A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Don't know if this should be here or under Health Issues - mthead

Posted: Nov 11, 2011

I think I'm losing my hearing in the "human voice" decibel range or frequency or whatever its called. I'm only 47, but in the past few years I have had trouble hearing conversation when there is ambient noise, as in a restaurant or at a party. I sometimes have trouble hearing my DH, but he speaks in a monotone anyway :-) I can hear other things just fine, but I think my nerve endings are becoming deadened to the frequencies or decibel ranges of the average human voice, and I'm wondering if it's related to the job? I've been an MT full time for eight years. Anyone else have this problem?

My Ears - Way Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Funny thing you should mention it. My ears are not bad like yours, but after a long day working, I can barely understand my phone tape, and any noise (TV too loud or something, lots of people talking) just makes me want to scream.

I would have your ears checked by an ENT physician.

Thanks. Hadn't considered an ENT visit. - mthead

[ In Reply To ..]
I thought I had to find an audiologist, but I guess an ENT is the first logical step. I appreciate your thoughts.

This hasn't happened to me yet... - but I always wondered...

[ In Reply To ..]
what would be the first to go? My ears, my eyes, my finger joints or my sanity! So far after 20 years I am still lucky and have all, except maybe losing the last one fast!

hearing test - an option

[ In Reply To ..]
mthead,

When I went for my hearing test, I went to Sears. They have an in-house hearing aid company in their store in the mall and the test was free and was only about a 30 minute appointment. Just an option!

I will definitely look into that. Thanks! nm - mthead

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

hearing loss - NYMT

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Don't feel bad. I already have high frequency hearing loss which I was told about a year ago and the ENT said he thinks it's definitely from work. Certain numbers and letters that are close sounding makes me crazy. I usually have to leave a blank.

Absolutely yes I am experiencing it too - hearing loss

[ In Reply To ..]
Oh my gosh ... YES. I'm sooo happy to know someone else is experiencing this. I am absolutely experiencing hearing loss exactly as you describe. I too am 47 and I've been an MT for 14 years.

I went for a hearing test about 2 years ago and the analysis was that my hearing was normal. But the catch was - that they tested my hearing with EARPHONES ON. When I am outside of my earphones, I have almost constant trouble hearing regular speech and if there is ambient noise then it is extremely difficult. I've noticed that I have to sometimes watch someone's mouth while they are speaking and that I can sometimes pick up with my eyes what I can't pick up with my ears. I am sometimes told that I speak too loudly in normal conversation and I know this is a sign of hearing loss also. I am CERTAIN it's from wearing earphones so close to my ears for so many hours each day for 14 years.

So yesyesYES thank you for your post, I thought I was the only one.

I'm so relieved I'm not alone. Thank you - mthead

[ In Reply To ..]
for posting. I, too, try to read lips and have been told I sometimes speak too loudly. The guy at the deli counter asked me one day why I was yelling at him when I was just asking for a pound of chicken breast. It was crowded in the store and I could barely hear myself. I was so embarrassed.

Exactly ... me too - wow

[ In Reply To ..]
The exact same thing happens to me. I've noticed that I can't hear myself so I amp up the volume which is fine for me, but apparently too loud for other people. It's made me very conscious of my volume on the phone, in crowded situations, etc. Agreed on the embarrassment too.

I would be reeeally interested to know how your hearing test turns out. Like I said I doubt the accurancy of the hearing test I had because the tone test was given with earphones on, sitting in a little booth. No ambient noise, and closely resembling my work conditions. I have an extremely sharp ear for dictation and can pick up what most miss but outside of my earphones and even with the tiniest bit of added sounds or noise, there is no doubt I have significant hearing loss. No doubt this has to be a very specific "type" of hearing loss but I'm not sure what kind.

Wonder if they can test without earphones - mthead

[ In Reply To ..]
or throw in some ambient noise? I'm so motivated now to pursue testing!

Oh my. Me too! - Falling apart

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I've had my hearing checked because I have ringing in the ears sometimes, left is worse, and dizziness. I have been diagnosed with Meniere's and have episodes where I can barely move my head much less sit up. I also have hearing loss in the mid range tones, and I sing alto! Sometimes I can't hear the notes.

The ENT doc told me it was not uncommon for people who wear earphones a lot. He told me that with this generation of kids with constant I-pod usage and bluetooth users, that we will have a big increase in people with hearing problems beginning in their middle age. I'm 52 and started having problems when I was about 45. I have to get my hearing checked every 2 to 3 years. The first time had slight loss. Second time was a more. I'm at the point where I am beginning to need a hearing aid, just not yet bad enough.

oh my gosh! Something is going nuts on my computer. Every time I type the word n-o-w I get this: 11/11/2011 12:03 PM (typed like n-o-w because the computer won't let me type the word.

I think about this, too, an MT 20 years, have been deaf in one ear - since childhood, so use one earpiece. n/m

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

I've been wondering... - hugo

[ In Reply To ..]
I've noticed a bit of that in my ears too, but especially my eyes and not to mention my arms, elbows and wrists aching. I keep putting it off to just being tired. I wonder how long it'll take us all to be deaf, blind, and crippled after doing this for 20+ years? :) I've been at it for 11 so far!

Hearing loss - Me too

[ In Reply To ..]
I saw an ENT about a month ago because I suspected hearing problems, and it turns out that I have an "alarming" loss of hearing in the mid-range. I've been an MT for 20+ years, and have always kept my volume down to the lowest possible number to protect my hearing. For me, this loss is even more intolerable because I'm a professional violinst as well, having played for 50+ years. I get SO tired of asking people to repeat themselves when they speak to me... makes me feel like Beethoven in his final years.

The audiologist I saw told me to protect what hearing I have left at all costs. This includes wearing high-priced earplugs at church, where they cater to young people with the use of eardrum-splitting drums and high-volume electric guitars to accompany every single piece. Nobody can explain to me how this much noise encourages or permits contemplationor introspection. :(

Hearing loss, too - What did you say?

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, I am having problems hearing, as well, after using headphones, earphones, for 23 years of being a transcriptionist. Saw an ENT a year ago for followup on a nosebleed, and he looked in my ears and throat and said my ear canals were "angry looking"..... red, and he thought it was odd. Wish I had followed up. This really makes me want to go for a recheck now. My husband has to repeat himself as I often don't hear what he is saying, and the volume on the television is too loud for him, but I cannot hear if it is any lower. I know it is me and not him...he played in bands with loud amplifiers for less than 10 years and does not seem to have hearing loss.

I know what you mean about watching TV - mthead

[ In Reply To ..]
with the DH. He has sensitive hearing and I have trouble hearing, so it's hard to watch a program together; one of us always ends up annoyed about the volume situation. I think I need those "TV Ears" they advertise on TV... or a hearing aid :-(

Only One Good Thing - Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Off the ear subject a bit, but the one and only good thing about ASR is that AT LEAST our BONES in our bodies get a rest. That will be my only good thing I will ever say about ASR, so take a picture of it. ;)

I have it too - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, I have the same trouble. I wonder if this could be classified as a work-related injury?

I checked into getting one of those "amplifiers" that slips inside your ear canal. It's not really considered a full-blown hearing aid, it just ramps up the volume a little - but the technician told me this could exacerbate the problem even more ... by amplifying the sound to hear normal conversation, it is also upping the decibel level and subsequent hearing loss. Odd how something that is supposed to help you, ends up making the problem worse, LOL.

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