When I was a teenager, I lost some hearing in one ear 24 years ago from irresponsible hunter firing a gun near my ear during duck season. Subsequently worked around heavy equipment. I’ve had ringing in my ears for 20+ years and additional loss in the affected ear. My ability to understand anyone in a crowd or around background noise is approaching zero. Not terrible in other circumstances. It affects my quality of life. I’m reduced to hearing sounds like a Charlie Brown cartoon in those circumstances.
I’ve had three hearing tests over the past decade. The typical response is that I’m close to needing a hearing aid, but not yet despite the ringing and lack of hearing around background noise.
Is there something about the hearing test that does not take into account loss of hearing with background noises? Or is this a different type of test? My Kaiser audiologist is not compelled to investigate any further.
Not sure how to pursue this, but I’d like to be able to hear conversations when I’m not in a quiet space.