Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 49

Thread: Hearing aids

  1. #1
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Frederick,MD
    Posts
    2,304

    Default Hearing aids

    I've been using a hearing aid in my right ear for about 5 years now for a pretty severe high end frequency loss. I recently got a new pair- my left ear wasn't bad but having two has made a big difference in most cases.
    Yesterday I was wearing them when I put a new set of strings (Mapes) on my Breedlove Crossover,old model. When I got the strings stretched out enough to play a tune, I couldn't believe my ears-- it sounded like I had fret buzz to some degree on all strings, every fret!Previously I hadn't had this happen at all. I checked, and string clearance on the frets was fine.I was going nuts over this until I took out the hearing aids. Problem solved! The new strings sounded fine. Apparently the aids were picking up some frequencies which came over as string buzz.My wife who has perfect hearing verified that there was no buzz.
    Anyone else had hearing aid issues with mandolin or other instruments?
    Playing a high D whistle wearing the aids is out of the question.
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

  2. #2
    Registered User Ranald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    1,715

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I too wear hearing aids for upper range hearing loss. When my granddaughter was small, my end of the phone call was mostly "yeah...yeah...is that right?" When I started playing music with hearing aids, perhaps ten years ago, it made quite a change in my hearing of instruments. I was taking fiddle lessons, and the first time my teacher, who didn't know I had them, heard me, she said, "Finally, you're lightening up on the bow." Everything seems louder to me with the aids, but I have no idea what the norm should be. My ear doctor figured that I'd damaged my hearing on the rifle range when I was in cadets in the 1960's, and it had further deteriorated since, so it's a long time since I heard well. Sometimes, I think, "This is how I heard when I was a kid." Other times, I think, "This is much too loud." Perhaps it's both, as everyone's hearing deteriorates.

    My hearing aids have different channels: 1) for normal conditions; 2) to hear directly in front of me (good for conversation in restaurants, bars, and parties); 3) for electronically mediated sound (TV, amplified music, etc.); and 4) for the telephone. For playing acoustic music, I've found that I have to keep my hearing aids on the #2 (right-in-front-of-me channel) at mid to low volume. Like you, I sometimes get noisy rattling, mostly from the G-string on both fiddle and mandolin. In my case, I can eliminate the annoying sound by lowering the volume in my hearing aids, but I'm not clear on what others are hearing. By the way, I've found that my hearing aids limit my ability to jam, as I have trouble distinguishing my own instrument from others, especially with mandolin. I do better with the louder fiddle and banjolin. However, when you get three or four guitars going, add an accordion, banjo, and another fiddle, I don't have a fighting chance. Despite improvements in hearing aids, a wearer still has a hard time focusing, that is choosing one sound over another to concentrate on. With a lot of noise, I hear everything equally, though channel selection helps to a degree. I try to limit myself to groups of no more than seven musicians. Apart from hearing issues, I think musical communication, among people of fair-to-middlin' skills anyway, is usually more effective with five or fewer players.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I have had programmable hearing aids for over a year. They have a "regular" program which listens and cuts the volume in loud situations. It also has a "music" program which doesn't listen and change. The music program adds some compression to boost the volume and adjusts the EQ. I like it a lot.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Helena, Montana
    Posts
    2,872

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I got my hearing aids from Costco and they have programs for normal, background noise, and music. I have lost 25% of my upper range due to a well spent youth going to concerts in LA, in the 60's. I occasionally get a little feedback from the E string, but I just lower the volume and I have no problems.

