Deafness and Birding! - Merlin App & Microphone. (1 Viewer)

[akwe-xavante]

I thought i would google NHS Vs Private hearing aids to find that the four main differences are "greater choice of design and colour", "Cost", "Invisibility" and the "waiting time".

No discussion about whether one was better or worse than the other, in fact a number of websites specifically say that integrally they are the same and made by the same companies, just packaged up differently outwardly. Invisible hearing aids are by far the most popular when going private, perhaps because theirs a stigma attached to deafness and wearing visible hearing aids.

No website discussing, and reviewing, the differences between the two even suggests that there may be a better or worse hearing aid that for recovering lost sound to the ear. Some say that you won't notice a difference at all.

So paying gets you greater choice of design and colour, invisibility, and you get them a lot faster than through the NHS. They are no better at recovering lost sound to the ear at all.

 

[akwe-xavante]

Rode mic is great for this purpose; I have hearing loss and use this mic and Merlin to compensate. Here's the lightning connector version, I think: VideoMic Me-L | Smartphone Microphone | RØDE
(Non-lightning connector versions should be on that site too.)
Make sure to get the cat/windsock to reduce noise from wind and your footsteps.

Thank you, Brad Hacker

I've used the app every day for a week so far, and it's really making a big difference.

I had no idea i was missing so much.

I don't think birders really appreciate just how often they hear something first before they look and find the bird they have heard.

Decided i need an additional power pack / bank first. Then i need to explore a way of making the smartphone hands free but visible, such as a runner's arm band type thing, perhaps.

 

[Jon.Bryant]

So paying gets you greater choice of design and colour, invisibility, and you get them a lot faster than through the NHS. They are no better at recovering lost sound to the ear at all.

I can't remember my wife being offered NHS hearing aids - I see on the internet eligibility depends on various things including the type and severity of hearing loss, so perhaps she didn't meet the criteria?

Alternatively, perhaps my wife swallowed the sales pitch of the audiologist. We definitely received quite a bit of sales bumph before buying, so I am nit sure I understand the comments that private manufacturer's do not market - in fact I recently got some marketing material with a magazine.

I am note sure how the hearing aids compare to NHS, but these are a few comments on my understanding of my wife's hearing aids.

1. Yes they are very discrete and hardly noticeable - but my mum recent NHS hearing aids are very similar, sitting in the ear canal, with just a small wire extending to the main hearing aid tucked behind the ear. In fact I suspect that hearing aids that 'top up' lost frequencies probably need to sit in the ear canal. My wife's and mum's 'earbuds' are 'open' so that external sound can still reach the eardrum, whereas my dad's old NHS hearing aids have a molded piece that sits in the ear, basically blocking any external sound reaching the ear - so everything you hear is through the hearing aid.
2. My wife's hearing aids are very difficult to dislodge, fitting well in the ear canal, with the external wire tight against the side of the head. By contrast, my mum has had great problems keeping her hearing aids in place. This may well be due to dexterity and making sure they are properly inserted in the ear canal in the first place. It may also be due to the skills of the audiologist, as the wires have to be bent to properly fit the user's ear dimensions. That said, my mum's NHS hearing aids feel more floppy and the wire less shaped than my wife's, so the fit also seems to be less positive.
3. The frequency range on my wife's hearing is is reportedly is split into 24 bands (roughly 800Hz per band), which can be individually programmed by the audiologist based on your test results. I presume that this ensures that the devices can be accurately programmed to match your hearing loss accurately. Obviously both hearing aids can be programmed separately. I am not sure if NHS aids have this same level of finesse, or if programming is courser.
4. My wife's hearing aids have been programmed to prevent feedback, so no whistling. Very different to my dad's old hearing aids that whistled horribly every time you went near them, but I am sure NHS hearing aids probably have improved in this respect.
5. My wife's hearing aids have preset programs - so for example the hearing aids can cut down noise when in crowded and noisy environments. I notice that in some comparison charts, some hearing aids are better in noisy environments than others. Perhaps not an issue to consider for birding - although some environments can be rather noisy (particularly cicadas! - or perhaps a natter, when you meet friends!).
6. Through a smartphone you can control an equaliser, so can for example boost high pitched sound in the field. Again, not sure if this is the same for for NHS hearing aids, as my mum doesn't have a smartphone! My wife can also control volume through her phone, which I think can be done separately for each ear - I seem to remember a scenario being discussed, when in a car and you want to block out either the road noise (or the talk from the passenger!).
7. Forums suggest that the more expensive hearing aids have better audio quality, but as I cannot listen to my wife's or compare with others, I cannot confirm if this is correct.

