Thread: Hunting With Hearing Aids

Sorry my last post should be yes @tiroahunter

Dont wear mine when hunting, cant do without in other instances

I've had them for about 5-6 years. Have used for bush hunting and like the extra sensitivity of them for those sounds previously missed, though sweat & rain will shag them fast. If you really want to have a similar effect while hunting, spend the money on quality muffs like Sorden or at least Peltor Sport Tac. These will give you similar results and cut off with the shot.

Thanks Mathias. Nothing like a quality muff!!
Maybe based on what I’ve learnt from this post is leave the hearing aids at home and hope my ever degenerating eyesight will be enough. Fuck I hate getting old.

Well here is a true story about external hearing aids and me and my dogs.
Now these hearing aids were supplied by ACC and at the time ten years ago they were worth $6000. I was hunting the sth of Clements rd and accessed thru some very tight regen beech / manuka. About half an hour before dark I returned to my vehicle and reached to remove my hearing aids. Ooops, they are not attached any more! Cripes, what to do? I had no idea when or where I had lost them and not much time before dark. They were not insured either.
Both my GWP dogs had been trained in tracking on command, but I was on the point of giving up thoughts of attempting to find these tiny objects in very shitty bush; when I thought to myself; gee, if my Mrs had dropped a $6000 ring in there, would I not at least make an attempt?
Well, my GWP's and I went back to our original entry point( me armed with a torch as well) and I gave the instruction "find". The dogs led me quite a long way following our earlier route through this tight scrub. At almost dark they both stopped at a windblown treetrunk that we had previously climbed over by me straddling it sideways. I shone the torch and right in amongst the moss and leaves on top of that tree trunk was a single hearing aid. I eventually found the other a couple of feet away on the far side on the ground amongst moss twigs and the usual forest floor debris. I could barely believe my good fortune and my good dogs amazing work. Will never forget that nor ever underestimate the capabilities of those great mates. ( both gone now).
This story is absolutely true.

The hearing in my left ear is fcuked thanks to all the shooting and assisted by a 308 norma magnum going off muzzle 2 ft to the side what a pealing of bells that was!
Have ACC lodged + acceptance 22 years ago haven’t bothered with aids as yet but getting close
Totally hopeless following conversation with background noise
I don’t think I will use them for hunting after reading this
Yep no glamour getting old!!!

@ex-NZFS Once you get them you will appreciate what you have been missing. Mine cost me 5,500 no ACC but still think it was worth it. Having spent so much time wondering what people are saying and nodding my head they have made a huge difference in my life.

Originally Posted by Phil_H

@gilly, Peltor Sporttac's aren't that expensive for what you are getting, and you at the least, need some hearing protection when you let off a round....rifle suppressed or not it is still going to lose you some of the little hearing you have left unless you wear protection. That is the main reason I got the Sporttac.......I couldn't bear parting of with any more of what little hearing I can still enjoy.

Cheers
Phil

Thanks Phil. I think I will look into them. I don’t want to knacker what hearing I’ve got left.

Have significant hearing loss and have had behind the type hearing aids with the wee tube that goes into your ear, for past 10 years. They weren’t cheap. Wear them pretty much all day every day. Outdoors the wind noise is really bad news, they don’t tolerate wet/rain. And feedback with hood on jacket up is unbearable. I do sometimes wear them hunting (suppressor) but not while doing hard yards or wet n windy stuff. In open bush stalking they work ok. But as others have mentioned Peltor sport tac muffs are great, give very good amplification and stereo means you can get reasonable sense of direction. Keep the hearing aids for camp. Probably need to look at replacing my 10 yr old aids with newer ones and was wondering about the new fancy in ear ones which are custom made for your ear. Audiologist reckons there would be less issues with wind or hoods

Have used in ear hearing aids for the last 30 years about.
Wear them in the bush no problem just got to be a bit careful in the wet.
Am being fitted with behind ear ones tomorrow. My audiologist says I will get more volume, less feedback and better sound with them.
There is a 10 day trial period so if they are not satisfactory they can be exchanged.
Will let you know how it pans out.

