Equalizer to compensate for hearing loss - Any success stories?

Equalizers: Schitt; Rockville; DBX; Chinese Branded DBX

Dual Channel (l&r separate); 31 bands (1/3 octave) give the best flexibility. 1/3 band effects adjacent frequencies less than 15 or 10 or … band units.

First: adjust l/r individually for the space if needed: then an alternate adjustment l/r individually for your hearing if needed. Nearly all have Bypass Feature (pass thru) to retain a preset EQ curve when in-line; no eq action when bypassed. Some units have Memories for several curves.

Bypass could work if you have your hearing aids in, and/or friends with ‘normal’ hearing with you. A curve for your ’hearing aids out’ could work, perhaps more precisely than your hearing aid(s).

………………………………………………

Schitt Lokius 6 band equalizer adjusts both L and R together, much less versatile for a space and/or your individual ears.

………………………..

Rockville Equalizers DO NOT have Center Detents letting you feel when a slider is centered. If a unit is located other than eye-level, that is a helpful feature.

If you bought one, and that makes a difference, they have free returns, they send you a prepaid label, you drop at UPS.

…………………………….

DBX Dual Channel 31 Band Equalizers HAVE Center Detents. Models 231; 1231; 2231.

The models 231 and 1231 both are 2 U (U = 1-3/4” rack height) 3.5” high.

Model 2231 adds optional DBX type 3 noise reduction, (and other features) and is 3 U high 5.25”. Even if you do not need the extra features, the sliders are ‘taller’, easier to adjust than shorter ones, if you can fit the extra 1-3/4” extra height in a workable location.

DBX (made in Malaysia, i.e. assembled in Malaysia with Chinese parts) and Many Chinese Units use the same 231; 1231; 2231 designs. Most have identical features in identical locations, identical sizes and weights. Some, not dbx labeled on the front are labeled ‘harmon …’ on the back.

…………………………………….

One 2231unit EB831EQ ($190. Free shipping) I found on eBay is located in USA, thus shipping, 60 day return is in USA. Verify voltage/plug for your country.

………………………………

Others exist of course.

Feedback from my fellow users most appreciated.

I looked at theSchiit Loki as suggested. in my original post see the link to my audiogram which is a frequency response analysis for each year. Like many older listeners, I have a sharp high frequency rollof.f And mine is at 1 kHz. accordingly, the equalizer must have an adjustment near 1 kHz.

unfortunately the Loki jumps from 400 Hz to 2 kg hertz with no adjustment in between. Maybe this won’t make any difference but I have a fair amount of experience with seismic frequency analysis as I am a retired geophysicist. there’s not much of a market out there for equalizers anymore and I’m looking at some of the units which allow for finer adjustment intervals.

If you’ve ever worn hearing aids you you know they are absolutely terrible as Music transducers. not even up to the standards of a second rate in-ear pod. So the plan is to enjoy loudspeaker music without the aids in your ear. Certain hearing aid manufacturers are touting their devices As more music friendly. Trust me, they're all shite.

i’m looking forward to purchasing the next generation of Apple AirPod Max over the ear headphones as I have had wonderful results using AirPod pros with the audiogram correction feature (see original post). This seems to be exclusive to Apple, but the source files must be on an apple device. I use an NAS with.FLAC files and Sonos app to feed my floorstanding speakers.

anyway, you guys have given me some great ideas and I may reach out to you individually.

yours, Doug

OP: Widex Moment HA's might be worth investigating.

I was wondering if the sound quality of music is diminished using a hearing aid.

@elliottbnewcombjr I can't thank you enough for this recommendation. Not only does it directly address my needs, but is amazingly inexpensive. I will order one today!

Have you had your audiologist apply the Oticon My Music program, and update to the most recent firmware? My hearing loss is even more profound than yours, and this program has made a world of difference. Further, with the new firmware, you can EQ all of your hearing Programs, including my music. 

Basic Balance Controls 'move' ALL' frequencies L or R

Equalizers with individual channel adjustments for L or R will help un-balanced hearing issues, even specific frequencies the hearing chart reveals,

And, you can use direct, as a pass thru when listening with friends, ....

