Hearing Aids

[Stringreen]

Yesterday I lost one....went back to where I was, but not there.....   Turned on the stereo when I got home ...wow!   Yes it sounded as though a blanket was thrown on the speakers, but oh how musical it is now without them.  The soundstage expanded the individual instruments played as distinct individuals amongst the joined forces of the orchestra.  ...a revelation.

[SBlackman]

Interesting. I’ve had my Oticon Opn miniRITE hearing aids for a lot of years. They’re past due for replacement. Rarely listen without them. Did a little listening this morning without them and admit there is some interesting changes to soundstage- including the blanket over everything you describe. The loss of high-end range without them for me is a bit of a non-starter. But it does shed light on the impact hearing aids can have - both good and bad.

I purposely got the highest end hearing aids I could afford at the time. My current pair supported 64 channels back in the day which were near the top of the food chain when it came to quality sound resolution abilities. Needless to say, I’d prefer not to need them but I appreciate that they have enabled me to continue to enjoy music listening.

I can’t say if fully understand the technology behind the hearing aids as it relates to hearing ‘natural’ sound. And maybe I don’t want to know. 

Edited November 13 by SBlackman

[Stringreen]

Just a guess but I think there just isn't enough bits for natural sound.   I suspect they'll be better in 10 years, but we have to suffer for now.  Perhaps the Vandersteen group could work on that...a successful outcome would be lucrative  All of us old guys would sign up