There is a device that actually digitizes the sound, computes it at a
lower frequency without altering the elapsed time, then plays it into your
ear. Dave Nunnallee had one a couple of years ago. In this way you can
"hear" those lost higher frequencies apparently.

Gene Hunn.

On Thu, 25 Apr 1996, Tom Foote wrote:

>
>
> On Thu, 25 Apr 1996, BRIAN SCOTT wrote:
>
> > Hi tweeters:
> > I've been very interested in the recent postings concerning
> > Barbara Haas' hearing aids for birders suffering from high
> > frequency hearing loss.
>
> Brian--
>
> I'm really puzzled by some of the responses to the Hearing Aid
> posts..I'm mystified by the information that seems to be
> (mis)leading Tweets that it's possible to recapture the high
> end of your hearing with a mechanical aid. I have been wearing
> a hearing aid for 10 years or so and I can tell you that you
> will get amplification..but NO HIGH END HEARING WILL RETURN!!
> If you couldn't hear a bird and get hearing assistance and can
> now hear it, it's because of the power boost..if you are deaf
> in the frequency you need, no amount of power will help..
> You will never recapture the overtones in a Mendelsohn violin
> concerto no matter how much money you spend on your ears..this
> doesn't mean you should give up the notion of amplification..
> and yes hearing aids are designed to boost the frequency range
> where you are weakest, but you still need to have some hearing
> in that range in order for the boost to work...you also need to
> be prepared for a cacophony of ambient noise..i.e., the boost
> will also amplify the dishes clanging, silver banging, table
> conversations next to you in the restaurant, which will be
> quite distracting until your brain kicks in and suppresses
> that noise...that's the price for being able to hear (most of)
> the conversation of your dinner partner...
>
> The doctor who examined me said he's really perplexed by the kids
> who are blowing out their tweeters with their Walkman machines
> and the incredible power in their cars..we are going into a time
> when the generation coming up will be very deaf..I mentioned this
> before (in a previous post) He said most of his practice today
> is made up of kids in their late teens whose mothers drag them
> in saying *He doesn't listen to me..*..
>
> Advice is cheap.. :) here's mine:
>
> If you are having trouble hearing birds, then by all means
> seek assistance..but, consider a regular hearing exam. If you
> are over 40 chances are you may need the kind of assistance
> that cannot be adequately provided by a generic set of
> ear amplifiers no more than a set of reading magnifying glasses
> off the rotating display at Payless will help everyone..
>
> There really shouldn't be any stigma attached to wearing an
> aid...when I went to take my flight physical a few years ago
> the doc who examined me asked me how long I'd been wearing an
> aid and how I liked it...after talking about it for 5 minutes
> or so, he produced his own FROM HIS SHIRT POCKET..I felt
> obliged to tell him it would work better in his ear..
>
> I'm happy to continue this off net with anyone who needs
> advice, assistance, consolation, absolution, whatever..
>
> Get your hearing tested at a reputable clinic..your
> partner will appreciate being able to turn down the TV..
> as will the neighbors.. :)
>
> Tom...(what'd he say?)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> However, these are far from inexpensive.
> > Before I make the financial venture of purchasing a pair, I
> > wonder if there is anyone out there who has tested them and
> > how they are different from a regular pair that has the high
> > frequency end amplified in relation to the lower end.
> > I appreciate any input and thank you in advance.
> >
> > Brian Scott
> > Langley, BC
> > PISHER at msn.com
> >
>