[TheForge] Hearing aids

[Justin Fellenz]

Both my parents have hearing aids that selectively boost frequency
bands and can be set for different listening situations by changing the
gain on different directional mics. Expensive (the price rainge you
talk about about $1500 a side), but very cool. Mom had the tiny
ear-canal ones at first but found they're easy to lose, and the
performance from the behind the ear units seems to be better.

I've been in the habit of wearing ear protection all the time since
high school, and so far, 20 years and no problem. I spent a few bucks
on molded rubber earplugs that are comfortable for al day wear and
they're worth it. I wear them anytime I'm doing anything that makes
loud noises, from framing a house (skill saw, hammers) to working at
the anvil to fabricating (grinders, hammers, etc etc etc.) Better safe
than sorry. I've been a bit lax and lucky with my eyes, depending on my
glasses, but I've started wearing a faceshield more now, and I'm
beginning to take the same approach to what I breathe, too--as I get
older I am more aware of nasty things like radon daughters, whatever
they are beyond bad for you.

I guess this is a thread that runs through this whole
conversation--what we do is pretty hard on soft pink flesh, so every
precaution is worthwhile.

J
--- PlumDon at aol.com wrote:

>  
> In a message dated 1/24/2005 1:44:45 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
> osan at netlabs.net writes:
> 
> OK, i'm  sure my question will be stupid, but at least someone asked 
> whether you  are certain that your hearing loss is  permanent.
> 
> 
> 
> Oh yes. Quite so. permanent nerve damage. 
>  
> Certainly getting some good responses re my hearing problem. I
> suspect it  is 
> not an unusual occurence in the blacksmithing community. Meeting with
> an  
> audiologist tomorrow who will mainly market me Oticon (I think)
> hearing aids.  
> This is all new to me and a bit confusing what with all the choices.
> Much like  
> everything, anymore. But I am really beginning to miss a lot of
> what's going 
> on  so guess I will have to do something. 
>  
> I dont use ear protection when just at the anvil...only with the
> power  
> hammer. Maybe that should change. Do most of youse use them all the
> time when  
> hammering?
>  
> Again, thanks for the helpful notes. 
>  
> Don Plummer
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