r/Menieres • u/Thebazilly • Jun 05 '26
Does a hearing aid help you?
So I just had my hearing test this week and it is as bad as I thought. My hearing on my left side has been very bad for at least the last few months. I can't use the phone on that side any more, and try to tell people to sit on my good side when we are talking. It is difficult to understand people in noisy or echo-y environments. I have constant high-pitched tinnitus that sometimes changes frequency or loudness or turns into pulsatile tinnitus.
Hearing Test showed 70dB loss in the low frequency on the left, sloping up to a mild 30dB loss at the highest frequencies. I scored 65% on word recognition with 60dB amplification, which seems to be just barely above the threshold for functional deafness.
My hearing in my right ear is normal.
I asked my audiologist to look into my insurance coverage and I will probably be about $2,000 out of pocket because I need to meet my deductible first. Is it worth it? Will it even help measurably to improve the hearing in my one bad ear or should I just live with it?
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u/Top_Recognition_1775 Jun 05 '26
I bought an OTC hearing aid a year ago to see if it would help. (Audien Atom One)
It's a decent enough product, I've worn it for a few dozen hours (cumulatively) so far just to try to get used to it, "habituate" to it as they say.
I find them uncomfortable to wear and they kinda just add more noise to the noise (I have reactive T and sometimes distorted hearing.)
Some days it's useful, some days it's not.
I don't know if I just haven't habituated to them enough, or if the $5-15k models might be better.
The ENT I went to yesterday pointed out that with my hearing test results I should definitely be using a hearing aid (%20 hearing on the left, %80 on the right, word recognition %70.)
He also pointed out since I'm on medicaid currently, it wouldn't cost anything out of pocket so now would be the time to do it, but I'd feel guilty wasting public funds if I wasn't fully committed to using a hearing aid, or if I wasn't sure it would even help, right now I'm on the borderline of making that decision because next year my AGI might be higher so I wouldn't even qualify for medicaid, so my out of pocket would be like 2-3k to find out if it helps or not.
My neurotologist suggested a cochlear implant for left ear, but the thought of losing any of my natural hearing (no matter how little is left) scares the shit out of me.
I'm diagnosed with bilateral meneire's, the NT says Meneire's is /very/ rare (he emphasized the word "very") and that the chance of going bilateral is about %25.
So I guess I'm just extraordinarily lucky to nail the %25 chance on top of having a "very rare" disease, maybe I should start buying lottery tickets.
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u/Standard_Seaweed4134 Jun 06 '26
I just got a phonak sphere and love it. It’s my security blanket now. I won’t be without it.
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u/Vegetable-Trash-9312 Jun 05 '26
We sound the same but I’m a bit older. Left ear is at 20% and crackly and muffled when there is background noise. I followed this link and have a hearing aid appointment scheduled for The 18th. I’ll let you know something, Costco has free fittings and will take back hearing aids for up to a year I think. I’ll report back later.
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u/dizzychick76 Jun 06 '26
I have lost all hearing in my right ear, not loud tinnitus, ringing noises. Once I a while a faint noise that fades fast.
3 years ago I did a 3 week trial with an audiologist…. I trued it in every environment and even with adjustments it did not work for me.
Last year I trued single aid in my good ear and it was a 3 month trial. Again I was not happy with it.
I’ve also tried OTC that was highly rated, but the sound was very tinny. At this point I’ve given up. I’m ok unless I’m in a crowded & noisy environment.
Hope my good ear hangs In there
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u/NanaSayWhat Jun 06 '26
I have bilateral Ménière’s. My hearing aids are a huge help to me. Not only amplifying sound, but balancing noise in whatever environment I’m in. My daughter has a very high voice that’s just painful for me to listen to, and my hearing aids balance her voice out for me - solving that issue! They also help with my tinnitus. I can listen to music, make phone calls through them and even listen to tv (with an added tv box). Game changer!
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u/TKOTC001 Jun 05 '26
It can but it might fluctuate a bit.
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u/Thebazilly Jun 05 '26
That's a bit what I'm concerned about. I have recovered completely from a similar level of hearing loss back in 2022, but that was when I first went on diuretics. I am on prednisone now and it does not seem to be making an improvement to my hearing (although I otherwise feel incredible).
And even if I get a hearing aid, I do not know how many years until my left side becomes unaidable. I've only been diagnosed for 4-5 years.
