I too have recently invested in some hearing aids, a mid priced set of
Oticon at $4890, less $550 from my Health Insurance. Couldn't get any free
ones as I'm not eligible for the OAP. The improvement in top end hearing,
ie , of wrens etc is phenomenal. Well worth the money.
Tony
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Richard Jenkin
Sent: Sunday, 5 December 2010 2:46 PM
To:
Subject: [Norton AntiSpam] [Birding-Aus] Hearing Birds
Hi all
Since my teenage years I have always had problems hearing high pitched
sounds, particularly noticeable with Wrens, Finches , Thornbills etc .
It first came to light when I would be walking with my wife or others that
could hear, and I would say it is very quiet today and they would say no
there is heaps of birds around !
I have a very good eye for a bird so probably compensating for my lack of
hearing. I will often see birds that others have missed because they are not
calling.
I had a hearing test done 6 years ago which confirmed what I already knew,
but as the hearing aids that may correct this were $6000 a pair, I decided I
didn't need to hear extra birds that much.
Recently Hunter Hearing in conjunction with WIDEX Hearing Aids had a 30 day
free trial offer for their latest technology hearing aids, so I decided to
try them out.
My hearing had deteriorated even further since my last test so definitely
worth a try.
Frequencies over about 1.5 khz become harder for me to hear. My lower
frequency hearing is just under normal now also.
The hearing aids have a program to increase the clarity and decrease
background noise. I have been testing them out for the last week or so just
with normal situations of television , music etc and whilst I can now have
the volume lower, I am still no better off than before.
However, today , Lynn and I went for an early morning bird walk to see what
we could hear and I was absolutely blown away by the difference between them
in and out. Not only were all the birds louder , I could hear Wrens ,
Finches etc from a further distance than I could before. Some birds had a
level to their call that I didn't even know existed ! It was almost
deafening J. Sacred Kingfishers, Pheasant Coucals, Superb Fairy-wren,
Red-browed Finches , Silvereyes, Rufous and Golden Whistlers, Black-faced
Monarchs, Fan-tailed and Brush Cuckoo, Grey Fantail, Brown Quail, Lewins ,
Scarlet and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters , plus Rosellas , Galahs , Magpies ,
Crows etc
>From our front veranda I could hear Grey Shrike-thrush, Brush Cuckoo ,
Scarlet Honeyeater and Golden Whistler calling along the river which is at
least 300 metres away, that I couldn't hear without the aids.
The model is WIDEX Passion Clear 440 and they are now $10,000 a pair !!!
Are they worth it ..... I still have one week to decide.
I would be interested to hear of anyone else's experiences with hearing
aids.
Cheers
Dick Jenkin DUNGOG NSW
Aft
Lynn and Dick Jenkin
Tashkent Friesians
PO Box 92 Dungog NSW 2420
02 49921158
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