What are /r/hearing's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

A really good high fidelity earplug would be the etymotic brand, they are twelve dollars a pair and are much more comfortable than your typical earplug! You can find them on Amazon also!

Etymotic Research ER20 ETY-Plugs Hearing Protection Earplugs, Standard Fit, Clear Stem with Frost Tip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015WJQ7A/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_BsgOvbQCRS12V

I am studying to be an audiologist, and protecting hearing is very important to me! Keep those ears healthy!

Learn about speechreading a bit

I read a couple of methods. A lot weren't that good.

I liked the Harriet Kaplan, Scott J. Bally, Carol Garretson one. I think it was like $15 on amazon. It's not some amazing magical solution, but it was mildly helpful, at least to me.

Fair warning, people with foreign accents and men with unkempt facial hair are basically kryptonite

https://www.amazon.com/Speechreading-Improve-Understanding-Harriet-Kaplan/dp/0930323327

Restaurants are awful though, I can't hear anything in them. Do they have menus?

Well if you would to refer to this audiogram yes.. But since this is an app (I pressume) it's hard to tell if you really have some hearing loss. Apps need proper calibration for them to work right. I would advise you to go to an Audiologist and get a proper hearing test bc only they (in most cases) can tell you if you have a hearing loss. Eventually ,when you have your proper results, you can track you hearing by doing various hearing tests at home to see if your performance diminishes or if it stays stable. I would higly recommend this app

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobile.eaudiologia

I dont know if it's available for apple too. Use the original headphones which came with the phone if possible.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0044DEETC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2TDGS35ICMVBF&th=1

I have hearing loss on my right ear. I use these and it makes understanding speech easier. Not perfect but better than without.

I don't know about for the 7 year old, but the other two should do fine with a pair of Etymotic Research ER-20s. The gray/white ends are standard size and the blue is large (large is probably too big). There's a good chance these would still work for someone who is 7, but I'll let someone with more pediatric experience chime in.

These offer 20dB noise reduction which should be sufficient for a concert, and they have a pretty decent frequency response for being under $20. Just make sure you insert them correctly and get the feeling of a "seal" being created or they won't do much. I've used, reused, and lost many pairs for many years.

Any of the things you listed will help when inserted correctly (except for maybe noise-cancelling headsets, that's probably not worth it and won't do what you're hoping). Foam plugs are cheap, work well, but kinda make things sound terrible in my opinion. Over-the-ear muffs can offer additional protection if it's a very loud concert, but they may not want to wear them and your mileage may vary with sound quality.

Thanks for looking out for their hearing :) After playing in bands for many years and now working in the hearing field... I wish I had parents like you!

I often use the earplugs, he is really great, better than Mack's。

https://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Swimming-Reusable-Cancelling-Airplanes/dp/B08HWDH8V5

I use this on my computers: https://sourceforge.net/projects/pc-equalizer/ . I basically just draw the opposite of my audiogram to boost my deficient frequencies.

I've yet to find a good master EQ for my phone though.

Deal: Flare Audio® Calmer® - A small in ear device to reduce stress, useful for sensitive hearing, autism, hyperacusis, misophonia, noise related stress and other hearing conditions https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KHHVZWB/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_dl_Q5T4T2Q1B3X6RK08HTET?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I have seen these advertised a lot over the last year or so,and they advertise they do something akin to what you seem to need?

I have no idea from personal experience but the advert stuck with me

Convince him to get to an audiologist for a hearing test. Or.. if that's unlikely, head here for a few online options..https://mynoise.net/bestOnlineHearingTests.php but... An audiologist can determine the likely reason for his hearing loss (conductive or sensorineural) and then talk options if he needs an aid.. you can scare him with research about neurological decline and hearing loss, too https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4811604/

Ear Plugs for Sleeping Noise Cancelling Filtered DONGSHEN Reusable Sleep Ultra Soft Silicone Noise Reduction Earplugs 2 Pairs Sizes for Deep Sleeps Concerts Motorcycle Alarm Remains Audible(Black) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TF6CDG7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WC7Y8M4DEKCAQTTNGE2Z

These have saved my life … from my partner who won’t stfu, honestly they are so good!

