I found out a couple of years ago that I have mild high frequency hearing loss in my left ear. I was 37 at the time. It was a big surpise, as I have always had normal hearing, never been exposed to regular loud noises etc. So I was quite surprised at the diagnosis, and pretty upset initially. My right ear is within normal range. I only went because my left ear was fluttering when hearing low frequency sounds, such as bass from subwoofer or car engines. The ENT thinks it could be MEM.
I decided to get fitted with a hearing aid, after researching the benefits and the audiologist advising that they can bring back the missing high frequency sounds. I got fitted with a Widex Moment 440, as I wanted the most natural sound for music and movies. It appeared to be the best choice.
I have had the hearing aid for over 2 months now. Have had multiple adjustments by the audiologist. There was an issue with feedback on the puresound program to start with. Also it is now running at full prescription. The aid was also calibrated using REM.
I would say they are making a difference. It took a few weeks to adjust. However, I am really disappointed that I am not able to hear many sounds through my left ear. For example, in my normal ear, I can hear jingle bells, ticking clocks, drum cymbals, lots of other sounds. When I cover my right ear I dont hear them, even with my hearing aid in.
Its almost as if it is just making sounds I can already hear louder but not any missing sounds. Which is what I was expecting after reading and being advised by the audiologist.
The aid cost me 2.5k so its a big investment. Can anybody advise me? Am I correct in my thinking, that the aid should be bringing back these missing sounds?
Would be great to get some feedback. I will upload my audiogram tomorrow.
If you could post your audiogram it would help a lot. (Click on your avatar, then the little bell, then enter numbers in My Audiogram) Also, what kind of domes (things that go in your ears) are you wearing) If you’re wearing open domes it’s really hard to get enough gain in high frequencies without generating feedback. Are you past the return period? If not I’m guessing your getting close. Express your concerns to the audiologist and if they don’t offer any solutions (or good explanations) I’d return the aids.
A hearing aid is just that an aid ot cannot give you normal hearing, and depending on your hearing loss it cannot give you frequencies that your hearing loss has taken away.
I have been wearing aids for 20 years and it took me some years to accept that fact.
I understand that. However, I have been advised by the audiologist and what I’ve read online that a hearing aid WILL being back those missing frequencies and not just amplify sounds I can already hear. My loss is sensorineural. I’ve uploaded my audiogram. On this form lots of people speak about how its great hearing missing sounds, like birds chirping etc.
Exactly. This is why its confusing to me that the aid isnt providing these sounds. Its just amplifying what I can already hear but missing out lots of information. I only realise this because I have a normal hearing ear to compare with.
If you are still within your trial period, consider taking it back and going elsewhere and trying something else.
Maybe your audiologist is doing everything perfectly and outcomes will be the same for some reason, but if you aren’t satisfied with the device and if it isn’t helping you hear don’t keep it. I’d agree that if your audiogram as posted is still indeed your audiogram, you should be able to hear those things.
My only other though, offhand, is to turn off the pure sound program if you are sitting in that.
It definitely does help me hear things better, as its louder. I have noticed I dont need the TV volume as high.
Its just not allowing me to hear anything new, just making things I can hear already louder. My quick SIN was normal for both ears so I wasnt really struggling with speech.
I wanted to go with the aid because everyone was saying you will get those frequencies back as the loss is very mild and I would be a good candidate for a hearing aid. That was why I was willing to spend the 2.5k.
I have gone back to the audiologist for them to investigate.
There is no change regardless of the program selected. Its the same for all profiles including music and universal.
I can hear birds and wind chimes. You may be able to hear them too, but like I said hearing aids are just that aids. They amplify sounds, if you cannot ever hear a frequency the aids cannot change your brain.
As @MDB said, maybe you need more occluded fitting.
The other possibility is that the receivers aren’t placed deeply enough, so the sound first bounces off the ear canal wall (and is attenuated a bit) instead of going directly to your eardrum.
Hence maybe, for example, the lack of hearing of Jingle Bells.
However, that’s only my speculation.
I have poor audiogram in high frequencies and despite relatively old HA I hear up to 8kHz pure tone with no problem. I am also quite satisfied with music despite Phonak Paradise isn’t considered as “HA for musician”.
It’s highly plausible that he doesn’t need to have a more closed fitting.
Admittedly, I don’t have much experience with domes, but open domes look to me as physically unstable when thinking of proper placement of the receiver in the ear canal. To me, it seems that almost each placement of domes is slightly different and variable. Someone could correct me, if I am wrong.
I think variable placement is an issue for some people. Domes worked fine for me for awhile until I needed more gain. We couldn’t get enough gain without generating feedback. Custom molds with their ability to fine tuning venting allowed enough venting to minimize occlusion but eliminate feedback and yet still give me enough gain. I don’t think there should be an issue for OP to get enough gain to high frequencies without generating feedback.
The audiologist went with an open fit dome, because I have normal hearing in the low frequencies. If I went with a closed dome they would be effected right?
I will definitely speak to them about the possibility of a fitting issue though.
I appreciate that. My loss is considered mild though. I can understand it being harder for more severe hearing loss. I can still hear the high frequencies at 35db as per the tone test. So I’d expect the amplification to allow me to hear them at normal levels. Based on what I’ve read, peoples experiences and the audiologists.
