Hearing Aids

[bstratt]

Just curious - it's not necessary yet but as old age advances my high frequency hearing loss is getting worse. At some point I will most likely need a hearing aid.

Can I get a third class with a hearing aid?

 

[mikea]

Just curious - it's not necessary yet but as old age advances my high frequency hearing loss is getting worse. At some point I will most likely need a hearing aid.

Can I get a third class with a hearing aid?

I know the answer is yes because one pilot we know wears hearing aids in both ears.

I suspect it doesn't even require a special issuance because there are deaf pilots. Deaf pilots have a restriction limits operations to where a radio is not required - uncontrolled airports or controlled airports with prior arrangements for light signals.

http://deafpilots.org/faq.html

 

[Lawreston]

Just a momentary thread creep. But hearing aids caught my attention. I just returned from a music store with some sheets for my upcoming concert performance(voice and piano). A very nice local music shop with a good complement of guitars, drums, other instruments, and teaching rooms. BUT: Prominently displayed on the checkout counter was a container of Ear Plugs. Interesting.

HR

 

[One Short]

Short answer is ---Yes.
You just have to hear conversational language at 6 ft.
I usually look down at your form to review it and either ask about the "yes" answers on it or ask about what kind of flying you've been doing lately or whatever. If you respond on subject I assume you are hearing and comprehending. The hearing test and part of the neuro check are done.

Barb

 

[Ken Ibold]

Can I get a third class with a hearing aid?

Maybe, but if you spend as much on yours as my dad has on his, you won't be able to afford to fly.

 

[bstratt]

Maybe, but if you spend as much on yours as my dad has on his, you won't be able to afford to fly.

Yeah, I know. Thank God I don't need them yet. With the price of all other electronics falling, maybe they'll come down in price.

My father has a pair but they just amplify broad spectrum so they're no help to him in a crowded restaurant or bar, and the automatic noise levelling takes a moment to cut in. My mom dropped a pan once and he said he was still hearing the ringing a week later.

I've heard there are "programmable" ones now where you program them to just amplify the frequencies you need help with but I also heard they were more than $5,000 each!

 

[Ken Ibold]

I've heard there are "programmable" ones now where you program them to just amplify the frequencies you need help with but I also heard they were more than $5,000 each!

My dad dropped $13K on a pair about 9 months ago. And they've been sent back for repairs three times already.

 

[wsuffa]

I've heard there are "programmable" ones now where you program them to just amplify the frequencies you need help with but I also heard they were more than $5,000 each!

There are. My dad had one of the early pairs (with a remote control, no less), and IIRC had them as "beta" prototypes. They were supplied through the retired military officer's medical care system at Bethesda.

 

[Everskyward]

You just have to hear conversational language at 6 ft.

Curious about some of the techniques AMEs use to evaluate hearing, among other things. I have gone to AMEs where the hearing test is them whispering, "Can you hear me?" when my back is turned. My current AME uses a sophisticated hearing booth that plays all kinds of beep tones. The hearing test alone must take 5 minutes. I don't really care since my hearing is OK, but I'm wondering what kind of leeway the FAA gives in administering medicals. Each AME seems to have his or her own pet techniques for evaluating certain things.

 

[Earthroamer]

I would guess a lot. My AME just chats with me because I have never seen a hearing device or booth. However, I have only been to two different AME's in my aviation life.

 

[Brian Austin]

Yeah, I know. Thank God I don't need them yet. With the price of all other electronics falling, maybe they'll come down in price.

My father has a pair but they just amplify broad spectrum so they're no help to him in a crowded restaurant or bar, and the automatic noise levelling takes a moment to cut in. My mom dropped a pan once and he said he was still hearing the ringing a week later.

I've heard there are "programmable" ones now where you program them to just amplify the frequencies you need help with but I also heard they were more than $5,000 each!

My wife has one of the programmable digital models (forget the make) for just one ear. Total was $2,200, including the "tune up" visits and fittings. For what she's getting, I didn't think that was too bad.

Of course, now I can't mutter at her and get away with some things...

