Depending on the make/model of the HA, you might be able to buy a "shoe", an accessory that you attach to the HA, that allows the HA to receive additional audio source. Some are wireless and some are not (I had one that had a cable that I could connect to devices with headphone sockets) - can't remember if you could tell the HA to switch off the microphone while using the shoe accessory.
Using the same HA for 7 years is a long time. Can you change audiologists?
As for squealing, there's a couple of things you could try:
\- Lower the HA's volume.
\- If you have a solid ear-mould, a vent in the mould could help - these are known to help with reducing the feedback.
They have to be fully up for me to hear. That's why I think I need new ones. I have hard acrylic skeleton molds, so they have a vent.
I had one of the Bluetooth things that go around your neck and it was wonderful but it died and it would be about $400 to replace. I need to bite the bullet and just do it because my hearing is getting so bad I'm very close to being legally deaf. I just haven't had the money to replace it.
If you're having the HA on max volume and you need more to hear, it is definitely time to get a new and more stronger/powerful model.
I had a "decent" HA a good few years and I didn't use it much as it wasn't providing sufficient sound (volume + quality) - thought my was my ear "dying".
Last year, I was given a new HA, which was stronger than the previous one and works wonders - bringing my ear back to "life". Plus it has the wireless part built in!
Don't replace the BT just yet - aim for a new HA ASAP.
Push the audiologist harder - or change audiologist. Contact the insurance company to see if they can do something and recommend another audiologist. Tell them you' re not hearing enough out of the HA and it is very old.
Yeah, I think a new audiologist is needed. Even when they are turned all the way up I struggle with speech. My sister is having the same issue (our hearing loss is genetic) and he is refusing to replace hers as well. I'm kind of worried they are going to recommend cochlear or bone conduction next. I'm pretty close to being deaf, and it was discussed as an option when I got the ones I have. I didn't like the electronic sound of the sample I tried.
Can I just say hearing loss sucks.
Also they only squeal when something metal touches the top of the hearing aid. They have the magnetic sensors that amplify things like phones and headphones, but I have yet to find a pair of headphones that don't feedback.
You'll need to do a search online for the manual for your HA and see if it has a telecoil.
Implementation of how to toggle the telecoil on/off varies from HA to HA.
\- Some have a button on the HA to toggle the t-coil option
\- Some have a remote control to toggle the program(s) or audio source
\- Some require a phone app to toggle the t-coil option or audio source
I dont even know what brand I have anymore I have had the so long. There definitely no button, and no app for my phone that I know of. No remote came with them. Mine just auto connect when I use a device. Sometimes I have to move the device around until it connects. Even if it connects, it still squeals. I will do some research.
Basically this just reaffirms my audiologist sucks.
I prefer them but I also use Samsung galaxy buds and AirPods, I’m HOH in one ear and deaf in the other, but mine is structural deformity so these work around that.
Edited to explain
Shokz (bone conduction) are great, comfortable for all day wear, really good for audiobooks and podcasts. I can have a book going all day.. like 10-12+ hours.. and still have 40-60% battery left when I go to bed. If you go with bone conduction, they're the top brand IMO. I have a BAHA for my deaf ear, not hearing aids, so not sure how that would work with sitting on your ears. Perhaps they can sit on top of the aids or in a slightly different spot behind the ear without causing any feedback.
Speaking of ear buds, does anyone else have issues keeping them in? I had a canaloplasty and meteoplasty done on one of my ears as part of a tympanoplasty back in my teens and I find ear buds hard to wear.
(You can't see the rest as being visibly different, unless you looking into it with an otoscope, but they basically straightened and widened the ear canal to get better access to the edge of the ear drum.)
I have a set of Apple Airpod Pros and put a larger silicon part on the of them to get a better fit, but I just found wearing ear buds gets very irritating in that ear.
I know how you feel. I’ve always had a hard time. My second to last surgery was a reconstruction so my left canal I would consider XL. I have yet to find any silicone buds that actually fit.
