The Steel Guitar Forum

I've got 'em big time. I've been putting off dealing with it because I haven't had an extra 5 or 6 grand for a set of hearing aids.

But, I ran into an old musician buddy who just got a set for free from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. If you are working and need hearing aids, this government agency will buy them for you!

Man, this is unblelievable! I can't believe how much I've been missing. I'm now hearing tones that i haven't heard in 30 years! Piano and steel are like whole new instruments. It has given me a shot of creativity unlike anything I've ever had. Now I have to go out and get me a ner analog synth because I can hear all those filter sweeps and modulaion sweeps that have been missing for many years.

I'm not sure if this office exists in every state or not, but if you are hard of hearing, it is worth investigating. There was nothing to it. Just walked in, told them I couldn't hear, they asked for a copy of 2 years IRS returns and some ID, they set me up for some tests and a few weeks later, I had my hearing aids--free of charge.

They have 4 settings, regular, crowd noise control, phone and music. The music setting is like going to heaven. Unreal. And they can dial in the EQ precisely to your liking. It took a few trips back to get it tweaked the way I like it, but now it is absolutely fantastic.

If you are having problems with your hearing, don't wait another day. This is like a whole new lease on my musical carreer.

Hi Webb. Yes, you've been missing a lot if you're like me. I've been wearing them for about ten years, and it's amazing how your hearing deteriorates, but slowly and you don't really notice how much until you hear what you've been missing. I couldn't play in a band without mine.

However, I just want to suggest to those contemplating on getting them, they are not the "end-all" in ALL situations. Mine are also digital and multi phase, crowds vs quiet etc. There is always logistics problems with many things, one is the smaller the batteries, the more often you have to replace them. There is nothing more annoying than right in the middle of your break, something in your ear goes "beep, beep, beep" and the world around you starts going on and off in one ear. You usually have to go back to the hearing clinic a few times until they get them adjusted to you. We as guitar players are used to amplifiers, treble and bass, so we're better off than those who haven't dabbled in sound. What I'm saying is, that it is difficult to get them programmed in a room at the clinic, and when you get to where the noise is, the hearing aids don't perform as you thought. So, don't think that smaller is necessarily better, and don't be afraid to go back until you are satisfied with their performance.

Have you ever been around a musician who has his instrument treble turned up to a "scream", and notice that he/she's deaf!!!
George

Yeah, I had to go back a few times. The first doctor who worked with me somehow missed the fact that they have a specific music program. The last time I went in I got another doc and she put it in my aids. Man, what an unbelievable difference! I was the same way as you up to that point. They just didn't seem to get them dialed in. But, I barely had to do a thing to the music program.

I went with the behind ear type. They said they last a lot longer than the in-ears. Actually, everyone tells me they don't even notice them until I mention it.

It sure is awesome to be able to hear again.

Invest the money and you will never regret it. I did several years ago and I want do without them. If you are like me, you don't know what you are missing.

My hearing had been going bad for many years when I decided on hearing aids, I won't mention the name but I used a very well known brand..got the digital top of the line at $7000 (only $6000 on sale)after having them readjusted 7 times they just didnot work ?? have a heck of a time when playing but still do, they say they can hear me better now when playing..may be too loud?? Bob

Webb I am so glad you are hearing everything now.

"You don't know what you got till it's gone,"
BUT.... you really know what you were missing,
when you suddenly get it back!

Happy p[icking in Hi Fidelity!

What????

Bob B,
Go back and see if they have compression on the settings. That happened to me at first and all I got was distortion when I played. Finally, I got a different doc and she immediately saw the problem. I didn't have the music program installed in the aids. All they do is drag the program from the computer and it gives you another setting.

Normal voice settings use 85db compression which cuts down a lot of background noise. However, with musical iinstruments, it act just like turning the compressor open until you get signal distortion. The music program eliminates the compressor.

If your aids don't have this option, they can still open the compression gate on them and it will fix the problem.

I tweaked mine in the studio by using a frequency analyzer. With it, I could pin-point all the problem frequencies until I wound up with what is probably better fidelity than most people have without hearing loss.

Every musician I've run into who has gotten aids has had to go back and make adjustments until they were satisfied. The more you are able to tell the audiologist, the better they can help you.

I own a hearing aid repair lab, If any forum members need a repair, you can send it to me for repair & I will send it back with a bill for $75.00, our regular price is $125.00,we repair all models except programmables. au

I have had a pair of digital hearing aids for over four years, they are the in ear type very small. They may not be perfect all the time but i just love them, would be lost with out them. I had the ear Dr come where I was playing an adjust them. They cost quite a bit but they are worth it. Jerry

HUH?

