Norman Neaves
Oklahoma City, OK
“But I was seeing a set of hearing aids like I had never seen before – small and discreet, really unnoticeable, with connecting tubes almost indiscernible to even the most scrutinizing eye!”
How and when did you first realize you were experiencing hearing loss?
As I moved into my retirement years, I noticed what I would have considered a slight hearing loss. I would say “huh” more than ever before, not quite getting things said to me by persons nearby. And I noticed that I felt my grandchildren were always mumbling and never speaking up and speaking clearly, but my wife told me that they were and that the problem was with me and my hearing.
Where did you first go for information or help? Why?
I finally decided to see an ENT doctor, who confirmed I had hearing loss…somewhat significant. My ENT suggested I go to an audiologist, to a facility equipped to deal with hearing loss. I went to see Rachel Magann Faivre at Hearts for Hearing. She’s an outstanding audiologist, and could relate to someone like me, with diagnostic skill to fit exactly the kind of hearing device needed.
Based on your experience, do you have suggestions for others on how and where to start? Any other important things for them to consider?
I was so glad I listened to my ENT doctor who told me to go to an audiologist and not just a licensed hearing aid specialist. In addition to missing sounds, when I learned that it is known that hearing loss is one of the major contributors to dementia, I felt like I really am one very lucky guy that I happened to get with it when I did and didn’t put off any longer.
What was your biggest concern about hearing aids? Did that turn out to be true?
I was concerned about the unattractive hearing aids I had seen through the years. But I was seeing a set of hearing aids like I had never seen before – small and discreet, really unnoticeable, with connecting tubes almost indiscernible to even the most scrutinizing eye! And the sound, my goodness…unbelievable!
How have hearing aids changed your life? How do they help you at your job, in your hobbies or at volunteer activities?
I wear my hearing aids every day – on the golf course, at church, in a movie or at a football game, in shopping malls, wherever I am … because they’re just a part of me and I don’t think anything of it – and virtually no one has any idea that I’m wearing them. I cannot say enough about the ReSound hearing aids that I have. They are incredibly made, such precision and so many options I never knew that hearing aids would have. I now hear the sounds that have always been there but couldn’t distinguish…the conversations that had gaps in them, the sweet remarks of little grandchildren…really a world that’s been there all along and you’ve not been a part of it because slowly over the years you lost your hearing and never really realized it.
What would you tell someone who is considering hearing aids?
You don’t realize how much you’re missing until you get properly fitted by an expert audiologist. Getting fitted for a pair of hearing aids is like getting glasses. I need not say more. It’s amazing what’s available today to make our lives more than they ever could have been in the past. Being able to hear clearly is certainly an amazing thing. What a shame if we don’t take advantage of it!
Which ReSound Hearing Aid(s) do you have?
ReSound LiNX 3D