I'm new to hearing aids. I served in the military from 2001-2005 and saw combat. The most deafening thing I have ever heard. Then there was the tank...
War story time: In Fallujah, (yes, I was in Fallujah.) we were under severe enemy fire from many locations. In the ally with us, was an M1 Abrams tank. They are wonderful machines, but when they are all buttoned up, they cannot see very well. They relay on us grunts to be their eyes. So, we were pointing out targets to them using the "grunt phone." But sometimes, its hard to tell someone who can only see the world though a sight the size of a straw, where the enemy is. "Second building on the left, 4 story, 3rd window on the right next to blue carpet hanging from railing. Send it!" was not working. So I ran up to the front of the tank to physically POINT to the enemy, but thats just about the time they figured out where he was, and pull the trigger on the main gun. The overpressure of that round leaving the barrel of the 120mm gun was enough to knock me out. My fellow Marines thought I'd been hit since I dropped like a stone. They drug me back to cover where Doc started working on me. Blood streaming from under my helmet, he assumed I was struck in the head. I came to and had an awful ringing and headache along with disorientation. I had ruptured my ear drum!
I waited several year to file any claim with the VA for any of my disabilities. I foolishly figured "I'm not disabled, I can work." But my hearing loss was significant, along with other issues. Talking with my fellow veterans who I served with, they urged me to seek a disability claim. But I didn't listen. Then a Marine I served with got cancer and I promised him that I would seek care and disability before he died. He was pretty adamite about it. So I did, and I got a 100% rating!
I wanted to seek treatment for my ears, since I have horrible ringing and like most, cannot hear someone at my table in a crowded restaurant. My kids who mumble, I cannot understand in quiet environments. So I went in for a hearing exam. They gave me a choice of models and I decided on the behind the ear with the little tube going into the ear, since they are rechargeable and I need to take them in and out for my work. Figured the bigger ones would be easier.
I had to wait about 6 weeks for them to come in, and when they did, I had to get them programed by my audiologist. He also included a "Roger Device," more on this miracle in a bit. I got the Phonak Audeo P90s. They connect to my phone, which is weird. I can make and receive calls, listen to music, etc. They are very comfortable, barely remember that I have them in. Battery lasts about 20 hours depending on use. But whats weird is how my brain has readjusted to them. I don't hear amplified like I did the first few days. I thought they were failing, but realized that I can hear people much better still. Hard to explain, but they work, but I don't realize they are working.
The Roger Device is a small puck that I carry in my pocket. It has directional microphones around the outside that will pickup the loudest, closest noise, and amplify it to my head. This is amazing at a crowded restaurant setting. I simply turn it on and set it in the middle of the table. Suddenly, I am hearing everything going on in the restaurant much louder! Kind of startling at first. But then someone at the table starts talking in their normal voice, and I can hear every word! The background is still there, its loud, but the voice of the person sitting across from me is louder!
Another awesome feature of the roger device is its ability to connect to my TV. It came with a little dock that plugs into my TV. I put the puck into the dock (which also charges it) and it streams the TV audio directly into my head! No more turning up the TV to drown out the kids, or needing CC on so I dont miss anything. But even more awesome is I can mute the TV, and have the audio ONLY in my head! This is Amazing for watching TV late at night when everyone else is sleeping.
I cannot believe I waited so long to live a normal life. I'm 40 with substantial hearing loss, that these hearing aids fixed within seconds. They auto program (which does take some getting used to.) so I'm not constantly adjusting anything. Maybe the volume from time to time, but thats it. Love these little devices and to anyone with hearing loss, if you don't have insurance or the VA, spend the money. Save up for them, whatever it takes. These ones (I cannot speak to others) have changed my life for the positive.
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