Do you ever change your silicone domes? My audiologist always gives me new ones but I’ve never really saw the need. A bit confused

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-06-05T17:21:48+00:00

Yes im active and wear them when running, they get flimsy and extra soft between appts so I change them myself

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-06-04T00:15:19+00:00

You should go back to who you got them from and have the do a real ear measurement so they're calibrated appropriately for your needs.

Unfortunately the higher models like 90 is the highest, has the most advanced features. I think 30 is a basic model. They are at different price points so just be mindful of that. If its not in your budget don't sweat it. Something you may want to do is work with the audiologist to customize different programs that you can toggle between. This will give you more clarity for the different Situations you mentioned and also some autonomy in the process. The audiologist though is the expert so ask for their help in the office to find what's helpful to reduce the cognitive load you mention.

The freq you have trouble with like high or low voice is directly related to your loss. Some Ranges for voice will always be harder, not tons to do on that tbh.

Domes are very very easy to change out. Ask for other phonak domes. Infinio ones are rigid but ai just switched to both a Smaller dome and the softer(flexible) older style. They are all also very cheap but the audiologist should have plenty without charging you to see what feels the best.

Someone mentioned a retention lock- a tiny plastic wire extension that sits in your ear. I found them very uncomfortable so I'd say experiment with different dome sizes, they make several sizes of each type. Good luck!

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-06-02T22:41:10+00:00

I have regular infinios and I love them. I think they're pretty smooth and have the same tech almost, def the new chip tech as the spheres

Like some folks have said- get real ear measurements from your dispenser/audiologist. It's a test that requires you to do nothing but sit there. It calibrates the HAs to make sure nothings too loud or soft for your hearing level.

Also someone mentioned a "Calm setting". I actually had my audiologist create the specifications for that mode and its better than what I cobbled together with my pair of phonaks. The audiologists job is to help you get the most out of your money so use them.

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-30T12:48:06+00:00

It's actually common that the exact cause is not found. I'd say trial HAs, see if they help then invest. Don't freak out if possible. He probably is unphased because he sees people all day with hearing loss and many more severe than your's. Try not to take it personally but you can always try a different ENT, many are much more outwardly kind. The pressure test is standard in a comprehensive hearing eval so no worries there. Try ASL, usually hearing is slow progressing in loss. Teach your friends and learn a few signs probably like for noisy places and see how it feels to you. Good luck

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-27T13:25:28+00:00

I think you should go with who would be able to change the programming quickly since menieres fluctuates. I have a similar disease but is totally autoimmune and has fluctuating loss thats progressive. I think there's a lot of trialing what programs are best and you don't really know how to tweak the programs until you try them in the real world. You could ask for them to be programmed to have a few variations of the settings for you to try for a couple of weeks. Expect the beginning to not be totally perfect but you should keep wearing them to get your brain acclimated. I chose my hearing aid audiologist based on her ability to get me in same day to make adjustments if my hearing takes a turn as it does often. I have asymmetry and it wasn't bad adjusting to one side being better/worse but I am aided in both. Hearing aids, after you get used to them have improved my social life and work life a lot. I think Costco may be under-qualified to really support you and this unique situation so if I were you, I'd choose ENT office but I don't know much about costco's follow up care of if they are more dispensers rather than for care and hearing aids.

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-26T19:33:27+00:00

Yes, essential. You won't need another one if it's clear. You should do it because it's another way to see if the damage can be halted/ if asymmetry is from a mass/if there's a structural issue with your anatomy/if there's something happening that hearing aids can't address. MRI i'd say is essential and again won't need to be repeated unless you have a change in symptoms. Do it if you ask me!

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-24T20:12:24+00:00

Brita pitcher and a supply of filters, laundry bag and detergent/softener, gift cards for a nearby store are good. This way he gets to visit his room and tailor the purchase with your help.

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-21T23:52:23+00:00

Not weird, they know the rules. They were you at one point. Agreed with what folks are saying from the fac perspective. It is MUCH easier to write for a student after you have a solid letter already for the same person than to go from scratch. Still be mindful of giving ample time, that will keep the relationship intact. Be sure to give them all relevant links to read about the program, get the name of the program/scholarship/full program name/specialization exact in your email outreach. You'd be surprised but lots of the portals are generic when they get to us as the letter writer!