  5. #5
    Play on FredK's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Irving, TX
    Posts
    198

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I've been wearing hearing aids for almost a decade. Electronic hearing has its pros and cons but it sure beats not hearing. I'm currently wearing Resound Lynx2 model which, like other wearers mentioned above, have multiple settings for All-Around, Restaurant, Music and Outdoors. It provides the ability to volume up or down manually or using my IPhone app. If I leave them on All-Around while playing, I get irritating feedback on the E string up through A. It also makes it difficult - for me, at least - to tune in relation to other strings. As others have said, changing the setting is usually the way to go. Use the music setting to get the most for your money while playing to keep from filtering out other instruments or if you are playing with a back-track. It sounds like you have your problem pretty well figured out. Since my hearing aids are bluetooth, it might be neat if I could set up a bluetooth connection with my mandolin like I have with my IPhone.
    "If your memories exceed your dreams, you have begun to die." - Anonymous

  6. #6
    Spencer Sorenson Spencer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Lyngby, Denmark
    Posts
    545

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Sounds(?) familiar. When I have mine on the program for speech, everything sounds a bit "buzzy" and metallic. The higher frequencies are really amplified, because there is a big loss there, and so all the buzzes and stuff are probably overdone. Was also told that when I play things sound ok to people with normal hearing, and as time goes on I either get used to it, or else my brain tunes it out so I don't notice it. If It gets bothersome, I have a program for groups/parties that cuts back on the highs and that quiets things down quite a bit. All in all, to me its a small price to pay for being able to hear better.

    Spencer

  7. #7

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    You need set up -adjustment . I have used a pair for 4 years was hard to adjust every thing was rough .I have #1 master #2 music,#3music 2,#4 room back ground. Now i can play mandolin or guitar on all setting or without aids at all . I'M sure i've loss more of my hearing . My DR . work with for about year now i like settiin #2& 3 better. I like the sound using them . Good luck & enjoy.

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,500

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I don't have hearing aids yet, but there are quite a few times when I hear buzzing on my mandolin in one ear, but not in the other. It comes and goes. I have a low action and when this happens I am never sure if it is buzzing or my ears making it sound like it. It is worse when playing in a group. I can play at home, mandolin ok, go out, buzz, come back home ok. It is weird, and it doesn't do it all the time when I am playing with others.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  9. #9
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Beaverton, OR, USA
    Posts
    1,778
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I am approaching anyone's definition of "elderly" and I have significant high frequency hearing loss. No hearing aids (yet). My somewhat serious fear is that with improved hearing I will no longer like the sound of the mandolins I have invested in, precisely because they sound really nice to me. Hearing aids could well turn into a highly significant financial event.
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

    My website and blog: honketyhank.com

  10. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to HonketyHank For This Useful Post:


  11. #10
    Registered User sblock's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Redwood City, CA
    Posts
    2,335

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Quote Originally Posted by HonketyHank View Post
    I am approaching anyone's definition of "elderly" and I have significant high frequency hearing loss. No hearing aids (yet). My somewhat serious fear is that with improved hearing I will no longer like the sound of the mandolins I have invested in, precisely because they sound really nice to me. Hearing aids could well turn into a highly significant financial event.
    Yes, well, buying the hearing aids themselves can be "a highly significant financial event!"

  12. #11
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,096

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    tinnitus, VA says no solution , inner ear nerves get going & wont stop.
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  13. #12
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Beaverton, OR, USA
    Posts
    1,778
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I think the high frequencies I hear best are just tinnitus.
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

    My website and blog: honketyhank.com

  14. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Glendora, CA
    Posts
    518

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Paul, same story here. When I first got my hearing aids I got the same distortion when I played my mandolin. After a few weeks of wearing them constantly my brain got used to them and I stopped hearing the fret buzz.
    Steve



    "They're approaching. That's very forward of them."

