James444
I went to two audiologists looking for solutions to hearing conversation better at lower SPL's or in noisy environments. Their only answer was for a hearing aid that radically boosted high frequencies (based on low SPL tone testing criteria - including tinnitus). When I said I could hear conversation very clearly at reasonable volume and the orchestra sounded just the same today as it did 50 years ago (although I prefer row 4 or 5 now) - seemingly no loss of response to cymbals, triangles, or violins. (In fact I am quite senstive to high frquency distortions)
When the audiologists were asked how a boost to high frequencies would affect my hearing the response was roughly, "You will adjust to the initial tinny sound, and your brain will accept it as the norm eventually!" So when asked, "Once my brain adjusts, does that mean when listening to an orchestra without hearing aids, it would sound dull?" and the response, was "Never thought of that before, but it could do." The audiologist had no way of testing my hearing at normal listening levels, whether it be for conversation or music, and had quite frankly never considered it!
Needless to say, I never went back to either. Listening to music is too important to me. So my belief is that for people like me, a hearing aid that boosts volume with no EQ might be a solution for conversation, but never for music, and I am not paying $10K for that privelege.
. I also agree with what you said about the HEK. But I found that the seeming loss of detail wasn't worth it, in addition, I sometimes listen for several hours at a time and would need to visit an osteopath regularly to survive the weight of the thing.
