Tinnitus

[Wildlife]

I've had and still have this ear/head ringing thing all my life. I've learned to live with it. Been to specialists all throughout my adulthood, tested for everything you can think of and I still have perfect hearing, but with that running lawnmower noise inside my head most all the time.

Like I said, I learned a long time ago to live with it, and yes, it totally sucks if you let it get to you, and yes it is extremely difficult to be in public nosy settings, restaurants, parties, group get togethers or anyplace where there is a lot of back ground noise goin on.

I tend to listen to music most of time, and it helps, and I've learned how to focus when I need to.

When I start to actually loose my hearing, that's when I'll make to the move to hearing aids, until then, I'll just continue to live with the damn thing.

Some days are worse than others, and when that happens, I find that doing something that makes you feel most comfortable, relaxed and less stressed helps in a big way.

So, I try to manage my stress and that has been a huge help in that regard.

More fun fact about me. Hope you all manage to get a solution that works for you. Good luck!

 

["J"]

That turnaround time is unheard of! I had an appointment in the fall for getting my hearing aid test…the facility had a power outage and the had to reschedule me..for January!! I’m in the same boat as you, not being able to hear people and also the tv. Constantly asking the wife “what did he say”. Hope it works out for you as I should be following right behind in getting hearing aids.

They’ve (local VA) revamped their appointment system. Audiology is a quick turnaround. Dr said she is busy all day and hardly any wait time out there in the waiting room. It used too be a 3 month waiting list too get an appointment. Now just a couple days.
The old way of testing, the whole listen for the beeps or tones have mostly been replaced by less annoying things. A lot more words and using back ground noise and repeating what word you heard. The old way was very annoying, especially when they used too interrupt the heat with that recorded voice giving the instructions on how too take the test! That small soundproof box was painful too be in when the tinnitus was bad, it made it worse. This test was more of a soundproof room, lots of space and wasn’t as bad.

 

[Sgt Fury]

They’ve (local VA) revamped their appointment system. Audiology is a quick turnaround. Dr said she is busy all day and hardly any wait time out there in the waiting room. It used too be a 3 month waiting list too get an appointment. Now just a couple days.
The old way of testing, the whole listen for the beeps or tones have mostly been replaced by less annoying things. A lot more words and using back ground noise and repeating what word you heard. The old way was very annoying, especially when they used too interrupt the heat with that recorded voice giving the instructions on how too take the test! That small soundproof box was painful too be in when the tinnitus was bad, it made it worse. This test was more of a soundproof room, lots of space and wasn’t as bad.

Sounds like the same test I took last year when they scheduled me for a compensation test. They denied the compensation as there was no way to prove that the damage was done while in the service. The daily cannon fire while doing the flag raising ceremony every morning didn’t count I guess.

 

["J"]

Sounds like the same test I took last year when they scheduled me for a compensation test. They denied the compensation as there was no way to prove that the damage was done while in the service. The daily cannon fire while doing the flag raising ceremony every morning didn’t count I guess.

My hearing loss has been documented by the AF as well as all the new baselines when I failed the annual hearing exam. The only compensation I’m looking for is take care of my health care. Especially when the issues are related too my service.
So far in all my visits (both Ohio and NC) no one has raised the compensation question.

 

[Sgt Fury]

My hearing loss has been documented by the AF as well as all the new baselines when I failed the annual hearing exam. The only compensation I’m looking for is take care of my health care. Especially when the issues are related too my service.
So far in all my visits (both Ohio and NC) no one has raised the compensation question.

I didn’t want compensation…just tried to get free hearing aids. When I went to take the test, the lady told me this was for compensation, not hearing aids…the lady who took my initial request for a hearing test put me down for compensation instead of hearing aids, even though I mentioned hearing aids several times….this January I will finally get the test for hearing aids that I wanted way back in February of 2022. Only took 11 months to get it.

 

["J"]

I didn’t want compensation…just tried to get free hearing aids. When I went to take the test, the lady told me this was for compensation, not hearing aids…the lady who took my initial request for a hearing test put me down for compensation instead of hearing aids, even though I mentioned hearing aids several times….this January I will finally get the test for hearing aids that I wanted way back in February of 2022. Only took 11 months to get it.

Understand, that’s how I took it. One of the reason I hesitated going through this was the hurdles people have gone through too get what they need.

 

[Sgt Fury]

Understand, that’s how I took it. One of the reason I hesitated going through this was the hurdles people have gone through too get what they need.

Hearing aids are crazy expensive. It’ll be nice when we finally get them. Maybe it’ll improve your fishing.

 

["J"]

Hearing aids are crazy expensive. It’ll be nice when we finally get them. Maybe it’ll improve your fishing.