Iv got Resounds paired to my iPhone, absolutely amazing for everyday use, was in a restaurant last night and can take the background noise out and talk one on one, they have made it easier with grand kids and I now don’t withdraw in noisy situations. I don’t wear the m when hunting, have never tried them, the Tui’s would drive me nuts!!

Originally Posted by ex-NZFS

The hearing in my left ear is fcuked thanks to all the shooting and assisted by a 308 norma magnum going off muzzle 2 ft to the side what a pealing of bells that was!
Have ACC lodged + acceptance 22 years ago haven’t bothered with aids as yet but getting close
Totally hopeless following conversation with background noise
I don’t think I will use them for hunting after reading this
Yep no glamour getting old!!!

Beware of ACC claims from yesteryear, originally claimed early 1980's, no problems aids and $'s. Told to get a re-assessment after 10 years, all ok new aids supplied. Went back early 2000's, sorry we only keep our records for 7 years, you have to start again. Did that, new specialist. Couldn't believe when his report stated " not from hunting, firearms use, industry, etc, but hereditary" even though no other hearing problems in my family. ACC would only cover 17% of costs. I've had tinnitus bad for the last 40 plus years, found that aids didn't do much for me if there is any back ground noise.

So acc pay for claims for loss of hearing . After been in the building trade for twenty years and now on a farm my hearing is not the best and have been thinking about it of late about.
When i started building the air muff quality wasn't there like it is now

Originally Posted by Woody

Well here is a true story about external hearing aids and me and my dogs.
Now these hearing aids were supplied by ACC and at the time ten years ago they were worth $6000. I was hunting the sth of Clements rd and accessed thru some very tight regen beech / manuka. About half an hour before dark I returned to my vehicle and reached to remove my hearing aids. Ooops, they are not attached any more! Cripes, what to do? I had no idea when or where I had lost them and not much time before dark. They were not insured either.
Both my GWP dogs had been trained in tracking on command, but I was on the point of giving up thoughts of attempting to find these tiny objects in very shitty bush; when I thought to myself; gee, if my Mrs had dropped a $6000 ring in there, would I not at least make an attempt?
Well, my GWP's and I went back to our original entry point( me armed with a torch as well) and I gave the instruction "find". The dogs led me quite a long way following our earlier route through this tight scrub. At almost dark they both stopped at a windblown treetrunk that we had previously climbed over by me straddling it sideways. I shone the torch and right in amongst the moss and leaves on top of that tree trunk was a single hearing aid. I eventually found the other a couple of feet away on the far side on the ground amongst moss twigs and the usual forest floor debris. I could barely believe my good fortune and my good dogs amazing work. Will never forget that nor ever underestimate the capabilities of those great mates. ( both gone now).
This story is absolutely true.

Lucky!
I was fishing at a high country lake and not much was happening, so I sat down on a chair with the Mrs, it was faarkn hot sitting in the sun so I up of arse and dived into the lake for a swim. Oh shit, I had one hearing aid just hanging on and the other was gone. I was in 5 ft of water, so I just waited a few seconds for the water to settle and bugger me I could just see it on the bottom sitting among weed. Dried them out on the dash of the truck and all's good.

Originally Posted by tetawa

Beware of ACC claims from yesteryear, originally claimed early 1980's, no problems aids and $'s. Told to get a re-assessment after 10 years, all ok new aids supplied. Went back early 2000's, sorry we only keep our records for 7 years, you have to start again. Did that, new specialist. Couldn't believe when his report stated " not from hunting, firearms use, industry, etc, but hereditary" even though no other hearing problems in my family. ACC would only cover 17% of costs. I've had tinnitus bad for the last 40 plus years, found that aids didn't do much for me if there is any back ground noise.

I would appeal this and maybe get another audiologist.
Am on my 5th set and acc and ministry o health are funding a bit over half the cost.