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RE: Hearing aids?

Posted by M3 lover (A) on September 26, 2017 at 10:04:15

In Reply to: Consensus on audiophile quality Hearing aids? Here is what I've found posted by Carl G on September 26, 2017 at 01:01:29:

Carl,

I've worn hearing aids for 15 years, and while I've not auditioned most models (which individual has?) I am skeptical you will find anything like "audiophile quality" simply by choosing a specific device.

In large part this is because the human hearing mechanism is so complex and what pleases one person may not suit another. It is not as simple as being fitted for eye glasses for example. To make matters worse, achieving perception of natural musical tonalities is far more difficult than speech recognition for those of us with hearing loss.

So is it hopeless for those of us experiencing hearing loss who are music lovers? I don't believe so, but I'll suggest it requires a great deal of patience and persistence. Here are my recommendations:

1. Find a qualified audiologist. My experience was dispensers simply wanting to sell me their most expensive devices I might afford, until I discovered a hearing clinic at a local university. Being non-profit, their concern was matching me with the most appropriate aids, not selling me the most expensive.

2. Be prepared to test more than one brand/model. One size does not fit all and hearing loss plus individual expectations are too varied for one design to suit most individuals.

3. Just as important as the hearing device selected will be the individual programming for your aids. I found the "music program" recommended by the device manufacturer was not accurate to my ears. Simple tests in the office will not be adequate if you are concerned with realizing accurate musical tonalities. I found I needed to go home and listen to a variety of music on my system and also attend one or more live concerts, then go back to the audiologist with my observations about any issues. The program for my aids would then be tweaked and I'd repeat the process. Don't be surprised if you need to do this a few times.

I hope this does not sound too discouraging to you or others facing this issue. More than once I've had another member in our audio club express surprise by my comments following an audition, saying they didn't expect anyone with hearing aids could perceive the sonic characteristics I described. And my hearing loss is now classified as severe.

Oh yes, I am also able to say I still enjoy listening to music. ;^)

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

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