Work for railroad, went for a D.O.T. Physical, Dr told me i had hearing loss, also suffer from arms being to short. My ears ring all the time, been around a lot of noise, but still hear good enough to enjoy playing and listening.

Mike

thank you for this informative post.

my hearing is pretty good as yet. in large noisy crowds, tho, I lose track of conversations.

I have a very high pitched hiss all the time.
funny, music doesnt bother me, but a metal pot hitting a ceramic dish in the drying rack hurts.

am I a candidate?

I have Tinnitus from so many years of extreme volume onstage playing heavy rock and punk, but I have been slowly countering the damage by wearing earplugs when I don't need to hear what is going on; sleeping, et al.
Totally resting the eardrum for long stretches of the day can help repair some of the damage. Not wearing headphones in a studio environment can help a lot, too. We can thank Pete Townsend for informing us about that!

Randy - You described my situation exactly.

Lee

Lee. do you avoid doing the dishes?


well, not really, but when I sense a potential clang I wince. somehow, I think closing my eyes will give me a buffer. it doesnt help.

I know eventually, I will need an aid. but for now I try to take precautions. ie: standing away from loud speakers in a club, care when doing my dishes, always wearing ear protection when operating power tools, and not owning an Ipod.


however, when I attend my weekly jam sessions I play without plugs. I havent found a quick fix that works. I will in the near future spend the money on good ear filters; that will be when I start gigging and rehearsing on a regular basis again.

hang in there Lee. the future will be filled with baby boomer scientists creating devices just for you and I.

I don't have a hearing~problem! With (2)-ears, you have (2)-sources of sound, which can get confusing! I only have (1)-ear that works, so; I don't have that problem! What's that you say? Could you speak a little louder?

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“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
’05 D–10 Derby
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15”
Current Equipment

During my 20 year career as a CSX/Amtrak engineer, I suffered severe hearing loss & Tinnitus, not only due to the air brake exhausting in the locomotive cab, but also the frequent blowing of the air horn. Unfortunately, at that time, federal regulations as well as company rules prohibited the use of ear plugs. The end result is now I must wear hearing aids.

I can never understand why my wife is allways yelling[turn that damn thing down]I'm only playing my NV-400 on eight and a half.Can't please that woman.Say what?speak a little louder please.

A buddy of mine was bragging about his brand new, state of the art hearing aid.

I asked "What kind is it?

He replied "About 2:30"

.......

Anybody ever consider Hot spot speakers sitting up close? If so, what brand?

Thanks Chet

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"Chet"
Bradenton Fla

I too have tinnitus, I guess from years of sitting in front of my amp(s) while playing steel. I recently decided to get my hearing checked and thankfully, my hearing is above average for my age (58). While there, I got fitted for custom musician's earplugs with a 9db rating. They do take a little getting used to but I'm now wearing them when I play out at gigs. I now also wear hearing protection while using my leaf blower and the like.

Lynn

About five years ago I started noticing the constant hiss in my ears, so I saw a specialist at the Univeristy of MN. It was a very informative visit(s). They did a profile of my lifestyle and did a series of tests. They told me what I already knew and that was from all he years of sitting near the front of the stage and working backstage caused significant damage to my hearing.

I was told then if I didn't start wearing hearing protection I would be wearing hearing aids before I was 50. I was 40 at the time. I was fitted with a nice set of ear plugs that work well with music and don't miss a thing during a show. In fact I enjoy the music much more.

As far as my everyday life I am fine by myself, but once other people are in the room and various noices I notice having more difficulty hearing conversations and need people to repeat themselves. As many know here - very frustrating.

Lesson learned - wear hearing protection. Gotta go. Something's hissing in my ears.

Yes.

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<font size=1>Drew Howard - website - Fessenden guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.</font>

*<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 07 February 2006 at 09:49 AM.]</p></FONT>

Keith, I'm glad you mentioned that. The ringing from tinnitus IS reversible. The key is to change habits. Always wear earplugs when in a loud situation. Learn to play with them if the band is loud. Rest the ears, go easy on caffeine and aspirin, turn the TV down, protect ears when around power tools, put in earplugs when on long drives. I still have the tinnitus and it will act up if I subject my ears to harsh loud stuff, but generally I don't ever notice it whereas 10 years ago it was like a jet engine at 5 different pitches roaring in my head. It truly is reversible. My hearing tests out much better now than when I played in a loud rock band. I work in a mastering studio every day and have learned when to take a 10 minute break and also learned about smart monitoring volume levels in the 84db range. Oh, and never ever ever play a gig with your speaker pointed at your head. Always aim for the gut and keep the ears out of the "beam".

Also some herbs help, like Gingko Biloba. It helps with blood circulation in capillaries inside the ear. It helps reduce the ringing and improves hearing and memory. I hear that small amounts of nicacin help too.

Brad