Hearing Aid for Slight to Mild Hearing Loss?

Hello,

Noise induced hearing damage resulting in hyperacusis, tinnitus and hearing loss. Despite what is considered normal I'm struggling to hear with my right ear, which was never the case before. I literally have to turn my left ear towards people to understand what they're saying. Left ear is also getting worse over time but I'd say it's still ok. Having a harder time understanding people in louder environments accordingly. This has been ongoing for 2 years now and getting worse.

According to audiologist I don't need a hearing aid but I disagree and wondering whether I should find one that would be willing to work with me? Hopefully it would also mitigate tinnitus to some extent. Any similar experiences or opinions on this?

Thanks!

 

Mine goes to 30 dB at 3 and 4 kHz on my right ear. I do not have trouble hearing people though. It should be fine at your hearing levels. I was also told it was not bad enough for hearing aid, I think they only recommend hearing aids for moderate to severe hearing loss.

 

My left ear is the worst ear. It is in the severe to profound range. I use the hearing aid mostly for the built in ocean noises. My audiogram is beyond horrible and the left ear has close to -80 db from 4ks to 8ks. Your audiogram looks decent. If you feel that you want better hearing, then possibly find another audiologist that is willing to work with you.

If I had your audiogram/hearing in all honesty, i'd not seek hearing aids. It's totally up to you

 

you need to wait 5+ years for science to regenerate hearing cells and reconnect silenced audiotory nerve fibers to hair cell connections with new ribbon synapses.


Cochlear Hair Cell regeneration trial happening now
http://www.frequencytx.com/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/frequency-therapeutics-—-hearing-loss-regeneration.18889/
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03616223

Cochlea ribbon synapse repair starting in 2019
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/otonomy-oto-413-—-treatment-of-hidden-hearing-loss.26091/
http://www.otonomy.com/pipeline/hearing-loss-programs/
OTO-413


Hearing aids are basically a bad idea, they don't truly correct anything. Massive damage to cochlear ribbon synapses attached to hair cells can occur without it showing up on the outdated tonal audiogram.
https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearthemusic/2018/hidden-hearing-loss-controversy/

 

Where do you notice the hearing loss, only in background noise?

 

@Contrast, In environments with background noise it's quite noticeable. In silent rooms speaking 1x1 also is not what it used to be. Which is quite strange given my audiogram is not that bad. I wonder whether it has to do with the fact that the dip is on the low end spectrum? As funny as it sounds but, e.g., russian speaking people pronounce words on higher a frequency and that I can understand easier (at least the ones I know).

In essence I do hear quite well still (not as good as before, though) except for with my right ear, it's the clarity of the words that seems to have taken a bigger toll. In that case hearing aid might not be a good solution if I need to crank up the volume beyond what's comfortable causing more damage. But something to try.

 

read this, audiograms are not accurate.
https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearthemusic/2018/hidden-hearing-loss-controversy/

 

I'm not sure hearing aids are going to help you much given your audiogram, but I also do not see a downside in trying them.
If you are having a hard time getting medical professionals to help you out with this, there are "internet options" out there that will ship you a programmed hearing aid after you give them your audiogram. I don't know if that's available where you live, but something to consider.

 

I'm jealous of your audiogram. GregCA makes a good point.

 

Thanks, @Contrast , @GregCA .
@New Guy It just for me it became very noticeable to what it was a couple of years ago, even though it doesn't show on the audiogram. Never had to ask people to repeat themselves in a conversation. Just being proactive, at least as much as I can given the circumstances. Doesn't help the fact I'm an engineer and obsessed with numbers and performance.

 

Are you saying the sound of the t increased? Can you correlate any events to the time frame?