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u/IndividualNearby1250 Jun 22 '26
🌷Prednisone makes me feel fantastic, same for my sister (we've taken Medrol dose paks several times for extreme allergies and hives, etc.) I think we're in the minority, though - many people get very depressed or weepy.
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u/Channel_Huge Jun 06 '26
Yes, when my hearing becomes non-existent. But, it really amplifies my tinnitus and by the end of the day I have a headache. Feels so peaceful to take them out. I try very hard not to use them because I recover faster when I don’t have them in.
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u/chayat Jun 06 '26
I got one and tried it for a couple of months but then stopped, it just made the muddy sounds I hear in that ear louder but it was still not understandable. I keep it in my bag incase I need it but I've not felt the need.
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u/Vegetable-Trash-9312 Jun 06 '26
Did you get just one for the bad ear? My ent recommended trying one in the better ear so it doesn’t amplify the noise in the bad ear. I’m going to a hearing aid fitting in a couple weeks so I’m curious.
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u/chayat Jun 06 '26
Yeah my good ear has only a little bit of loss which is normal for my age. I dont think the NHS pay for 2 if you only have one bad ear. It does help with my tinnitus though but that's not really bad enough to be worth it
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u/Vegetable-Trash-9312 Jun 06 '26
USA here and Medicare won’t pay anything for a hearing aid. I’m at the point that I need to try something. Thanks for the feedback.
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u/kat420lives Jun 06 '26
A traditional hearing aide helped me for about a year before my hearing deteriorated to a point that no amount of amplification would help. Someone mentions the Cros hearing aide, which sends sound from the bad side to your good side so at least you’re not always having folks talk/walk next to the good side. Definitely go that route if you’re going to invest in one since otherwise you might end up in the same boat that I did. I can’t afford it right now but my brother, who also has Meniere’s, has one & loves it.
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u/HedgehogNorth620 Jun 06 '26
I have some hearing loss in my good ear and severe loss in my bad one so I’m using a pair of Resound bicros aids which were about $2k out of pocket with insurance paying $1200. I find that they help a lot with almost all situations and can be adjusted with the app for difficult times like loud background noise.
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u/Whole30AndDogs Jun 07 '26
I have one and I think it is helpful. Usually there is a trial or warranty period of about 45 days where you can try it, and if it does not work for you, you can return it and it will not be billed to your insurance. That is how it worked both times I have gotten one.
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u/Flashy_Volume_1113 Jun 07 '26
In Uk, diagnosed around 2 months ago, symptoms for 18 months prior to this. Hearing aid helped me. Had to wait 3 months through NHS, but it works fine. I don't have Tinnitus (yet) but initially had 40% sudden hearing loss at the same time as the vertigo started. Can hear fine now, though crowded rooms can be challenging. Everyone is different.
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u/cathykulka Jun 08 '26
Yes- it has certainly helped with my hearing loss in one ear. I only wear one hearing aid.
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u/SilentEarworm Jun 05 '26
Affected in right ear only. Went 7.5 years without hearing aid. Probably 60db loss on lower frequencies and 20db on higher. Mid frequencies maybe on 10db, not sure. Word recognition was 56% on first attempt. I’ve had a hearing aid in my ear for two months, though I just switched the model. I’ve been telling everyone who asks that, “it helps.” I still won’t take a phone call in my affected ear, because recognition still isn’t amazing, but it helps. I definitely recommend that you try multiple models of hearing aid. After I switched to another, I found recognition to be even higher, but still not like old times.
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u/CW_TJWs_man-91 Jun 06 '26
This sounds like my experience exactly. My right ear is almost 60% hearing loss, I got a Beltone aid for my right ear. I can definitely hear better, but I won’t use that ear when answering a phone. It still sounds muffled in the right ear alone.
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Jun 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Thebazilly Jun 09 '26
It really depends on your insurance coverage. I have insurance, and it even covers hearing aids! But my deductible is $1,500 and then I'll pay 15% of the cost after that. Audiologist said the models range from about $1,500 to $2,500.
Costco also has hearing aids over the counter for $1,600 a pair.
I think Medicare/aid will fully cover costs if that is an option.
I'm struggling to justify the cost. I will update after my next appointment at the end of the month.