  15. #14
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Frederick,MD
    Posts
    2,304

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Quote Originally Posted by sblock View Post
    Yes, well, buying the hearing aids themselves can be "a highly significant financial event!"
    Yes indeed.I previously had a Resound Lynx and even with insurance that paid a good part of the cost, they still cost me thousands.For reasons too long to go into here, I decided I couldn't live with mine any more. The Costco house brand looked to be the best value for professionally dispensed and adjusted type but still around $1700 which is a lot on fixed income.Then I came across a self adjustable hearing aid that cost a LOT less. I bit the bullet and have been very happy so far.These are what I got, one for each ear, plus the hearing test and programmer:

    http://www.ihearmedical.com/ihear-max/

    I have no financial interest at all in these. You can read a ton of reviews on Amazon.
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

  16. #15
    Play on FredK's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Irving, TX
    Posts
    198

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Quote Originally Posted by HonketyHank View Post
    I am approaching anyone's definition of "elderly" and I have significant high frequency hearing loss. No hearing aids (yet). My somewhat serious fear is that with improved hearing I will no longer like the sound of the mandolins I have invested in, precisely because they sound really nice to me. Hearing aids could well turn into a highly significant financial event.
    Henry, If the hearing aids are of decent quality and set up correctly, I think you will enjoy the sound of your mandolins even more. I've listened to you play and they sound great.

    Cost can be a killer decision, though. I go with the higher end hearing aids because I need it in my profession and my ministries. Once I retire, I intend to go with the cheaper ones from Costco or the like. One thing I do know - for me - is that I wish I got hearing aids much earlier in life.
    "If your memories exceed your dreams, you have begun to die." - Anonymous

  17. #16
    Registered User Mike Arakelian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Eastern N.C.
    Posts
    630

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Wearing hearing aids definitely changes how things sound...hopefully for the better. I took my mandolin in to my Audiologist's office and had her set one of my programs for "music". We worked back and forth for about a half hour while she adjusted frequencies so my mandolin sounded really good to me. In making this music program, I found that negating the suppression function on the hearing aids helped. If compression is left on the hearing aids want to reduce background "noise". The compression feature is great for conversation, but not so good for a musical setting.
    2007 Sumi F-5 Deluxe
    1991 Flatiron Performer A
    Martin D-35

  18. The following members say thank you to Mike Arakelian for this post:


  19. #17
    Play on FredK's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Irving, TX
    Posts
    198

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Arakelian View Post
    Wearing hearing aids definitely changes how things sound...hopefully for the better. I took my mandolin in to my Audiologist's office and had her set one of my programs for "music". We worked back and forth for about a half hour while she adjusted frequencies so my mandolin sounded really good to me. In making this music program, I found that negating the suppression function on the hearing aids helped. If compression is left on the hearing aids want to reduce background "noise". The compression feature is great for conversation, but not so good for a musical setting.
    +1 on this
    "If your memories exceed your dreams, you have begun to die." - Anonymous

  20. #18

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I have hearing loss ever since my granddaughters could talk. I had the hardest time hearing them. So I thought about getting hearing aids for about ten years, and what FreK said: " One thing I do know - for me - is that I wish I got hearing aids much earlier in life." is so true.
    As for music, inparticular mandolin and guitar tone all I can say is mute. It sounds so tinny and hollow. When I mute them it all warms up and sounds normal. So if I sound as bad as my aids have me hearing with them, it is no wonder I am not the most sought after player around.
    May those who love us, love us. And those who don't love us, May God turn their hearts;
    And if He doesn't turn their hearts, May He turn their ankles, So we will know them by their limping.

  21. #19
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Frederick,MD
    Posts
    2,304

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Wore mine to my first concert last night-- a Johnny Cash tribute band called Cash Unchained. They worked very well for me. I had to experiment a bit to see which of the hearing aids' 4 settings worked best and ended up using a quieter mode than the default because the band was pretty loud. Lyrics were a lot easier for me to understand too.
    The concert was pretty good btw. If you're a Cash fan you might want to see if they come near you:

    https://www.cashunchained.com/
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

  22. #20
    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    California
    Posts
    2,471

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Quote Originally Posted by mr ken View Post
    You need set up -adjustment .
    Does Rob Meldrum have a guide for that?

  23. #21
    Registered User J.C. Bryant's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Poplar Bluff, Missouri
    Posts
    459

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I, too, wear hearing aids on both ears. They are good aids and I wear them 80% of the time. But when playing alone I just prefer to take them off. It sounds too different with them.