Rockville has 10, 21, 31 band equalizers, a 90 day return policy

https://www.rockvilleaudio.com/home-equalizers/?in_stock=1&Bundle=No&Bundle=Yes

the 10 band, consider the lit up display, 

I am very intrigued by these discussions as someone with hearing loss in one ear (left). This seems to cause the soundstage to shift right, especially for cymbals in jazz recordings that appear almost always panned right while the remaining music is dead centered and spacious. Can an equalizer alter one channel to better center imaging, or is this a nonsensical question?

If you have programmable hearing aids that already correct for your loss, using an equalizer to adjust for your loss would be working against your aids.  Not to mention ruining the sound quality for others in the room.  I wear corrective aids and prefer to let the aids do their job and keep the audio system as pure as possible.  Works great for me. 

If you need some serious EQ ability, you can look for something like a vintage ADC Sound Shaper III.  

I am in the same boat as the OP.  I thought the tone controls on my Mac preamp would be enough but I was mistaken.  I purchased the 6 band Schiit EQ for I think $300.00. It has been a Godsend.  I was able to adjust it so that my system sounds the way it did before my hearing loss.  I am now enjoying the music once again. 

Equalizer

​

1^st you are adjusting frequencies for the space (not your hearing).

SPL meter and test cd needed, needs tripod hole, at listening location at seated ear height

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Pressure-30-130dBA-Warranty/dp/B00ECCZWWI

test cd, (low price now, snap it up)!

https://www.discogs.com/release/7290000-Various-Amazing-Bytes

Make Notes: That setting is for the space and friends whom do not have hearing issues.

2^nd. How is that with your hearing aids in? Slight adjustment by ear? 

Make notes, that’s your small adjustment with hearing aids in, listening alone or with a friend.

3^rd. with hearing aids out.

Adjust by ear AFTER making room settings by measurements.

2 or 3 above: hearing aids in or out: which more relaxed, more enjoyable, more involving!

My hearing is similar to yours. I have been using the audio app in my hearing aids and am quite happy with it. I have tried Equalizer APO with digital sources in my computer when not wearing hearing aids and it is OK but not as good as my hearing aids. I have not tried an external EQ but don't see why it would not work. The LOKIUS would probably work best since it has 3 bands that you coul adjust instead of 2. 

I have chronic tinnitus and I experience annoying sibilance when listening to certain recordings.  I purchased the Schiit Lokius and it has been very helpful in lessening the sibilance.  Not a cure all but I would recommend it. 

I was thinking sure you can get an eq and make the same adjustments but looking at your chart it seems that standard eq's can't apply that much gain to the signal.  But you could attenuate the freq's that you hear will and boost the bad ones and maybe the net result will get you pretty close.  I agree with the options mentioned above...Schitt or Mini DSP and REW.

I see people like Schitt, I would get/try the Lokius 6 band version.

https://www.schiit.com/products/lokius?Finish=542&AC%20Adapter=544&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAivGuBhBEEiwAWiFmYaYAsV45jMMTE6i0DYLKBh-YE1MU90XMGgHHP0FpB-Y8CVuHYYW_ZBoCp-wQAvD_BwE

The hearing aid is an amplifier that are programed to amplify certain frequencies in your hearing  so in theory you could use a graphic equilizes to boost tones in those frequencies according to your audiogram.there are mini dsp as well that could do the same thing.much more complex.good luck experimenting and enjoy the music..Elon musk developed a chip they stuck in a paralyzed patient hope this technology progresses we could use it to augment the cochlear implants I have put in.once again stay healthy  enjoy the music

I paired a Schiit Loki with their Vali 2 headphone amp coupled with a pair of their custom short interconnects, a Sony NW-A105 Hi-res player and Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 headphones for a really sweet set-up.

Can you amplify on the red light therapy? Pun intended.

OP the Schiit Loki Mini is the best ... quite, easy and effective.

https://www.schiit.com/products/loki-mini-3

BTW ... getting compelling results using red light therapy in hearing loss ...

Thanks all for your input.

My left ear hearing is similar to yours. I don't wear hearing aids, but still enjoy my music despite this. 

Bob

Buy direct from Schiit it cheaper

I have one and love it. Highly recommended.

This looks fairly straightforward, the basic Schiit tone controls should work for you. :)

https://amzn.to/48rJLlv