How do you all manage mild hearing loss?


I’m 37, and have done a significant amount of concert going, clubbing and loud music listening in my life. As a result, I have what I perceive to be 3-6db of permanent hearing loss in my left ear. I don’t notice it as much when listening to my headphone setup, or home theater, but with 2-channel I end up needing use the balance controls in order to get a perfectly centered image.

I don’t particularly like using the balance control, because I see it like any other tone control, as affecting the output negatively.

So my question is, how do those of you with some hearing loss handle this situation? I’ve noticed that if I take my left finger and push my left ear about 3mm outward, I can center the image that way, without the need for the balance controls. This has led me to start experimenting with pieces of foam, shaped like a C with a graduated wedge that I can fit behind my ear to make it pop out a few mm. I’m wondering if a solution already exists for this problem? If not, I’ll probably keep playing with my design until I have something that works really well, and then have my brother in law 3D print it for me when I arrive at a final design.

Thoughts?
128x128dougeyjones
Dougey,

I have mild loss in one and moderate in the other and tinnitus, to many years working around jets. ( With hearing protection )

As far as listening to music its not horrible yet, I am sure there are some details I miss. I can compensate by turning the volume up but then I may be causing further loss faster so I try not to do that. To often. Where its apparent to me is conversation, I miss words or have to ask for them to be repeated and the person is standing next to me.

I think the tinnitus is worse, always there and frequently increases for periods.

Stating the obvious but do you clean them well? I use Debrox first then the Rhino bottle. I think it helps a little with the tinnitus, maybe both, at least maybe keeps it at bay a little.

Interesting about the work on repairing the cilia hair, once those are damaged thats it. I believe instead of standing up they lay down. And tinnitus is the result of those hairs vibrating.

We just have to deal with it, now if they are able to repair the cilia hair that will be huge.

Will
Have you visited with a doctor to see what your hearing loss really is instead of guessing?  It seems like it would be easier to effectively remedy with a proper assessment of the issue.
Mr Jones, just use the darn balance control. Every Record, file, tape and CD is different. I have to adjust my balance with almost every source.