Hearing aids

[FatherJohn]

Just got hearing aids--behind the ear with tube into the ear. Getting some weird noises (a high ringing) when I play. Are the hearing aids picking up noises through the bones? Do you who have them play with them in or out? My lower-end hearing is pretty good, but my hearing goes down in the range of female voices and above. (I sure hope it's not me sounding that bad, and I've been sounding that bad all along and not knowing it!)

[chouston3]

I've been using a hearing aid for some time, and I've learned a few tricks for playing music with it.

First, ensure the earpiece is inserted all the way to prevent feedback. It might get loose if you use a lot of jaw movement.

If your hearing aid has different modes (like omni, directional, or music), experiment to find the best one for your playing.

If you hear feedback or strange noises, try adjusting the volume slightly. In some situations, I have made this noise go away by turning mine down.

My biggest challenge right now is balance. People tell me I play too loud but it sounds right to me. I need to make some recordings to hear for myself.

[heldenbone]

I've been using Etymotic Music Pro (Elite, in my case) plugs when I play, particularly in sonically hostile environments. While these might have been more helpful to you before you developed a Permanent Threshold Shift, I mention it because it might help if you choose to play without your hearing aids.

The Music Pro plugs have two modes of operation. The first allows you to hear mostly transparently, and ramps up the attenuation as the environment around you gets louder. The second mode normally gives 6 dB gain, ramping up attenuation from that baseline.

The Music Pro plugs use batteries, and the Music Pro Elite plugs rechare from a storage box. They work well enough to catch fast transients like triangles, rim shots, and cymbal crashes, and then restore normal volume within a second or less. I'm a fan.

Good luck.

[BrassSection]

Have had hearing aids for about 3 years. I too am good in the lower ranges, the higher the worst. First ones were receiver in the ear. They were worthless for any music. Switched to behind the ear type at the direction of a more professional service. Night and day! Took a few minor adjustment after adjusting to new aids. When I play, I have in ear monitor in left ear, and hearing aid in right. Works fine for me. Need to be able to tell your supplier exactly what you’re hearing, if they’re at all good the will,work with you and get you dialed in. Sites below may help.

https://musicandhearingaids.org/2017/09 ... ass-bands/

https://grandpianopassion.com/2019/01/2 ... ids-music/

[Kbiggs]

Thanks for the information. I was diagnosed recently with asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss, left greater than right. MRI was negative for acoustic neuroma/schwannoma. Insurance says I qualify for hearing aids.

I’ve had tinnitus for years, left greater than right. Any experience wearing hearing aids with tinnitus + hearing loss?

[chouston3]

I have tinnitus and got my hearing aids post hearing loss. My hearing aids help with tinnitus. They also have special programs that can be put into hearing aids that help with tinnitus.

[ScottZigler]

Richard -
What is it like to play with these in? I need to start using something in brass band and jazz band, but I hate how I can hear the inside of my own head with plugs in.
Thanks,
Scott

I've been using Etymotic Music Pro (Elite, in my case) plugs when I play, particularly in sonically hostile environments. While these might have been more helpful to you before you developed a Permanent Threshold Shift, I mention it because it might help if you choose to play without your hearing aids.

The Music Pro plugs have two modes of operation. The first allows you to hear mostly transparently, and ramps up the attenuation as the environment around you gets louder. The second mode normally gives 6 dB gain, ramping up attenuation from that baseline.

The Music Pro plugs use batteries, and the Music Pro Elite plugs rechare from a storage box. They work well enough to catch fast transients like triangles, rim shots, and cymbal crashes, and then restore normal volume within a second or less. I'm a fan.

Good luck.

[CBlair]

Here are my two points on hearing aids. I have had two sets over the past five plus years. My hearing loss is real, but not in the severe range. My units help to increase volume and, importantly, boost enunciation pitches. That is, they are primarily for conversational settings.

1. For music, I remove hearing aids altogether. I had this discussion "in the pit" just last night with a more proficient player, a disabled army vet. He, too, removes them. My current pair (Phonak) has adjustment options, but I find with music performance, and listening to live music, the sound is just not right. With further deterioration, I wonder whether I could realistically continue play and enjoy it - or whether others would enjoy my playing in an ensemble. Which leads to the second point.

2. On advice from my internal medicine doc and several audiologists, it is highly recommended that those diagnosed with hearing loss do not delay addressing the issue. In simple, non-technical terms, the basic issue is, as hearing loss progresses, one's brain loses stimulation of certain frequencies and the ability to sense them can be lost permanently. As far as I know, hearing aids available today cannot rectify that. Places like Costco offer free initial exams with an audiologist, allowing you to confirm your current condition and to establish a "baseline" in order to assess any changes.

[heldenbone]

Richard -
What is it like to play with these in? I need to start using something in brass band and jazz band, but I hate how I can hear the inside of my own head with plugs in.
Thanks,
Scott

I've been using Etymotic Music Pro (Elite, in my case) plugs when I play, particularly in sonically hostile environments...
Good luck.

