hunter hearing aids?

[Scott Barr]

Just last year when hunting, I started to notice buddies are hearing things that I can't hear.  And it seems to be getting worse this year.  Dang it.  At 60 just when I am starting to get some more time to get out and hunt, my hearing starts to go.  

Anyone have a recommendation for a hunting hearing aid?  I am not  ready to shell out the $2,000 to $5,000 for every day variety...just for hunting.  

Thanks.

Scott

[Bladepeek]

There may be some excellent suggestions, but as a long time hearing aid wearer, I wouldn't be overly optimistic. Usually, when our hearing starts to go, it's the the higher frequencies that see the greatest loss. These are the frequencies that convey a rustling in the leaves, etc.  A simple amplifier that just makes everything louder will drive you bonkers over-amplifying the lower and mid-range freqs. If you just make things louder, a fly buzzing near your ear will sound like a 747 Jumbo and the deer walking softly behind you will go undetected. Granted, I'm an extreme case. I require so much amplification that I can't wear the tiny, all-in-the-ear aids because they can't build that much amplification in such a tiny package without getting excessive feedback.

Good luck!

[straitera]

Hope this becomes a good reliable thread? I've used simple hunter hearing aids sold in packages in sport goods stores. Unfortunately, these don't seem to last long before becoming suspect(corrosion maybe?). But they do amplify the woods well IMO even if just for a short while before crapping out. I can hear leaves rustle & other sounds I've long since forgotten were there. Think they have advanced circuitry eliminating loud noises beyond harmful decibels? I'd not trust it with loud gun noise however. But, I need to be very cautious & careful with what's left of my hearing. Additionally, improved modifications can increase those sounds we listen for in the woods. IMHO, it is possible & I hope someone does design a quality less expensive hunter h-aid for folks hard of hearing.

[Pete McMiller]

Bladepeek has some good points.  I have lost 90% of my hearing in my left ear and for many years just toughed it out.  Then when still hunting for elk, I heard a twig snap.  My mind said it was on my left but my hearing is shot on that side so my brain was wrong - the elk was 20 yds on my right and blew out of there before I could nock an arrow.  My speech comprehension is almost totally shot on that side as well. I only wear a hearing aide when I hunt anymore and that is just to amplify the noises on my left side so the "busted elk on the wrong side" doesn't happen.  I know a real hearing aide is a big investment but they are much better made than the OTC drug store variety and will be custom tuned to your particular hearing loss.  In my case I paid for my first one about 20 years ago and got my latest one from the VA.

[Bladepeek]

Thanks for the comments Pete. That's where I get mine too. The VA decided that not being allowed to wear ear protection in basic training and being in the field artillery might have had something to do with my hearing loss. Funny, some guys can run a jack hammer for years and hear a whisper and others are very susceptible to hearing loss. Guess that's what makes a horse race - you can't always predict the results.

[elk nailer]

Spend the money! Be real carefull if you wear a head net. I wear a spandoflage headnet and when I took it off in the field it hooked my left hearing aid and I didn't know it. Never did find it. You will hear things that you havn't heard in a long time. The great thing about the new technology is that you can program your hearing aids for four or five different situations. I love mine for hunting.

[Roadkill]

Wear mine occasionally as I work at an airport.  26 years of artillery ruined mine, but I wore earplugs, still lost.  Get them fitted well and you will get your money's worth.

Our hunting out west makes use of sight more than hearing.  Pretty windy most days

[ron w]

What.........     Welcome to my world.

[McDave]

There's a lot of new things coming out in hearing aids these days, due to extreme miniaturization and the ability to run one for a long time with very little power.  Fortunately, since my hearing loss is not too severe, I can wear the   Lyric , which is hidden in my ear and stays in for about 3 months until the battery runs down.  I even jumped into a lake a few months ago because I had forgotten they were in, which I'm not supposed to do, but they kept on working.

