 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-05-01 16:01
The reason I ask is mostly due to Peter's thread about sound, what controls it, how he sounds to others compared with what he thinks he sounds like. Unlike most of you I am not even a good amateur, just a noodler---But I love to play and I do wear hearing aids. I often wonder what I really sound like. Maybe that is why I don't play for others. Lately my "high's" have diminished to the point where aids don't help. If you do wear them do you wear them when you are playing, or take them out? What I hear (amplified) is surely not the sound that you hear. Maybe that's why I am down to playing mostly Bass Clarinet (that I can hear) as my RA also frequently prevents playing my Bb and Eb Alto now. Comments on hearing aids please. Not types or costs please, as mine are digital, state-of-the-art and cost more than a new Bass would.
Bob A
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Author: Pete
Date: 2004-05-01 16:45
I find it impossible to perform with mine in my ear. I cannot get any sense of blend or intonation.
Even practicing is difficult because of the partials it amplifies. When I am sitting next to the trumpet section, all sense of tone quality disappears with the aid in.
If for nothing else but being able to tune, it is worth it to take the thing out. What is difficult then, is hearing the conductor talk.
Getting old stinks.
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Author: daustin
Date: 2004-05-01 20:49
I wear an aid in each ear. I put them in when i first get up in the morning and leave them in until bedtime. My brain has adjusted to them as normal ears adjust. I play in a concert type band and a Chamber type Orchestra. I've even become immune to the nasty comments which those who wear glasses never get. I'm not old, only older: a year older than 81.
Don
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Author: Roger R
Date: 2004-05-02 01:09
Hello Bob --- you and I have spoken on this subject in the past.
daustin is right on when he advises "put 'em in and leave 'em in" until bedtime. Your brain takes up to two weeks to 'learn' a new setting after your audiologist makes an ajustment, but if you keep removing them for various reasons your brain can't come to terms with what is being transmitted to it from your ears.
Bob if you are having difficulty with the higher frequencies you need to dicuss this with your audiologist.
I also hear reed 'noises' and look on this as an added advantage allowing me to 'fiddle' the reeds until it sounds better or discard it for a better one.
When I ask my listeners if they can hear the 'noise' I can hear the answer is always 'no'.
As you suggest, Peter's thread about what 'they' hear is relevant to us hearing impared.
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-05-02 01:16
sorry....what'd you say?....uh...
couldn't help it Bob. I'm 53. Probably should have a hearing aid after years of rock and roll drumming.....and constantly having to say...."what?"
I agree. Keep the danged things in....just like wearing glasses. I'm bi-focal and use the progressive lenses.....man if I take them off......its like swimming underwater without goggles......(whatever that means)
JG....the clarinator
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Author: Gael
Date: 2004-05-02 01:25
I've worn hearing aids since age 44, and I agree with those who put them in first thing and wear them all day. That's the best way to train your brain and get used to what you hear with the aids. I don't have much opportunity to play my clarinet, but I play handbells a lot, and my hearing aids are essential to hearing what the other bells are doing.
I like the dual microphone feature on my aids--omni-directional and directional. I can switch from both on to just directional if there's a lot of background noise and I want to hear someone talking in front of me.
G.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-05-02 14:12
Thankee to all.
Roger R--Did discuss with audiologist. Highs are so shot he is now concentrating on just the 85% of the hearing range I have left. Can't carry a battery box over my shoulder, eh? Well, there goes the damn picollo.
Guess I'll have to learn to double on the Tuba.
Bob A
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