I have an elderly neighbor who has difficulty with his hearing aids. It's fairly common at his age. I think he and others would profit greatly if he had a listening device he could hang around others, so that he could hear them speak. RShk sold one a few years ago, and I've even seen one person wearing one. Are there others? It was somewhat bigger than a matchbox, maybe like an Ipod. -- W. eWatson
On Feb 21, 11:54 am, "W. eWatson" <notval...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I have an elderly neighbor who has difficulty with his hearing aids. It's > fairly common at his age. I think he and others would profit greatly if he > had a listening device he could hang around others, so that he could hear > them speak. RShk sold one a few years ago, and I've even seen one person > wearing one. Are there others? It was somewhat bigger than a matchbox, maybe > like an Ipod. > -- > W. eWatson
we...@aol.com wrote: > On Feb 21, 11:54 am, "W. eWatson" <notval...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: >> I have an elderly neighbor who has difficulty with his hearing aids. It's >> fairly common at his age. I think he and others would profit greatly if he >> had a listening device he could hang around others, so that he could hear >> them speak. RShk sold one a few years ago, and I've even seen one person >> wearing one. Are there others? It was somewhat bigger than a matchbox, maybe >> like an Ipod. >> -- >> W. eWatson
It shows zero found. I see turbo ear, but that's like a hearing aid. The device I saw was a box that hung around the person's ear, and had an ear piece that went to his ear. The benefit is that it's not so easy to lose and the volume could be adjusted easily.
On Mon, 23 Feb 2009, W. eWatson wrote: > we...@aol.com wrote: >> On Feb 21, 11:54 am, "W. eWatson" <notval...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: >>> I have an elderly neighbor who has difficulty with his hearing aids. It's >>> fairly common at his age. I think he and others would profit greatly if he >>> had a listening device he could hang around others, so that he could hear >>> them speak. RShk sold one a few years ago, and I've even seen one person >>> wearing one. Are there others? It was somewhat bigger than a matchbox, >>> maybe >>> like an Ipod. >>> -- >>> W. eWatson
>> http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/search.asp?GUID=F7E47847-57E3-... > It shows zero found. I see turbo ear, but that's like a hearing aid. The > device I saw was a box that hung around the person's ear, and had an ear > piece that went to his ear. The benefit is that it's not so easy to lose and > the volume could be adjusted easily.
Huh?
The problem may be that the hearing aid(s) aren't configured for the person. Nobody loses their hearing at the same rate or the same frequency loss as anyone else. A proper hearing aid allows for configuration for the specific person's hearing.
Cheap off the shelf "hearing aids" are mere amplifiers, and all a mere amplifier will do is amplify the sounds, which won't deal with lousy high frequency response (by the time it's loud enough up there, a straight amplifier will supply way too loud low frequency sounds), or the loss of dynamic range in the ear.
An external box, which is what hearing aids looked like back before transistors made for small units, is still a hearing aid. The only advantage is if it does pack more circuitry in there, but chances are very good that it's just a cheap amplifier.
The one thing that may help is to get the signal pickup closer to the sound source, so one doesn't have to turn up the volume control to hear someone across the room; the problem then is that it also amplifies every sound, and the ratio is the same. A directional microphone, or one placed closer to the person speaking, will get a better signal without picking up the junk. Some/many hearing aids have external inputs, though I'm not sure there is a standard, to allow for external microphones. That's always a better choice since it incorporates the hearing aid's frequency shaping and any AGC that was configured for the specific user.
The same when watching tv. Bringing the signal direct from the tv set via a headphone extension or even a microphone placed close to the tv set's speaker, will get the user closer to that sound source without having to turn up the volume and hear the frogs outside as loud as the desired sound. If the current hearing aids have external microphone jacks, then that's the way to go.
Many/most hearing aids, at least real prescription ones, have an induction loop inside, to allow the aids to be used with telephones. So that's another way of coupling a signal into the hearing aid, a microphone feeding a small amplifier that feeds an inductive coupler placed next to the hearing aid(s). Again, that includes the frequency shaping of the hearing aid in the signal chain, unlike an amplifier feeding headphones.
So the person should be checking to make sure the hearing aid(s) are still useful to them and properly adjusted. The hearing aid store is bound to have useful accessories, including pre-made inductive loops to get sound into the hearing aids (assuming they have the "telephone pickups").
There may be a local store that sells products for those with hearing loss, be it a standalone store or one that generally supplies items to the handicapped. There may also be organizations that help those with hearing loss, that may offer such items on a cost basis or point to local resources.
Michael Black wrote: >The problem may be that the hearing aid(s) aren't configured for the >person. Nobody loses their hearing at the same rate or the same >frequency loss as anyone else. A proper hearing aid allows for >configuration for the specific person's hearing.
>Cheap off the shelf "hearing aids" are mere amplifiers, and all >a mere amplifier will do is amplify the sounds, which won't deal >with lousy high frequency response (by the time it's loud enough >up there, a straight amplifier will supply way too loud low frequency >sounds), or the loss of dynamic range in the ear[...]
