05-08-2001, 12:07 PM | #1 |
Quintesson
Join Date: April 6, 2001
Location: two leagues down
Posts: 1,081
|
After reading your post last week about National Hearing Month I almost went to one of the exam centers for a test. However, so far my intentions have gotten lost in the busyness of life and I have not yet. But I have some questions for you, if you don’t mind.
Background/Questions: During my college years I would work in the construction industry during the summer. On a daily basis I operated machinery without hearing protection. That foolish youthful attitude of indestructibility is now coming back to haunt me. I frequently notice I have a more difficult time hearing what is being said when background noise is present. I am somewhat resigned to the likelihood that I am losing my hearing but was wondering if there are other possibilities? Furthermore, what types of medical solutions are out there? Finally, how unobtrusive have hearing aids become? Chalk it up to my vanity but I am relatively young and somewhat concerned about appearance (yes I am being shallow). Furthermore, I am somewhat active (i.e. indoor climbing, mountain biking, skiing, etc…) and was wondering if this would limit hearing aid options? |
05-08-2001, 12:56 PM | #2 |
20th Level Warrior
Join Date: April 9, 2001
Location: Dallas, Tx, USA
Age: 55
Posts: 2,830
|
Sorry it took so long for me to reply. (I'm at work)
The history you mentioned could definitely lead to a hearing loss. Acoustic trauma (being around loud noise for extended periods of time, or a VERY loud noise every once-in-a-while) is the leading cause for hearing loss in young people. Without an examination, I would not try to analyze your loss, but the symptom of having problem hearing when backgropund noise is present would make me think you might be experiencing a high-frequency loss. An exam will confirm, or deny this. To give a quick explanation, hearing loss is not just about volume, but is also about losing the ability to hear sounds in certain frequencies. While most men speak in a lower frequency than women, everyone's speech is made up of BOTH low and high frequency sounds. VOWEL sounds are a low frequency sound. CONSANANTS are a high frequency sound. If you have trouble hearing high frequency sounds, you will hear the vowel sounds much easier than consanant sounds, and speech sounds muffled. It leads to hearing the wrong word. Also, background noise is registered in our mind as a low frequency sound, so it tends to drown out voices around us. Hearing aids are not a solution for everyone, but they are less intrusive thatn surgery. With today's methods (both in the technology and the fit), they seem to be helping more and more people with active life-styles. Get checked, if you can. And, feel free to e-mail me any other questions you may have about this. That goes for everyone else out there. <---- The HearingDawg ------------------ The RudeDawg Known in these Forgotten Realms as Perin LightEyes and my girlfriends, Pamila and Phil |
05-08-2001, 03:09 PM | #3 |
Lord Soth
Join Date: March 5, 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,948
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Wow Rudedawg, I'm impressed!
------------------ "The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his." -General George Patton (1885-1945) |
05-08-2001, 03:18 PM | #4 | |
20th Level Warrior
Join Date: April 9, 2001
Location: Dallas, Tx, USA
Age: 55
Posts: 2,830
|
Quote:
I'm a dumbass at everything else... ------------------ The RudeDawg Known in these Forgotten Realms as Perin LightEyes and my girlfriends, Pamila and Phil |
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05-08-2001, 03:31 PM | #5 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Onthepequod,
I suffer hearing loss in one ear due to a perforated ear drum. I usually have to watch a person's lips while they speak, otherwise the sound of their words sounds like mumbling. There are usually local numbers in larger cities that offer free hearing tests over the phone. I test mine every so often, the last test (repeated to verify), revealed that I have lost some hearing in that ear having missed one of the tones. Check locally if this service is available to you. A look into your local yellow pages for hearing aid services and specialists should hook you up with the number. It will save you a lot of money and time in keeping on top of how your ability to hear is. I don't need a hearing aid YET but when I do, I know that they are available in very small models and hardly (if at all) noticeable models that should not inhibit everday living and activities. Hugs! Moni |
05-08-2001, 04:25 PM | #6 |
Quintesson
Join Date: April 6, 2001
Location: two leagues down
Posts: 1,081
|
Thanks for the reply RudeDawg! I am assuming that you either would prefer to answer my specific questions (i.e. hearing aid design) through a more appropriate medium (e-mail) or you believe trying to answer these before a hearing test is futile. If it’s the former let me know and I’ll e-mail you. Otherwise, I’m stingy as heck with the little time I do have (sometimes to my detriment) but will try to be the responsible hero of Trademeet that I am (as evidenced by the statues at the fountain…If you don’t believe me go look) and get the test.
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05-08-2001, 04:29 PM | #7 |
20th Level Warrior
Join Date: April 9, 2001
Location: Dallas, Tx, USA
Age: 55
Posts: 2,830
|
I'd be happy to answer any GENERAL questions you have on hearing , or hearing aids via email. (don't want to ruffle feathers,I've done that already with the "??" thread)
Specifics do require a test. It's your health. Take the time for it. Loss of hearing affects others around you, more than it affects you. ("What, honey? I didn't get that !") Honestly, part of my job is marriage counseling. ------------------ The RudeDawg Known in these Forgotten Realms as Perin LightEyes and my girlfriends, Pamila and Phil |
05-08-2001, 04:46 PM | #8 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Amen Rudy!
Onthepequod, do check into a free hearing test over the phone, it only takes a minute and you don't have to leave your house! Moni |
05-08-2001, 04:50 PM | #9 |
Symbol of Cyric
Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: WA, USA
Age: 67
Posts: 1,328
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Uh... hope you don't mind me interjecting a little off-topic question here? I apologize in advance for it but.....
what I want to ask you RudeDawg, is where do you get all those great smilies of yours?? I looked through the last 5 days of posts thinking maybe you had posted a URL where they could be found, but no luck. Do you make them all? Very creative and fun to see. Thanks. ------------------ Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness. Happy Member of Fast Fourward. [This message has been edited by bilqis (edited 05-08-2001).] |
05-08-2001, 05:31 PM | #10 |
Quintesson
Join Date: April 6, 2001
Location: two leagues down
Posts: 1,081
|
No need to make me feel bad about how I may effect my wife. If you’re trying the guilt complex approach it has worked very effectively.
Boy do I feel like a heel now. I’m such a low life scum. That’s it I’ll do the world a favor and end it all right now! Good bye world! (Man gets up from computer and in one graceful fluid motion goes over to the window, opens it and leaps out, catching his foot on the sill as he passes through.) (Moments later the man picks himself up out of the flower bed, shaking the dirt out of his hair and picking Petunia petals out of his front teeth, while thinking to himself: Mental note #1 - next time try second story window as opposed to first Mental note #2 - next time close mouth....Petunias taste terrible.) (Meanwhile, neighbors across the street once again stare, with mounths open, in complete and utter disbelief at "the neighbor who is a little touched.") (Man, who just finished removing the last petal, notices neighbors staring, puts on a big smile, waves vigorously, and then proceeds to enter the house through the front door.) (Life goes on as norma.....well, life goes on.) I know you are right (Rudedawg and Moni), thanks for the concern. |
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