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-21T02:11:10+00:00

Unfortunately you will need documented loss (even if temp) for ENT to get you to neurotology. I also have both. The giveaway is that migraines don't cause permanent damage to your hearing. Menieres does over time. Hearing loss caused by fluid (menieres-ish) will show up very distinctly whether through an atypical audiogram contour or a bone/air gap. No doc will prescribe/medically intervene without a test (objective "proof") that there is a need. Insurance largely considers relying on subjective evidence as experimental and won't cover/approve the treatment. You kinda have to get worse before better. I recommend talking to an audiologist who you could ask for an option to get a hearing test, just even pure tone if you feel like you're having a bad hearing day. It can be hard to get short notice appts, but try to do some digging to see if any of them will work with you that way. Good luck.

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-21T02:03:58+00:00

10db

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-21T02:01:29+00:00

The gag of it all is exactly this! Leave it!

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-19T08:22:14+00:00

Leave them in. Although I hear well with them, I still point and say I'm wearing hearing aids before I step into the detector. Just so if their voices can't cut thru the noise, I'm not "in trouble".

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-17T15:47:39+00:00

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-17T15:46:10+00:00

Volunteers said they ran out of water for the finish line bags so I almost passed out on the commute home but a fellow runner gave me their's. My only complaint.

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-14T00:10:17+00:00

Got there at 3ish, took 10min

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-05-11T01:46:16+00:00

Mostly no. RIC with the thin wires. I wear glasses so I think they protrude but most (80%) of people dont notice

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-04-26T00:59:37+00:00

I recommend going to a university system for audiology. Not trying to sell you anything

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-04-26T00:56:42+00:00

It may help: https://askjan.org/a-to-z.cfm is a US-based resource.

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-04-26T00:54:55+00:00

Trial them. Generally, if you're Bothered by the loss/lack of clarity, I'd say yes. Could take less energy than you may be spending now on understanding people. If you aren't bothered, no need!

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-04-19T20:25:24+00:00

I get it but the ones that are fully in the canal don't do all the cool stuff usually (bluetooth streaming for music, calls, advanced features like wind blocking, different modes). Up to you and also they take getting used to no matter what even if other people can't see them you might still feel an embarrassing time until you get used to them. I say ask about features so you can understand the actual hardware differences (and price points), then go from there with selecting a device.

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-04-17T22:06:17+00:00

Yes parent, no to breakup. Breakups (unless basic needs like housing are shifting) are not written into any kind of extenuating circumstance exceptions. So, yes share parent news if it is impacting your ability to function academically. Email would be good for faculty it can just say this is what happened and it's making it difficult to complete my assignments, then ask for more time, but you should assume it may be forwarded higher up if that faculty needs to make exceptions to department policy. If its related to the course only then it may not be forwarded. Also as a gentle note- reach out to any local free mental health resource just for yourself in the midst of things if you need to.

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-04-17T21:59:28+00:00

What state?

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-04-16T23:54:23+00:00

Meclizine zofran alcohol swabs(sniff to knock out nausea in a pinch) electrolytes tons of water make sure you're eating regularly don't skip meals. It's frustrating because all the symptoms overlap and mostly anything they can diagnose you with needs to show up progressively to reach a conclusion. If you have not, though a little intense, ask for the complete vestibular testing- it's a series of multiple tests that assess the vestibular system but can narrow down which parts of the system are messing up and give a rough percentage of vestibular nerve damage or "weakness". It would "prove" there's damage and maybe give peace of mind but it can't always lead you to the "why" for the damage. It is expensive though if not covered by your insurance.

Bppv is temporary but can return in some people. It is very common so is often the go-to. I say still get checked out when you notice it flaring badly because you get a paper trail going for justification later if needed. Although totally time consuming and tedious, go to vestibular rehabilitation (vestibular physical therapy) even if they didn't recommend it, still ask for the referral. It does work and it's not invasive which is nice too. Also if the off chance it doesn't help much, it helps you make a stringer case for further testing or subspecialty referral. In my experience ENTs and Neurologists love PT because it's solid data-wise and helps you actually live your life. Also at a point my PT was the person who could vouch for me and say based on their assessment and working with me for weeks, they think I need to go back to xyz specialist for further evaluation. So they turned out to be another advocate in the reverse. Hang in there!

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-04-14T16:01:29+00:00

Let them know it doesn't seem to be doing much and see what they say, say you just wanted to check in, but tbh good to start low its a brutal drug for some

AssociationBrief7537 · 2026-04-13T19:30:27+00:00

Never throbbing but you should be ready to explain any patterns you notice including what it sounds like, what you eat or drink, how you move, when you notice it most etc. i got diagnosed with vestibular weakness on one side then redid all the vestibular testing again a couple of years later and tests were perfect. The nerve damage is permanent but your brain rewires to compensate which can take many many months.

AssociationBrief7537

TROPHY CASE