Stuff we don't tend to think about. We certainly didn't think about it when we were young and stupid and went to rock concerts without earplugs.
Been traveling for four days. I've found a walkie-talky very effective with him. I don't need my end to listen to him, but do need it to talk to him. However, casual visitors that see him just don't see it that wait. Instead they fall into the habit, along with him, of shouting to make themselves heard. If I could find the box I initially described in my original post, I think it would be better than the walkie-talky arrangement. No fuss, and no muss about getting it into his ear. He would just hang it from him neck onto his chest. Hard to lose and no need for the other person to have a receiver.
When one reaches 80+ years, his case, then hearing aids are a continual problem. The very elderly get very careless and forgetful. On top of that, his case, fingers don't work well, so getting the aid in place is difficult. He has very expensive aids. In my view, for him, they are worthless.
<notval...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: >Been traveling for four days. I've found a walkie-talky very effective with >him. I don't need my end to listen to him, but do need it to talk to him. >However, casual visitors that see him just don't see it that wait. Instead >they fall into the habit, along with him, of shouting to make themselves >heard. If I could find the box I initially described in my original post, I >think it would be better than the walkie-talky arrangement. No fuss, and no >muss about getting it into his ear. He would just hang it from him neck onto >his chest. Hard to lose and no need for the other person to have a receiver.
>When one reaches 80+ years, his case, then hearing aids are a continual >problem. The very elderly get very careless and forgetful. On top of that, >his case, fingers don't work well, so getting the aid in place is difficult. > He has very expensive aids. In my view, for him, they are worthless.
Yes to all you have said.
I am soon to be 69 years old and have been using hearing aids for several years. My hearing loss is ok until 2 kHz then drops off rapidly. One would think that would not be a problem since communication equipment usually cuts off at 3 kHz. In reality, the bass frequencies set up a rumbly noise that masks everything else. Turning up the whole spectrum does nothing to help (I have an amplifier by MFJ that works as advertised but does not help me).
This morning my wife spoke one of those sentences out of the blue that came out "today er birthday". I had no clue as to what she was saying. It turned out that without my hearing aids I lost the "s" sounds and what she really said was "Today is Sarah's birthday". If I had been watching her lips I would have understood.
I think it would be handy to have some kind of headset that has complete response control for each ear. I don't believe any of the tools in the Audiologist's bag address the spectrum above 8 kHz. I would like to see for myself.
The behind the ear set I am currently using does very good with the 2-8 kHz range but is unsuitable for lower frequencies. It seems to me that amplifying the lower frequencies could further damage my hearing. I have a pair of in-the-canal aids that are in the $4,000 range that I just cannot seem to adapt to. They are just uncomfortable. It is important that the subject use the aids all the time so the brain can learn to make the best use of them.
My audiologist is very eager to work with me and we have actually tweaked the high frequencies up a little. I find it helps in all forms of listening.
Keep us posted, what we have can be improved and reduced cost wise. John Ferrell W8CCW
John Ferrell wrote: > On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:31:56 -0800, "W. eWatson" > <notval...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> Been traveling for four days. I've found a walkie-talky very effective with >> him. I don't need my end to listen to him, but do need it to talk to him. >> However, casual visitors that see him just don't see it that wait. Instead >> they fall into the habit, along with him, of shouting to make themselves >> heard. If I could find the box I initially described in my original post, I >> think it would be better than the walkie-talky arrangement. No fuss, and no >> muss about getting it into his ear. He would just hang it from him neck onto >> his chest. Hard to lose and no need for the other person to have a receiver.
>> When one reaches 80+ years, his case, then hearing aids are a continual >> problem. The very elderly get very careless and forgetful. On top of that, >> his case, fingers don't work well, so getting the aid in place is difficult. >> He has very expensive aids. In my view, for him, they are worthless.
> Yes to all you have said.
> I am soon to be 69 years old and have been using hearing aids for > several years. My hearing loss is ok until 2 kHz then drops off > rapidly. One would think that would not be a problem since > communication equipment usually cuts off at 3 kHz. In reality, the > bass frequencies set up a rumbly noise that masks everything else. > Turning up the whole spectrum does nothing to help (I have an > amplifier by MFJ that works as advertised but does not help me).
> This morning my wife spoke one of those sentences out of the blue that > came out "today er birthday". I had no clue as to what she was saying. > It turned out that without my hearing aids I lost the "s" sounds and > what she really said was "Today is Sarah's birthday". If I had been > watching her lips I would have understood.
> I think it would be handy to have some kind of headset that has > complete response control for each ear. I don't believe any of the > tools in the Audiologist's bag address the spectrum above 8 kHz. I > would like to see for myself.
> The behind the ear set I am currently using does very good with the > 2-8 kHz range but is unsuitable for lower frequencies. It seems to me > that amplifying the lower frequencies could further damage my hearing. > I have a pair of in-the-canal aids that are in the $4,000 range that I > just cannot seem to adapt to. They are just uncomfortable. It is > important that the subject use the aids all the time so the brain can > learn to make the best use of them.
