Hearing v listening?

[Kay/NC]

The sinus crud that turned into a really bad cough has resulted in injury (fortunately, not full rupture) of my right eardrum. Essentially, a very bad coughing fit on Thursday caused it to pop out and fill with blood.

Very painful, and resulted in me caving in and seeing the doc on Friday afternoon. Four meds and two days later, it isn't hurting as much, but I am still hearing only my pulse on that side, sounds like I am underwater.

I have always said I can hear with both ears, but I actually listen for comprehension with the right one. This weekend is really making me realize how true this must be. It is really hard for me to deal with the telephone right now. I feel like I have to readps if I really want to understand what someone is saying.

Do you generally " listen" with the ear on your dominant side, or can you comprehend with either ear?

[joepeters752]

My right ear is worse but I'm right handed so that's where the phone usually ends up and then I'm always saying "excuse me?". When I put the phone in my left ear I can hear better but it's awkward for me.

Generally, I can tell my hearing is getting way worse as I age.

[dairy mom]

hearing is a huge issue around here.  Myself, I'm pretty much deaf as a door knob.  Have hearing aids and they help some with most every body.  But there isn't a hearing aid made to fix the real problem.  That is my husband deliberately mumbles when he talks to me.  He'll talk real soft, talk down in his chest (which is incomprehensible) and has the nasty nasty habit of talking as he walks away from you.  That causes problems with the employees.

He had an employee doing some maintenance work this afternoon.  He says he told the kid to put 11 quarts of oil in after he changed the filter.  Kid made a mistake.  Thought husband said put 11 gallons in.  Hubby insists the kid just wasn't thinking, but I don't know.

As far as listening.  Hubby is one of those that will spew back at you verbatim what you said.  But he never really 'Listens".  It's all just words to him and he knows what he meant so you better figure it out.  Has always been that way.  If he knows it, he just knows everybody knows it.  He is a terrible teacher.

[Kay/NC]

I don't think I would even TRY to hear someone that contrary. 

[Ruby Lou]

I am having an aweful time hearing.  By the end of the day yesterday after 4 days with my mom and her quiet talk, I just couldn't hear her anymore.  I think between the car noise and me not able to hear anymore, just wore on me.  Sometimes I do get ear pain from too much noise.  I suppose I had better get back to the office I went to a few years ago when I couldn't hear the cell phones ring or the house phone.  Bite the bullet...4000 for tooth implant/repairs or 4000 for hearing aids...Not what I wanted to do with my money this year.

[turkey feather]

If you are having those problems hearing I suggest the hearing aids. I got new ones a few weeks ago and they are so much better. I went to an audiologist that is connected to a hospital and they pay her.  So that cuts out the high commission that is common with purchasing hearing aids from those ads in the newspapers etc. Over three visits she adjusted the volume and tones and thoroughly explained how to care for them. She wants the follow-ups to make sure they are right.

I paid a lot less than what you are quoting.

[Kay/NC]

Our son had to have a hearing aid at age nine, and insurancepaid all but $12 of the cost. Doesn't insurance help with this cost at all?

Just sat and reordered batteries adult and peds pads for our automatic defibrillator. That wasn't but $340. Cheap insurance in a family with heart history.

BTW, I thought this ear would start to improve after four days of honking big doses of amoxicillin and two allergy meds, but no. I am still deaf as a doornail, still coughing fits. Very hard to function...thank goodness for speakerphone.