I Can Hear You Now? My Journey with Hearing Aids

Discovering My Hearing Loss

Ever since childhood, I’ve dealt with significant hearing loss in my right ear—about 40%—thanks to several severe ear infections. This issue persisted despite various attempts to manage it, including using custom-fit hearing aids in the 1990s. These were made by taking an impression of my ear canal, a common practice back then. Living through the disco era, my love for loud music on dance floors likely didn’t help either.

Early Experiences with Hearing Aids

The first hearing aids I tried were in-the-ear models made from molded plastic. They were game-changers, enhancing my ability to hear from my right ear significantly. However, they had a downside: the plastic irritated my ear canal, making it itchy, which led me to eventually stop using them despite several attempts to refit them.

A Modern Solution in 2023

Fast forward to 2023, and my hearing issues became impossible to ignore. Prompted by my spouse, who was tired of repeating themselves, I scheduled a visit to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. After confirming there wasn’t anything medically wrong with my ears beyond the hearing loss, I was tested in a soundproof booth—a familiar experience from my childhood.

This time, the test revealed not only the expected drop in hearing in my right ear but also a loss in the mid-range tones in my left ear, a common age-related change.

Upgrading to New Technology

I was fitted with the latest in-the-ear hearing aids. These new devices are not only effective but also comfortable—I can wear them all day without any itchiness. Plus, they come with a handy app that lets me control the settings from my phone, adjusting the volume and selecting modes for different environments like restaurants or meetings.

Features That Feel Futuristic

These hearing aids, the Starkey Evolv Ai model, come packed with features:

• Directional Sound Control: Adjust where you want to focus on sound.
• Fall Alert System: Sends your location to a designated contact if you fall.
• Activity Tracking: Works like a fitness tracker, counting your steps.
• Connectivity Options: They can function as headphones for your phone, and there’s an additional TV box from Starkey that streams TV audio directly into the hearing aids.

These devices are an investment, costing $3,000 per ear, but the benefits—clarity of sound, comfort, and advanced features—make them well worth it for me.

Final Thoughts

If you’re struggling with hearing loss and looking for a solution that blends technology with comfort, consider looking into advanced hearing aids like the ones I’ve described. They might be pricey, but the improvement in quality of life can be profound. Hear Aids are not covered by Medicare.

( I make no fee or money from the link to Starkey )

For more details on the specific model I use, visit the Starkey website: Starkey Evolv Ai Hearing Aids.

Remember, this isn’t an endorsement—I’m just sharing my personal experience in the hopes it might help others facing similar challenges.