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Re: Hearing aids and performance

Author: clarhorn ★2017
Date: 2011-12-05 04:58

Gary and Tony F,

I have high frequency hearing loss that my audiologist (AuD) said was borderline for using hearing aids. Like you, I had problems with "resonance" after higher pitches or louder sounds with my digital hearing aids despite a "music program." One of the advantages of of the "mid-price range" digital aids is that ability to have 4 programs. A "mute" has been useful in talking on the phone in noisy surroundings where the mic's in back of the ear gave too much background noise. It has taken 4 months with 6 visits and 3 calls to the manufacturer by my audiologist to get the right settings. It may help to take your clarinet to your audiologist to play in the office to adjust the program settings.

Initially the "resonance" was worse in the smaller room I practice in than in the larger rehearsal room. The new "music program' settings have made the difference so the hearing aids are effective in both environments. It has helped hear the conductor and the instruments across the room. It was easier to double on Effer with the piccolo.

At first using the hearing aids was not like the difference in wearing glasses. It maybe more like wearing sun glasses in bright light. It is easier to hear and I am missing less with them. (The birds still sing in the morning!)

From the archives: http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=245091&t=245025

My audiologist told me the hardest patients she works with are musicians and engineers. Patience, practice (wearing hearing aids) and trying different settings is required for the best effect; just like playing the clarinet.

Good luck,

Roger

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