Several forums suggest that the Audiologist is as important as the hearing aids, which I can imagine is true. They also say it is important to have an REM (Real Ear Measurement) test. After that, I can imagine that NHS or none NHS hearing aids is a matter of choice - and that the differences are not huge. However, depending on what type of birding you do, you may well want hearing aids suitable for an active lifestyle, and that have presets for different activities and environments - we were recently scrambling up and down steep slopes in an Ecuadorian Cloud Forest, and can only imagine what a pain it would have been, if my wife's hearing aids had not been secure and had kept falling out. Birding may not be the most active hobby, but at times it is not that sedentary either!

 

[akwe-xavante]

I think everybody in the UK is entitled to a free NHS hearing test and aids without restriction. The only restriction perhaps being that your GP refers you onto the NHS audiologist and that your hearing must have suffered an amount of loss, and hearing aids would improve your hearing. NHS hearing aids are not means tested, everybody qualifies if your hearing has suffered.

If you firstly go to boots or specsavers for example they're not going to tell you to go to your GP first or refer you to an NHS audiologist directly because you are / may be entitled to free NHS hearing aids, they want to sell you hearing aids privately. They are not going to say "Go get an NHS test first to see if you need hearing aids, then come back to us, and we'll sell you a pair privately"! ..... most won't go back and pay for them, well not initially anyway. Some might if they think private hearing aids have something extra to offer that NHS aids can't give in some way, such as invisibility. They won't say we'll test your ears to see if you qualify for free NHS hearing aids, but don't worry, you can buy some from us if you want too!?

My NHS Hearing aids are external over the ear. Ugly things they are. They are Bluetooth which allows connection to a wide range of devices such as a smartphone, the car, and the TV etc. You can and i have also downloaded an app to control the hearing aids left and right independently in certain circumstances too.

NHS hearing aids have two presets, the first is a default preset depending on your hearing test, the second is loop. In addition to this, i think you can add another 8. I have the first two default presets and two others. Greater gain to higher frequencies with 360 degrees coverage with and without filters. Greater gain to higher frequencies, meaning that i can hear some additional higher frequencies when in a quiet place. 360 degrees meaning all four microphones on both sides, four to the left, four to the right. Filters, meaning that the hearing aids will block high volume sound and excessive wind interference momentarily to protect the ear automatically.

When i get them wet i just put them over a radiator for an hour, and they're good to go, i occasionally take a dunking when white water canoeing. On long haul canoe camping trips, i sometimes struggle to dry them out if the sun's not shining. I always have a spare pair but when i lose a pair or just one, i just send an email and a new one or pair usually arrive within a few days by post. When i'm going on holiday, usually on a remote long haul canoe camping trip overseas somewhere, i sometimes ask for a spare pair, which usually arrive in the post a few days later.

It is easy to dislodge my NHS hearing aids and i sometimes lose them, but i also know that i have spares and i can get free replacements fairly quickly and always before the following weekend's activities.

 

[akwe-xavante]

Moving forward.

My existing Android smartphone has a MicroUSB port.

Decided to take the step to purchase an external microphone. The Merlin App is power hungry, so i've decided i need a self powered Mic.
It looks as though i need a MicroUSB/3.5mm jack adaptor too.

