recommend me earbuds ?

[MaC]

Up front, I'm really, really hard of hearing, but I miss music. I miss the completeness of music. Even my tinnitus is music....right now it's some kind of church hymn type just on the edge of my hearing; repetitive with soaring vocal interludes but all just a bit off key somehow.

I've been wondering about using ear buds tied into my laptop ? but what earbuds ?
The laptop's getting on, it's an old MacBookPro, but I have loads of spare memory, etc., on it.

Any suggestions ?

 

[5teep]

Have you tried bone conducting headphones?

 

[5teep]

If you want earbuds there's these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Headphones-Conduction-Bluetooth-Earphones-Conducting-White/dp/B0BLNJMZX4/ref=sr_1_15?crid=3D32KM78OKHH1&keywords=bone%2Bconducting&qid=1699730727&sprefix=bone%2Bconducting%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-15&th=1

 

[Nice65]

I’ve got some EarFun Pros, the Oluv tuned ones. I gave a pair to my sister and kept a pair. Both have been unboxed, I don’t think she’s even used hers though and offered them back to me.

Lots of spare silicone thingies unused in the box. Yours if you want to try them out, keep them or pass them on if they don’t suit?

 

[Greg]

Thinking of ordering the new creative ones with solid state drivers. Pretty neat technology.

 

[MaC]

If you want earbuds there's these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Headphones-Conduction-Bluetooth-Earphones-Conducting-White/dp/B0BLNJMZX4/ref=sr_1_15?crid=3D32KM78OKHH1&keywords=bone%2Bconducting&qid=1699730727&sprefix=bone%2Bconducting%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-15&th=1

Hmmmm.......

Thinking of ordering the new creative ones with solid state drivers. Pretty neat technology.

Is the technology tweakable to account for missing sound bands....I don't even know if that's possible.
I know the hearing aids only sort of oomph up what bands of hearing I have, they don't give me back what's lost.

I am in the notion to try to hear music again. Christmas is coming, I got CD's a couple of years ago and they're horrible to me, and it was folks I liked. Annie Lennox, Rita MacNeill, singing Christmas stuff.
I'd like to try them again.


I have read stories where the ultra supportive deaf community really disapprove of parents who have cochlear implants fitted for their children, but from the other side of things, being deaf is an incredible and horrible handicap. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

M

 

[Saint-Just]

You should really try as many as you can in an audio shop. There must be one in Glasgow. Bone conduction could be worth a try. Take a list of songs you are familiar with to see if the earbuds are an improvement on what you usually hear.

 

[Greg]

The solid state creatives have a huge frequency range so might be better if you have hearing loss - not sure.

 

[5teep]

Bone conducting headphones work very well as they do not rely on your eardrums to pass the sound. The downside is that others can hear them if you have them loud.

 

[Stew]

I’ve tried bone conduction ones and found the banded ones quite tight because of the pressure needed.

I’ve seen that Shokz do now have independent ear bone conduction units - I’m intrigued to try them in comparison as they can’t achieve that same pressure which could be good or bad!

 

[Stew]

My current earphones are these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0BB9RDFDN/ref=cart_bc_item_img_1?smid=AZ0VCQSCTK2G5&psc=1&th=1

I use them a lot. The wife has a pair. I lost the case of mine recently so bought a second set then found the first case again - I don’t mind as they’re good. I forget I’m wearing them because of the hook - ones that rest in place just don’t suit my ear shape.

Audio quality - no idea.

 

[MaC]

I’ve tried bone conduction ones and found the banded ones quite tight because of the pressure needed.

I’ve seen that Shokz do now have independent ear bone conduction units - I’m intrigued to try them in comparison as they can’t achieve that same pressure which could be good or bad!

That's a concern, and one Himself raised this morning. My skin swells with pressure. The in ear hearing aid pressed just enough that the ear canal swelled up enough to virtually close. Not fun. The one that was moulded to fit the outer ear snuggly caused me no grief, but they're 'not supported' any longer, and no longer made on the NHS.
I priced a new one privately, but honestly, over 2K seemed a tad ridiculous for something that couldn't be upgraded or programmed to suit.

 

[BorderReiver]

Have you a look at this company?

 

[Stew]

Maybe trial these:

OPENFIT by Shokz, the Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds.

OpenFit continues the Shokz open-ear concept to let users enjoy all-day comfort and hear their own soundtrack while staying open to the world around them.

uk.shokz.com

 

[Greg]

my only frustration with the bone conduction stuff is there is no real competition and the Shokz stuff never seems thoughtfully designed.

 

[MaC]

I've been playing around this evening with a weird sort of behind the head (back neck) loop shaped set. I'm pretty sure they've been kicking about for years, but the funny thing is that they rest on the very top of my jaw bone just infront of my ear, and they're much clearer than anything else I've tried.

Well, if nothing else, it's hopeful. It's hopeful that perhaps I can find something that would give me enough back to enjoy music again

 

[MaC]

Himself bought me earbuds that softly grip the ear.

I find my self upset because though they don't hurt, and they do work, music isn't 'complete'. It's a discordant jangle. I think there's just too much missing.

Even music I loved, and I've spent hours tonight trying all kinds, just becomes a racket.
I can hear high. I can hear fiddles, I can hear hammer dulcimers, I can't hear most human voices fully. I can hear deep male voices, but I can't hear Rita MacNeil or Annie Lennox. I can hear some of groups like Runrig and AC/DC but much of it is 'jangle' again.

