Hi,
I wanted to report on my experience with the Transear in case others are considering it. So far I am pleased. I've worn it for 9 days (using the same power one battery I received it with) and would give it a positive review. Like others who have commented on their experience, there was no "wow I can hear again moment" but rather the recognition that in more and more situations, my hearing is no longer a problem. Two years ago I was seen by an ENT for pulsatile tinnitus, but when my audiogram was perfect, the dr. did not order an MRI but said maybe the tinnitus would go away, and if it did, I did not need to return. The tinnitus went away, but this past June I lost all hearing in my ear in one day and after an MRI was subsequently diagnosed with an AN. Since then I have been miserable and lost in public, and exhausted from public outings, as I hear a tremendous din and see people's mouths moving, but can't tell what they are saying.
Since I got the transear last week, I have worn it while food shopping, at the mall, on line at a coffee shop/bagel store, and in other public situations. I have purposely not made an effort to keep the cashier on my right side, or to lip read or anticipate someone saying "paper or plastic?" My most challenging issues--safety in parking lots, checking out at the supermarket, and hearing in noisy situations-- have been MUCH better. I am no longer apologizing for my lack of hearing, or asking people to repeat themselves, or getting panicky when I can't hear a thing. I can hear on the telephone using my bad ear, although I wouldn't use it because it's not that comfortable holding the phone up to my ear with the transear in, and I listen with my other ear anyway. I can put down the window in my car and listen to the radio again and hear what is being said.
It's not perfect. I haven't regained directionality yet. Music still sounds tinny, and it took a while to get used to how loud my voice sounds to me. I keep it on the quiet setting and 2 and a half volume, using the "restaurant setting" for public situations. And in very noisy situations or places with strange acoustics, I hear a whooshing noise when it's on the public setting, that gets better if I push on it with my finger. I'm thinking the audiologist may tweak that setting a little. But I actually think I'm hearing better with it as time goes on. At first I didn't think the first setting did anything for me, but now I prefer it unless I really need the other one. So, the other issue people ask about is comfort. It's not hard to put in, and it hasn't hurt me at all (although I did have minor pain after the impression to make it was taken.) For the first five or so days, I did have to fight the urge to yank it out because it felt like I had a bug in my ear. But now it really doesn't bother me at all. In short, I'm happy with it, and for those who decide against the BAHA or Soundbite, this may be a really workable option.
One other thing-- my insurance paid fifty percent as it is considered a hearing aid.
Hope this is useful to those who may be curious about the transear,
maxine