No plans to record sound.

I've decided not to spend too much just yet, i'll wait a year at least and until i change my phone for something new.

Thought about buying one of these "For Now": MicroPhone will it be as good as the smartphones integral mic?

If not, what would you recommend, don't want to be lugging around something bulky or awkward. Remaining "Hands Free" is important for now.

 

[Brad Hacker]

I have mild hearing loss (30dbHL) that has affected my birding for a decade or so. Some years ago I purchased some $2000 behind-the-ear hearing aids and found them helpful, but was unable to program them myself, found that they got tangled with my glasses etc., and eventually lost one in the tundra, which put an end to that.
A few months ago I purchased some AirPods Pro 2 and they have revolutionized my birding existence and please me greatly. Among the positive aspects of these devices, they i) are $250; ii) last something like 6 hr on a charge; iii) have a nice (re)charge case that allows 4 recharges without being plugged in; iv) take 1-2 hr to charge; v) do not interfere with glasses; vi) are entirely programmable by you (you set the amplification levels for the different frequency bands); vii) allow you to perform your own hearing test (which compared very well with my professional test results), and viii) are comfortable and easy to handle and clean. I do not have extensive experience using other hearing aids, but with these AirPods I can now hear all manner of bird sounds that I had sadly been completely unaware of. Being re-exposed to all the sounds I was missing is fantastic, and it is wonderful and mind-expanding to hear all the little nuances of songs and calls that I had lost the ability to hear. I have not yet used AirPods in the wind, when I'm sure results will be poorer, but I'm elated with their performance so far.

(Calibration: Even tho I worked for Apple 1978-82, I'm not an Apple fanboy--I loathe the watch and abandoned Mac when OS X first came out.)

 

[MiddleRiver]

I have mild hearing loss (30dbHL) that has affected my birding for a decade or so. Some years ago I purchased some $2000 behind-the-ear hearing aids and found them helpful, but was unable to program them myself, found that they got tangled with my glasses etc., and eventually lost one in the tundra, which put an end to that.
A few months ago I purchased some AirPods Pro 2 and they have revolutionized my birding existence and please me greatly. Among the positive aspects of these devices, they i) are $250; ii) last something like 6 hr on a charge; iii) have a nice (re)charge case that allows 4 recharges without being plugged in; iv) take 1-2 hr to charge; v) do not interfere with glasses; vi) are entirely programmable by you (you set the amplification levels for the different frequency bands); vii) allow you to perform your own hearing test (which compared very well with my professional test results), and viii) are comfortable and easy to handle and clean. I do not have extensive experience using other hearing aids, but with these AirPods I can now hear all manner of bird sounds that I had sadly been completely unaware of. Being re-exposed to all the sounds I was missing is fantastic, and it is wonderful and mind-expanding to hear all the little nuances of songs and calls that I had lost the ability to hear. I have not yet used AirPods in the wind, when I'm sure results will be poorer, but I'm elated with their performance so far.

(Calibration: Even tho I worked for Apple 1978-82, I'm not an Apple fanboy--I loathe the watch and abandoned Mac when OS X first came out.)

Can you elaborate a little? E.g.:
Do the airpods have built-in mic or is the phone doing the 'listening'?
Can you carry on conversations?
Can you also be using Merlin?
etc.

 

[Brad Hacker]

Can you elaborate a little? E.g.:
Do the airpods have built-in mic or is the phone doing the 'listening'?
Can you carry on conversations?
Can you also be using Merlin?
etc.

Summary: the answer to all your questions is what you hoped to read.

