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Results of Actual Hearing Test and Next Steps

Like probably many on this forum I’m getting into that post 60 age where hearing may not hear as well as it once was. To baseline where I stand today, I arranged a professional assessment. Results:

  • 10dB loss at 2K Hz
  • 20dB loss at 4K Hz
  • 20dB loss at 8K Hz
  • Word recognition 100% at 70dB
  • Sound tolerance to 110dB (that’s loud)

Summary; mild to moderate loss at higher frequencies; muddled conversations in group settings. No urgent need for hearing aids but higher volume may be required for media.

I listen to music mostly at the 70-85 dB range; most theatrical movies and concerts can go as high as 95-100dB which is too loud for me. My McIntosh MA352 has EQ knobs which I rarely use. I prefer direct sound without boosting and play mostly vinyl. Also have EQ in my car.

I tried enhancing EQ settings at 2K and 10K Hz and found it did add more detail; at least it was an agreeable sound. My hope is to avoid hearing aids for as long as possible and still get maximum music enjoyment.

Anybody else encountering this or have some workarounds to suggest?

 

 

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mteetank's avatar
mteetank
17 posts
 

Held off getting hearing aids until this year. "Say again" was beginning to sound like a skipping LP! I have Signia AX7, both for $4K no tax. Love them. My audiologist added a program that allows me turn on a program that is for music listening which means it turns off all the automatic stuff so they listen to the entire room like normal hearing. I now can hear like a kid again. If I don’t want to use them I take them out but for me I love them for listening to music. They have blu-tooth so I always have earbuds that nobody can see. Can adjust with an app on my phone to improve how they work in tough situations or to help hear the TV. The new hearing aids in 2023 are absolutely amazing but you need to be the judge.

One option which a friend of mine did was went to Miracle Ear and tried them for 30 days but did not end up buying those and went with Widelux. Hers are about 4 years old and the improvements that have occurred in just the last years are amazing. All major brands let you try them and you can return them for full refund if you just don’t want them.

I recommend getting prescription vs otc. Enjoy the music and hear what you been missing!

fbgbill's avatar
fbgbill
294 posts
 

I am 74 and have worn hearing aids for about 15 years. I have very acute tinnitus so a lot of high frequency loss. My current aids have bluetooth and I can adjust them on my iPhone if necessary which I rarely do. They can never replace a good set of ears so protect them when you are younger. 

willy-t
124 posts
 

Widex Moments are audiophile hearing aids designed for music first then speech

 

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
101 posts
 

Research is showing that loss of hearing has a direct connection to dementia. Apparently there are noises that the earth makes a hum I guess along with basic conversations. So as much as we may hate to use hearing aids, the benefits of being senile outweigh the deficits in my opinion. As I am aging out I am going to start saving so that I can get the very best hearing aid, that is available. I lost my mother this Friday, and I will attest that when she had her hearing aids in she was a different person even though he has passed, my father was a really cranky person until he got his hearing aids. 

gtscott
2 posts
 

As a 69 year old man I was tested to have -60Db at 8K. Even though I was used to the loss (very slow over many years) the fact was that music lost it's balance completely. Hearing aids are great and once you have them you will not want to give them up.

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