifth or sixth try and hard earmolds even worse and I got 'constant' feedback with hard earmolds . Is this related to the experience level of the person who takes the impressions and made earmolds. He made a half shell or clipped earmold and I didn't like half size earmolds.

I'll discuss about setting UCL and MCL settings with my audiologist. They have a hearing testing room. Thanks cuz I didn't know that alot of consonants are mid pitch !!! I'll consider mid frequency settings.

My aids have noise reduction feature . Does this feature lower the sound quality at quit situations where I don't need noise reduction. Do you recommend using noise reduction feature or removing it ?


And one more point for number of channels. My aids have three channels and my audi said that I don't need more channels and even two channels were sufficient enough for me ! Is that right ? Some other hearing aids have five or eight channels ! Yet, I did read in some sources that as number of channels increases the sound picture break into more pieces and becomes less natural and music quality may decrease with channels more than three . What's your opinion ?

I forgot to add . About telecoil. My aid has telecoil but it seems much less quieter and I cannot get enough volume from it. I tried to listen to music and telephone with T-coild turned on but volume is so low ! Do Normal mode and T-coild use the same volume control ?What can I do about this ? I need much more powerful T-coil.
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Static feedback cancelation will not degrade the way things sound in the sense of making thing sound distorted or staticy. It simply clips some of the high frequencies off, as that is what causes feedback (high frequency sound escaping and getting re-amplified). With new earmolds your audi should disregard the parameters that were measured with your old earmolds and re-run the feedback cancelation with the new molds. Acrylic molds are HARD molds. They are the hardest of the materials we use. There are pro's and con's when dealing with acrylic molds. Picking an earmold for a patient does come down to the audiologist experience with certain molds in certain situations. If he/she does not know, they should contact the manufacturer and ask for a earmold specialist to discuss your situation. If I had to take a guess, if he/she is ordering you a full acrylic mold, you will probably have more issues with feedback. As it is a rigid material that doesn't move with your ear (chewing, talking, ect ect). I would make an acrylic mold with a flex canal (silicone). This would help seal the ear canal better.


Noise reduction should not activate in a quiet room. When noise reduction kicks in, things may seem to get a little more quiet, but it should never degrade the signal. The only times I have issues with noise reduction is when it is too sensitive (I can control that on some hearing aids). The patient will often come back stating they can percieve the reduction too much, then I make it less sensitive.


Channels are nothing more than the number of individual frequencies I have control over. It does not break sound up/make it more choppy. If anything, the more channels I have the more natural I can make it sound (within reason). The more I have, the better I can shape sound into you ear. Take for instance a 2 channel hearing aid. A patient walks into my office with this hearing aid and says that their voice sounds hollow. When someone states this, it tells me I have to reduce a low frequency. Now remember it's a two channel hearing aid, so channel 1 encompasses 250hz-1100hz. All of those frequencies are lump summed together. Your low pitch hearing is your loudness perception. So I decrease channel 1 and they then state the hollowness is gone but everything is too soft. I increase it, now it sounds more hollow. In all actuality the only frequency I needed to adjust was 250hz, but because it was a 2 channel hearing aid, I was forced to increase/decrease 500-1100hz as well. Had that hearing aid had more channels, I would have been able to eliminate the hollowness and still given him/her the loudness they are looking for.


If your hearing aid has a programmable t-coil, your audiologist should be able to adjust it just like he/she does with your normal program. Are you using DAI w/your t-coil when you listen to music? If it is not a programmable t-coil then it will likely have a booster that your audiologist can enable (if it isn't already).
 
Thanks for your advice. I got new earmolds yesterday. My left earmold is fine and right one produces a little feedback but I think they could make some reshaping in my right ear earmold to reduce feedback. I have soft earmolds again.. but they are fine.

I never used DAI/FM . I used headphones to listen to music. What would happen if I use DAI /FM when listening to music ? Is sound quality better with DAI/FM ? and what is their costs ? I don't have much budget to spend on DAI/FM accessories.. I will discuss about telecoil setting with my audi on Saturday.. I need more loud telecoil sounds.

I will want my audi to turn off noise reduction and see if it changes sound quality .
 
Hear Again said:
If you have a chance to try DAI with your iPod and HAs, let us know how that works out.

Ever since I was diagnosed with severe-profound hearing loss, I've always used DAI when listening to music. If I tried listening to music with my HAs alone using the speakers of my computer or stereo, it always sounded distorted.