Details: The AirPods have microphones in each ear. Because this provides directionality--and, in my case, because the hearing loss is different in each ear--I think I have an enhanced ability to locate the source of sounds when using the AirPods. (I havent tested this presumption quantitatively.)
I have been able to speak normally...and hear "normally" too, but of course with some frequency band volumes boosted. You can always change the volume if needed.
I have been able to use Merlin with or without a separate mic while wearing the AirPods. I have to put the AirPods in my ears and adjust the volume of the enhancement I want--a simple slider--and then plug the mic into the phone. At that point, the volume-control slider switches to the phone speaker volume; this turns out to be no big deal because once my ear-hearing enhancement is set I don't feel the need to diddle with it.
Because the phone is connected to the AirPods (which contain speakers) via bluetooth, I'm not sure you can connect another speaker (e.g., JBL Clip) to that phone and manipulate the volume levels independently. I have not been able to do so.

I should add that it took me a couple of days to figure out how to operate the AirPods thru the phone software and I cant say with 100% confidence that I am using them to their max capability nor that I understand 100% of what is going on. Takes time for a slow learner given the absence of operations manuals that used to come with electronics in the good old days.

Be sure to try the different tip sizes to get a good fit to your ear; when I was using tips that were too small I would get high-pitched squeak noises.

 

[MiddleRiver]

Summary: the answer to all your questions is what you hoped to read.

Details: The AirPods have microphones in each ear. Because this provides directionality--and, in my case, because the hearing loss is different in each ear--I think I have an enhanced ability to locate the source of sounds when using the AirPods. (I havent tested this presumption quantitatively.)
I have been able to speak normally...and hear "normally" too, but of course with some frequency band volumes boosted. You can always change the volume if needed.
I have been able to use Merlin with or without a separate mic while wearing the AirPods. I have to put the AirPods in my ears and adjust the volume of the enhancement I want--a simple slider--and then plug the mic into the phone. At that point, the volume-control slider switches to the phone speaker volume; this turns out to be no big deal because once my ear-hearing enhancement is set I don't feel the need to diddle with it.
Because the phone is connected to the AirPods (which contain speakers) via bluetooth, I'm not sure you can connect another speaker (e.g., JBL Clip) to that phone and manipulate the volume levels independently. I have not been able to do so.

I should add that it took me a couple of days to figure out how to operate the AirPods thru the phone software and I cant say with 100% confidence that I am using them to their max capability nor that I understand 100% of what is going on. Takes time for a slow learner given the absence of operations manuals that used to come with electronics in the good old days.

Be sure to try the different tip sizes to get a good fit to your ear; when I was using tips that were too small I would get high-pitched squeak noises.

Thanks for posting and answers. We seem to have very similar criteria and needs. I’m picking up a pair tomorrow and will report back!

 

[etudiant]

I have mild hearing loss (30dbHL) that has affected my birding for a decade or so. Some years ago I purchased some $2000 behind-the-ear hearing aids and found them helpful, but was unable to program them myself, found that they got tangled with my glasses etc., and eventually lost one in the tundra, which put an end to that.
A few months ago I purchased some AirPods Pro 2 and they have revolutionized my birding existence and please me greatly. Among the positive aspects of these devices, they i) are $250; ii) last something like 6 hr on a charge; iii) have a nice (re)charge case that allows 4 recharges without being plugged in; iv) take 1-2 hr to charge; v) do not interfere with glasses; vi) are entirely programmable by you (you set the amplification levels for the different frequency bands); vii) allow you to perform your own hearing test (which compared very well with my professional test results), and viii) are comfortable and easy to handle and clean. I do not have extensive experience using other hearing aids, but with these AirPods I can now hear all manner of bird sounds that I had sadly been completely unaware of. Being re-exposed to all the sounds I was missing is fantastic, and it is wonderful and mind-expanding to hear all the little nuances of songs and calls that I had lost the ability to hear. I have not yet used AirPods in the wind, when I'm sure results will be poorer, but I'm elated with their performance so far.

(Calibration: Even tho I worked for Apple 1978-82, I'm not an Apple fanboy--I loathe the watch and abandoned Mac when OS X first came out.)

