Now I Am Less Senseless Than Last Week

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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Some directors and sound editors are better than others, but I blame it on the general "dumbing down" of society.

If the audience is stupid - the music, sound effects, explosions, car chases, etc. become more important than the plot, characters and theme.

If you are making a movie for 13-year-olds (or adults that peaked at 13) then you dumb it down and emphasize the special effects and music.
 
Tom

Tom

Well-Known Member
I lost my sense of smell in 99. My sense of taste is diminished, but still there. A doctor said that is impossible, the difference between an apple and an onion should be indistinguishable. They did some brain scan and found nothing. (My then wife said that confirmed her suspicions)
 
JWinAZ

JWinAZ

Active Member
You'd think that with hearing loss, and mine is very diminished, a person would be immune to loud sound. Movies, concerts, etc. are very unpleasant for me. Afterwards the tinnitus gets ramped up for hours.
 
Matt_G

Matt_G

Curmudgeon in training
What Smokey said.
For instance, on the Denon I have hooked to the TV, I have the center channel cranked up +4.0 decibels.
Makes a huge difference.
 
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Jeff H

NW Ohio
JWinAZ said:
You'd think that with hearing loss, and mine is very diminished, a person would be immune to loud sound. Movies, concerts, etc. are very unpleasant for me. Afterwards the tinnitus gets ramped up for hours.
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Yep. I am very much more averse to noise now than when I was younger - and could hear. I run very few power tools in my shop and as infrequently as possible - always with hearing protection as well. As far as shooting goes, I've become very fond of the suppressor I should have bought decades earlier.

Loud is very unpleasant these days, whether it's noise, good music or anything, really.
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
From all of the remarks above I am learning that a whole lot of us have very similar hearing deficits. It's nice having company!

One sound that REALLY washed my hearing out is running water--no pun intended. If Mama starts rinsing dishes while I'm still working on dessert and watching TV, even with the aids in place the sound goes south.

Getting old is NOT for sissy-la-las.
 
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obssd1958

Well-Known Member
My hearing deficit is caused by the same type of issues previously listed... but is primarily tinnitus. A constant relatively loud ringing or buzzing inside my head. My wife claims that I'm hard of hearing, but I contest that I am just not able to hear anything that isn't louder than the ringing. I'm fortunate enough to still be able to hear the rustling of leaves (or pine needles) on the forest floor, made by some animal or birds movement, although that sounds counter-intuitive...
Some day, I might follow the example that you all are setting, and pursue the acquisition of hearing aids, but not yet.
And by the way, one of my friends is a retired audiologist, and he wholeheartedly recommends Costco as a source of hearing aids.
 
D

dale2242

Well-Known Member
462 said:
Yep, hearing aids are a mixed blessing -- my wife doesn't mumble nearly as often however the world is way too noisy.
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Yep, needing hearing aids is the result of too much shooting and running heavy equipment without hearing protection.
Ask me how I know. You do know that I was bullet proof at one time.
Hearing aids are by no means as good as good hearing but they will get you by.
Your brain has to make some adjustments.
Be kind to someone with hearing aids.
Look them in the face when talking to them.
We read lips more than you might think.
 
JWinAZ

JWinAZ

Active Member
A couple of thoughts:
  • Hearing loss likely has a hereditary component also. Some on both sides of my family have had loss without exposure to loud sound.
  • I will turn my head so that someone speaking to me can see my hearing aids. Sometimes the speaker will acknowledge by speaking clearly and face me.
  • Glad to hear about Costco, the audiologist sold aides are way too expensive. I'm due for new ones pretty soon.
  • Cochlear implants are another option for profound loss. I talked to an ENT doctor about it, the downside for me was likely a complete loss of existing hearing. Drilling a hole in the skull is not too appealing either.
  • One of my doctors said having better hearing from the aides would help preserve other brain function. A sales ploy? Don't know, but I'll take all of the help I can get.
  • And to speculate: In cave man days was age related hearing loss in males a way to manage the number of mouths to feed? Can't hear someone or something sneaking up behind you . . .
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
JWinAZ said:
One of my doctors said having better hearing from the aides would help preserve other brain function. A sales ploy? Don't know, but I'll take all of the help I can get.
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It is pretty well proven that as you loose your hearing, it effects brain function. The brain was made to hear 24/7, so lose means other brains cells are not getting stimulated.
 
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Jeff H

NW Ohio
dale2242 said:
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Your brain has to make some adjustments.
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Great! Fifteen years in and I'm still not used to "blended bifocals."

I just hope I get a cool an ear doc and my eye doc. For the past several years, my vision has "improved," but she quickly added that "you won't live long enough to not need glasses though..."

Gotta love a young lady who knows how to communicate to old guys. Straight to it, no BS, lay it right out there. She IS a gem.
 
Rick

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Jeff H said:
Great! Fifteen years in and I'm still not used to "blended bifocals."

I just hope I get a cool an ear doc and my eye doc. For the past several years, my vision has "improved," but she quickly added that "you won't live long enough to not need glasses though..."

Gotta love a young lady who knows how to communicate to old guys. Straight to it, no BS, lay it right out there. She IS a gem.
Click to expand...

I resemble that remark. :) They drive me nuts
 
J

Jeff H

NW Ohio
The fisheye/vertigo/distortion thing is somewhat exacerbated on this latest prescription.

The transition parts are a little weird.

Still, seeing v. NOT seeing is a huge plus. When I described not being able to focus rifle and handgun sights, she started grinning and told me my eyes were "getting better."

Neighbor stopped by with food last week (wife is mending) and told me he got hearing aids and that it was the best $2900 he ever spent. He was quite enthusiastic about it and we agreed that when we had a few minutes, he'd share more.

THIS SUMMER, I have to finish a bath/laundry for the Missuz, figure out social security, figure out how a piddly retirement system works and see about hearing aids. Going to be a busy summer, but I'm hoping to at least get the hearing aid stuff sorted.


Last year, I was asked by a student "why do you keep yelling at me??"

Me: "BECAUSE I'M OLD AND HALF DEAF!"

We got along just fine from there forward. It's not all me though. Younger folks DO mumble, cover their mouth while they talk, avoid eye contact and speak very quietly. If I get closer to hear, the speak even more quietly. I do manage to break them of that withing a semester. "SOUND OFF! LOOK AT ME WHILE ADDRESSING ME! KEEP YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM YOUR FACE WHILE TALKING AND, FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD, IF YOU'VE GOT A PAIR, FIND 'EM BEFORE TALKING TO ME!"

I'm a little afraid they might miss that. I've been told by a few that my "reputation" was the only reason they took my class. But, I guess I can leave them at home for classes though.
 
RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
I didn't get glasses until I was 38 and finally gave in to bifocals at 42 . I went straight to Transitions and blended lenses . I've had 2 pairs of line bifocals,1ea clear and tinted safety glasses, never again . The blended lenses allow about 20 focal layers that don't exist with a line and have edge vision around the "reading lens" so steps and your feet are still reasonably focused instead of looking over the line .
 
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