Etymotic ER20s are a comfortable and affordable starting place for most listening situations. They will sound better than foam earplugs but won't break the bank like custom earplugs.

When or how often do you plan to use them? If it's only occasionally (concerts, loud events, etc.) then the cheaper option is probably going to work well for you. If you work in a noisy environment 8hrs a day or have specific hearing needs (hunting, musician) you might want to consider a more expensive option.

Try not to get them wet - moisture kills hearing aids (not just water but humidity too). Place them in a hearing-aid-specific dehumidifier at night. WHen traveling I keep them in a small container like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Sistema-Dressing-Containers-Ounce-1-pack/dp/B01JTRFLR6/ref=pd_sbs_79_1/134-6134247-5884023?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01JTRFLR6&pd_rd_r=5076042b-9357-11e9-b6af-01be418f387a&pd_rd_w=AqKa3&pd_rd_wg=l8tWk&pf_rd_p=588939de-d3f8-42f1-a3d8-d556eae5797d&pf_rd_r=HKNQBZ3QCMG4KABS7RB7&psc=1&refRID=HKNQBZ3QCMG4KABS7RB7

It keeps them dry and not crushed, and I place a silica pack in there to help dry them out too.

Wear a hat in the rain.

I don't wear mine when working out due to the sweat and I have no need to hear clanging weights or other gym patrons - I wear earbuds anyway.

When I'm in the garage doing mechanical things I don't need to hear tools making noise, so I take them out there too.

The bigger the battery the more practical they are - for behind the ear units, the '13's are a typical size and last 1.5 - 2 weeks. Amazon sells batteries for about $20 per 60. Smaller hearing aids with smaller batteries may only last a couple days (or less).

They won't fall off.

You may try some App-only as well. A simple Android app is like this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microascend.crisp.app

Androids Live transcribe works very well, may not be exactly what you are looking for though.

I love mine! I got these for $79. I needed hands free for my android phone and they work well. They are great with music too. You can always return them if you don't like them. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X9X4GM3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are my favorite https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014T3QLBA/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_i_oVzlFb

They do have wireless ones from other companies if that’s more your thing.

I wear hearing aids AND glasses. That behind the ear real estate gets crowded really fast. I’ve been using neck gaiters:

https://www.amazon.com/SATINIOR-Protection-Windproof-Breathable-Camouflage/dp/B088FDVS76/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=neck+gaiters+for+men+summer&qid=1595717732&sprefix=neck+ga&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkU...

By far, these are the least irritating option I’ve found

You can do much the same with our hearing app on Android Oreo - it has a master volume screen, but for individual ears, the Equalizer screen can be used to also change the overall left and right ear volume:

Lowest-latency hearing app on Android (Oreo only):

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stereomatch.hearing.aid.demo

Hearing Aid for Oreo 8.0 Free

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stereomatch.hearing.aid.oreo.demo

Hearing Aid for Oreo 8.1 Free

This is the model (both ears) I am testing: https://www.amazon.com/Otofonix-Personal-Amplifier-Cancellation-Reduction/dp/B01JX36V6Q/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1516048970&sr=8-2&keywords=otofonix+elite+hearing+amplifier

The Zephyr Dry & Store Hearing Aid Dryer uses both low heat and dessicant.

I have been using one for years with good results

You might also want to look into etymotic ear plugs.. They offer about 20 dB of equal reduction across the spectrum. It feels just like you've turned down the volume. I don't go to concerts without them.

I forget where I heard it but someone once told me about a solution that worked for them (may have been my teacher) that would work if the TV has an audio output. Basically how it works is you plug in an audio splitter like this and then you plug in speakers through one of them so others can hear and plug in wireless earbuds/headphones (like this) so that he can hear the TV. This may not be ideal if there are others who he might want to hear but if he lives alone or doesn't need exceptional hearing while watching TV I think it would work quite well. Not to mention it would be quite a bit cheaper than something like TV Dex (though I've heard those work pretty well).