My experience was similar, although I have rather worse hearing, about 60dB loss at higher frequencies.
I had been shocked by the gap between what Merlin heard and what I could pick up.
With these AirPods, that is no longer the case. I was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of these AirPods.
Even better, the AirPods cost about $250, whereas full fat hearing aids now sell for as much as $5000.
Apple's price/performance ratio in this space is truly extraordinary, superior performance for the lowest cost..

 

[akwe-xavante]

You do know that you can have perfectly good free hearing aids supplied by your countries (Most Countries) Healthcare system!?

To get all the benefits of these AirPods, you'll need an up-to-date compatible iPhone too, which are themselves very expensive. I do gather that you can use them with an android phone that is also relatively new and up-to-date but with reduced functionality. I can find no details as to what functions are missing when used with an android phone.

So if you already have a relatively new and up-to-date iPhone and for some reason don't want free hearing aids or for some reason do not qualify for them then it would seem that these are a good and a much cheaper option to buying private hearing aids with the advantage to some that arguably they may look "cool, trendy and perhaps fashionable" when worn.

I have and use free healthcare hearing aids and don't have an existing relatively new iPhone, so buying AirPods with limited functionality when used with an android phone would be a gamble and relatively expensive. I also would have no other use for them personally.

I would be interested to hear from someone who is actually using AirPods with an android phone.

I'm going to explore if it's possible to try before purchase or buy and return for a refund within a set time if unhappy with them. It's possible, perhaps, that because you stick them in your ears when used, that once purchased and used, you can't return them if you're unhappy with them for health and safety reasons!?

 

[MiddleRiver]

Tho I'm fortunate to have hearing insurance coverage, in US insurance-provided hearing aids are not guaranteed for everyone. Thus at least part of the interest in OTC (over-the-counter) devices.

I did purchase the Airpods, as @Brad Hacker 's criteria pretty much followed mine exactly. My hearing loss (high end) is modest but noticeable and I actually don't want to wear aids full time. The additional integration into other 'lifestyle' aspects (phone calls, music, noise cancellation on airplanes etc.) is a plus.

So far I only have a couple of hours trying Airpods Pro 2. Initial response is that i suddenly hear every crinkly noise - floor boards, leaves crunching... and of course I'm hearing birds that were previously totally or near-totally inaudible. They are comfortable, the battery life is fine (for aformentioned application), and tho not 'discreet' I can see wearing them in certain social settings where augmenting voices would be a plus.

I read several reviews (including online videos) and most non-professionals gave them a huge thumbs-up. One audiologist who ran extensive quantitative tests was not as impressed. Clearly the equalization is a bit 'rough' compared to professionally adjusted aids. He makes the point that having an audiologist adjust the Airpods would be moot and if you go to trouble of seeing a professional, might as well get legit aids. I see his point, but it negates the cost of device itself and of course you get the 'lifestyle' benefits of earbuds with the Airpods. I believe you can use an audiologist's printed report (in lieu of Apple hearing test feature) to calibrate them, so that might be an improvement?

They integrate seamlessly into phone features, Merlin use, etc. so no issues at all so far.

So... I'm glad I got them, they seem like they'll do the trick for birding and other occasional hearing-aid duties. I suspect even if I do finally get legit aids, I'd still want to occasionally wear the airbuds for 'additional' features. FWIW they are on sale at most places online and retail was heavily discounted, so very affordable even compared to generic OTC hearing devices. The case, earbuds, software, etc. are very well thought out - typical Apple design. The hearing aid interface I would have preferred to be more 'geek' oriented (e.g. an equalizer that lets me decide how I want to tweak my deficit adjustments) but I can see why they've kept it simple.

 

[Brad Hacker]

Maybe we are talking about different things, but there is "an equalizer that lets me decide how I want to tweak my deficit adjustments". Of course, in typical modern user-interface fashion it is well hidden; currently it is carefully hidden in the Health app away from the AirPod settings.
And, as usual, there's an error in the instructions on line, which corrected (for me and my phone on iOS 18.1.1), should read:

"You can see Hearing Test results in the Health app and export test results to share with others, such as your doctor.

1. Open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. If you’re on your iPhone, tap Show all health data
3. Tap Hearing Test Results
4. Tap Add Test
5. Tap Use a Prior Test Result
6. Tap Add Manually
   etc. This procedure is exactly what my audiologist did when setting up my "real" (expensive) hearing aids. No different...except, I think, that some hearing aids may have more frequency bands.

 

[BIRDERSMS]

I am motivated to add on this very important request. I ever wondered why I could purchase my favourite omnidirectional microphone OKM-2 in a special device store in my city, specialised for blind persons and those suffering from hearing loss. Now I know and I remember well. Long time ago a blind birder introduced me thos OKM-2 microphones[1]. Recently they added a so called Interface D1 adapter (USB-C). This combination allowed me in the jungles of Costa Rica and in the mountains of Crete/Greece to record birds and monitor with Merlin / BirdNET, "handsfree".
I will provide more details soon / on request.

Happy Recording and Identification!

Best from Vienna, Martin / bird.at

[1] Preisliste – Produkte – Soundman.de (DeepL Translate: The world's most accurate translator for Translation)

 

[MiddleRiver]

I supose there are different strategies: one is to amplify the frequencies where hearing is deficient (equalization?). Another is to shift pitch of frequencies and thus transform the sound to the person's audible range. "Hear Birds Again" takes the latter strategy. I once knew someone with one of the original headset setups and they were very pleased with it. Not quite 'natural' but functionally succesful. I suspect @BIRDERSMS OKM-2 might work with that method?

Hear Birds Again

"Hear Birds Again" is a free mobile app for birders with high frequency hearing loss who desire to once again enjoy the uplifting songs of wild birds.

hearbirdsagain.org

 

[etudiant]

You do know that you can have perfectly good free hearing aids supplied by your countries (Most Countries) Healthcare system!?

To get all the benefits of these AirPods, you'll need an up-to-date compatible iPhone too, which are themselves very expensive. I do gather that you can use them with an android phone that is also relatively new and up-to-date but with reduced functionality. I can find no details as to what functions are missing when used with an android phone.

So if you already have a relatively new and up-to-date iPhone and for some reason don't want free hearing aids or for some reason do not qualify for them then it would seem that these are a good and a much cheaper option to buying private hearing aids with the advantage to some that arguably they may look "cool, trendy and perhaps fashionable" when worn.

I have and use free healthcare hearing aids and don't have an existing relatively new iPhone, so buying AirPods with limited functionality when used with an android phone would be a gamble and relatively expensive. I also would have no other use for them personally.

I would be interested to hear from someone who is actually using AirPods with an android phone.

I'm going to explore if it's possible to try before purchase or buy and return for a refund within a set time if unhappy with them. It's possible, perhaps, that because you stick them in your ears when used, that once purchased and used, you can't return them if you're unhappy with them for health and safety reasons!?

My understanding is that the AirPods will simply serve as ear buds when used with an Android phone.
They will play the music and phone conversations transmitted from the Android phone, but the hearing aid functions are Apple specific software.

 

[Jon.Bryant]

You do know that you can have perfectly good free hearing aids supplied by your countries (Most Countries) Healthcare system!?

You are probably right, but when my wife recently got hearing aids n the UK, I asked about the difference between Nation Health and privately bought ones. The main difference was the number of programmable frequency bands - I think my wife’s have 20, whereas National Health hearing aids we’re seven.

So, I would have thought that it really depends on your hearing loss across the frequencies. In theory at least, the more expensive private hearing aids can be better programmed to match hearing loss across specific frequencies.

I also understand (second hand) that some people have had certain narrow frequencies tweaked to better hear certain birds. You may want to do this over a very narrow frequency band, so become excellent at hearing say Goldcrests, but I wouldn’t like the thought of over boosting a larger frequency band, that covered 1/7 of the human hearing range.