> My audiologist is very eager to work with me and we have actually > tweaked the high frequencies up a little. I find it helps in all forms > of listening.
> Keep us posted, what we have can be improved and reduced cost wise. > John Ferrell W8CCW
Listen Up! That's the name of the RS device. It's $8.00. I had looked for this repeatedly over a six month period, three times I think looking for them or anything helpful. I walked in again today, and saw the salesman I usually with he immediately showed me where they were.
I tried them on my neighbor and they worked fine. They have two ear plugs that come out of the receiver box. If he has problems with them, then a cheap headset will probably do. I'll curious how this all plays out over the next few weeks.
> John Ferrell wrote: >> On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:31:56 -0800, "W. eWatson" >> <notval...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>> Been traveling for four days. I've found a walkie-talky very effective with >>> him. I don't need my end to listen to him, but do need it to talk to him. >>> However, casual visitors that see him just don't see it that wait. Instead >>> they fall into the habit, along with him, of shouting to make themselves >>> heard. If I could find the box I initially described in my original post, I >>> think it would be better than the walkie-talky arrangement. No fuss, and no >>> muss about getting it into his ear. He would just hang it from him neck onto >>> his chest. Hard to lose and no need for the other person to have a receiver.
>>> When one reaches 80+ years, his case, then hearing aids are a continual >>> problem. The very elderly get very careless and forgetful. On top of that, >>> his case, fingers don't work well, so getting the aid in place is difficult. >>> He has very expensive aids. In my view, for him, they are worthless.
>> Yes to all you have said.
>> I am soon to be 69 years old and have been using hearing aids for >> several years. My hearing loss is ok until 2 kHz then drops off >> rapidly. One would think that would not be a problem since >> communication equipment usually cuts off at 3 kHz. In reality, the >> bass frequencies set up a rumbly noise that masks everything else. >> Turning up the whole spectrum does nothing to help (I have an >> amplifier by MFJ that works as advertised but does not help me).
>> This morning my wife spoke one of those sentences out of the blue that >> came out "today er birthday". I had no clue as to what she was saying. >> It turned out that without my hearing aids I lost the "s" sounds and >> what she really said was "Today is Sarah's birthday". If I had been >> watching her lips I would have understood.
>> I think it would be handy to have some kind of headset that has >> complete response control for each ear. I don't believe any of the >> tools in the Audiologist's bag address the spectrum above 8 kHz. I >> would like to see for myself. The behind the ear set I am currently using >> does very good with the >> 2-8 kHz range but is unsuitable for lower frequencies. It seems to me >> that amplifying the lower frequencies could further damage my hearing. >> I have a pair of in-the-canal aids that are in the $4,000 range that I >> just cannot seem to adapt to. They are just uncomfortable. It is >> important that the subject use the aids all the time so the brain can >> learn to make the best use of them. My audiologist is very eager to work with >> me and we have actually >> tweaked the high frequencies up a little. I find it helps in all forms >> of listening.
>> Keep us posted, what we have can be improved and reduced cost wise. John >> Ferrell W8CCW > Listen Up! That's the name of the RS device. It's $8.00. I had looked for this > repeatedly over a six month period, three times I think looking for them or > anything helpful. I walked in again today, and saw the salesman I usually with > he immediately showed me where they were.
> I tried them on my neighbor and they worked fine. They have two ear plugs that > come out of the receiver box. If he has problems with them, then a cheap > headset will probably do. I'll curious how this all plays out over the next > few weeks.
I have a neighbor who has very bad hearing, and has probably gone some of the same pains as you. He advised me of a web site that might be helpful to you. Surf over to www.hearmore.com and download their catalog. It has a lot of aids for the hard of hearing, including the around-the-neck units, ear buds, headphones, radios, etc. Perhaps you can find something there that would help. I noticed that a few of the devices have tone control. Maybe one of those would help control the low frequencies. --
Dave M MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in the address)
Life is like a roll of toilet paper; the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
> I have a neighbor who has very bad hearing, and has probably gone some of the > same pains as you. He advised me of a web site that might be helpful to you. > Surf over to www.hearmore.com and download their catalog. It has a lot of aids > for the hard of hearing, including the around-the-neck units, ear buds, > headphones, radios, etc. Perhaps you can find something there that would help. > I noticed that a few of the devices have tone control. Maybe one of those would > help control the low frequencies.
Thanks, but I don't have a hearing problem. It's my elderly neighbor. He seems to be enjoying his Radio Shack Listen Up. -- W. eWatson
In article <b5Ynl.18338$c45.2...@nlpi065.nbdc.sbc.com>, "W. eWatson" <notval...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I have an elderly neighbor who has difficulty with his hearing aids. It's > fairly common at his age. I think he and others would profit greatly if he > had a listening device he could hang around others, so that he could hear > them speak. RShk sold one a few years ago, and I've even seen one person > wearing one. Are there others? It was somewhat bigger than a matchbox, maybe > like an Ipod.
There is an app for the APple iPhone/Ipod Touch that amplifies sound - handy gadget for hearing what the kids are up to, or just helping those who have trouble hearing
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