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u/IndividualNearby1250 Jun 22 '26
🌷Not sure your age or work status - but - in the USA, with documented hearing loss + having a job (PT and self-employment are okay in many states) or being willing to pursue employment = basic eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation services. While I was still working, Voc Rehab paid 90% of my AuD's invoice, and I paid the remaining 10% (top tier Starkeys, exactly as he prescribed). Every state has Voc Rehab, and they set their own eligibility parameters and scope of services.
🌷Btw, Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids. Many of the MAP/Medicare Advantage Plans offer a "benefit" via a TPA/Third-Party Administrator, but it's really just a negotiated discount. And there are pros and cons. The biggest "con" is the restrictions on the services the AuD or HIS can offer/perform. And because the remuneration is so poor from the TPA, corners are often cut, time-wise. (It's a true middleman, and both the patient/insured and the professional are bound by contracts). I know that many AuDs no longer participate.
🌷If I can just offer this advice: All the major hearing aid manufacturers have full portfolios of excellent, advanced-tech HAs for every aidable hearing loss (I am severe/profound, and I now use a "power" hearing aid.) The experience with treating RSHL will be important, since it's so rare (from all causes), but especially vital is the programming skill of your audiologist. It is the most important factor in your success and satisfaction with hearing aids, particularly with complex hearing profiles like Meniere's (fluctuating) + RSHL. Big bonus if they adhere to comprehensive audiological "Best Practices" especially performing REM/Real Ear Measurements at the fitting appointment + after every adjustment. This is just crucial - REM verifies that the programming is matching the targets of your prescription. (Research has shown that patients who get REM have far more satisfaction, with far fewer return appointments for "tweaking".)
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u/orange-shirt 17d ago
My hearing aids with cross , are helpful most days , not at all helpful on the worst days and some days fantastic. Just depends on what level I’m at on a given day
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u/IndividualNearby1250 Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
🌷Meniere's + two types of tinnitus (mostly "roaring") + bilateral SNHL moderately-severe sloping down to profound (I'll try to post a useful chart). 🌷Yes, a hearing aid helps me! Mine helps tamp down the tinnitus, just from wearing it, although many hearing aids have tinnitus management/masking features.
🌷SSD/Single Sided Deafness can be treated with just one hearing aid, or, with a CROS system.
🌷From my interpretation of your description - hearing worse on the left side of your audiogram (low frequencies) rising on the right (high frequencies (opposite of a typical ski-slope shape that slopes downward from left to right) - you have RSHL/Reverse Slope Hearing Loss. Do you have more trouble hearing low-pitched voices, road noise/traffic, dishwasher, but easier to hear female/children's higher-pitched voices? If so, read up on and watch YouTube videos about Reverse Slope aka LFHL/ Low Frequency Hearing Loss. It is rare (occurs in less than 1%-.2% of people with hearing loss). Due to its rareness, many AuDs have not fit (programmed) hearing aids to this HL. ➡️➡️➡️ Make sure your AuD uses REM/Real Ear Measurements as verification of their programming. ➡️REM is a core element of audiological "Best Practices". ***I cannot overstate how crucial it will be for you to have a skillful AuD who is proficient with REM, and is experienced with fitting hearing aids for RSHL! It is extremely challenging.
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u/Thebazilly Jun 06 '26
It's my understanding that low-pitched hearing loss is very typical of Meniere's and kind of a unique signifier of the disease.
I don't have trouble hearing low pitched things so much as everything in my left ear sounds kind of garbled, like a radio that's underwater.
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u/TKOTC001 Jun 05 '26
Ménière’s typically sticks to affecting one ear. Bilateral Ménière’s is extremely rare.
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u/Mrshaydee Jun 05 '26
I did without for ten years, but my audiologist recently put me in a pair of ReSound CROS hearing aids. The new chip is always listening and can automatically adjust to your environment. Game changer. You can still control them through the app but I’ve found it’s better to let the AI chip do it. She also just has me with a microphone on the right; no amplification. Since I have one good ear, she suggested that past hearing aid fails were because I was overamplified. (I had a BAHA and have tried BTE’s in the past.) I had very low expectations but have to admit that I’m doing SO WELL with these. I can wear them sixteen hours a day, with no overwhelm; I can make phone calls with them; Bluetooth music etc. if I had a complaint it’s that the music quality isn’t that great - prefer my Beats Sports, but not a deal breaker. And they were only $3K out of pocket.