Hello Good People,
I’m a 50 year old male. I teach Junior High math and suffered a sudden hearing loss last December.
Now I struggle in my classroom. I’ve seen a doc who ordered an MRI to rule out anything in the brain.
The verdict: sensorineural hearing loss.
| Left | Frequency | Right |
| 25 | 250 | 10 |
| 30 | 500 | 10 |
| 20 | 1k | 10 |
| 25 | 2k | 25 |
| 40 | 4k | 55 |
| 45 | 8k | 50 |
Is this the audiogram of someone who would benefit from hearing aids?
Thank you!!!
Harry
In your case it’s probably more about the hearing of the children around you, they will have hearing in the minus scores. If you need to hear what is being said at all times then yes. If you aren’t bothered by what is being said near to you then no.
As Um Bongo said, it a marginal need. You loss isn’t as large as many first time users. However, you are saying you need help in the classroom. What might serve you well are less expensive aids or PSAP which are simple amplifiers that can concentrate providing help in the higher frequencies. Expensive aids are more adjustable and can address noise. If you’ve a fairly quite classroom, that is superfluous.
When you are saying your understanding has decreased, you are point to a problem that isn’t always address by an audiogram. The brain’s plasticity can also deteriorate and is even harder sometimes to restore than lost frequencies. For now a PSAP might do that and maintain the plasticity that is creeping away.
I’d start first with looking at a PSAP to see if it addresses your need. Look for one that you seem to like with a 30 day trial provided. Some hearing clinics are actually starting to offer PSAP. I saw a local ad from Accuquest offering them. An online source is Amazon. Should you get them, give them most of the 30 day trail before giving up on the idea.
Erm, a classroom is one of the most challenging reverberant situations with HF chatter, and the lunch-hall/corridors are worse again. Proper hearing aids are needed to hear the voices around. PSAPs are really not much use in this situation.
I stand corrected. So what type of aid would you suggest with his marginal loss?
Slykalen, Um Bongo is a well regarded fitter of aids with solid views. He has clinics in Wales and isn’t to be disregarded.
Hearing aids will probably help you hear the kids in your classroom better, but don’t expect a huge WOW factor because your loss isn’t that bad. Good luck!
It’s a mild loss but not marginal, especially when the kids will be able to hear 30/40 dB better. To put that in real terms, that’s 500 to 1000 times more sensitive. There will be a wow factor, try a set of Opns if the budget allows and see how they work in the real world.
Thank you to everyone who responded to my query. Many of your comments reflected my inner monologue, questioning whether my loss was mild or marginal; whether I need hearing aids, or am being sold something expensive for someone else’s gain.
First a question: What are OPNs?
Are Kirkland Signature HAs OPNs?
When I say I’m struggling in my classroom, I mean I need to ask students to repeat themselves four or five times in each class. Many of my students are English learners who speak very quietly and are shy to repeat themselves. There are also students speaking quietly to each other who don’t want me to hear them. Sight and hearing are my primary means of being present to prevent bullying and teasing or just to keep my students focused.
Other issues I’m having:
• Carpool (I’ve been carpooling with the same two guys for 13 years). These days, when I am in the back seat, I pretty much don’t even try to participate in the conversation.
• I have a constant sensation that my ears are plugged which becomes stronger and less pronounced over time.
• Music is frequently annoying now, rather than pleasurable (I’m listening to a lot more podcasts and spoken word since music has become grating.)
• Certain loud noises and person’s voices are very annoying now as well.
After a long wait, I got to see a Costco hearing tech who performed the test I posted. Because of the way insurance works in the USA, I have an opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars for un-reimbursed medical expenses once per year during the “open enrollment” period (now). Then I can purchase medical equipment after October 15th. So, I’m planning to put aside some dollars and try out something from Costco after the 15th.
The OPNs are a premium hearing aid by Oticon. Costco does not carry them. If you go the Costco route, there are several good quality aids that go from $1800-$2600 per pair. Costco also has a nice long trial period (6 months).
Harry
I should certainly give it a go to trial hearing aids from different brands out, certainly if you get a long trial period of 6 months (or more). You don’t have anything to lose.
With aging your loss will become greater, and the longer you wait the more it might be difficult to adapt to hearing aids. And the audi’s always emphasize “if you don’t use it, lose it”.
I must confess I have waited much too long to take the jump, but now my hearing loss has come to a point it handicapes me in daily life. So I started a 3rd trial period in nearly 10 years time just a month ago.
Good luck!