hearing aids for hunting

[brent d.]

I have a fairly significant hearing loss in both ears. I have never used a hearing aid or anything although I have had plenty of doctors try to sell them to me.
I was wondering how many people have used the different kinds of amplifying type hearing aids in the woods such as the "game ear" , etc. I have always thought that it would amplify all the sounds into a "wall of sound" but I read that the frequncy can be adjusted somehow. Anyone who has experience with these I would sure like to hear some pros & cons. I know that hearing is not a pre-requisite to shooting a deer but It couldnt hurt. My problem is that so many of the sounds blend together It is hard for me to distinguish one from another.
p.s.
One of the biggest deer from recent years around here was killed by a deaf hunter in Camilla, Ga.
it was a great story and I am looking for the archival write up.
thanks

[WildmanSC]

I've never tried the game ear, however, I did try a competitive brand and found it to be much less than advertised.  I've since bought a set of Siemens hearing aids and there is a world of difference.  I have 3 programs from which I can choose.  Program 1 gives decent amplification and I can hear most things going on and being said around me.  Program 2 shuts nearly everything out, very convenient for when on a riding lawnmower or when you don't want to hear what is being said to you, so, please don't tell my wife!  And finally, there is program 3 which has an amplification that brings my hearing up to the level it should be if I had no loss at all.  Program 3 is great for the woods.  I sometimes drop to program 1 when it is real windy.  High winds can be a problem with program 3.  I should note that I had to keep going back to the audiologist to force him to increase the amplification level on program 3 until it got to where I wanted it.

I got my Siemens hearing aids at World Hearing online at the following web address:

 http://www.worldhearing.com/Siemens/Centra/

My particular hearing aid is the Acuris.  The Centra is the latest and greatest available from Siemens.  World Hearing sets up an appointment for you to go to an audiologist in your local area.  They do the hearing test and the molding of your hear so World Hearing can properly manufacture your hearing aids and do the initial programming.  Your audiologist will be able to adjust the programming to fit your personal needs.

Bill

[WildmanSC]

You'll very likely get sticker shock when you go to the website.  The prices shown are for one hearing aid, or one ear, however you want to look at it.  However, I can tell you from personal experience that the ability hear conversations is priceless.  And even more so the ability to NOT hear the roar of tenitis is even more priceless!

Bill

[brent d.]

Youch! you are right. But the amount of technology that goes into one of things makes it understandable.
My wife says that I have "selective" hearing.   I just ask her to slow down,enunciate and dont change the subject mid sentence so often. I practically need an interpreter to understand my 19 year old on the phone from college. When shes slows down a little bit I just ask her "how much do you need?" and Im usually not too far off the topic.
         
thanks for the info Bill.

[wtpops]

Originally posted by WildmanSC:
  And even more so the ability to NOT hear the roar of tenitis is even more priceless!

Bill

Can you tell me what "the roar of tenitis" is? thank you

[TimZeigler]

I've used a walker gamer ear II and was very impressed with it.  It took some time to get used to as it will amplify EVERYTHING, but isn't that the reason why we use them? I think if you have a significant hearing loss that would affect you in the field, then its a small price to pay if it helps to pick up sounds of deer moving around you, or turkeys gobbling.  If you can find a used "outside of the ear" game ear, you can buy replacement tubes and ear foam.

Tinitus is the constant ringing of the ears, usually due to long exposure to loud sounds.  Rock singers get it as well as those working around machinery.

My wife used to work for an Audiologist, can't ya tell.    

Tim

[brent d.]

I feel for you Bill, My Dad has had it for 20 to 30 years now. Glad to know the aids help it some.


Tinnitus  is the perception of sound in the human ear in the absence of corresponding external sound(s).

Tinnitus can be perceived in one or both ears or in the head. It is usually described as a ringing noise, but in some patients it takes the form of a high pitched whining (cf. flyback transformer), buzzing, hissing, humming, or whistling sound, or as ticking, clicking, roaring, "crickets" or "locusts", tunes, songs, or beeping.[3] It has also been described as a "whooshing" sound, as of wind or waves.