There is still a degree of "inside hearing" but subjectively it is less most of the time because they cut normal hearing progressively based on ambient sound pressure. Not perfect, but closer to unblocked hearing than the Etymotic cast plugs I used for years prior.

[piezer]

Thanks for the information. I was diagnosed recently with asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss, left greater than right. MRI was negative for acoustic neuroma/schwannoma. Insurance says I qualify for hearing aids.

I’ve had tinnitus for years, left greater than right. Any experience wearing hearing aids with tinnitus + hearing loss?

I have this (I think, I don’t actually know the fancy words), but same situation with worse left ear than right + tinnitus.

I personally don’t play with my hearing aid, I find it much more distracting than it’s worth with the ringing others have mentioned. If I know I’ll be in a loud environment I play with “musicians” earplugs molded for my ears (you should be able to talk to your ENT about it. It wasn’t covered by insurance but was only ~100 USD)

[JimR]

I have had Widex HA’s for 5 years. Playing and balance with group not an issue. Big issue is hearing conductor in a normal community band environment. May no be able to participate much longer. Ugh.

[timothy42b]

2. On advice from my internal medicine doc and several audiologists, it is highly recommended that those diagnosed with hearing loss do not delay addressing the issue. In simple, non-technical terms, the basic issue is, as hearing loss progresses, one's brain loses stimulation of certain frequencies and the ability to sense them can be lost permanently. As far as I know, hearing aids available today cannot rectify that. Places like Costco offer free initial exams with an audiologist, allowing you to confirm your current condition and to establish a "baseline" in order to assess any changes.

Good advice. I got a referral from my primary care to see an audiologist, so I can catch when hearing starts to slide. The audiologist recommended annual repeats, but this past year said do every other year, you're stable. (High frequency age related decline of course, but overall in the normal range.)

But here's the thing. The specialist was covered by insurance, but I checked the bill. She only charged $45.00 At that price I'll skip Costco.

[Macbone1]

I've had hearing aids for a few years and usually remove them to play. They "trap" the resonance of the notes in my head and distort perception of my own tone. But since most conductors give directions from the podium at a conversational volume and we sit in the back of the orchestra, I often leave one in "on low" to pick up the words.

[Kbiggs]

I’m wondering whether it would help my situation to have hearing aids for normal wear like conversations, TV, etc., but use something like the Etymotic plugs for music? Along with my tinnitus and hearing loss (left greater than right—I’m guessing it’s somewhat related to the trombone bell), I have hyperacusis in some registers.

[henrysa]

I was referred to the audiologist "to the Stars" in Santa Monica. She name dropped all the famous musicians that are customers of hers. Herbie Hancock, Herb Alpert, Barbra Streisand, Kenny G., yada yada. Of course I was hooked, Signia top of the line. $9,000!!...I was using Widex Evokes at the time. She told me if I wasn't satisfied, she would take them back. Five 200 mile trips to attempt to dial them in. I know it's all about the skill of the audiologist to custom fit. The distortion and ugly intonations I experienced were cringe worthy. She kept offering to adjust them over and over again. After it became futile to me, I surprised her by showing up at her fancy office. Told her I was exasperated and wanted a refund. Blank stare & six week refund promise. Happy ending. In conclusion, I play with one of my old widex in right ear, on low, on the music program. Good enough compromise. Sorry Babs.

[CBlair]

Quick follow up on Timothy 42b's comment above -
I have been with Hear USA for almost 10 years and my audiologist is very good for my needs. I mentioned Costco as a no-cost option for an initial evaluation, and my Costco evaluation was essentially the same and yielded similar information. If Costco is accessible, it's a decent first step.

While there are OTC options these days, and Apple has entered the field with relatively inexpensive hearing aid capable buds, for now having a specialist monitor and tweak the settings seems better than self-help.

I still will not yet play with them in. Further advancements are sure to come which will better address a musician's performance needs at an affordable price point.

[heldenbone]

I’m wondering whether it would help my situation to have hearing aids for normal wear like conversations, TV, etc., but use something like the Etymotic plugs for music? Along with my tinnitus and hearing loss (left greater than right—I’m guessing it’s somewhat related to the trombone bell), I have hyperacusis in some registers.

Perhaps so. In my experience using them, the Etymotic MusicPro plugs do a really good job of catching and clamping hot transients like rimshots. And, as previously noted, one or both can be set for normal level or 6dB boost with ramped attenuation from there.

[Redthunder]

Perhaps so. In my experience using them, the Etymotic MusicPro plugs do a really good job of catching and clamping hot transients like rimshots. And, as previously noted, one or both can be set for normal level or 6dB boost with ramped attenuation from there.

I have these too and I also really like them. I use them for anything that is acoustically loud but not necessarily amplified. So really great for big bands, brass bands, etc. They work so well that sometimes I worry they aren't actually working because of how clearly I can hear, both while listening and actively playing. But then I take them out and I hear the difference immediately.

Anything much louder, like rock bands or other highy amplified groups, regular passive high dB reduction earplugs are still the best for me.

[heldenbone]

Agreed. I still have the custom cast Etymotics with 15 or 25 dB inserts if needed.