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An older woman near 90 that I've known for 40 years is in a nursing home with 1 son who is never in town. When I found out she is in a nursing home, I went to see her. She sits alone all day. Her memory is getting worse. She doesn't have anyone talking to her. SHE CAN HEAR A LITTLE IF YOU SHOUT IN HER EAR. HER MEMORY GETS A LITTLE BETTER THE MORE YOU TALK TO HEAR. She's just waiting to die.

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Pam, that is kind of a misconception that hearing aids don't help sensorineural loss. Mine is pretty severe SNHL, symmetric, possibly due to a homozygous mutation in an odd gap junction protein gene. I do have to be very careful to only amplify higher pitched sounds and have them adjust the aid to my hearing curve properly, and it certainly does not restore normal hearing, but it's extremely helpful. I use a behind-the-ear and will possibly switch to a receiver-in-canal for a little more power and to also help with stethoscope sounds, though those are mainly low pitched enough I can get them OK. My partner with normal hearing will probably appreciate me not having to turn the telephone volume up so high it blasts her eardrums if she forgets to turn it back down.
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There's one called MD Hearing Aid pro that looks good and would handle moderate to severe sensorineural loss (beware of just amplifying - you get more background noise too) for a lot less that a full-fledged audiologist recommended device, but it would be ideal to know the type and degree of hearing loss first. You might end up using it only when you are there to help her put it in. I got a little box and earplugs type from UALR speech and hearing on loan, it was somewhat helpful but we mostly just yelled(and got yelled AT for "mumbling") with my mom.
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Ann, you could be looking at an expense of a few thousand or as high as 5 or 6 thousand. Plus, if her hearing is gone due to a stroke, or nerve damage, a hearing aid won't help her.
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Mom also doesn't want anyone to know she has a hearing assist device, but she can tell the difference with how different it is when you can hear the entire discussion.
What she does not realize that everyone else knows she has a problem with hearing!!!
We practice using it at home in "private" where no one can see so that she will be more comfortable in public settings. I try to encourage outfits with a pocket so that she can hid the box and less apt to fall when she stands for communion.
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glasshalffull, I will have to look for one of those. But knowing Mom, she probabl won't use it.... even at 97, she doesn't want anyone to know she is wearing a hearing aid.... [sigh]
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I found a sound amplifier that is smaller than a pack of cards and uses one ear piece (like old fashioned radio). It costs less than $50 and allowed mom to hear sermons and prayers in church for first time in years.
She still does not use it enough...TV sound set on 37 when she uses it and 99 when she does not!...she also has tried taking it in and out and says "can you really hear the TV??? I can't!" So it works.
Some tips...Get one that has a lighted switch so you can make sure it is turned off when not in use. Use some kind of lanyard that can attach the pack as my mom does not have enough pockets to place box in.
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I've been dealing with my Mom's hearing and hearing aids for the past 6 years. The ear doctor told her that at 97 years old there isn't anything more that can be done about her hearing.... the inside of the ear starts developing patches of skin that can only be removed surgical, but at her age not recommended.

Too bad those old fashioned hearing horns aren't around any more. I bet they would work better than paying $3k or more for a hearing aid that is too complex for some elders to use. My Mom has hearing aids in both ears but she doesn't put the ear piece down far enough into her ears, apparently it hurts when she does that.

My parents run from one ear doctor to the next looking for that magic hearing device.... [sigh].
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ednas nh has a hearing aid company who visits when theyre called . they offered to get edna a hearing aid but some payments were involved . ill bet it was still considerably cheaper than the commercial businesses . those thugs want thousands for a hearing aid but they finance them thru sharks so they will never pay off .
ive aLso heard that the hunter hearing aids are dirt cheap . if the lady ever had hearing aids and lost them there is usually a warranty to replace them one time for a 100.00 deductible . in ednas case humana paid the deductible . for 15 bucks we ordered a lanyard that clips to the collar so it isnt lost again . lastly many seniors only use one of them in their strongest ear . if the other doesnt help they dont need it and wont use it .
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I have heard on this site that the kinds of hearing aids that hunters use can be almost as effective as the fancy $3000 ones. Just a thought.
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How much are hearing aids? Son paying is not an option. This is something I would try to do if possible. I'm trying to locate him. It's really hard seeing her this way. I've known this wonderful woman for 40 years.
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She may have had one and lost it, very common. She may not like hearing aids, many don't. She may not be able to put one in. Ask the son, because he would be the one paying for it. There is no coverage for hearing aids.
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