Charlie,
This post reminded me of the situation from another retired Marine when he was asked by the V A rep if he had the dreaded ringing in his ears (tinnitus). He said that he wasn't sure what that was, but he said that he answered the telephone all day long, and there was no one on the other end calling him. He passed that test!
You're on the right trail. I first started using my hearing aids in 2000. I should have done it sooner. As I look back, my hearing loss from my flying days caused problems and resentment with other employees and my managers, post-retirement.
My comments are closest to those from cfplinker. Here are my thoughts and recommendations:
1. Continue to talk with others who have a hearing loss-hearing aids. There's nothing better than being an informed and educated patient. You'll know right away if the audiologist is BSing you, or trying to sell you expensive aids that you don't need. You'll also know if you are being treated correctly, and if the audiologist knows what he/she is doing.
2. Invest in excellent hearing protection devices. Protect the hearing that you still have. Avoid all noise hazard situations - at the range, in restaurants, concerts, meetings, where many people are gathered, etc.
3. The proper hearing aid should be provided to you to correct your current hearing loss. Hearing aids are also amplifiers. They stimulate the auditory nerve in the frequencies that have been lost due to damage to that nerve.
4. In my case, I was exposed to extended periods of high frequency noise (jet engines). The damages began in the high-frequency range and gradually progressed in to the lower (human speech) range. The loss is progressive and cannot be stopped.
5. The V A provides me with new hearing aids and batteries. Just as others veterans have stated. I have received excellent medical care from the V A.
6. Each hearing aid manufacturer incorporates the latest technology in to their products at different future periods. I have also had Starkey and Siemans aids. I am now using ReSound GN devices. The V A receives new products at the beginning of the new fiscal year (October) and will provide new aids to veterans every four or five years.
7. The hearing aid that you are provided should not be a device that amplifies all ranges of sound. It should be programmable and augment those frequencies that have been lost. At the end of the day, you should have your own existing frequency responses augmented or supplemented by your hearing aids.
8. I started with the "In The Ear" device. That provides a base level of amplification. The reception areas provided are limited based on your ears. Those of us who use the "Over The Ear" devices need more amplification and frequency supplementation.
9. Based upon your actual hearing loss, I would recommend a "programmable" device - one that offers (provides) different responses to different environments. For example, in my case I have one in which there is no conflicting noise (at home), one for being in a car (just road noise), and one in noisy areas (restaurants). The program and volume levels can be changed using my iPhone and the ReSound application. Some devices include a hand-held remote control (which I used to have) but it is not as good as the "app".
Any forum member can PM me if there are questions.
Bill
