 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2010-03-23 01:18
I just got some new digital hearing aids. They have in the ear transmitter and over the ear battery case. I find that playing alone my tone sounds stuffy ; I don't like it; have yet to play with my community band or ensemble, but expect the same so I imagine I won't play with them in;
What is your experience? Suggestions? Thanks very much.
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2010-03-23 07:51
I have moderate hearing loss in my right ear and the left is at the minimal normal level for someone my age. Moderate loss means if I'm sleeping on the good ear it is highly likely I won't hear a phone, alarm clock or RR train. I wear an old style BTE single channel digital aid with three little pots that can be adjusted. I tinkered with the pots a long time before getting what I would consider to be acceptable performance from the aid. My comments about using one are
1) some instruments at some notes drive it crazy
2) the trumpets and french horns behind you can be well heard, the conductor when he speaks not so well.
3) I practice with the aided ear against a wall, the sound is OK to me, nice and clear. I've also run experiments stuffing a plug in my good ear. The aid isn't near as nice as my good ear.
3) I'd much rather have my age 15 hearing then use an aid.
I assume your new aids are from 10 to 32 channels and are adjusted by the shop that sold them. My initial feeling is they have the highs turned down. Take your clarinet to the shop and make them adjust your aids while you play. Given these shops charge 5-7X the gray market price for an aid they should work well.
When I finally break down a get a multichannel digital aid it will be one that comes with a programmer so I can adjust it myself using a PC. That way I can take my wife's 10" Acer to rehearsals and adjust for the room I'm playing in. Hearing aid dealers don't like me. As a graduate Electrical Engineering the sales pitch of hearing aid dealers is about on par with those selling high end audiophile equipment and snake oil.
I've tried new 32 channel aids at 10X the price of what I'm using. I really have a hard time telling the difference. The big difference is between wearing a good quality aid or leaving it out.
Oh yes, the Chinese analog aids you get for $15 are useless. I've tried them for fun.
Hopefully Sue will read this thread and comment about aids. She is profoundly deaf and has a lifetime of experience with aids and playing the clarinet in groups.
My brother has a friend whose teenage daughter learned to play the violin after getting a Cochlear implant. Now that's amazing.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2010-03-23 13:36
My aids are from an independent audiologist who is not tied to any manufacturer, but the aids are a top of the line programmable model, so maybe I will take the clarinet in next time , good idea. thanks
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Author: susieray
Date: 2010-03-23 16:54
Hi, I was born with a "moderately severe" hearing loss, not quite profound, but still if I don't have either of my hearing aids on I will not hear your voice unless you are right in my face yelling. I cannot hear the phone ring and I cannot hear the alarm go off. If I play my clarinet without my hearing aids and play at a fairly loud volume I can feel the vibrations in my hands, but the only notes I hear are the really high ones. Even then, they do not sound clarinet-ty to me, more flutelike. I think it's because I am not hearing the overtones. But WITH the hearing aids the clarinet sounds like a clarinet.
With hearing aids I can hear music, I play clarinet in several groups and I am first chair so it's not impossible. My hearing aids are 10+ years old though, and they are really outdated compared with the new digital ones which I have no experience with. Even with hearing aids I have a horrible time understanding speech over the phone or any situation where I cannot see the person because I need to be able to read their lips. I can't watch TV without the closed captioning/subtitles and if the show I'm watching doesn't have them, I won't watch it. But instrumental music has no words, so I have an easier time with that. It does sound confusing sometimes in large ensembles with so much going on but I manage.
I need to get new aids before these old ones die but I've been told the little bitty ones are not powerful enough for me, so we'll see what I end up getting. I know there are plenty of musicians wearing hearing aids so if it's something the person really wants to do they will find a way to do it.
A friend who is in his late 70's and plays and bassoon just bought hearing aids for the first time, never needed them before, just needs them now that he's getting older. They are the digital behind the ear ones. He HATED them at first so he went back to the audiologist with his flute and had the aids adjusted until he liked the sound. So yeah, that's probably all you need, play your instrument with the audiologist right there and have them fine tuned to your liking.
Sue
Post Edited (2010-03-23 16:56)
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2010-03-23 21:45
very good idea; will do; mine sound similar, behind the ear , programmable etc and I am 71 years young also
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Author: ariel3
Date: 2010-03-25 20:31
Hi, I have a severe bilateral nerve deafness and have had extensive experience over the years with hearing instruments. First, only seek the advice of a hearing specialist (masters degree) - stay away from the storefront hearing aid "dealers" who do not have this training. It appears that you have done so.
I play my instruments with the aids with wonderful results. I do, however avoid the big band situation, but stick to small ensembles with great success. My hearing instruments are multi-programed aids. One program is for everyday use that adjusts for noisy situations. Then there is a program for telephone use and one, most importantly, music. A music program is essential since the "voice" mode cancels out frequencies that are needed for music. I hope that your aid is of this type.
And if it is of any comfort to you, my audiologist is very willing to have me bring my clarinet with me for the fitting. I was asked if I could even stay longer by the office staff.
The most important link here is the audiologist - if they will not work with you, find one that will.
I offer you my best regards in solving this issue.
Gene
Post Edited (2010-03-25 20:34)
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2010-03-25 23:36
Thanks, yes am working with an audiologist and am now going to look into the multip programmable option thing you mentioned. I don't wish to wear them in large band situation, but in an ensemble would be wonderful it I could hear accurately etc. My hearing loss is not as dire as some responding, and I think the in-ear custom formed plugs were mostly to secure the over-the ear amplifiers and hence need to be removed in my case. Fortunately my audiologist is very compliant and understanding of my needs.
Post Edited (2010-03-26 18:06)
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