It’ll probably hurt it

 

[giles]

Well, went and finally got the hearing eval. Yep, fitted for hearing aids and January 25 for getting them. After the test the Dr said my hearing can best be described as trying too read a sentence when each word is missing a few letters. The louder the room the lesser the letters….
Our kids were in for the holidays, with a house full of people and dogs, I couldn’t hear much of the conversations and was getting frustrated. Got too the point I was staying away from them and spending time outside with the dogs. At one point my son texted me and said quit being antisocial and join in the family time. It struck a nerve…. I called the VA Tuesday, got in Thursday and got the ball rolling.
I was letting my inability too hear what was going on, affect my family time… That’s coming too a stop…. So hopefully these will allow me too better hear what I’ve been missing….. Who knows, I might actually be able too hear conversations around the campfire at stroud’s this year!

Sounds like my celebrations the last year. My appointment is the 8th with an outside doctor. I will go VA if I need aids.

 

[ThatBuckeyeGuy]

I hope you guys get the outcome youre looking for . I hate the VA been escorted out twice , once in Canton and once on my last go around for help from Cleveland. Out of everything I wanted help with my back and neck. Was told by a guy that weighed at least 150 pounds more than me that I was overweight and my current job had to cause all of my back neck and knee issues . Not the multiple deployments and convoys . In the end they gave me tinnitus and jumped my ptsd percentage up the two things I didn't go back in for. I personally know several other guys that never did anything go in and grab 100 percent over dumb shi* but yet the guys that could actually use help for real issues get pushed out. My mother is good friends for my new local vsa and keeps telling me to go back and they will help me get everything I need . Screw them I hate them and wish them the worst. I don't care if things have changed with the VA their lasting impressions have spoiled it. I ease my ailments with alcohol right or wrong it's easier than going through 8 months worth of appointments just to get shi* on. Best of luck fellas tinnitus sucks and that's the least they should help us vets out with. Keep fighting if you have the patience! I simply do not.

 

[Sgt Fury]

I hope you guys get the outcome youre looking for . I hate the VA been escorted out twice , once in Canton and once on my last go around for help from Cleveland. Out of everything I wanted help with my back and neck. Was told by a guy that weighed at least 150 pounds more than me that I was overweight and my current job had to cause all of my back neck and knee issues . Not the multiple deployments convoys and ied hit . In the end they gave me tinnitus and jumped my ptsd percentage up the two things I didn't go back in for. I personally know several other guys that never did anything go in and grab 100 percent over dumb shi* but yet the guys that could actually use help for real issues get pushed out. My mother is good friends for my new local vsa and keeps telling me to go back and they will help me get everything I need . Screw them I hate them and wish them the worst. I don't care if things have changed with the VA their lasting impressions have spoiled it. I ease my ailments with alcohol right or wrong it's easier than going through 8 months worth of appointments just to get shi* on. Best of luck fellas tinnitus sucks and that's the least they should help us vets out with. Keep fighting if you have the patience! I simply do not.

I hope you do find the patience eventually. I know they had me so angry with their incompetence that it nearly pushed me to my breaking point. I would get small victories now and then that kept me going. After almost a year it looks like I am finally going to get the help I wanted. I had an injury that I suffered while in the service that wasn’t properly taken care of…only after talking to someone in the VA did I realize that I could still get compensated/medical care for it. Hope you go back and get the help you need…vets should be the first ones to be taken care of.

 

["J"]

Well, I’m officially able too hear what goes on around me. Initially it was overwhelming. My audiologist wanted me too wear them the rest of the day and all day today. It would help too pare my brain back too my ears so too speak. There were a couple oh shit moments and I had too turn them down. Especially in a crowded room, where I was for some X-rays I needed done.
They’re not uncomfortable, but it’ll get better when I’m more used too them and not focused so much on them. One thing nice about them (besides being Bluetooth enabled) is theres a mute button for them

Things that I’ve noticed so far:

Our toilets at the house are pretty loud.
Ice maker is right up there also.
Our shepherd whines a lot!
Birds need too tone it down some.
We‘re far enough off the road and I never heard any road noise, sitting on the front porch. Yeah, apparently there’s some faint noise coming through. Luckily I can turn it down a few notches and it goes away
People in stores are loud, especially lowes
The tinnitus is somewhat better, yesterday it was almost nonexistent, today it’s probably half the normal level. So hopefully it stays the course and remains at this level.

I’m pretty pleased so far, just got too get the hang of installing them. That’ll come with more repetitions.

 

[Jamie]

Wait until about the third or fourth time you have to tell you wife to stop talking so loud. Make sure you are out of arms reach.

 

["J"]

Wait until about the third or fourth time you have to tell you wife to stop talking so loud. Make sure you are out of arms reach.

