 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CaptForce
Date: 2018-10-28 15:45
Searching past posts provides some information about the use of hearing aides, but I found nothing about my specific question. At 72 I've been wearing hearing aides for moderate loss for about ten years.
A few years ago I asked who was playing the accordion in one of the practice rooms and I was told that it was a clarinet quartet. Surprised by my mistake, I decided to stop wearing my aides while playing music because I didn't think that I was receiving true sounds. Conversely, by not wearing the hearing aides I'm missing some frequencies and the full spectrum of sound.
So, I can hear more with some distortion or hear less, but accurately. There's no perfect choice, but I'm curious about how others may have dealt with this choice. I'll be interested in your thoughts.
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2018-10-28 17:04
I have had the same experience. The frequencies that help us hear speech well really mess up the clarinet sound. I have learned that players who need but don't use hearing aids have very screechy clarinet sounds that to them, bring the sound closer to what they remember as a good sound.
I was lucky to work with an audiologist in Baltimore, who specializes in working with musicians. That was after spending a lot of money and time with a national brand company. I use a hearing aid that can contain up to six different settings (programs). I then had good clarinet players listen to my sound until they thought my sound was at it's best, and played for the audiologist, who created a setting that sounded OK to me. I had to trust this was my best sound for the listener. The sound is not what I remember but the brain eventually learns that what you are hearing is the best for the listener.
When listening to people talking I turn on the speech setting and when playing I turn on the Clarinet setting.
It is best to find an audiologist who has experience with musicians. We hear differently.
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2018-10-28 19:05
Agree with Ken. There are a very few types of hearing aid that will work for playing clarinet, and many that will cost a lot and be an ongoing source of frustration. Personally, I've found something that allows me to hear while playing as well as I did before I noticed the hearing loss that forced me out of the business some 30 years ago, but it takes persistence, luck, and a substantial investment to find the right solution.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2018-10-28 20:34
And, to add to the frustration, when I am playing in a group that is too loud for one reason or another, I put in a "musician's" earplug that distorts the sound. In such situations, I am very reliant on my tuner as well as verbal feedback from someone sitting beside me who knows I have a hearing loss and normally wear hearing aids. Normally, I don't wear hearing aids while playing in a group EXCEPT for when I can't hear the conductor without them. I don't like having to wear them because it amplifies the sound beyond my comfort level. I am VERY interested to find out how the new type hearing aids made by Bose will work. They don't cost $6000 a pair and, knowing Bose, they could be the answer! I don't use my hearing aids when I practice because of the auditory distortion of the sound. Sorry for the Sunday morning ramblings:)
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Author: CaptForce
Date: 2018-10-28 22:00
Thanks for all these thoughts. They add to my understanding. I will probably try wearing my hearing aides while playing and fool around with the setting choices. Of course, I'm interested in hearing aides more suitable for musicians, but I'll be slow to pay the big bucks!
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2018-10-29 03:33
I just purchased a Phonak Naida V90-UP for my right ear primarily so I could use the bluetooth capability with an Andriod cell phone. I was surprised how well it works in the music environment. My left ear is all distorted so it makes no sense to put a good aid in it. The Phonak works well when practicing, playing duets and also in a university band. Up to now I've always used 30 year old high power analog aids because they reproduced music better then the digital aids I tried out. I paid $1300 for the aid and another $300 for the bluetooth dongle that hangs around my neck.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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