Cuz Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 I searched, and it doesn't seem like this has been discussed in a number of years, but now it affects me, so it's obviously very important... It's time for me to look into and purchase hearing aids. My hearing has deteriorated to the point that daily life is frustrating trying to hear other people talking, etc. I've been ignoring it for a while, but those days are over. I'm curious what other shooters that wear hearing aids do when at the range? Do you wear your ear protection over the hearing aids? Do you remove the hearing aids? Do you turn down the hearing aids? When I shoot, I wear electronic muffs, either Sordin Supreme's or ProEars Pro Mag. I usually have to turn them up loud to hear everything that's going on around me, and especially when I'm RO'ing a shooter. I'm also wondering if some hearing aids work better than others when shooting. Thanks, -Cuz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dapribek Posted May 16 Share Posted May 16 I remove hearing aids and use Etymotic electronic plugs for protection. Not ideal because I can barely hear the RO or my buddies talking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiknSwans Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 I do not remove my hearing aids, and I wear muffs with electronics. If you use rechargeable hearing aids, they should be very resistant to moisture (sweat) as they are sealed. In Florida, with the heat and humidity, there can be a lot of sweat inside the muffs. Otherwise, sweat can get into the aids. You can use lycra 'socks' which will resist the moisture, but I found them annoying to put onto the aids. However, they did work very well. I can hear relatively well with my electronic muffs and rechargeable aids, and would recommend doing this. You should not put off getting hearing aids if possible. Keeping the nerves stimulated by using hearing aids slows down the rate of hearing loss as you age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted May 17 Author Share Posted May 17 Thanks, I know I shouldn't put it off, so I am going to start researching them now. There are so many different hearing aid options these days, and prices are astronomical. The price isn't going to hold me back, but the fear of buying the "wrong" ones is. I always buy the wrong brand/model/etc. the first time around and sometimes even the second. These are too expensive to find out I picked the wrong ones.. I definitely have to hear whats going on when at the range as I'm usually the RO, whether it be at a small match, or teaching new shooters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IHAVEGAS Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 At the match my electronic ear muffs are my hearing aids. Due to fairly recent changes in regulations the days of needing to pay a fortune for hearing aids are in the past. A couple good friends were very happy with the audiologist and aids they got from Costco, a relative felt the same way about getting hearing aids from Sam’s. If there is something unique/unusual about your hearing loss perhaps that could be an exception. If you are an old fart like me your Medicare supplement may pay the lions share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 I also recommend Costco. Very good pricing and top notch service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Phil Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 I have tried several of the "new" hearing aids. Got tired of not hearing like I should (cheapies) and tired of having to replace the units once per year and more. (Recommend researching how the new cheapies came about. Very interesting!) Finally went with Miracle Ear. More money but total before and after support. No cost visits and no cost replacement/repair. Mine have 3 levels which I can set/change on the app. #2 is my "sister-in-law program. Low volume, noise filter at 90%. I use electronic muffs over the s-i-l program. Recently trying Walker in ear electronic due to outer ear fatigue at longer matches. Good so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45 Raven Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 I have new Starkey hearing aids and have been using my Sordin electronic ear protection over the top of them with the hearing aids set for the same normal level of sound that I have them set on without the hearing protectors. Working very well with no feedback issues or problems so far, even in very hot weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted May 18 Author Share Posted May 18 1 hour ago, 45 Raven said: I have new Starkey hearing aids and have been using my Sordin electronic ear protection over the top of them with the hearing aids set for the same normal level of sound that I have them set on without the hearing protectors. Working very well with no feedback issues or problems so far, even in very hot weather. Thanks, how long have you been using them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45 Raven Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 17 hours ago, Cuz said: Thanks, how long have you been using them? About 3 1/2 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkseid Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 Hearing aids stay in the truck. Plugs and muffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted May 18 Author Share Posted May 18 17 minutes ago, Darkseid said: Hearing aids stay in the truck. Plugs and muffs. they must be electronic muffs right? Otherwise how would you be able to hear anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Phil Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 I have tried plugs, plugs and muffs. I can't even hear the beep, let alone range commands. That's why I am trying Walkers 25db electronics. No Bluetooth, just volume and noise suppression. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outerlimits Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted May 19 Author Share Posted May 19 I guess I should also be asking you all what model hearing aids you are all using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45 Raven Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 1 hour ago, Cuz said: I guess I should also be asking you all what model hearing aids you are all using. Starkey Genesis AI 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71Commander Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 I'm using Starkey Thrive. I was wearing them under electronic muffs (Walker with controls on each muff) After about two months, they stopped working. Don't know if the amplified noise was too much or just coincidence. As they were still under warrenty, Starkey repaired them for free. I've tried Walker then AXIL. No go. Decided to try a better quality and bought a set of Otto. No better. Sigh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiknSwans Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 On 5/18/2024 at 8:04 PM, Cuz said: I guess I should also be asking you all what model hearing aids you are all using. Phonak Audeo L70-R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted June 24 Author Share Posted June 24 I need to quit procrastinating and make a damn appointment with an audiologist to get this process started… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkheard Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 I use Starkey molded in ear hearing protection. My hearing aids come out for them. If I’m the RO and I know there’s a really obnoxious open gun coming up, I’ll add some muffs. My latest audiogram shows nothing but age-related additional losses. YMMV, but it works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9piferad Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 I typically leave my hearing aids out as it seems most on here do. I have had Starkey and Phonak hearing aids over the past 10+ years and much prefer the Phonak's. They seem better built and more resilient, however I am using Starkey's currently as that is what my audiologist now carries. I currently am using custom molded ear plugs from my audiologist and love them. I commonly double the custom molded hearing protection with over the ear hearing protection (recently I have been using pro-ears as well) and find good results. It did take quite a bit of experimentation with different muffs/hearing protection and you really just need to find what works best for you. Feedback with muffs over top of the hearing aids used to drive me crazy which is what led me to leaving them out. I hope you can find something that works for you! -Drew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundEye Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 Most of the electronic plugs from ESP and sound gear are basically a hearing aid in combination with a custom plug. If you send them your audiology report they can program most of the digital plugs specific to enhance the ranges that you’re deficient in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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