I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Etymotic. I received a product to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating
How many times have you or someone in your family said that? I know Fabgrandpa is saying it me all the time, and he gets irritated at me when it happens all day long. I know I am not as young as I used to be, but the idea that I might need some help with hearing everyday things never really crossed my mind.
It’s not surprising to me, though. My father started losing his hearing when he was in his late fifties, and bought a set of hearing aids that he kept in a drawer. My grandfather had hearing loss as well. I worked as a telephone operator for about eight years, and wore those clunky, heavy, headphones like those that you see in the Lily Tomlin skits about the operator. They played havoc with my ears, and I had yeast infections in them for years even after I left that job.
When I was asked to try the Bean Quiet Sound Amplifiers, which were developed by Etymotic Research Inc., I said I would, but really did not expect them to be very helpful for me. I thought that just because Fabgrandpa mumbles is no reason for ME to need a device that would help me hear quiet sounds.
The box came in the mail, and I let it sit there for a while before I opened it up. I am usually quite eager to open up packages that I get for reviews, but this one, well, to be honest, it just made me feel old. However, when I finally did get them out, and put them in my ears, it was amazing what I could hear. I was sitting at the dining room table, and I could hear the crickets outside the door in the yard. I could hear what the actors were saying in the movie playing in the living room. And I could hear clearly what Fabgrandpa was saying to me. The package had everything needed to start using the Bean, including batteries and several sets of inserts so that you can find the one that feels most comfortable in your ears.
Are you like me? Do you not think you need something like this, but you have trouble with these situations:
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You often ask others to repeat themselves or ask “what?” frequently
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You need to watch people’s faces carefully when they speak and often comment that people mumble
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You turn up the radio or TV louder than others
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You avoid or withdraw from social situation bcause of difficulty following conversations
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You have difficulty with the following:
- Hearing women’s and children’s voices
- Understanding speech in noisy situations; e.g., restaurants, classrooms or meeting rooms
- Hearing in worship services, lectures and larger venues
- Following a conversation, particularly when more than one person speaks
I’m glad that MomCentral and Etymotic asked me to try these out. I think they will really make a difference in my life, and let me hear the people I love most when they speak to me.
LyndaS says
My husband and I seem to have more problems understanding what each other says. #1 is our biggest problem. We are starting to age a little, he more than I (hehehe).
Sheri says
My Mom lost hearing in one ear as a child, and my brother needed hearing aids before he was 40. I am 41 and definitely need something, but I haven’t gone in for a hearing test yet. I think I’m too young! lol You have inspired me to get it done though.
Jen @ Jen Spends says
Hearing loss isn’t just an “old people” problem. I’m the oldest of 5, and all but one of us inherited hearing impairment from my dad’s side, which started when we were kids. I’m lucky that I have the mildest loss. I’m really intrigued by this product because I cannot afford regular hearing aids, and I wonder if these would work for me as an alternative. I can get by without, but it’s frustrating and embarassing at times. Glad I saw this review, because I hadn’t heard of this before.
Kimberly says
I hate to admit it that even at 45 I think I need something like this. I blame too many heavy metal concerts from the 80’s and listening to my music way too loud when I was younger.
I often ask people to repeat what they say and I sometimes ask my husband to tell me what someone on TV said. I even turn the TV up too loud.
I am going to have to look into this. Thank you for posting this.
Alison says
What an awesome product!! I don’t know how much these cost but I wonder if they are cheaper then traditional hearing aids? Would be nice for those that don’t have that much hearing loss to be able to hear again!
Henrietta says
My mom always said that I have selective hearing… at 34, I’m still really good at tuning things out — these wouldn’t help with that problem but I do wonder if they would help me hear my daughter. She mumbles ALL the time and I’m constantly asking her “what did you say” only to have her say nevermind… it drives me nuts! Maybe my selective hearing has turned into less than stellar hearing over the years!
That Tech Chick says
I know that Etymotic is a great company and if my mom starts to lose her hearing this will be my go to product.