 

[One Short]

Curious about some of the techniques AMEs use to evaluate hearing, among other things. I have gone to AMEs where the hearing test is them whispering, "Can you hear me?" when my back is turned. My current AME uses a sophisticated hearing booth that plays all kinds of beep tones. The hearing test alone must take 5 minutes. I don't really care since my hearing is OK, but I'm wondering what kind of leeway the FAA gives in administering medicals. Each AME seems to have his or her own pet techniques for evaluating certain things.

Our quide lines say "hears conversational speech at 6 feet."
I turn my head or cover my mouth a little just in case someone reads lips. If you don't pass the whisper test or booth test, I'd refer them back to the quide lines. Otherwise, a pass is a pass.

Barb

 

[bbchien]

Our quide lines say "hears conversational speech at 6 feet."
I turn my head or cover my mouth a little just in case someone reads lips. If you don't pass the whisper test or booth test, I'd refer them back to the quide lines. Otherwise, a pass is a pass.

Barb

Yup.
And you get certified in whatever configuration it took to pass....hearing aid, etc....

 

[ScottM]

Just a momentary thread creep. But hearing aids caught my attention. I just returned from a music store with some sheets for my upcoming concert performance(voice and piano). A very nice local music shop with a good complement of guitars, drums, other instruments, and teaching rooms. BUT: Prominently displayed on the checkout counter was a container of Ear Plugs. Interesting.

HR

Yes that is becoming very prevalent in music stores these days. If you will also note when watching bands closely many are now opting for int eh ear monitor. I have a set and they are nice. Gives you a good 20dB of isolation form the outside noise plus your own personal mix at the volume that is comfortable for you.

 

[Skip Miller]

Just curious - it's not necessary yet but as old age advances my high frequency hearing loss is getting worse. At some point I will most likely need a hearing aid.

Can I get a third class with a hearing aid?

Barry:

Hearing aid = device to amplify sound in the right frequency range while attenuating noise outside that range = ANR headset.

When you need the aids for normal use, you may not need them in the cockpit if you can crank the volume on your headset up enough. If that isn't enough, you can certainly wear hearing aids AND your headset.

-Skip

 

[bstratt]

Boy, talk about resurrecting the dead! This is an old thread.

I've upgraded to Zulu's for the plane and wear a set of Bose Comfort 3 ANR when flying commercially. No hearing aids yet but they are coming soon! Trying to protect what little I have left.

 

[jlwilson]

Barry:

Hearing aid = device to amplify sound in the right frequency range while attenuating noise outside that range = ANR headset.

When you need the aids for normal use, you may not need them in the cockpit if you can crank the volume on your headset up enough. If that isn't enough, you can certainly wear hearing aids AND your headset.

-Skip

Wearing the hearing aids with a headset may be a challenge. I've been out of the field (of Audiology) for about 8 years now and I know that hearing aid technology has changed a bunch, but there is still a problem with acoustic feedback. Typicallly, hearing aids that are designed or 'tuned' for high-frequency noise induced hearing loss use a more open earmold to bleed off some of the lows that the patient doesn't need. Thus, if you cover the hearing aid and mold, some of the sound that has been amplified gets reamplified and creates a feedback loop. That's the annoying squeal that I'm sure you've heard if you've ever been around a hearing aid wearer.

I have fit literally thousands of hearing aids during my career as an Audiologist (I worked in a steel mill where most of the guys had acquired the loss before I ever got there), and while the technology is definitely improving, it's not going to fix the problem. It's really important to have realistic expectations with hearing aid usage.

And ya gotta pity my poor husband - I know the difference between when he doesn't hear me and when he doesn't listen He has a significant high frequency hearing loss from shooting lots of rounds in his life. I have a set of Bose and Zulus and he prefers the Zulus. He hears really pretty well with them.

Joyce

 

[gkainz]

Joyce - what a perfect time to pop up (I did peak at your bio on your website and saw the audiology connection, so was going to email you separately on this anyway) ... any knowledge of the BAHA implant for single ear deafness? (my wife, not me - can continue this off-line since non-aviation)

 

[jlwilson]

Greg,

Feel free to e-mail me at joyce@idpa.com.

