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Post by ha2he on Aug 2, 2023 22:34:25 GMT
Hi All,
What I would like to do is reduce overall volume using some sort of ear plugs/inserts. First question is are variable reduction things available? If not what is a good option?
It's for occasional use when (to me) volume becomes excessive and it seems almost like, just noise. I'm aware my hearing is impaired, not badly, but want to protect what remains.
Any suggestions or information gladly received.
Many thanks, Regards, Tim.
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Post by barryjh on Aug 3, 2023 19:54:52 GMT
Hi Tim, The place to start is with an audiology test. This will identify the noise frequencies and the levels that are a problem to you. As we get older we lose more high frequency reception so things start to sound more muffled so, we turn up the volume and the high EQ band levels to compensate and this creates a wall of "noise". I am not an audiologist but I do have some experience of occupational hearing loss as a retired practitioner. Once your test is done you will be advised on what is the most effective solution for you. You will be advised what type of frequency attenuation is best for you. 3M do a range of these. You could ask you GP to refer you for an audiology test (then its free) or you can get one on the high street at some of the well known optician outlets but then you will pay for the privilege! Good luck Tim. I will try to paste a link to the 3M page for your info. (hope the link works ... its a big one! Rgds, Barry www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/centers-of-expertise-uk/center-for-hearing-conservation/protect/hearing-protector-use-and-care/#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20in%20the%20United%20Kingdom%20there%20is,earplugs%29%20and%209%20dB%20%28for%20more%20conventional%20earplugs%29.
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Post by rogercook on Aug 4, 2023 14:57:58 GMT
There is a range of off the peg musicians earplugs on the market, most offering variable degrees of attenuation via different filter inserts. I've tried a few to limit the effect of loud sound on the bandstand but they all seem to affect the intelligibility of the music to some extent. There are also purpose made moulded to your ear shape models. I'm currently using in ear monitors with moulded plugs that exclude almost all of the general noise and allow me to control the levels I hear. It's not a perfect solution and does rely on (most of, at least) the band going through the pa so I'm not able to use it on every occasion, but when I have done, the sound has been clear, not too loud and I haven't gone home with ringing in my ears.
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Post by ha2he on Aug 5, 2023 10:57:40 GMT
Thanks to you both for your posts. I am at the early stages of going down the doctor route which if I'm honest I would prefer rather than a high street chain store, although I do use them for glasses and am perfectly happy to do so. Regards, Tim.
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Post by sandra on Aug 5, 2023 13:14:29 GMT
A few years back one of my friends got the option of selecting where he wanted to have his hearing checked out when he went to his GP, he could either go to one of the audiology department in a couple of hospitals in that health authority area or Specsavers. He chose Specsavers and got some very expensive, if bought privately, free on the NHS and he has been very happy with them.
A year or two later, after my niece kept telling me that my TV was always very loud, if it was on when she called round to see me, I went to my GP and asked to be referred for a hearing test but he only referred me to the audiology department of the local NHS clinic. I was told that I only had minor loss of high frequencies so hearing aids would be of negligible benefit to me.
I don't know if it was because my friend went to a different GP or if the policy had changed in that couple of years, but if you get the option, like my friend had, then I would think that you would get a better service and range of products from the commercial practice than from the NHS directly.
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Post by rogercook on Aug 6, 2023 12:42:32 GMT
I went to a high street optician that offered audiology services. I had a hearing test and the audiology technician took moulds of my ears as patterns so the bespoke plugs could be made from them. This was shortly after lockdown and access to my GP was still quite difficult. The process wasn't that expensive and meant I saw an expert more or less straight away.
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Post by ha2he on Aug 7, 2023 10:19:18 GMT
Thanks Sandra and Roger for your replies, interesting reading and food for thought. I'll see how I get on with my GP as I've already made initial enquiries and will be speaking to her tomorrow.
Regards, Tim.
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Post by Tone on Aug 7, 2023 10:38:02 GMT
Hi Tim
I had three hearing tests last year - NHS, High Street and private specialist - and they all gave the same result which was that I needed hearing aids. After much research, I got them from Specsavers and, after a few teething problems, I've been very pleased with them. However, I also continued down the NHS route and got some which I keep as a pair. They're not bad at all but you don't get as much choice with the NHS and they don't supply rechargeable aids (or, at least they didn't at that time). Also,they're bigger and less sophisticated than the private ones I got.
Cost is obviously a major consideration but I don't regret my choice.
Whichever you choose you'll be amazed at the difference they make to your hearing.
Tony
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Post by ha2he on Aug 10, 2023 22:18:00 GMT
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your input, much appreciated. Early days for me along the NHS route, referred today to the local hospital audiology department. I'm not discounting the high street options but will see what (should I need) is on offer.
Regards, Tim.
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Post by rogercook on Aug 11, 2023 12:51:41 GMT
I used this company. They are manufacturers only. They will take moulds of your ears if you can get to their premises. Generally, moulds are made by independent specialists who can also advise on audiology aspects. ultimateear.com/
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Post by ha2he on Aug 12, 2023 17:53:50 GMT
Hi Roger,
Thanks for your input very useful indeed. They are not too far from me so I can get to their premises.
Regards, Tim.
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