If you need a little more help, say your high frequency range is totally shot, you can get digital hearing aids with frequency shifting or frequency compression. You may never be able to hear high frequencies again, but the hearing aid can, and it can move those frequencies down to a range where you can still hear them.  You wouldn't be able to hear the full range of an orchestra, but you could hear every note, albeit at a lower frequency than it was played. These are getting small enough to be hidden in the ear too, although not for extended wear yet.  The Lyrics go from year to year, and I may try a pair of the hidden in the ear digitals at the end of this year to see if I like them better.

Even though the Lyrics don't really extend the frequency range you can hear, they work really well for hunting, because my experience is that the sound of an animal walking through the forrest has plenty of mid-range noises to pick up.  Plus, being more or less permanently in your ear, they are one less thing to keep track of on those early morning starts.

A few years ago, I spent $900 on some higher end amplified hearing earbuds that are supposed to protect your ears against loud noises too.  They are fine, I guess, but within a year I ended up getting hearing aids anyway, so it turned out to be kind of a waste of money.  I think those are a better idea for someone who doesn't really have a hearing problem, but wants amplified hearing and hearing protection for hunting.

[threeunder]

I've got a pair of Walker Game Muffs.  Bought them for turkey hunting.  They are very effective.
I've never tried shooting my bow with them on, but I don't see why it would be a problem as long as that is the way you consistently practice.
With that said, I'd look into going with the smaller version that fit inside your ear rather than the muffs.
Mine have been 100% reliable and are probably 10 years old now.

[Pete McMiller]

Wow, Dave, that Lyric is cool.  I had no idea they had miniturized to that extent.

[Scott Barr]

Thanks guys for all the comments.  Think I'll check into the Lyrics.  Had no idea aids could just be left in the ear and programmable to the individual hearing spectrum deficit.  Very cool.  

Scott

Bladepeek, it sounds like you a d I are a lot alike when it comes to our ears. I have had real hearing aids since my early 40's and I a solutely hate them! They do not reproduce sound as well as the $100 earphones my kid has for his iPhone. That being said, I can't function without them so I just deal with it! I have not used any of the cheap ones so I cannot answer the original question, but I would bet my bottom dollar that none of them are that great.

Bisch

[Dave Pagel]

I lost about 90% of my hearing in my right ear 10 years ago due to the flu attacking my nerve in my ear.  The docs tried to get it back with steroids, but it was too late.  You only have about 36-48 hours to get it treated.

In order to really get the most out of a hearing aid you will need a good hearing test.  Different types of hearing loss need different types of hearing aids.  There are many options these days.

D.P.

[Shawn Leonard]

3000 a year for the Lyric program in my area. That is an awful lot but for those who can afford it, they seem o be the way to go! Shawn

[BWD]

Too many dove shoots, and large caliber handguns in my past. Ringing in both ears, with my left being the worst. Yep, critters are slipping up on me these days. Sometimes I turn and see a deer and just can't believe I didn't hear it first. Didn't use to be that way.

[Bladepeek]

First my hearing, then my memory. Gee, wonder what will be the next to go?

I think you can spot the guys with serious hearing loss. We're the ones wearing serious hearing aids. Guys with just a very mild loss may well want to try some amplified ear muffs or "game ears".

[VA Bowbender]

I went and got my hearing checked after the wife pleaded with me. I was shocked at how bad my hearing had gotten. After a long deliberation I broke down and spent the $6500.00 for Beltones.  These are the top of the line you can get less expensive. I have to say it was one of the best investments I've made. Hearing is like eyeglasses, it only gets worse with time. Try not to put off real hearing aids if you need them. Get a good Audioligist to do a thorough hearing test.

[Rick Richard]

I too was "encouraged" by my better half to look into hearing aids.  So, one day we were in Sams of all places and there is a hearing test booth with a specialist. Long story short, we did the test and a few minutes later I walked out with hearing aids that cost lightened my wallet for the tune of $2600.  Was it a good decision?  Very much so.  I now can hear things I have not heard in years.  I dare for something to sneak uo on me this season.

[Green]

I like hunting and going to 3D shoots with my hearing challenged friends.  I save lots of words without having to say "What?" all the dang'd time....they talk louder than the folks that can hear.       I'm skeered of a hearing test....the outcome is just gonna cost me big bucks.