Yeah, that and turn down the fuggin volume on that damn TV!!!! As I’m walking out the door

 

[Sgt Fury]

Got my hearing aids from the VA this morning. I’m hearing all kinds of sounds that I didn’t even know I was missing. I can hear when someone drags their feet across the floor, someone folding a piece of paper….words are clearer. Only downsides are they make my ear canals itch (they said I’ll get used to it and won’t even be conscious I’m wearing them, I can hear myself talk and every once in a while I hear a sound that can only be described as the sound a vinyl record makes when the needle first makes contact. They said after a few weeks, I won’t notice any of it. Also, while wearing them, the ringing in my ears is gone. So far, I’m really liking it but like J was saying last week, there is all kinds of sounds that I am hearing now and it’s almost like a sensory overload. They are hidden pretty well too as my wife didn’t realize I was wearing them when I came home.

 

[Fletch]

George great to hear... Did you just hear that sound from North Jersey of gas being passed??

 

["J"]

Got my hearing aids from the VA this morning. I’m hearing all kinds of sounds that I didn’t even know I was missing. I can hear when someone drags their feet across the floor, someone folding a piece of paper….words are clearer. Only downsides are they make my ear canals itch (they said I’ll get used to it and won’t even be conscious I’m wearing them, I can hear myself talk and every once in a while I hear a sound that can only be described as the sound a vinyl record makes when the needle first makes contact. They said after a few weeks, I won’t notice any of it. Also, while wearing them, the ringing in my ears is gone. So far, I’m really liking it but like J was saying last week, there is all kinds of sounds that I am hearing now and it’s almost like a sensory overload. They are hidden pretty well too as my wife didn’t realize I was wearing them when I came home.

Great update George! Still getting used too them, been about a week. Left ear fit is a little off, really as annoying at first but not as bad now but still a little off. I’ll let them know when the contact me. They’ve been reaching out too people after a couple weeks too see how things are going.
Phone calls coming in via the Bluetooth startle the hell outta me still So if you see me jump a little, it’s nothing too worry about, just getting a phone call

 

[Jamie]

Got my hearing aids from the VA this morning. I’m hearing all kinds of sounds that I didn’t even know I was missing. I can hear when someone drags their feet across the floor, someone folding a piece of paper….words are clearer. Only downsides are they make my ear canals itch (they said I’ll get used to it and won’t even be conscious I’m wearing them, I can hear myself talk and every once in a while I hear a sound that can only be described as the sound a vinyl record makes when the needle first makes contact. They said after a few weeks, I won’t notice any of it. Also, while wearing them, the ringing in my ears is gone. So far, I’m really liking it but like J was saying last week, there is all kinds of sounds that I am hearing now and it’s almost like a sensory overload. They are hidden pretty well too as my wife didn’t realize I was wearing them when I came home.

when I got my hearing aids the audiologist adjusted them to what would give me "normal" hearing for demonstrative purposes and to get a baseline for how to adjust them so I wouldn't be driven crazy. She might as well have been talking to me through a bullhorn across her desk. I was shocked at how bad my hearing is. She adjusted them considerably for the sensitivity and for some specific types of sound. After a week or so, she adjusted them again, then another time until I had worked my way incrementally up to what is normal hearing. In some situations, the sound is still a little disturbing to me after 9 months of wearing them all day every day. They have made a real difference for me. They are very discrete, and getting the right type and size of silicone earbud that goes in your ear canal took some trial and error not only for comfort, but for how well they allow external sounds into your ear naturally. I tried four different kinds and sizes before I found the ones I can live with. My left ear canal gets a little sore sometimes because the fit is tighter, but it is tolerable. Still, hearing aids are a pain in the ass, but streaming phone calls and music though these hearing aids is a nice benefit. The sound quality is very good as it damn well should with for these $4K earpods.

 

[Stressless]

Got my in ear pair two weeks ago, they made the canal too long and I couldn't take the discomfort... back at the VA now to get an adjustment and they'll send them back to me.

I'm overjoyed J and Sgt ans others are getting VA care, @ThatBuckeyeGuy of you want, PM me, I've been there w the VA and the process when is a PITA but what isn't?

VA for physical health has two tracks. All based on what you provide when evaluated.

1. Health care
2. Disability compensation

Once enrolled in the VA Healthcare system then the care comes... albeit its a PITA as well.

 

[Sgt Fury]

Got my in ear pair two weeks ago, they made the canal too long and I couldn't take the discomfort... back at the VA now to get an adjustment and they'll send them back to me.

I'm overjoyed J and Sgt ans others are getting VA care, @ThatBuckeyeGuy of you want, PM me, I've been there w the VA and the process when is a PITA but what isn't?

View attachment 171900

VA for physical health has two tracks. All based on what you provide when evaluated.

1. Health care
2. Disability compensation

Once enrolled in the VA Healthcare system then the care comes... albeit its a PITA as well.

It was a year long battle to get to where I am today with VA benefits and I almost gave up more than once but I am glad I stuck with it. I’ve gotten a health check up, eye exam, a pair of prescription glasses and a pair of reading glasses….in addition to the hearing aids today….all in the past month and at no cost to me.