Joyce

 

[jhempel]

Curious about some of the techniques AMEs use to evaluate hearing, among other things. I have gone to AMEs where the hearing test is them whispering, "Can you hear me?" when my back is turned. My current AME uses a sophisticated hearing booth that plays all kinds of beep tones. The hearing test alone must take 5 minutes. I don't really care since my hearing is OK, but I'm wondering what kind of leeway the FAA gives in administering medicals. Each AME seems to have his or her own pet techniques for evaluating certain things.

My AME turns his back to me while he is filling out the paperwork and I'm sitting on the exam table. If I answer the questions, we're good to go!

I can hear fine, except I have a slight ringing that never goes completely away. It isn't really a problem for hearing, but it is annoying at times. I've been told by several docs that there is no cure.

 

[Unnamed]

I know this thread is kind of old, so please excuse me for ressurecting an old thread. I am particularly interested in Joyce's responses. I have a hearing aide in one ear, and I am planning on working towards my private pilots license soon. What Joyce said about wearing both the aide and the headset is true, and I can tell you that even though I haven't been in an airplane. I have had trouble with headsets with regular audio devices all my life, as my hearing loss is severe enough that I need a behind the ear model instad of one that fits in the ear.

I have ran across some assistive devices that do help, namely telecoils, but while some products work well, most of them aren't rugged enough to cope with someone who travels much. A little bit of this and that will bend the wire just slightly that it just feeds a bunch of additional static.

With that being said, if I'm lucky enough to still get ahold of joyce or other hearing impaired pilot, does anybody know of any devices that could be helpful? Another problem with actually using the telecoil (it basically sends the signal to the hearing aide through electromagnetic instead of accoustic) is that if there is a lot of extra sources of electromagnets, i.e. a very large engine - it can make it less effective. I'm gonna try a few things when I start my lessons, but I just thought I would write and see if anybody had any feedback/advice.

Thanks a bunch

 

[jlwilson]

please feel free to pm me or just email me at joyce@idpa.com. I've been out of the field for a while, but still have some knowledge and definitely some good connections.

Joyce

 

[Unregistered]

I have a set of hearing aids that work like a charm when using headphones!

 

[dtoots1]

in re: hearing aids and piloting private planes ....i am 73 years old and have worn hearing aids since i was 6 ....have had quite a lot....both ears for a time now down to one only....other ear is shot....i now have a miracle ear 750 sp and have worn headsets in nephews plane.....1 worked fairly well and 1 did not....dont know make yet as not aware of others that may be more suitable.. i am considering trying to get pilot license if i can get a good headset that does the job..
once i run things down if i can find an answer will post....

any suggestions???
thanks
dtoots1

 

[JOhnH]

Yeah, I know. Thank God I don't need them yet. With the price of all other electronics falling, maybe they'll come down in price.

I have been hoping for that for 30 years. My first hearing aids, in 1985 cost $1,200 for the pair.
My last pair, in March of this year, cost $8,000.

Rather than the price coming down, my hearing keeps getting worse, requiring better and more powerful aids. The technology keeps getting better, but it comes at a cost.

 

[DrewG]

I have some Resound hearing aids that are fully in-the-ear. The mic is "external," from the receiver, but is still contained within the ear itself. I love them. There is no interference or feedback, etc. when I fly or use any headphones, for that matter. They have a new model out that is similar (but now more advanced) than the ones I got 5 years ago - but they'd surely do the trick! With regard to the headset I have, though, I use a Bose A20. Works like a charm with the hearing aids.

 

[flyingron]

Yup.
And you get certified in whatever configuration it took to pass....hearing aid, etc....

The restriction is just "amplification required". Could be just headsets, just as "corrective lenses" can be glasses or contacts or whatever.

I told my ENT that my wife sent me in because she says I don't hear her. They say they get a lot of that (which amusingly was exactly what happened with my father and his ENT...must be hereditary).