Anyone with tinnitus or hearing loss who is into "high-end" audio?


Over the last few years I have developed tinnitus and also have some hearing issues.  I am a long time music and audio fanatic.  Years ago I built my own Hafler amp.  Before that I had a great AR system.  Presently, I have, what I believe, is a pretty nice system in a dedicated listening room (about 60,000.00).  My question is if there are others of you out there in similar situations concerning your hearing issues as they relate to your love and reproduction of great sounding music?  What are your experiences? Have you found anything that helps and do you have any advice? I would venture to say that we all experience some degree of hearing loss, or hearing anomalies as we age...whether we realize it or not.  Thanks, Jim 
pfeiffer

Showing 1 response by wallyaudio

I have worn hearing aids since 2007.  I retired from a long career as an audio production engineer in 2016.  I noticed hearing issues around 2004 or so but I was dealing with a much more serious medical issue at that time.  By 2007 it became apparent that I needed to do something.  So I got my first set , they were Phonak.

Today I’m on my 3rd set of hearing aids.  My audiologist fitted me with the topof the line Oticon and these are the most audio and music friendly hearing aids I’ve had.  Though retired I still produce audio for clients and have learned how to compensate for any anomalies the hearing aids may cause.

I put a few dollars into my home studio and that includes vinyl playback.  When I upgraded my TT cartridge to an Ortofon OM Blue I really heard a noticeable difference.  That was a huge surprise.

No, I can’t hear much above 8K with the hearing aids.  But the aids give me the higher frequency support I need.  I hear things with (augmented) clarity.  So Ithey work for me.  My advice is to audition audiologists.  Find one you are comfortable with.  Make sure you tell them that music and audio are important to you.  Ask questions.  Hearing aids are ridiculously overpriced and there’s nothing you can do about it.  But the right set for you will make all the difference n the world.