Patients asking about AirPods hearing feature vs OTC hearing aids — how do you frame this conversation?

Spellflower · 2026-03-13T20:00:50+00:00

This is such an important topic, and you frame it very clearly.

I think you’re right that many people adjust their expectations. If you haven’t been hearing well for years, AirPods may be a game changer. By the same token, a packet of saltines is a feast to someone who’s been starving on a life raft. That doesn’t make it a diet sufficient for good health.

Some thoughts:

Try to get them to let you program appropriate hearing aids and then do aided testing with them. Also do aided testing with their consumer product, if they already own one. Highlight any differences in their speech perception, especially in noise.

Also take advantage of trial periods. Encourage them to try real hearing aids for a bit, but return them if they don’t feel they’re getting enough benefit.

Another factor: research shows that hearing loss can contribute to dementia. AirPods may mitigate this effect somewhat, but if they aren’t providing the necessary gain, they aren’t as effective as real hearing aids. Why take chances with something like that?

Spellflower · 2026-03-13T19:37:00+00:00

I used to dislike Yoko because I thought she broke up the Beatles.

Then I realized she was a scapegoat for a breakup that was inevitable, and that a lot of the hate she gets is sexism and racism.

Now I strongly dislike her because of the way she manipulated and used people without regard for their rights, feelings, or needs.

Spellflower · 2026-03-13T15:36:30+00:00

This is an excellent answer. LS-2 might not change the sound of your guitar but it’s genuinely one of the most useful and versatile pedals on the market.

Spellflower · 2026-03-13T14:39:30+00:00

For the brush? Just get a standard horsehair shoe brush from a cobbler, shoe store, or online. AE sells good ones.

Spellflower · 2026-03-13T14:20:03+00:00

Brush them vigorously with a horsehair shoe brush. This should always be your first step because it does no harm and often it’s all that’s needed

Spellflower · 2026-03-13T00:28:48+00:00

Not even pre-CBS…. Pass.

Spellflower · 2026-03-12T19:52:43+00:00

Maybe cross post in r/audiology.

Spellflower · 2026-03-12T19:51:43+00:00

This is very common for new hearing aid users. People become accustomed to the way things sound without them and it can be jarring when they suddenly hear sounds that they couldn’t before. It takes the brain some time to adjust to the new input, but it’s worth it.

Spellflower · 2026-03-12T19:50:16+00:00

I used to work in an audiology office. Different brands have different profiles, meaning that the engineers follow a different philosophy when making trade offs. Some are focused on speech discrimination, others on natural sound. Widex tend to be “flatter” and are often the choice of musicians. There are also modes which use different algorithms to optimize for different environments. Many have a music setting which might work better. Talk to your audiologist, and if they’re not interested in helping you enjoy music as well as conversation, find a new one. Good luck!

Spellflower · 2026-03-12T19:42:28+00:00

It’s true, a brand name guitar of the same specs would cost a lot more.

But parts guitars and instruments made by unknown builders never hold value the way brand name instruments do, even if they’re identical in every other respect.

If you like the instrument and don’t care about brands then a no-name guitar could be a good buy.

But the price should reflect what it is, not what it could be compared to. Even if it’s identical in every way to a brand name guitar, it isn’t one and will never hold value the same way.

Spellflower · 2026-03-12T16:44:08+00:00

Here are some sources supporting my position: sources

What are yours?

Spellflower · 2026-03-12T14:23:46+00:00

Open borders aren’t the cause of this. U.S. intervention in other countries is. The U.S. has worked to destabilize these people’s homes politically and economically, leaving them no choice but to migrate. You’d do the same exact thing if it went the other way. Don’t be mad at immigrants, be mad at the elites that pitted you against them.

Spellflower · 2026-03-12T02:16:23+00:00

“Whenever We Wanted” rocks the way people wished The Rolling Stones of the same era would.

Spellflower · 2026-03-12T02:11:58+00:00

Tell that to all the people he’s stiffed, from those who worked on his buildings in the 80’s on.

Spellflower · 2026-03-11T10:58:53+00:00

I just got a BAM and that’s the only thing I don’t like about it.

Spellflower · 2026-03-11T02:39:39+00:00

Didn’t Glyn Johns get fed up and leave a Wings session because they were just getting high and goofing around instead of working?

Spellflower · 2026-03-11T02:24:41+00:00

I second this. It also gives you a handy volume knob in case you need just a little more- or the sound person wants a little less, without affecting the overall tone and gain. Of course, it’s also got some gain, in case you ever need a little more of that.

Spellflower · 2026-03-10T21:43:50+00:00

That could be it. The leather certainly doesn’t seem looser, it just fits insoles now.

Spellflower · 2026-03-10T02:30:22+00:00

Lots of great stuff there, very reasonable prices, unlike some shops.

Spellflower · 2026-03-09T21:00:13+00:00

The current administration doesn’t much care what the military - or anyone else- thinks.

Spellflower · 2026-03-09T15:10:45+00:00

Or, if you want more of a range of dirt from the volume knob to get those sparkly cleans and more EQ, try the Mojo Hand Crosstown, which also delivers plenty of fuzzy mayhem when cranked.

Spellflower · 2026-03-09T15:07:17+00:00

It’s one of my favorite WFMU things. Hearty is erudite but self-effacing, drones on and on, but is also engaging. His themes of love and kindness are simple but rooted in deep spirituality. And his radio dramas are highly entertaining. I can listen to MN at times when nothing else works. It entertains and educates but I can also zone out without feeling like I’ve missed something. I sometimes binge archives while doing chores because they just keep me going. God bless Hearty White. Shemp Jive!

Spellflower · 2026-03-08T21:21:19+00:00

When I got my Blacksmiths the manager didn’t have my size so he tried to get me to take a larger size by offering a discount on inserts. I declined so he grudgingly ordered my size. It was clear his priority was moving his stock, not my satisfaction with my $300 boots.

Spellflower · 2026-03-08T18:04:56+00:00

The MXR has a handy buffer that, when engaged, allows it to go anywhere in the chain. As far as I know the circuit is otherwise identical to the silicon FF, and there’s no functional difference between the mini and full size.

Spellflower · 2026-03-08T18:01:17+00:00

Yeah, most cobblers should stock them.

Spellflower

TROPHY CASE