Hearing loss and HiFi


I have found a good number of threads in this subject but they are older.  Since hearing technology changes quickly I’ll go ahead with the question.  I am 72 years old and I was recently diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss. My loss is across the entire frequency spectrum as opposed to only high frequencies. It’s not just an issue of volume but also of clarity, I don’t hear as much as I used to in the music. If you have experienced hearing loss, how did it impact how you view you audio system. If you can’t hear the detail etc. do you really need a high end system? Should I get an EQ to boost the frequencies I have trouble with? Would I be better off selling my current system and buying a BEST BUY receiver and some speakers and calling it quits.
If you have experienced hearing loss, I would love to hear your thoughts.
128x128pipebro

Showing 1 response by mammothguy54

Pipebro, try this.  Now at the age of 66 I have noticed a bit of a roll-off in auditory reception, mostly in the upper range of frequencies and mainly in my left ear.  Through simple experimentation I found that by pushing out my left ear, from behind and from the base of the ear, I had a marked improvement, particularly in high frequency reception.  And fortunately, this aided not only in finer details but also in a better quality of imaging.  So what I am doing now, when sitting in "the sweet spot" for serious music listening, is placing a small piece of closed cell foam directly behind my left hear, at the base of the ear and next to my skull.  I use a makeup cleansing pad which is a soft foam material.  I cut it in the shape of a crescent so it follows the shape of my ear.  This pushes out my ear, slightly forward, about 1/8".  It's so simple and yet quite effective.  Maybe I am lucky and this minor adjustment is all that I need.  It may or may not work for you.  But since it is such a simple task and costs just a couple of dollars for a bag of 12 pads, then it certainly is something you should try.  I hope that you find good results.  FYI, these pads are available at Target, Wal Mart, and most drug stores.  There are very soft ones and there are more firm ones.  I found the more firm ones, which are a closed cell foam, keep their shape much better and don't compress flat.
Best to you.  Be safe and be healthy.