2. misc-audio
  3. 1222545982

Hearing Loss & Equalization

I'm looking for advice on the use of an equalizer to compensate for some hearing loss. I've considered myself an audiophile for many years, but age, abuse, and genetics have finally taken their toll. My hearing now starts to drop off at about 1500-2000hz, bottoms out about 40db down at 3000, and then comes back up at around 8000. In the real world I use hearing aids, but they don't do much for musical enjoyment. I do a lot of headphone listening using a Woo Audio tube headphone amp, and am wondering about whether a good equalizer in front of the amp could compensate somewhat for my curve. Any opinions, or suggestions for a good, high-quality equalizer that won't add too much distortion of it's own?
antonmb
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
I am hearing impaired also, have been for over 50 years, still enjoy the music. Antommb, take a clue from the digital hearing aids, the latest units do a good job at being a parametric equalizer. Since these new units can be programmed, it provides many opportunities to find something that works for you. The key is to find an audiologist that has many musicians as clients. Also, look into the products and work that Meade Killon has done. Meade's commercial products are the ER line of earphones. Also, the next time it comes to purchase new hearing aids, look into the Finetone line that uses the K-amp circuit.
antonmb OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for everyone's input. Dbphd, I've had an audiogram from a good audiologist, that's where the figures come from. Buconero117, I can't seem to find a website for Finetone, do you have any more info on how to find out about them?

Thanks
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Check with Norm, Tbg, about the hearing loss phenomenon.
electroid
283 posts
 
As a hearing aid provider for several years I will say your loss looks noise induced. When noise is the culprit we find the lowest response point at the ears natural resonant frequency of 3K. It varies based on ear size shape but is usually 2.7-3K

The second thing I'd say is most audiologists and providers don't set aids well, even more so for a "music program" where the compression and speech enhancement should be turned off.

Even though you are -40db @ 3K a 40db boost wouldn't sound good to you. This is because you lost your hearing over many years and your brain all the while was compensating for it.

The best thing is to find an audiologist that will make adjustments in real time while the aid is in your ear (very,very few do!) at your house with your system playing.
Again all the extra crap for speech processing must be turned off for a good sounding music program. Good aids often have 3 or 4 program settings. An open fit aid with the receiver in the canal would be best for music.

Feel free to email me with any other questions.

ET
electroid
283 posts
 
oh and use the phones less! They'll continue to worsen your hearing at an accelerated rate. Keep the volume as low as you can when you do use them.

ET
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