Going deaf... who else?

[rusellmj]

I've worn hearing aids for a few years now. I'm only about 35-40% deficiant. Unfortunately the range where I'm most deficiant is where the human voice falls. So conversing without them is a pain for both parties.
I too had ringing in the ears until I got my hearing aids. After a month or two it starts to decline. When I'm not wearing my hearing aids it's there but as soon as I pop 'em in it gets cut right off. An audiologist told me that as hearing declines, the stimuli the brain is used to receiving also declines. So, the brain makes it's own.
Luckily, technology has come far enough for my HA's to fit totally in my ears out of sight. When they need an adjustment my Dr. hooks up his laptop. Nice.
After years of not hearing it was like a different world. If you really need them, you should get them.

[mmbt0ne]

I'm already somewhat deaf. But I did it the old fashioned way. No cholesteotoma, no gain.

[CheckRaise]

I've only been able to hear out of one ear since I was 2 years old. It sucks ass when someone sits on my bad side and I have to turn my head just to hear what they're saying. I try to protect my good ear, wear earplugs when at concerts and keep my stereo at a low volume.