Even now that I have CIs, I still prefer to listen to music using DAI because the sound is much clearer.
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Can you clarify DAI?? as I love music and also what the Skelton Earmolds look like?? as I'm very interested as I'm getting new HAs but I just feel I don't like these digital HAs I'm wearing now since it does shut down alot of sounds and statickly as well.. I've seen the new boots to hook up to an IPOD but not too sure...

P.S. the time I replied this I didn't look down further enough to know what the Skelton Ear molds are like, yeah my Audiologist told me it's not good for my hearing loss 90 and 85 % loss..
 
DAI/FM and Music

DAI stands for Direct Audio input. You have to have a special boots for the hearing aids which have a socket for the DAI cord which runs from the device (Ipod,CD player, Etc.)to the hearing aid. As the sound is going directly into the hearing aid, it should be clearer.

I am trying an FM system and I can hook the FM transmitter (Microphone) to the device I want to listen to. The sound is transmitted to the recievers that are attached to the bottom of my hearing aids. I have found that music is much better for me with this set up. I was quite shocked to discover how much of the music I was missing. There was one song in particular that I did not know there were background singers and more instruments until I listened to it with this set up. I still have trouble with lyrics and instrumentals still don't sound quite the same as I remember, but the music has a richer quality. At work I was able to hook the FM system to the stereo system and I could move around and still hear the music. FM systems are affected by other electronics, distance and fluorescent lights so you can get static.

This system is probably the way to go if you have to attend meetings and lectures and if you have a lot of trouble hearing in noise. If you are going to use such a set up just for listening to music this set up is probably not worth the $3000 unless you really, really, really want to hear the music and the system helps you hear the music better. DAI boots and a DAI cord would be less expensive. I am glad I have a trial period for this system because if it does not help for meetings and lectures and in noise, it goes back!
 
set2 said:
DAI stands for Direct Audio input. You have to have a special boots for the hearing aids which have a socket for the DAI cord which runs from the device (Ipod,CD player, Etc.)to the hearing aid. As the sound is going directly into the hearing aid, it should be clearer.

I am trying an FM system and I can hook the FM transmitter (Microphone) to the device I want to listen to. The sound is transmitted to the recievers that are attached to the bottom of my hearing aids. I have found that music is much better for me with this set up. I was quite shocked to discover how much of the music I was missing. There was one song in particular that I did not know there were background singers and more instruments until I listened to it with this set up. I still have trouble with lyrics and instrumentals still don't sound quite the same as I remember, but the music has a richer quality. At work I was able to hook the FM system to the stereo system and I could move around and still hear the music. FM systems are affected by other electronics, distance and fluorescent lights so you can get static.

This system is probably the way to go if you have to attend meetings and lectures and if you have a lot of trouble hearing in noise. If you are going to use such a set up just for listening to music this set up is probably not worth the $3000 unless you really, really, really want to hear the music and the system helps you hear the music better. DAI boots and a DAI cord would be less expensive. I am glad I have a trial period for this system because if it does not help for meetings and lectures and in noise, it goes back!
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Right duh me as i do have the boots but I can't seem to really they do hook up well... and Yes I still have the FM system myself maybe I'll do that to give it a try.... I love music myself as I use to have a real FM system when I was younger and bring it home to listen to my sister's music downstairs while I'm upstairs.. it's awesome and VERY LOUD lmao... I think my audologist did give me a cord that goes from the fm system to the (ipod/walkman/computer) but it still doesn't work so I'll have to get it fix on my next appt for new hearing aids... (i don't even know what's the good brand out there to try) thanks for the input... just wishing there's a good way with the car stereo as well since I don't have the aux output in my new car... yeah I know some of the lyrics that I've known from years ago not the new ones which I'll have to read and study it.. I love reading lyrics... smile

I wear digital hearing aids just feel maybe I should get the analog ones but not too sure... I hate when it shuts down when too loud of noise or the dang humming from the lights... it's annoying...

like this one.. would this ever work... NoiZfree Beetle Bluetooth Headset

Thanks for the input ... have a great evening..
 
beetle Bluetooth

Canuckian Chick, I tried the Beetle Bluetooth but I had to send it back because the volume could not be adjusted up or down. I am waiting for a replacement and I will let you know how it goes.

Have you tried all the setting on your FM system? With the sytem I am trying the transmitter(Microphone) must be in something called "Omni" mode if I listening to my Ipod or TV. The recievers must be on the same Channel as the Transmitter for the system to work in any mode. If your system has more than one channel you might want to try resetting the channels on the recievers.

Sounds like you are trying the ALDS like I am. A "hearing" dog is about the only ALD have not tried. My "spoiled" dog would have issues if I got one, lol.
 
set2 said:
Canuckian Chick, I tried the Beetle Bluetooth but I had to send it back because the volume could not be adjusted up or down. I am waiting for a replacement and I will let you know how it goes.

Have you tried all the setting on your FM system? With the sytem I am trying the transmitter(Microphone) must be in something called "Omni" mode if I listening to my Ipod or TV. The recievers must be on the same Channel as the Transmitter for the system to work in any mode. If your system has more than one channel you might want to try resetting the channels on the recievers.

Sounds like you are trying the ALDS like I am. A "hearing" dog is about the only ALD have not tried. My "spoiled" dog would have issues if I got one, lol.
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Oh cool thanks for letting me know about the Beetle Bluetooth as I think there was something else I found that just goes on the back of the ear where the bone is... let me check to see if i can find this line... AVING Taiwan - Global News Network

FM system, I haven't checked yet but I'm not too sure what you meant about with the IPOD you mean the microphone of the FM (I'm a lil dummy when it comes to technology lol) too many new things coming out... THis FM system I have is just a new one recently with remote control on it lol... shhh... YOu will have to explain to me abit more what you meant lol... (blushing)

I just can't stand my three channels digital hearing aids now... I just want to know what kind of name brand you all wear now... I use to read unitron, phonak but I did like the small one by I think unitron or phonak but the battery life is very short cause of the amount of time I use my hearing aids...

ALDS?? lol my spoiled lapdog only licks when she wants water or food and barks at the door when people put newspaper in mailbox that's about it.. lol... she's a sweetheart though...

Thanks for the tips though and looking forward to hearing about the output for the Beetle Bluetooth replacement.
 
Hi, I was reading this whole thread here.

I can not remember what my hearing lost is but I am profound with severe hearing lost. I will ask my audio when I get a new ear mold made.

I now have DigiFocus II most powerful hearing aid made that just came out year 2005. My OVR paid for it all other wise it would have cost me over 3 grand for it.

Also I want to thank you for the link to the Blue Tooth for cell phones. I normally put my aid on T to speak on the phone but since I got the digi aid I can not do that since I shout so loud when it is on T. My old aid I could put it on T and was able to hear my self on the phone knowing if I was shouting or not.

My question I have is about earmolds. Consently my ear is filled with water or gooey water. I do not know what the problem is and why it is doing that. Will the bone earmold help this problem or no.

Which is the best there is. I normally get new ear molds once a year but due to money I go when I can.

Thanks
 
stream2525 said:
The main problem is distortion.

You can hear something but don't understand :roll:
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Is this the main problem with severe to profound losses?

I'm profoundly deaf but my left ear has only 4% speech as I can't actually seem to hear any speech with my left ear altho I can hear cars etc really well.

I'm starting to think this isn't normal as I've never heard of anyone else having this issue and its the way my Audi has programmed my aid altho he has enchanced the speech (60db) in the aid and has tried SO many different ways.
 
NaidaUP said:
Is this the main problem with severe to profound losses?

I'm profoundly deaf but my left ear has only 4% speech as I can't actually seem to hear any speech with my left ear altho I can hear cars etc really well.

I'm starting to think this isn't normal as I've never heard of anyone else having this issue and its the way my Audi has programmed my aid altho he has enchanced the speech (60db) in the aid and has tried SO many different ways.
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I feel sounds get distorted as well! I can hear noises sometimes and I know sometimes when people are talking but it's all noise and I can't understand what they're saying. The most use I get out of my hearing are for environmental sounds. My Audi has also programmed my aids diff ways to help and nothing really has ..hearing aids suck lol
 
lovezebras said:
I feel sounds get distorted as well! I can hear noises sometimes and I know sometimes when people are talking but it's all noise and I can't understand what they're saying. The most use I get out of my hearing are for environmental sounds. My Audi has also programmed my aids diff ways to help and nothing really has ..hearing aids suck lol
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My right is sometimes distorted, think it depend who's talking, mainly men are distorted.

My left is never distorted, just can't hear the speech, very annoying and very strange as noone else seems to have this problem :/

I find hearing aids are great for environmental sounds, personally I would hate to not wear my HAs as I like to know what's going on around me :)

I understand you frustrated about the fact hearing aid suck! :/
 
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