  24. #22
    Playing on the porch
    Join Date
    Apr 2021
    Location
    A Hilltop in Central Texas
    Posts
    162

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I have been wearing hearing aids for nearly four years, primarily making up for a high frequency age-related hearing loss. They are the first thing I put on every day and the last thing I take off every night. For me, I find my hearing aids a bit yucky when playing violin or mandolin. The music I hear through my aids has a bit of unpleasant sharpness in the tone, and since I play primarily by myself, I generally turn off the aids while playing. I then tend to use Apple AirPod Pros to listen to the music I want to play along with, rather than using my hearing aids, which are also connected to my iPhone When I am done playing, I press the button on my hearing aids to let them work again.

    I also notice when I first got my hearing aids that a440Hz note that is, an open A string is generally tuned to that frequency, will cause a bit of reverb in my hearing aids. It doesn't happen only at exactly 440Hz, but it has to be really close to that note. when the note is close to that tuning, I will hear the revergb. I have confirmed this with my audiologist. I've also noticed a bit of reverb in my hearing aids at 880Hz, exactly an octave higher, but it is less intrusive. Now, I am extremely unlikely to ever give up my hearing aids, as they do make a great difference in hearing most things, they are just a bit short of perfect for my listening to my own violins or mandolins. My instruments just sound better when I turn off my hearing aids.. And, yes, I do sometimes wonder that , of course, I seem to make better music when I can hear myself as clearly. Probably a good thing that I tend to play alone in my house or on the front porch.
    ---
    2021 Ellis F5 Special #564 mandolin
    1928 Roth violin
    2016 Eastman MD515 mandolin
    1907 Foltz violin

  25. #23
    Registered User Eldon Dennis's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Sequim, WA
    Posts
    69

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    Costco hearing aides for less than a year but I've finally arrived at adjustments that work for me while playing mandolin in small groups. High frequency hearing loss meant I needed more amplification in that range for voice, TV, etc. but it caused the "buzzy" sounds on the A and especially E string notes. I had the Costco technician create a "Music" program that I can select with a cellphone app (EasyLine) that gives me a more normal mandolin sound.(I took a mandolin with me to the sound booth) He boosted the volume of higher frequency levels up to 2200 hz range and significantly reduced those beyond that frequency. That range gets up the fretboard on the E string as far as I usually try to access. It reduces some of the overtones, but for me that is much better that the metallic buzzing sounds. With the app I'm able to start with this basic "Music" program and make further adjustments that allows me to fine tune and save a couple of music programs that I'm satisfied with. At the suggestion of music a friend I found that using just one aide while playing works pretty well. I use one in my right ear which has the greatest loss. I found this really helps to give all instruments a more normal sound. I suspect that someone with a severe hearing loss in both ears might need both aides but it might be something worth trying. The biggest benefit in regards to my mandolin playing skills is that I've lightened up my pick strokes.
    1992 Flatiron F5 Master model
    2009 Weber A model Fern
    2011 Collings MT mandola
    1985 Flatiron 2M

  26. #24
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I made a few visits to the audiologist for an adjustment. The last one I brought my fiddle. The problem was a sort of crackling sound. A friend and longtime wearer said it is better to wear them and that the brain will adjust so I generally do that. I especially do wear them for noisy restaurants or gatherings with lots of people. Mine are the expensive kind but the personal adjustments are not in the app. These are the first I got but we got a huge discount from my insurance.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  27. #25
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    122

    Default Re: Hearing aids

    I have been using hearing aids for about 5 years. I, too, have trouble with the high, tinny sound. My audiologist, who is also a picker, recommended Widex. Widex has a program called Pure which does not process or filter the signal (processing can cause a slight delay), but can be harsh. So what works pretty well for me is using Pure and bringing the volume down. I take the volume way down in my left ear because when I play the fiddle, with 3 inches between the fiddle and my ear, its too much. It also has EQ so I can roll off the highs. Nothing is perfect, but it works pretty well for me. Hope this helps.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •