Hi SSHL sufferers, Just want to share my comments on trialling latest-ish hearing aid () tech to improve upon keeping up with conversation in challenging background noise situations.
As as quick intro on my hearing loss, suffered sudden single sided sensorineural hearing loss (SSSHL) in late 30’s, over 12 years ago. LHS ear has severe hearing loss, with low Word Recognition Score () of 10%. RHS ear has non-impacted, good/normal hearing (for age?)
Trialled the top-tier Phonak Infinio Sphere HAs (not Ultra version) for 3 months in BOTH ears. However, main point was Sphere hearing aid in good ear; since ear can accurately tell how good/effective the processed & refined sound coming from HA is. Used most “closed” rubber domes, to best prevent transmitted sound leakage out of ear, as well as best block outside noise leaking into ear (and outside noise will leak in, regardless)
I am sorry and disappointed to say that in challenging environments (e.g. party, restaurant, cafe, busy road etc.), the outputs from the HA into the good ear could not compete & overcome the background noise. So did not improve ability to hear the conversation, even when turning my good ear (w/ HA) toward speaker on bad hearing side. In fact, I heard better (though maybe not so much better) turning my head WITHOUT the HA, and relying on natural, brain-processed filtering & hearing of all sound to follow conversations. (*same experience and limitation with past top-tier set-up) Note, using Sphere in BOTH ears (i.e. connected to gauge directionality of sounds) or just HA in good ear only, did not improve the outcome.
In an attempted to improve upon the situation, also trialled the latest Phonak Roger ON alongside the HAs too. It was an improvement. Not sure if the Roger or the Sphere was doing the noise-cancelling processing. However, in above challenging scenarios, when specifically pointed, it could pick up speakers sitting/standing maybe 1 meter away (e.g. person next to person sitting next to you), but not any further. So maybe OK for a table of 8~10 max., and if you don’t want to point the device at speaker, maybe 4~6 max. I actually do OK (although far from perfectly) without any assistance in a 4~6 person table.
Naturally, all works fine for keeping up with & engaging in conversations in a quiet environment (e.g. office, at home, in garden); but I do not find these environments “challenging” ones.
This is my experience, and given the cost of even just the Phonak Roger ON + a low level HA, personally, the benefits do not justify the cost.
However, this is my personal, subjective experience; so would love to hear about and learn from those who have had more success in combating SSHL; with this or other technologies/techniques. Also, if I am missing out some adjustment, set-up etc. to improve upon my experience & outcomes, highly appreciate your advice. Thanks.
P.S. Sorry I cannot provide an alternative or actual Recommendation, which I know is what everyone really wants to know. Hoping members in this Channel will discover and share a definitive one, soon! : )
You’re ignoring this member’s posts.
Poland