hearing aid

[Paul McCloud]

I don't use a hearing aid, but have a high frequency loss above 4000
cycles.  My mother was a hearing specialist and used to fit hearing
aids.  She told me it probably wouldn't help to get a hearing aid.  It
doesn't work well on some people.  There are some very expensive aids
out there, in the thousands, which can amplify any band of frequencies
any amount.
I have been eyeing a set of electronic ear muffs called Pro-Ears.  They
are made for shooters and people who work in noisy environments.  They
are big earmuffs with a special amplifier inside the earpieces.  Any
noise above 85db is attenuated in a few milliseconds, but all other
sound is passed through.  I tried a pair.  You could clap loudly right
next to your ear and it was like it never happened, but you could hear
clearly otherwise.  You could even turn them up and hear things you
couldn't normally hear without them.  Some models have a jack so you
could plug a walkman or (SAT?) into them.  They cost about $200+.  Thing
is, the customer might not like to see you wearing it.
There is another hearing aid-like device for shooters that fits behind
your ear like a hearing aid and does the same sort of thing.  They are
about as expensive, but you have to buy two, one for each ear.
You can search under hearing protection for these.
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego