hearing loss
Posted By: rookie on 2007-05-07
In Reply to:
Has anyone heard of Transcriptionist losing their hearing due to the long hours of listening on the headphones?
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hearing loss
Has anyone noticed a loss of hearing over years of MT work? A new report on the news says that continuous use of head sets can cause hearing loss. I have noticed it (and tinnitus) among me and my MT friends. Anyone else?
hearing loss
After 30 years in this job, yes my hearing is REAL bad! I'm going to start pricing hearing-aids this month, mightly only be able to afford one. Insurance companies - if they are generous might pay for one - if you work at GM I'm told. I'm certain this job has accelerated a natural aging phenomenon. I'm hoping to make it another 5 years. I can't interview for another line of work if I can't hear the interviewer!
Hearing loss
Is there any new technology out there on improving hearing loss besides hearing aids? My DH has a herititary hearing loss that seems to be getting worse these past few years. He refuses to wearing hearing aids even though we have spent $$$ on them. He is a teacher and it is getting very difficult for him to teach his classes effectively or without students making fun of or taking advantage of his hearing loss. Just curious if anyone knows of anything before we spend $$$ and time seeing doctors that will tell him nothing.
Hearing loss
My son who is 11 has worn hearing aids since before he turned 3, first the BTE kind (which were mini) and for the last couple of years, since he has shown so much responsibility, he now has ITE very small,programmable aids. Quite expensive, but worth it.
One of the contacts that assist me in the state (VA) with school issues recently sent me additional information; included was a brochure from NFSS Communincations which is a supplier of assitive-listening devices.
However, I would not just randomly purchase an item without discussing it with an audiologist that you trust. Fortunately, my son's audiologist is wonderful beyond words and quite helpful.
I have quite a bit of additional information on this subject if you need it.
My son says to tell your husband just to get good hearing aids and wear them. (Nothing mean intended, he just knows that if he can hear with assistance, then why not wear them). He has explained to the other children that basically it is just like someone who wears glasses to see better.
I hate to see anyone struggling due to this matter and hope that he finds something he is comfortable with. Good luck!
jrm
Hearing loss
I have been an MT for 35 years. I started with tinnitus in my left ear about 3 years ago. Saw my doctor who sent me to an ENT doctor who said I also had TMJ. Then he sent me to an audiologist and I have some hearing loss to low tones in my left ear. I still have the tinnitus, and loud noises, loud music drive me crazy. I am now going to look into homeopathic treatment for the tinnitus to see if I can get some relief. But, the ENT doctor and audiologist did tell me that it was from using the ear phones for all of these years.
Hearing loss
I think hearing loss is inevitable due to having the headsets inside the ear canal so near the eardrum and the bones of the middle ear. Perhaps a worker's comp problem if you are an employee. Or a work-related disability if it is bad enough. If so - I can tell you from experience, start saving now - hearing aids cost at the least $6000 for 2 (if you need them for both ears) and to date I have not found an insurance company that will cover any of the cost and I have been looking for the past 17 years for an insurance company that would cover them.
hearing loss
Thank you everyone for the replies on my question regarding hearing. Since I started 2 weeks I'm already noticing weird pluglike sensation in my ears everyday. Not to mention I work in a room with loud filthy mouth MA's. At times I have to up the volume so that I can hear clearly. The weird thing about the sensation in my ears, it's that I feel fine in the morning but by the time I leave there's that sensation again. Sometimes I even open my mouth with to pop my ears. I just hope this isn't progressing into something serious.
Hearing Loss
Any long-time MTs out there noticed any hearing loss from this profession?
Hearing Loss...SM
I have had quite a bit of loss, though my mom has hearing problems but has otosclerosis and I don't, mine is conduction. I wear bilateral hearing aids to work and also have to use a Bose headset (headset has to cover my ears because my hearing aids are in-the-ear, but the Bose headset is extremely comfortable), but with this help I don't have any problems hearing what the docs are saying now. Have been wearing the hearing aids for about 2 years --- boy is my television loud when I put my aids in!!!
I absolutely have hearing loss, more so in one ear than the other.
I am always asking people to repeat themselves, and I have the volume on my dictaphone turned up very high.
Another Ellen with Hearing Loss
Funny you should ask about this. I just got my first hearing aids two days ago!! I have sensorineural hearing loss and have been finding it increasingly difficult to understand the TV, conversations, etc., but no problems with transcription. Actually, I had my hearing tested probably 6-7 years ago and was advised to get hearing aids then but I was too cheap. It's unbelievable how expensive they are and I think it's crap that insurance doesn't pay for even a portion of the chart.
Anyway, since I only started transcribing full-time five years ago, I know that transcribing didn't cause my original hearing loss. It's hereditary in my case with a long line of hearing-impaired relatives on my mother's side. Whether it's become worse is up for debate. BTW, I worked 30+ years as a medical technologist (lab), where there is always a lot of low-level noise but not really loud.
I can't decide about these hearing aids. Sometimes I totally forget they're there but other times I feel like I have wads of gum in my ears. I take them out and I'm not sure I'm hearing all that much better with them. Time will tell, I guess.
Ellen S. 
Hearing loss/tinnitus
I have been a MT for 19 years. I have started having a major problem with tinnitus lately. I know it is directly related to working because it eases up some after a couple of days off. At the end of my shift, the ringing much louder and I am very noise sensitive. Normal "kid" noises (I have 3 of them) are painful, and I find myself very short with my kids and constantly telling them my ears hurt and to please be quieter.
About 6 months ago I starting using JVC marshmallow earbuds like you would use with an IPOD. These are great because they block out almost all background noise and the sound is crisp and clean. About 5 months ago I started editing VR reports, in which the dictation is greatly speeded up, making the tone of the doctors voices much higher pitched. I keep the volume as low as I possibly can.
Has anyone ever experienced similar problems. I'm really becoming concerned I am doing permanent damage. I welcome any insight and suggestions. I am trying to go back to my "old-fashioned" headset and see if this helps. Thanks!
I have real hearing loss (30%) in both ears and
was recommended to get 2 hearing aids, but did you ever price those things? 1200 for one? So I got one. I barely use it. I can't use it for work as it isn't small enough to accomodate the headphones. But since I got on DEP, the only good thing about it is the voice comes through the speaker right into my headset so I actually have to turn it DOWN. I was evaluated and wanted to hear so bad that it was work related but they say mine is congenital, and with a little digging into my family's history I realize that it is. I do know plenty of MTs, however, who do have credible hearing loss with no other factors. I mean, come on, how could you not? The secret is to keep the volume as LOW as you can stand it to try and avoid any loss. I also have terrible ringing and think that is job related.
15 years worth of hearing loss
I have experienced this also, mostly in my left ear. Almost daily I get doctors that are speaking so quietly that I have to blast my sound - then someone in the background laughs or drops something. Too bad they aren't on the other end of the headphones.
Can you tell if you've had a sudden hearing loss on that side? Maybe a wax
s
My dwindling paycheck, loss of benefits, and loss of respect is all the proof I need. nm
,
HEARING
I have noticed a hearing change. But it is weird as my hearing is better in my right ear where I listen to the dictation. It is my LEFT ear that isn't so good anymore. I guess old age is catching up with me; unfortunately, in many ways, not just one !!
hearing
the latest buzz about hearing and earphones was more related to ear buds that fit in your ear, which puts it much closer to your tympanic membranes.
hearing
Have a hearing problem, anyone know if or where I can get a headset specifically for hearing deficit.
you should be hearing from them again soon.
nm
hearing
Get your ears checked. Mine accumulate ear wax regularly and there is a huge difference when the wax is removed. Good luck!
Losing hearing
Does anybody else feel that over time their hearing has deteriorated due to the constant noise from wearing headphones?
hearing same from mine.
I have head the same from my 15 year old son who plays both competitive travel ice hockey and high school.
Last season he told me the same thing, he is burning out, hockey is 10 months on his travel team. We start in Sept and don't finish until end of Mar.
I just listened to his reasons why and then explained to him that if he wanted to stop the travel hockey because its just too much OK, but he should continue to play for his school. I explained to him that high school is such a short time in his life and to make the most fun of it. His friends and family that come to what him play are OK with his decision.
He thought about it for a while and just last week came started and he is now playing both. I asked him what changed. He just said he needed some down time and now he's ready to go. Thank God it a short season at this time. Aug to Nov and Nov to Feb.
Don't get to down on him, he may pick up some other sport he finds challenging.
PS - He also went out for track and field for his HS team.
Hearing problems
I got of of this work because of the problems with hearing loss and tinnitus. It got so bad I was affecting my balance. I miss the work, keep up with the board, may do a little transcription, but not for long periods. I can not longer deal with it. I too am 45, but due to the hearing problems sometimes feel older. My hearing is flucutates. Had to purchase a hearing aid, the right one for my problem cost $2481.97 (for one) and the Insurance company did not pay one penny for it.
I look forward to hearing more
...especially about satellite connectivity. That is my big issue at the moment. We have high-speed, business-grade satellite with Direcway, but some companies cannot work with this. Do you know if DRC can?
Wonder how many MTs have hearing problems sm
I notice on lots of these reports I have to crank up the volume to catch the nuances of crappy dictators with poor sound quality. Then there are the reports that are cranked up because the dictator is talking very softly, only to BONK! COME IN WITH A LOUD NOISE or adjusted volume on his end.
My concern is what this is going to do to my hearing over the long run. Anybody have ideas or similar concerns? Probably a study of MTs has never been done, but I bet it would show hearing loss.
I too have hearing problems.
I guess the little felt covers were irritating my ears as I would have many ear infections a year. 2 years ago I switched to earphones that go over my ears now, looks funky but no ear infections and sound is great. Take care
I'm so tired of hearing this.
I'm so tired of hearing MT's talk about how they're slaves to their jobs.Don't you think everyone's a slave to their job in every field.Do you think MT'g is the only career path that has so called slaves.Do you think there's any career out there a person can work where they won't be a slave of some sort????? I really get tired of hearing all the MTs cry their poor pitiful me tune, I'm such a slave. Please ... get over it.
After hearing some surgeons
mangle their reports, I vow to never let hm near me with a sharp object in his hand. And when they say "informed consent" I wonder who did the informing and whether the patient could understand it any better than I do.
It's comical. Just like when we were hearing sm
those little voices a few months back. I did hear the buzzing sound when I opened ER-MT's post above.
I am interested in hearing how this goes for you - sm
I too am waiting on a foot pedal for a new job that uses EMDAT. I should have mine on Monday though. I thought it would be just a plug in and it would work kind of deal. I just don't want it to interfere with my other foot pedal (serial port) and my MS Word, which it does mess up I think. I will know for sure the next time I use it (going to repeat the training) and then later try to use word by itself on my computer (rebooting fixed it, just hate rebooting as it takes about 10 minutes for the whole process since I have so much on my computer). You may have to change your hot keys, the EMDAT is F2, F3 and F4 keys for play, rwd and FF respectively.
What is offended is my hearing!
I know exactly where the post comes from. I hear physicians say the patient mother, no patient's, but the patient mother. That really grates on my nerves. Some words are not even pronouced correctly. I would think if you have the sense to become a physician, surely you can get some English in on the side. It is very rude and offensive for me to have to listen.I get enough of that on the evening local news.
LOL, so where do you get your hearing aids?
I keep hearing about low wages
Even 8 cpl at 200 LPH is 16 dollars an hour, which is not a bad wage, and that is what many of the large services pay, plus you get benefits and get to stay home. No high gas prices (3 dollars a gallon or more in places).
Are you hearing things like
not just the usual cellphone, fire alarm, land phone, gabbing, snorting and the like but I have some that people sound like they are dropping things in the background, as in equipment? Banging away. These are the operative notes and just wonder if putting away things or what in the heck. I have 1 physician who always dictates from the room where you hear the beat, beat, beat of the machine, all while he is dictating. Women physician the other day had baby crying at her knee. So unthoughtful.
So you'd be comfortable hearing
that you have an eye disease like glaucoma or retinal detachment or cataracts or diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration, which will render you blind in time? Come on, eyes and teeth and feet and all the other parts are all protected by HIPAA, silly!
For the newer MTs hearing a "v"
would not send them to the "z" section of a book or any website. Maybe a Google search would have worked, but I didn't try it to see.
How about lightening up on the new MTs asking questions on the Word Board. I am not a new MT (20 years), and I've asked questions. I'm not so sure there is a "level of word asking." Why be so brusk and hard on the new MTs? Are you afraid they will take your job? Don't worry there is plenty of work to go around.
I would hope if you had a question on the Word board, someone does not go on another board and post how horribly incompetent you must have been to ask that question on the Word board.
This is a wonderful resource.
hearing problems
You should probably get your hearing checked out. A close friend of mine who is an MT uses hearing aids. She was able to get them through the Dept. of Vocational Rehab since they were necessary for her continued employment. Then, you should invest in a set of really good headphones. I have found that the headphones that are sold for MTs, even on the websites that specifically cater to MT equipment, just aren't all that hot. I invested in a pair of Bose headphones for about $150 and I cannot believe the difference in what I am able to hear.
reply to hearing it all
Notice she did not say she was licensed. Anyone can take a bunch of kids in to babysit. Dare care is a whole different senario. A good daycare has a structured environment with daily activities that teach them something besides hitting each other in the head with a truck while you are over in the corner doing another job.
hearing aids
If anyone that has hearing problems or uses hearing aids sees this, please reply. and let us know how you have managed. I have been told by a salesman of hearing aids that I have 30 - 35% loss of hearing,of course he works on commission and probably was counting $$ which the one he recommended was about $5000. so far work has been doable but don't know how long it will be that way, I work in office for doctor who chews, mumbles and yawns which doesn't make it any easier.
So sorry for your loss.
I'm sure your sweet Lady knows you love her, and she'll be waiting for you over the Rainbow Bridge.
I am at a loss too regarding this sm
I was called on Friday by my supervisor. She begged and pleaded with me to please work this holiday weekend, and I said yes (my own stupidity since we get nothing extra for doing this).
So, I came home early today to type more and........no work! DQS has nothing for me, and I do 6 different accounts. Let's just say I am a little upset. Yes, this is the Amherst office.
loss
I certainly understand what you are going through. I lost my brother 2 years ago and it still hurts every day. We were so close, I was his major care giver for his last 2-3 years and i still find myself picking up the phone to call him! But I must say, the hurt DOES eventually lighten up a little bit. Good luck to you!
Sorry for your loss...see msg
Please grieve in the way that helps you. I know this doesn't sound like much help, but I grieve for a father I wished I had known. I lost him when I was only 16 y/o...he wasn't a part of our family, my brother and I didn't really know him at all, but when I went to his funeral, I felt so sad inside and I am now 45 y/o and still feel a profound sadness at NOT having a father in my life. My friends have lost their fathers over the years, and even though they grieve, they know I didn't have a real father at all, and they all say at least they got to know and live with their father, he was a daily part of their lives, and for that they are ever grateful. They too understood my grief.
I know you are truly grateful for the father you had in your life, someone to talk to, to lean on, to make you feel special and cared for. A girl needs that in her life. It would have made a big difference if I could have been so fortunate. Who is to say what is normal grieving time, but if you feel it is interfering with your daily life, please see a counselor or perhaps join a grief therapy group, so you can share your grief with others who can and do understand.
I understand about not sharing too much with your husband...my husband had his father in his life and lost him many years ago. But I don't think he really understands my grief for NOT having that relationship. Grieving is a solitare process, but there are others who perhaps can share that loss with you.
My prayers are with you.
loss of dad
I too loss my father at the end of September. I think you are handling it fine but grief is differant for everyone. So I thought I would just post a small note about what has helpped me. I do not look at it as my father is gone. For me, he has merely graduated to a differant plane of existance. This plane of existance allowes his spirit the freedome from his failing corporial body, so that now instead of being able to visit occasionally, he is with me all the time. He is no longer in pain, and all those little memories are his way af saying I am still here with you, watching over you. I still talk to him and ask his advice and guidance, and usually if I am very quiet.. I can hear what he would say. Perhaps it is just my imagination or perhaps it is really his spirit making conatact. Either way it gives me comfort and makes the loss a little less painful. I hope this helps you in your time of grief. My best wishes to you.
I am so sorry for your loss
I have a Beagle that I took in a short time ago. He came from a shelter and has had some medical problems. Although I have never been in your situation, your post made my eyes tear up. Pets do become such an important part of your family and you love them so very much. Just know that you have ended the suffering of your beloved pet and a better place is to come.
God bless!
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I know what it's like to lose a pet too, and to have to put them down. I had a 16yo cat that I had to put down about 5 years ago, and to this day it still makes me cry when I think about that awful day.
Take some time for yourself to grieve the loss of your beloved friend. Time will help.
Again, so sorry you lost your friend.
your loss
I am so sorry for your loss. We had to put our beagle mix down about 6 months ago. I was sure I would never want another one. We really miss her. We have healed enough to start thinking about another one. We began to realize just how much they give and never ask for a thing back.
Job loss
I know how you feel. My department was outsourced also. And, to top it off they asked me to train my replacement. I had been with my company for over 20 years. So, I guess that did not mean anything. Currently I work for a national; but, I plan to go back to school and get out of transcription. It is getting harder to make a living transcribing, which I used to love doing; but, I have come to the point where I know I will have to make a career change.
I am so sorry for your loss
When I was in the military, one of our docs read an OB ultrasound on an anencephalic fetus. He didn't bother to pick up the phone and call the OB, and somehow either the report didn't reach the OB or it didn't get read. In any case, the initial ultrasound was when the woman was in the first trimester, and it wasn't until she was well into her second trimester and had a second ultrasound that her OB became aware of the situation.
I don't know what happened with her - whether she carried it to term or not, but obviously it could not live outside the womb. And if she had found out during her first trimester, it would have been a lot easier on her physically, if not emotionally.
I had never liked that particular doctor. He always seemed like he became a doctor because of the money, not because he wanted to help people. After the incident described above, I disliked him even more.
and im sorry for your loss
i actually meant to post that to the person above you... but i must have clicked on yours last ...
I don't know what it would be like to lose my father... but I can only imagine so I hope you are doing okay!
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