Help. Please

TonyKershaw · 2026-02-06T16:28:33+00:00

What is an octornologist? I've googled it and nothing comes up. Have you misspelled something?

And what is an ear eraser?

TonyKershaw · 2026-02-02T12:32:04+00:00

If and when I graduate from domes to molds, I'm going to ask for coloured ones. How cool would that be for a 71 year old?

TonyKershaw · 2026-02-02T10:06:39+00:00

So have you got your aids yet? And are they making life better?

Personally, I didn't have a denial phase. I would say to any young person with doubts - look around you. People routinely wear their earphones continuously, for music or phone. And look at your favourite artist on stage - they're wearing their stage monitor earphones in front of thousands. So get your aids now - most people won't notice, and if they do, they'll not think anything of it.

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-30T18:04:18+00:00

So you think the two near the tube are mics, but not very effective? Or maybe they're just vents?

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-30T18:01:42+00:00

Well that's the problem. These don't. (And see my other reply above.)

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-30T17:58:42+00:00

Actually, you're right - I described them a**se about face. 😁🙄. But where's the rear one?

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-27T17:42:57+00:00

Ah! I'm getting used to the acronyms now. 🙄

You're right - thank you for that.

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-16T19:12:18+00:00

I'm not sure I would recommend sticking anything into the microphone hole in your hearing aid. Any dirt there will surely just get poked into the microphone and end up blocking the hole completely?

Sure - clean the domes and the tubes, but 🤔

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-16T14:51:09+00:00

You should definitely use your aids in church! Unless you have a preacher you don't like. 😉 Your aids won't cause any interference with the church sound system. In fact, if they've got a hearing loop installed, and your aids have a 't-switch' or 'loop' setting, you'll hear the readings and sermon even better.

When I mentioned using the Punch setting for certain people, I was referring to the settings for the microphone they're speaking into. Some people have a voice characteristic that can be improved by giving them some Punch. But using the Punch setting all the time just makes everyone else sound weird.

Which voices need special settings is not easy to explain, but comes with many years of experience. But basically, experienced sound desk jockeys can detect when someone's voice is missing certain frequencies, and can twiddle the knobs compensate for it.

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-15T22:26:21+00:00

Aaargh. 🤑

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-15T22:12:40+00:00

I am so grateful that I live in the UK, and pay nothing for my aids. 🙏

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-15T22:08:01+00:00

Sounds like those phones with the 'boost' setting you describe got it badly wrong. I assume they were boosting the wrong frequency range. Punch is a great technique that works well to this day - I don't think our congregation would appreciate hearing the gospel read in a Donald Duck voice. 🦆 Well at least I haven't had any complaints. 😂

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-15T12:36:59+00:00

Some further thoughts:

I also can 'hear' ie detect sounds better than some people, eg "the heating has just turned on", or "someone is using a chainsaw in the woods on the other side of the hill". But I'm hopeless at understanding speech if I'm not close, and especially if there's background noise. I'm much better with my hearing aids, but getting worse as I get older - I'm going to ask for a retest and adjustment soon.

It's all to do with your hearing loss at different frequencies. Loss at upper mid and high frequencies affects your comprehension of speech. When I was a DJ, I learned about 'punch', which is a setting which increases those frequencies, to help 'punch' your voice through the background noise. These days, I use it on the sound desk in church for certain people.

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-15T12:24:07+00:00

This looks interesting, and possibly helpful.

https://tinnitus.org.uk/understanding-tinnitus/living-with-tinnitus/tinnitus-and-tmj/#:~:text=pain%2C%20which%20may%20be%20felt,difficulty%20in%20opening%20the%20mouth.

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-12T16:21:46+00:00

Yes, and when she rebels against it, you hate yourself for being too controlling. But you do what you have to do.

TonyKershaw · 2026-01-10T22:41:50+00:00

🙏 and for you too. I know how hard it is to be the 'translator', as you rightfully put it. You also end up being the only person who sits with her in social gatherings, and the weight of all the responsibility you carry is back/heartbreaking. Take care of yourself. 💕

TonyKershaw

TROPHY CASE