[brent d.]

Tim, that is funny that you bring up the deer and Turkeys as that is the exact combination of animals that had me so pinned down last night.
I had a group of 30 to 40 turkeys fly up one by one to roost in the trees all around me (3 in my tree) and then the deer came in on both sides of me in very crunchy leaves. (fed for over an hour on chestnut oaks) I couldnt hear anything except turkeys breathing and knocking around me in the trees and twice deer came in behind me to about ten yards away with out me hearing them.

[wtpops]

Thank you all. Sounds like i need to get to an audiologist. The ringing in my ears is starting to bug me and the wife is always telling me to turn down the tv.

[TimZeigler]

I posted on hear a few years ago about my slight but noticeable hearing loss that I have from my time in the Marines, and another member was gracious enough to send me theres.  I had numerous deer sneak me earlier, and with the turkey season coming up I didn't want to miss out on anything so I used it and enjoyed it once I got the volume adjusted.  After that season I forwarded it on to another member who wanted to try it.  I wouldn't hesitate to get one if you plan on doing alot hunting.  I've held off because of the arrival of my youngest has kept me out of the field but a few days the past 2 years.

[PrarrieDog]

Been wearing aids for three years now. Brent, go see a good ear Doc. Find out where your hearing loss is. New digital aids will amplify the areas you need the most. It's like a new lease on life. You will be amazed just how much more you will hear. You will be more fun to be around too! A good audiologist will give you loaners to try. I resisted for a long time but now I look at pre-aids as the dark ages. They arn't perfect but way better than without if youu need them.
Prarrie Dog

[Barry Wensel]

My name is Barry Wensel and I have aids... I mean hearing aids. I finally gave in this spring and bought a pair of high dollar, completely in the ear canal, Starkey brand, digital hearing aids. So far I'm pretty impressed with how well they work in the woods. I was concerned about telling which direction sounds were coming from when hunting, but this seems to be no problem. There were certain tones or pitches I previously couldn't hear, such as certain bird calls. Now those are 100% better. Because these are my first pair of hearing aids I have nothing else to compare them to. But as I said, so far I'm impressed. For the price, I should be impressed. My wife is not so impressed. She claims I still have selective hearing. Which only proves what I've always told her. I hear her but only if I want to. That does not go over so big.  bw

[redfish]

I have had a hearing aid for 15 years or more. I have a 65% loss in on ear. Talk about not being able to tell where the sounds come from. Without my hearings aid, I would nearly screw myself into the ground trying to figure out where the sound comes from.
I went to several audiologists and got a real hearing aid. In the ear style. Helps, but doesn;t replace the real ear.

[brent d.]

Thanks for chiming in guys. I had deer all over me again tonight, but I was on the ground.  
I am definitely gonna think about getting one kind or the other, Ill probably try the cheaper one and see if it can make a difference and check with the old insurance company on the other one. you never know with the whole "not in our network" insurance scam.
I dont think my hearing is to the point where I would need it full time.
I didnt  really think it was that bad, but my wife and kids keep telling me that it is.  
Pinpointing direction is my biggest problem. Especially the higher pitched sounds in the woods.
 
Redfish, that is the perfect description" screwing yourself into the ground"
Barry- those words are also a direct quote from my wife. (my lovely wife I should say in case she reads this)

[waknstak IL]

I know what your saying about screwing yourself into the ground.  I hear fine out of one ear but have lost quite a bit in my left ear as a result of meneires disease. I can hear the leaves rustling but can't determine from which direction. I've thought about trying something myself I just don't know where to start.

[pointy sticks]

My best hunting buddy weres two hearing aids. Sees more deer than I ever will       . He adjust them up high when needed or down low when needed. He says they have two settings work and wife