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Determining hearing loss in percentages

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Edited
@Bumper said:

I’ve been unaided for 41 years.

:face_with_diagonal_mouth::pensive_face:
This can really impact speech clarity. With a well-fit hearing aid you might get some back, but it’s going to be a slow process.

@Bumper said:

At this point I should return to step one and seek another Audiologist.

Agreed. A full-shell in-the-ear with a UP receiver could actually get you pretty close if you have a big ear canal. And even if it’s not quite the power you need, it’s still going to be better that NO hearing aid.

In reply to @Raudrive

Yes, I use cosco for a K-9 prescription. All staff encountered are very friendly and pharmacy staff is no less warm. I had a brief conversation with a hearing center staffer. She was in a rush. A number of people waited, some eleven though spouses (with short leashes) could have accounted for an inaccurate count. The point is that the experience reminded of Benjamin Franklin’s advice of, “Haste makes waste”. This cosco hearing center appeared to be a production mill. Your suggestion is well taken, thank you. As an aside, life has been quiet and alone for many years. Risking injecting unnecessary negativity, a few more years will be tolerable. I’m a realist; can’t help it.

Hello Bumper. My hearing was also damaged many years ago, in an Air Force incident.and my loss is also rated as severe - a non-technical buzz word for us village idiots meaning “pretty bad”.. Regarding your question of percentage of hearing loss, the Vet. Admin audiologist determined I have 50 % hearing loss, but I failed to ask how that loss was determined. My loss is 65db below normal at 1 khz, and 95 db below normal at 6 khz. I am confident there are standards to determine stages of loss. Your audiologist owes you an explanation. Mu own personal frustration is I experience hearing difficulties in meetings or group setting, noise in restaurant settings, even with aids. Every person has different hearing issues. My audiologist has prescribed a new generation Senheisser that has good characteristics for my situation. I have not picked up yet, I have a limited time to return them if not satisfactory. I have worn several different brands,all with their good and bad.. I have accepted there is no substitute for normal hearing, and being the same age as old people, is a a damn nuisance!

Honestly, I think that it’s impossible to be precise about measuring hearing loss and hearing improvement. I probably have lost about 80% to 85% of my hearing (unaided). With a super/ultra power hearing aid I might reduce this to about 40-45%%, by upgrading to the latest model I might get 2% improvement. This really means nothing to me anyway.

Your audiologist, I guess, is speaking in round terms and managing your expectations, hoping to under promise and over deliver. Audiologists who promise the sun, moon, and stars are best avoided.

In reply to @Fredrik

Hello, Fredrik. I’m informed here that a % of loss is somewhat hocus pocus. That’s a loss because I’m interested in the degree of loss. Unfortunately, percent of loss may also be marred by subjectivity. Further, the formulas used, if any, likely vary. The Audiologist was referred by the insurance provider. Insurance will pay roughly 50%. Insurance approves of only one brand of units, the same offered by Audiologist. That and Audiologist’s skepticism of any of those models possibly helping more than 50% cool my excitement. Disappointing? I hope to shout. But I don’t weep over that which I cannot change. I’ve backed off but never say never. You are the same age as old people? Thank you, that’s very funny. Your frustrations are mirrored here! Young people (I jumped ship from Noah’s Arc) largely talk as if the building is on fire. Telephone use has become untenable. Despite trying a dozen quality headsets, telephone conversations are Misery. While I may not understand a young person’s words, I sometimes hear the pronounced sighs after asking her to repeat. True story: Near the end of an unusually difficult conversation with a young female, she told me to “get a Bel Tone!”. A year or so later I met the owner of the company. After relating the experience, he said had he known he would have fired her. That is why I didn’t tell him at the time. Let someone else bloody their hands and I don’t know that she would have learned. No, her curt words didn’t feel good but there have been worse cases of lack of respect for others. My Audiologist has, as they used to say, been given the gate or sent home with her dismissal. Thank you for replying and be well

There is nothing like how that reality check feels some days. So many here will understand what is going through your mind. And this is where I’m out of words of wisdom. Just to send my best wishes. Take care.

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