Hi All,
It's been quite some time since I've been here, or over on the BAHA forum, and I thought an update would be good. I lost my hearing suddenly (SSNHL) on 9 Jul 2006, was fortunate to get right in to an ENT, had an MRI, and there was nothing found on the imaging - final conclusion, probably viral. In the nearly 3 years since then, I've moved up from 100% deaf in my left ear, to the upper profound range in a few frequency ranges (hee hee). I finally got a Transear in Jan 07, had a number of problems with it, and almost turned it back in. But I learned over time that the problems were mostly due to an audiologist I would never recommend to anyone else. I later found out a friend had also been to that same audiologist - unknown to me at the time - and had a similarly bad experience with a different type of hearing aid (a standard air conduction device). He returned his and went elsewhere. Yes, there were a couple of broken wires and a couple of other issues with the TransEar, but I could live with them because once I pushed my audiologist to keep trying on the programming (thanks to the experiences of others here), it became apparent that I didn't want to live without it. It never did fit properly, and also was never programmed properly, but I was still much better with, than without it.
Fast forward to late 2008. I purchased on a MasterCard, so I had a 1-year extension on the warranty, and used that late last year when the processor quit. Once that warranty ran out (Jan 09), I vowed never to return to that audiologist again. I also learned my medical insurance would cover at least part of a hearing aid, so I talked with the folks at TransEar/Ear Technology, and eventually arranged to be seen by a very competent audiologist who had some experience with the TransEar. I had the mold done a couple of weeks ago, and just got the new device last Thursday (the new 3rd generation model - I had the original model until now). It was almost funny - it hurt immediately, and quite a lot. The audiologist took a look and found that I had a small pimple up in my ear canal. The old TransEar had apparently been so loose that I didn't even feel it. I still wore it that afternoon and evening, and immediately went to a mall to "try out" the food court (lots of noise, and varying noises from all directions). The difference was immediately obvious. I was much more comfortable in that setting, and could discriminate sounds far better without being overwhelmed by all the background noise. That was a huge boost for me! I also started truly understanding things from my left ("bad") side, and for the first time in two years of having the old model that was never fit properly, I could actually "hear" the difference between what was getting to my right ear via the TransEar, and what was coming in directly to that ear. I don't know how to describe that, but I'd NEVER experienced that before.
I called my wife as I walked along inside the mall to tell her how it was working, and as I passed by two people sitting on a bench perhaps 6 feet from me on my left ("bad") side, I realized I actually heard several words they were saying despite hearing my wife through the cell phone in my right (good) ear. I paused and listened with them knowing what I was doing, and was actually able to understand some of the words even with my wife still talking (I didn't tell her what I was doing yet), as well as the background noise. When I finally walked further and told her what just happened, I actually had some slight tears well up in my eyes - it was a wonderful experience, especially after having had a TransEar already for over two years.
I left it out Friday and Saturday to let my ear canal heal, and put it back in Sunday for church. What a difference. There is one classroom where the A/C blower is so loud, it was a major distraction for me trying to even understand the teacher or any discussion before. Sunday, I was aware of the blower noise, but it was just sort of there - not overpowering. I had almost no difficulty understanding. I asked my wife if she thought the A/C blower sound had been fixed since the previous Sunday, and she said it was just as loud as it's been for two years. I thought that was the case, but I needed to make sure, just because of the remarkable difference in my experience sitting in that classroom.
I was off work last week, and just returned yesterday. I continue to find situation after situation in which my ability to comprehend is substantially better than before. I need to get a small amount of sanding done at a "hot spot" that's developed, but that's no uncommon in the first few days or weeks.
The bottom line for me is that I'm truly glad I stuck with it with the TransEar, even with all the problems largely the fault of the first audiologist. If anyone is considering a TransEar, select your audiologist WELL! If they've never done one before, I don't know that that would deter me from using them, I'd just want to make sure they weren't so egotistical (or lazy) that they wouldn't spend whatever time it took on the phone with Ear Technology to make sure the programming was done right, and that they never put the TransEar on a big grinding wheel (only a very thin amount - about skin thickness - should be taken off at a time). Better yet, call the TransEar folks and ask if they have a recommended referral in your area that has worked well with them already. Just get a good audiologist!
I'll monitor this for a while in case there are any questions. I know everyone's experience isn't the same for various reasons, but I'm 100% sold on the TransEar, and very happy I stuck with it. I can't tell how much of the improvement is due to the new model and the differences in frequency response vs. the fact that it was fit and programmed right, but the bottom line is that I liked my original model TransEar once it got working properly, but LOVE my new one. I'm continuing to discover more and more situations in which I find myself just feeling comfortable, when I wouldn't have enjoyed the experience only a week ago (prior to the new TransEar). Meetings are MUCH easier. And life just got a whole lot nicer (and my wife probably likes me more as a result
).
Chris
