Hearing Aid Experience

jhatpro · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:27 pm Post subject: Hearing Aid Experience

If you're hard of hearing and play in a big band do you wear your aids when you play or do you find they distort the sound too much?
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

kehaulani · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:44 pm Post subject:

I play with hearing aides. They do not distort or otherwise cause me trouble.

I'll qualify my statement by saying that they cost several thousand dollars, though.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

deleted_user_02066fd · New Member Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0

I never knew a trumpeter who wore them. I know a few who need them!
The only time I ever experienced problems hearing myself happened when I was in my 20's. Foolishly I smoked a joint between sets and couldn't hear myself. First and last time I did that. Hey, it was the 70's!!!!!!

djpearlman · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 5:24 pm Post subject:

I use aids and leave them on when I play, but with the volume turned down.
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Dan Pearlman
Santa Fe, NM

- Monette Cornette
- Andalusia Cornet
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5NafoVeXrsRm-fOhKaIpnA

bworth · Regular Member Joined: 17 Feb 2018 Posts: 35

I use hearing aides when I play. They have a special music mode setting that I switch to. Works great.

mike ansberry · Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 7:28 pm Post subject:

My hearing loss was causing me a lot of trouble trying to play in our community concert band, a big band I play with, and in a funk/rock group. I got a pair of hearing aids and it made a big difference. It is amazing how much better you can play when you can hear. I wore them in all the groups I play with. I had 3 settings, one specifically for playing in bands.

Now the bad part. They cost $5000. They are only guaranteed for 1 year. I had one go bad during the first year and got it replaced. I'm now in my 4th year and my right hearing aid only works in conversation mode. Sometimes I use them that way and sometimes I just use the left one in band mode.

No way I can shell out $5000 every few years. That is very frustrating. I said something about the price and the technician said it is because there is so much technology in them. Bull Cookies.
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Music is a fire in your belly, fighting to get out. You'd better put a horn in the way before someone gets hurt.

HERMOKIWI · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2581

jhatpro · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 3:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies guys!

I started wearing Costco aids six years ago and, hoping to get better performance, switched to Resounds from a local audiologists.

The Resounds are helpful at parties but maddening in busy restaurants.

I don’t wear them when I’m playing because they make my horn sound so bright.

Bottom line: I’ve spent close to $10,000 and happy with the results. The industry should be capable of better solutions.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

kehaulani · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 6:08 pm Post subject:

Jim, I used to use Resounds. I switched to Phonaks (and paid for it) but there was definitely an improvement.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

jhatpro · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 6:19 pm Post subject:

Good to know, thanks!
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

Seymor B Fudd · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2019 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Hearing Aid Experience

kehaulani · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2019 8:55 am Post subject:

I have a number of levels I can adjust them to.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

Seymor B Fudd · Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 1:44 am Post subject:

Bb Bob · Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 7:49 am Post subject:

I wear mine when I play at home and for community band. I use Resounds, newer model purchased last year. I’m a newbie, playing only the past four years. Without them in, I tend to overblow and have trouble at the top and above the staff. With them in, no problem except that I think I sound too bright.

It would be nice if we could calibrate these things like glasses, what’s 20/20 for hearing, for a more objective result. To me, it’s like listening to music on the home stereo tweaking an equalizer to get that nice sound, to me. 😁😁
_________________
Trumpets: Edwards X13, ACB Copernicus, Benge CG, Olds LA Studio ‘53
Cornets: Adams CN2, Wild Thing Short, Olds Studio ‘58, Schilke XA7
Flugelhorn: Kanstul 1525

Bb Bob · Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 7:55 am Post subject:

Anyone check their dynamics with a dB meter? With and without your aids in? I’d be interested in the numbers. True, we must blend with our band mates, but there are always baselines to start.
_________________
Trumpets: Edwards X13, ACB Copernicus, Benge CG, Olds LA Studio ‘53
Cornets: Adams CN2, Wild Thing Short, Olds Studio ‘58, Schilke XA7
Flugelhorn: Kanstul 1525

jhatpro · Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 8:14 am Post subject:

Here's an interesting perspective from a musician with hearing loss:

https://musicandhearingaids.org/2017/01/03/musician-hearing-loss/
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

Bb Bob · Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 8:33 am Post subject:

Jim, Thanks for the link! I found some information in the article enlightening. Definitely some things I like to try.
_________________
Trumpets: Edwards X13, ACB Copernicus, Benge CG, Olds LA Studio ‘53
Cornets: Adams CN2, Wild Thing Short, Olds Studio ‘58, Schilke XA7
Flugelhorn: Kanstul 1525

yourbrass · Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2019 2:35 pm Post subject:

I have chronic tinnitus, but can still hear pretty well. I saw an audiologist about three years ago and invested in "Musician's ear plugs." They have 9db, 15db, and 25db plug in filters to reduce sound input.

Although my doctor was adamant that 25db filters were the thing to use, I found it cut too much sound out and so I've been using the 15db's with good results. However, if it's an electric band, I use 25db and can sit there with a smile on my face as bass players play way too loud.

, If there's one thing I could advise younger players to do, it would be to get these plugs and start using them, if you are a serious player. Later on in life you will be grateful for no screaming in your head from tinnitus and/or hearing loss.

-Lionel
_________________
"Strive for tone." -John Coppola
Edwards X-13
ACB MV3C /ACB A1/26 backbore
https://yourbrass.com/

Seymor B Fudd · Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2019 10:46 pm Post subject:

yourbrass · Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2019 4:56 pm Post subject:

The other thing I'd say about the plugs is that I use them to practice as well as perform. It protects your ears and you really become accustomed to the reduced volume. I'm also using them at work all day, as we run machines in the shop that can be quite loud.
_________________
"Strive for tone." -John Coppola
Edwards X-13
ACB MV3C /ACB A1/26 backbore
https://yourbrass.com/