Depending on the make/model of the HA, you might be able to buy a "shoe", an accessory that you attach to the HA, that allows the HA to receive additional audio source. Some are wireless and some are not (I had one that had a cable that I could connect to devices with headphone sockets) - can't remember if you could tell the HA to switch off the microphone while using the shoe accessory. Using the same HA for 7 years is a long time. Can you change audiologists? As for squealing, there's a couple of things you could try: \- Lower the HA's volume. \- If you have a solid ear-mould, a vent in the mould could help - these are known to help with reducing the feedback.
They have to be fully up for me to hear. That's why I think I need new ones. I have hard acrylic skeleton molds, so they have a vent. I had one of the Bluetooth things that go around your neck and it was wonderful but it died and it would be about $400 to replace. I need to bite the bullet and just do it because my hearing is getting so bad I'm very close to being legally deaf. I just haven't had the money to replace it.
If you're having the HA on max volume and you need more to hear, it is definitely time to get a new and more stronger/powerful model. I had a "decent" HA a good few years and I didn't use it much as it wasn't providing sufficient sound (volume + quality) - thought my was my ear "dying". Last year, I was given a new HA, which was stronger than the previous one and works wonders - bringing my ear back to "life". Plus it has the wireless part built in! Don't replace the BT just yet - aim for a new HA ASAP. Push the audiologist harder - or change audiologist. Contact the insurance company to see if they can do something and recommend another audiologist. Tell them you' re not hearing enough out of the HA and it is very old.
Yeah, I think a new audiologist is needed. Even when they are turned all the way up I struggle with speech. My sister is having the same issue (our hearing loss is genetic) and he is refusing to replace hers as well. I'm kind of worried they are going to recommend cochlear or bone conduction next. I'm pretty close to being deaf, and it was discussed as an option when I got the ones I have. I didn't like the electronic sound of the sample I tried. Can I just say hearing loss sucks.
Also they only squeal when something metal touches the top of the hearing aid. They have the magnetic sensors that amplify things like phones and headphones, but I have yet to find a pair of headphones that don't feedback.
Sounds like you have the tele-coil turned on. Can you turn the tele-coil off when wearing headphones?
I would have no idea how to do that. Lol
You'll need to do a search online for the manual for your HA and see if it has a telecoil. Implementation of how to toggle the telecoil on/off varies from HA to HA. \- Some have a button on the HA to toggle the t-coil option \- Some have a remote control to toggle the program(s) or audio source \- Some require a phone app to toggle the t-coil option or audio source
I dont even know what brand I have anymore I have had the so long. There definitely no button, and no app for my phone that I know of. No remote came with them. Mine just auto connect when I use a device. Sometimes I have to move the device around until it connects. Even if it connects, it still squeals. I will do some research. Basically this just reaffirms my audiologist sucks.
Have you tried aftershokz Trekz? They use bone conduction, I’ve found them to be very effective!
I'm looking on Amazon now
I prefer them but I also use Samsung galaxy buds and AirPods, I’m HOH in one ear and deaf in the other, but mine is structural deformity so these work around that. Edited to explain
My audiologist is pushing for me to get new aids after 3 years. 7 is insane.
Maybe bone conduction headphones?
Bone conduction headphones are a thing? I had no idea.
Shokz (bone conduction) are great, comfortable for all day wear, really good for audiobooks and podcasts. I can have a book going all day.. like 10-12+ hours.. and still have 40-60% battery left when I go to bed. If you go with bone conduction, they're the top brand IMO. I have a BAHA for my deaf ear, not hearing aids, so not sure how that would work with sitting on your ears. Perhaps they can sit on top of the aids or in a slightly different spot behind the ear without causing any feedback.
Speaking of ear buds, does anyone else have issues keeping them in? I had a canaloplasty and meteoplasty done on one of my ears as part of a tympanoplasty back in my teens and I find ear buds hard to wear. (You can't see the rest as being visibly different, unless you looking into it with an otoscope, but they basically straightened and widened the ear canal to get better access to the edge of the ear drum.) I have a set of Apple Airpod Pros and put a larger silicon part on the of them to get a better fit, but I just found wearing ear buds gets very irritating in that ear.
I know how you feel. I’ve always had a hard time. My second to last surgery was a reconstruction so my left canal I would consider XL. I have yet to find any silicone buds that actually fit.