I know that it's just bands of sound that just aren't there for me anymore.

I think I'm upset more because I think music is lost to me.

We're going to try some of the bone conduction ones and see if that helps any.

M

 

[noddy]

This is one that has come up a few times for you, M. - though maybe just in this thread. :}

I wonder if it is time to up the ante a step at a time. Maybe speak to your doctor, who may have a miracle cure hidden away there (in terms of audio technology at least}. They might be able to make a referral to a consultant. Of course, the NHS mightn't cover it if is deemed aesthetic. So, maybe talk about disorientation near traffic as a reason for the request. Or, perhaps contact a hearing specialist locally and explore with them what solutions they have might have. Maybe be prepared to pay, if it is meaningful enough for you.

We are none of us unique in our limitations, and technology has leapt ahead in almost every dimension. So, it likely there is an answer out there.I think it might be difficult for your audience here to understand quite what is the sound picture you have, but a specialist will likely have an immediate answer.

The next step, otherwise, is to email Elon Musk and see what he's holding back on.

 

[MaC]

I have, and I am.

I hoped I'd find something that would let me enjoy music, and honestly there's just so much technology out there now that personal recommendation is often the best idea rather than just what is pushed at someone by a franchise.

I hadn't thought about Mr Musk though

 

[BorderReiver]

I have, and I am.

I hoped I'd find something that would let me enjoy music, and honestly there's just so much technology out there now that personal recommendation is often the best idea rather than just what is pushed at someone by a franchise.

I hadn't thought about Mr Musk though

As I've mentioned before, my left ear is a cave where all of the sound conducting apparatus was destroyed by surgery when I was 12 or there abouts. My hearing has got worse with aging, but my right ear hearing is correctable with a hearing aid. I had an aid in the left which let me hear traffic coming from the right but not much else, and when my good ear aid failed I swapped them over. A consultant was supervising the audiologist when I was having the new one fitted and he asked how his voice sounded, then did the same with the dud ear; I said I could hear that he talking but no words.
He then said to wait there a minute, and came back with another aid. This one was a Spinal Tap variation, turned up to 11 and I could hear his words. "Never swap them over, as that one would destroy the hearing in your right ear", he said.
The result is I can pick up the bass frequency that I've been missing from my favourite 60-70s groups.
The point is, I found something that worked for me, and hopefully you can do likewise.

 

[MaC]

I have NHS ones.....but when I realised that I needed to go back, and asked my GP for the referral, she said, "Oh you just go to Specsavers now. Just book an appointment and they'll see to it".

Specsavers told me I had cataracts developing, sold me eye drops, etc., booked me another early appointment, etc.,....and after a year of fretful worry because I had been told that my eyesight would blur, I would need to have yearly checks to keep my driving licence, etc., I would need surgery in five years.....I went back to have my eyes tested again.
Turns out I don't have cataracts, I don't even have any sign of cataracts, the optician who checked my eyes said that he would never have even mentioned it to me because there was absolutely no evidence of that whatsoever.....so, do I trust Specsavers ?

Do I hell.

M

 

[Renton]

To be fair my mother in law was seeing "one of the best" (her words not sure if they were his or the hospitals) eye specialists in Kent and was worried about the level of treatment available in Yorkshire when she moved up north. Last check up in kent showed everything fine but she was struggling so went to Harrogate and when they checked her eye preasure was huge. Doctor reckoned her last test must have been through the hardened lens throwing off the reading. She ended up having a flap cut open in the back of her eyeball to drain it.

Thats to say mistakes are everywhere, check if your friends or neighbours have had any good dealings locally and maybe try on their recommendations.

 

[MaC]

Neighbour next door had cataract surgery (she paid to have it done early) after seeing Specsavers.
Neighbour other side says they are rip offs.
Local opticians are 'designer' expensive.

So, I need to find a way to see an audiologist that isn't part of a franchise.
The local NHS audiology unit is only contactable by phone......lot of use that is to most of the deaf, especially if they have cataracts.
I miss the days when we wrote letters, or even used email.

Sod's law. I'll deal with it.

M

 

[BorderReiver]

I have NHS ones.....but when I realised that I needed to go back, and asked my GP for the referral, she said, "Oh you just go to Specsavers now. Just book an appointment and they'll see to it".

Specsavers told me I had cataracts developing, sold me eye drops, etc., booked me another early appointment, etc.,....and after a year of fretful worry because I had been told that my eyesight would blur, I would need to have yearly checks to keep my driving licence, etc., I would need surgery in five years.....I went back to have my eyes tested again.
Turns out I don't have cataracts, I don't even have any sign of cataracts, the optician who checked my eyes said that he would never have even mentioned it to me because there was absolutely no evidence of that whatsoever.....so, do I trust Specsavers ?

Do I hell.

M

I'm afraid that we are all going to have to come to terms with this horrendous situation across the whole spectrum of healthcare.

 

[Saint-Just]

Neighbour next door had cataract surgery (she paid to have it done early) after seeing Specsavers.
Neighbour other side says they are rip offs.
Local opticians are 'designer' expensive.

So, I need to find a way to see an audiologist that isn't part of a franchise.
The local NHS audiology unit is only contactable by phone......lot of use that is to most of the deaf, especially if they have cataracts.
I miss the days when we wrote letters, or even used email.

Sod's law. I'll deal with it.

M

If that is not a most Kafkaesque concept I do not know what is.
And to think I used to complain about the red tape thrown at me by French administrations…