Getting old and hearing???

[kcsun]

This is a stupid post but must have some relevance

Was having a HiFi discussion last night with a couple of mates and the question of hearing came up. We all know that as we get older the frequency response of our ears gets worse and worse, we also know that as we get older we earn more money, have more disposable income, can buy more toys.

So with our "disposable income" we all rush out and buy high end hifi, are we actually hearing the music any better or are we fooling ourselves?
Also and more importantly, if you have to start wearing a hearing aid, does the quality of speakers you buy not matter?
Does buying a more expensive hearing aid improve the sound quality of what you are hearing?

Any views??

kc

[Grasynoll]

I've often wondered the same thing. If you really can't hear it, why buy it.

[Lex]

because we can turn it up loud enough to think we hear it anyway, am I right?

this is not a B & W topic, please post in the appropriate forum in the future, we like activity in all areas of the forum and you can help by posting it in the appropriate venue. Thank you for your cooperation.

Doug

[technodanvan]

I guess I would argue that unless you're losing your hearing altogether the changes are slight enough that you probably don't really notice them over time. This may also be why we develop a preference for certain speaker brands or even styles of music. A speaker that may be 'bright' to a 20 year old may be perfect for someone three times as....wise.

[madmac]

This is a stupid post but must have some relevance

Was having a HiFi discussion last night with a couple of mates and the question of hearing came up. We all know that as we get older the frequency response of our ears gets worse and worse, we also know that as we get older we earn more money, have more disposable income, can buy more toys.

So with our "disposable income" we all rush out and buy high end hifi, are we actually hearing the music any better or are we fooling ourselves?
Also and more importantly, if you have to start wearing a hearing aid, does the quality of speakers you buy not matter?
Does buying a more expensive hearing aid improve the sound quality of what you are hearing?

Any views??

kc

Well, since you have a volume control option with audio, just play it louder!! :W . Personally, I would not listen to higher end audio with a hearing aid on, unless absolutely necessary. I have a certain amount of tinnitus but apparently according to the latest hearing test, my hearing is normal for my age (49yrs). Amen!!. Plus, listening to music makes the tinnitus magically disappear!!! :T

My experience with family members that get a hearing aid invariably turn them way down because they are not used to normal hearing in this ever so noisy World. You might find listening to full sized good audio to be too much with the aid on. :cry:

[wkhanna]

Hearing loss is not always evenhanded across the frequency spectrum.

If there is a frequency(s) you cannot hear, turning up the volume or using DSP to boost the signal strength in that range will not necessarily improve one's ability to 'hear'.

Hopefuly, Kal will join in to set us all straight on the subject.

[Kal Rubinson]

Right. Frequency loss, due to age (presbycusis), begins as a loss of threshold sensitivity at the highest frequencies. Typically, it progresses down in frequency and with increasing degrees of loss. It is not always linear and consistent.


However, as we age, we are also exposed to environmental (or self-inflicted) loud sounds that have both a transient and chronic effect and that is decidedly non-linear. As a result, many individuals, regardless of age, have particular ranges of hearing loss or reduced sensitivity.


See my old report: http://www.stereophile.com/reference...tal/index.html

Turning up the volume often helps and EQ can as well but it is highly subjective.

[wkhanna]

Thank you, Kal.

[JürgenW]

And I think - for my relief - of some famous conductors, like Abbado and Haitink (but Icould go on quite a while) who still making wonderful performances (and sometimes better ones than in their 'youth').

[Kal Rubinson]

Well, there is a difference between hearing and listening.

[JürgenW]

Kal, Of course you're right.

But what is the consequence for buying audio equipment at older age?

Not need to spend much money, want an older person can't (generally) hear so well.

Or: It's wise to buy high end gear to compensate for the loss in hearing.
Or: No need to buy high end gear (and in fact it's just throwing away money), much better is to use an amp with EQ facilities?

Or: (You wrote about the EQ.) Buy speakers which emphasize the highs, like the B&W Diamonds.

Or: You're the most important factor. Do not only hear, but try to listen.

[madmac]

Right. Frequency loss, due to age (presbycusis), begins as a loss of threshold sensitivity at the highest frequencies. Typically, it progresses down in frequency and with increasing degrees of loss. It is not always linear and consistent.


However, as we age, we are also exposed to environmental (or self-inflicted) loud sounds that have both a transient and chronic effect and that is decidedly non-linear. As a result, many individuals, regardless of age, have particular ranges of hearing loss or reduced sensitivity.


See my old report: http://www.stereophile.com/reference...tal/index.html

Turning up the volume often helps and EQ can as well but it is highly subjective.

Kal, that 40-49 graph was exactly my reading when I had my hearing test which was considered 'normal' for a dude of my age. Personally, I find upper treble is overrated......especially where CD's are concerned!!. :T

But then again, that's probably why I'm enjoying the presentation out of my Grado headphones. Headphones tend to emphasis the 'highs' and of course, fire it directly into one's ears.

[Kal Rubinson]

Kal, Of course you're right.

But what is the consequence for buying audio equipment at older age?

Not need to spend much money, want an older person can't (generally) hear so well.

IMHO, no. Fidelity is more than frequency response and listening is more than hearing. I have many friends with acutely, critical hearing despite their age.

Or: It's wise to buy high end gear to compensate for the loss in hearing.

I do not believe this is yet practical.

Or: You're the most important factor. Do not only hear, but try to listen.

Now you got it.

[kaitkei]

An audiologist told me that unless there is noise induced hearing loss, our hearing stays the same our entire life.

[Kal Rubinson]

An audiologist told me that unless there is noise induced hearing loss, our hearing stays the same our entire life.

That may be true but the evidence suggests that one has to live in a very, very low noise environment as is nearly impossible in this modern world.

[leej]

I have often wondered about this, as well. I know that my hearing has gone south, but I still enjoy good hi-fi speakers. I have compared several and even listened to some of the new diamonds, which make me want to mortgage my house. But, I really can't justify spending that much when, in reality, I can't fully appreciate them.
What I wonder is, if these sound so good to me with diminished hearing, how great they must sound to you younger guys. What sucks is that I could never afford anything near this quality when I could still hear. So, for those who are thinking of upgrading – don’t wait until you can afford them. Get ’em while you can still hear.

[Alaric]

Soundstage and a distinct separation of instruments/voices don't seem (to me , anyway) to be as frequency dependent as , say , some flute notes. Ditto on the listening. Knowing these things are there and trying to hear them seems to have a much greater impact on what I hear than age induced frequency limitations.

A speaker that may be 'bright' to a 20 year old may be perfect for someone three times as....wise.

Nice save! I may use that in the future. LOL

[kcsun]

WOW my thread was not as silly as I expected, I apologise to the mods for putting it on the wrong forum, but being the proud new owner of 803Di's and of course 53 thought it would be a good place to start
Out of curiosity, does anyone wear a hearing aid on this forum and what are there views, it seems that these new digital aids can cost as much as a pair of 804Di's and I wondered if the cost of them related to sound quality, size or what the manufacturer can get away with!!

I have one ear that is going very dull, that is the reason for this post originally
kc

[Alaric]

At 50 I'm fortunate in that I still have pretty good hearing. I do know of a particular radio talk host who has cochlear implants and says he got rid of his (very) high end gear because life is now monotone. I have no idea what the differences or similarities may be , but you bring up an interesting point-are audiophile hearing aids a niche market as yet untapped?