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FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

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Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#241

Post by RHSeeger »

phkahler wrote: post #196
josefresco wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're certainly not alone in resisting hearing aids. My dad just got some from Costco (most affordable) and really likes them. He probably waited 5-10 years too long. My father-in-law however doesn't like hearing aids because he feels they amplify things he doesn't want to hear. Granted he's never been fitted to actual hearing aids. I understand his concern, but he's told me multiple times his hearing loss leaves hi…

>> he feels they amplify things he doesn't want to hear. Modern hearing aids can be adjusted to amplify only the things you want to hear, and even reduce the things you don't want to hear.

How do they accomplish this when the other/background noise is speech, like in a crowded area; where you only want the person near you amplified?

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#242

Post by RHSeeger »

some_random wrote: post #187
HumblyTossed wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Condescending or not, saying "Now Apple just brought that price down to ~$250." is grossly overstating it. But Apple always gets a pass, so...

"You can now buy hearing aids (as defined by the FDA) for $250" is an objectively true statement, so unless you think the FDA is filled with Apple fanboys I have no idea what "pass" you think Apple is getting.

To be fair, it is a little misleading. "You can buy hearing aids with considerably lower functionality for $250" is more accurate. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. There's a LOT of people who can't afford high quality hearing aids (and the doctor assisted tuning) costing thousands of dollars. And if this getting _something_ into their hands, it has the potential to be a very big win.

Also, since it is an alternative (even if lower functionality), it has the potential to bring down the cost of other options, because that's a common outcome from competition.

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#243

Post by RHSeeger »

geoelectric wrote: post #54
mgerdts wrote: post #22

I’m conflicted on use of AirPods as hearing aids. I use one hearing aid and have normal hearing in the other ear. I often listen to things on my phone over the one hearing aid. It would be nice to have stereo. For this reason, AirPods for both listening to stuff and hearing assistance would be great. On the other hand, when I see someone wearing AirPods I assume they are listening to something else or are otherwise t…

I’m pretty pumped about it actually. I have high-frequency hearing loss in one ear (along with replacement tinnitus) that just randomly crept in on me a few years ago, probably after some ENT infection or the other. The hearing specialist who tested me said it’s fairly significant—eg I can’t hear consonants at the end of words clearly, think he rated it as 75yo hearing and I was ~45, and he asked me if I happened to…

> What the AirPods solution might do is let me audition the idea

That's where I stand. Not for AirPods since I don't use an Apple device, but I'm hoping it spurs some Android friendly versions in the near future.

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#244

Post by trevyn »

RHSeeger wrote: post #240
car wrote: post #197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Costco is great for this I found out. Free audiogram, and all name brand hearing aids. I used to be like your father-in-law, pride, vanity, stubborn, not wanting to be told what to do, whatever it was. And my dad was like this too (the hearing loss is heritable), I used to mock him about not wanting hearing aids before my own hearing declined. When I finally got fitted, it was shocking to me how much my hearing had s…

My hearing is on the border; the doctor told me hearing aids would help, but I don't "need" them. I've been resisting getting them because - I've always (decades) had issues with distinguishing speech when there's background noise. Even when my hearing was "perfect", my brain just had problems separating the two. This is _especially_ true in a crowded area (mall, restaurant, etc) where the background noise _is_ speec…

Did LACE not work for you?

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#245

Post by freedomben »

karmajunkie wrote: post #182
SoftTalker wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And will put some people off from talking to them. I don't talk to people with AirPods stuck in their ears until they take them out. Too many times I have tried to start a conversation or just say "Hello" but they are oblivious because they are on a call or have music or something else playing.

that sounds more like a you problem. i use mine pretty frequently as hearing aids, especially in noisy environments.

> Too many times I have tried to start a conversation or just say "Hello" but they are oblivious because they are on a call or have music or something else playing.

This is GP's problem? What should GP do to solve this problem? (Seriously asking, even though this probably sounds sarcastic). Should GP tap them on the shoulder or try to wave them down or something to get their attention? What if they don't want to be bothered? What about the sibling comment ( https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41533796 ) about it being a feature not a bug? If GP were to tap that person or get their attention someway, it seems that it would be unwanted.

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#246

Post by whatdidyousay »

car wrote: post #66

With the AirPods now officially becoming hearing aids, it will hopefully reduce the stigma and attitude towards hearing aids and allow many more people to realize how bad their hearing actually is. I have been wearing hearing aids for a few years now (Phonak). I've also used the AirPods Pro with the accessibility audiogram feature (basically making them hearing aids), which is really good and has also been around for…

How have the Phonak's been? I only learned of them recently - I've been wearing Oticons for a few years and have never been super impressed.

I may be ready to drop $$ for my next pair..... do you work with an audiologist or did you do everything at Costco?

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#248

Post by RHSeeger »

trevyn wrote: post #244
RHSeeger wrote: post #240

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My hearing is on the border; the doctor told me hearing aids would help, but I don't "need" them. I've been resisting getting them because - I've always (decades) had issues with distinguishing speech when there's background noise. Even when my hearing was "perfect", my brain just had problems separating the two. This is _especially_ true in a crowded area (mall, restaurant, etc) where the background noise _is_ speec…

Did LACE not work for you?

I'd never even heard of it before you asked.

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#249

Post by tengwar2 »

RHSeeger wrote: post #241
phkahler wrote: post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> he feels they amplify things he doesn't want to hear. Modern hearing aids can be adjusted to amplify only the things you want to hear, and even reduce the things you don't want to hear.

How do they accomplish this when the other/background noise is speech, like in a crowded area; where you only want the person near you amplified?

One method is using directional information. My low-end aids have two microphones each, and can share audio information from one aid to the other. I believe there are also some other methods, but I don't know how those work

Re: FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Software

#250

Post by tengwar2 »

BeetleB wrote: post #213
car wrote: post #66

With the AirPods now officially becoming hearing aids, it will hopefully reduce the stigma and attitude towards hearing aids and allow many more people to realize how bad their hearing actually is. I have been wearing hearing aids for a few years now (Phonak). I've also used the AirPods Pro with the accessibility audiogram feature (basically making them hearing aids), which is really good and has also been around for…

> In contrast, the AirPods run out after a few hours and are also destined to become landfill due to their built in battery. Just looked up AirPod battery run time. Wow - that's short. I have Anker A40 earpods.[1] 10 hours, and the case has enough charge for 50 hours. 10 minutes of charging gives you 4 hours. They're a lot cheaper than Airpods, so you could easily buy a pair (for much cheaper) and be good! Not sure h…

Is there a way of setting an audiogram? That's basically a frequency response curve for your hearing, so it's the basic requirement for acting as a hearing aid. This is a setting which iPhones have for Airpods (as far as I know, you can't set it without an iPhone).
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