Thanks for the info gentlemen. My paternal side goes hard of hearing with age so this will be on my radar in coming years. Best of luck. |
Thanks, Buconero. I thought I had researched this issue fairly well having spent several weeks off and on studying the subject using the internet, used 3 different audiologists and 2 pairs of high quality aids. Both sets use two microphones each and sported 4 different customizable listening programs with volume controls adjustable separately for each ear. I'm not dissatisfied in general with their ability to deliver those frequencies that I was missing and even though I tried, I'm not saying that I have chosen the absolute best devices to address my issues. The improvement though is remarkable.
My problem with these aids is that they cause itching in my ear canal that lasts for hours even after I have removed them. If I try to endure this itching and leave them in for an extended period, the itching develops into an earache. I spent weeks working with the last provider and used ear drops that were supposed to desensitize the skin to no avail. We even replaced the ends with non allergenic silicon tips and that didn't help either.
Anyway, the reason I'm looking into an equalizer is that I found that I could hear upper frequencies fairly well at higher volume settings so it crossed my mind that if I had a way to use higher volumes to bring those frequencies to my hearing, but keep those frequencies that didn't need amplification under control, it would, at least, bring some improvement.
I could be wrong. |
Noromance, like Broadstone, I have been into audio for over fifty years, hearing aids for a like amount of time. I have learned a lot in that time. The progress in the hearing aid field has been unbelievable, especially in work that Mead Killion has done in perfecting hi end hearing aids. Killion gave us the ER line of ear buds.
In my view, the right aids should not be a barrier to hearing the actual sound of the rig. Remember, we all search for the components that produce the best sound to our ears, that is why we all have very different rigs. That quest is needed in searching for hearing aids. The hearing aids of General Hearing are an example of high end products at reasonable prices. My pair cost $3K. The have two different microphones, one especially dedicated to the music program, they also have Killion's DigitK amps. Best to go to General Hearing's web site and learn more about what hi end hearing aids are all about. The search continues. |
Thanks very much to all of you. I'm more comfortable now with the idea of at least trying the equalizer approach, and will. Peppermill, your response was what mine would have been before I bought mine and it makes a great deal of sense. Yes, with properly adjusted quality hearing aids one would think that hearing should approximate hearing normalcy of one's younger years and there's no doubt that, when wearing them I'm hearing upper frequency detail that I had lost.
I've been involved in this hobby for over 50 yrs and, except for speakers, I've never spent $5000+ on any single component, which is what these hearing aids set me back. The only time I wear them, though, is when I'm actively listening to music. Therein may be part of my problem; I've not worn them enough for my hearing to adjust. Besides, if I wear them for more than 1/2 hour, itching in my ear canals becomes uncomfortable and distracting. I've worked with 2 audiologists on this issue.
Anyway, using my hearing aids may well be the better choice and could end up being my ultimate choice but, whichever way I go, I appreciate the helpful advice I've gotten here. |
Buconero, I think the op wants to listen without the aids. I can imagine aids acting as a major barrier to hearing the actual sound of the rig. |
Broadstone,
I expect your issue will be more and more common as most of us older audiophiles need to address our inevitable hearing loss.
I'm not sure if an equalizer will properly compensate for your hearing issues. However, I use the AudioControl C-101 equalizer in my second system in a very difficult room. It works wonderfully to balance frequencies. I much rather have it in the audio chain than out. It looks like it's available on eBay for a few hundred dollars and can be connected simply with RCAs. And it's a consumer product, not a pro product - easy to install between your preamp and speakers.
Much cheaper than most hearing aids! So it may be a relatively "easy" alternative in which to experiment.
All the best,
Dave |
I am puzzled that what you are trying to achieve cannot be done by your hearing aids themselves. Most high quality aids are programmable to a specific response curve that can be exactly matched to your hearing loss. Also, most high quality aids do not roll off at 7700HZ. I suggest you first go back to your audiologist and seek a solution via your aids. If you don't have one, look for an audiologist that has a large number of clients that are professional musicians. I have tired various equalizers in my rig, none have worked well to the point they sound better with using my aids. Not mentioned in various responses about equalizers is the Technics 9010, a work horse of the pro sound field. |
There are many on Ebay in the $100 price range. Soundcraftmen,ADC,Audiocontrol are some of the ones you should check out! |
Broadstone, I think it could work and I have found that some of the dbx model EQ's sound very respectable in a high-end system. My backup for my expensive Lyngdorf preamp/equalizer is a dbx 1231 stereo 31 band graphic EQ with variable gain. I like it a little better than the older dbx 10/20 that is an old model and failed after time.
The dbx 1231 has both TRS connectors (RCA to TRS adapters are easy to find) and XLR balanced Inputs/Outputs. It has a list price of around $500 but can be found on the Internet closer to $350. I believe it has up to 15dB of boost/cut at 1/3 octave intervals.
If you find yourself using a lot of boost (say over 5 or 6dB) you might need to make sure your amp has enough power and stability into low-ohm loads in order to avoid amplifier clipping that can harm your speakers (and possibly your amp too).
Good luck! |
Broadstone,
I have a ton of experience with the Behringer Ultra-Curve Pro DEQ 24/96 in use with an all Quicksilver/Spendor system and recommend it. I use it extensively to compensate for my hearing loss in my left ear (tragic story). It is undetectable in my signal chain, adding no noise, grain, veiling, or hum. You should be able to boost the frequencies in question, and it allows for .5dB adjustments in each channel. I did have one go belly up (stopped saving presets), but you can get them for $350 new. Yes, the fancy Accuphase models may be better in some way, but it costs a small fortune and may even do less than the Ultracurve. You will need 4 XLR to RCA adapters, however, and a preamp that has a tape loop or processor loop. Best of luck to you. |
DBX 10/20 I've owned several of each 14/10 10/5 10/20 avoid the 20/20 the RTA and Pink Noise Gen. seem to always go out in them. Best of luck. |
