Tinnitus Stories from the VA

As a follow up to our post on August 8th about the rise in tinnitus complaints in the VA, here are some stories shared with us about how Alera TS has really improved lives. The first story was sent to us by a VA audiologist.  The second is an amazing story from a US Army veteran who left a voicemail directly with ReSound.

Patient Story #1

I did a follow up on a patient with some TS devices today and the veteran LOVED them.  Once the TSG was set and the aids adjusted (a little less overall gain), he kept saying “WOW”.  We had already provided him with a sound machine for sleeping which he reported did provide some relief.  But now he wants to wear his hearing aids to bed because they helped so much more.  He said we worked a miracle and opened the door to a whole new life.  As he was leaving, he was about 20 feet down the hall and my co-worker said “we’ll see how he does in a couple of weeks”.  The patient turned around and exclaimed “I heard that and I will still be doing terrific in a couple of weeks, and in a couple of years!”

Patient Story #2

I know I am supposed to call the clinic instead of the manufacturer, but the clinic already knows how I feel about my hearing aids.  I am a proud member of the US Army and after a few tours in the Middle East, I came home with injuries.  I am not missing any limbs and am more fortunate than others, but my injuries still changed my life – and not for the better.  I came home with severe tinnitus and some hearing loss, along with some other physical scars.  The tinnitus was so bad that I started withdrawing from everyone and everything that I loved.  I lost my family because they said that I wasn’t the same man as I was when I left.

Most of the doctors just told me they couldn’t really do anything, and the audiologist on base was the first person to offer any kind of real solution.  She fit me with your hearing aids and turned on the sound generator for me.  I can’t tell you what a difference it has made.  I am finding that I am no longer afraid that my tinnitus will prevent me from enjoying myself.  I am becoming more social again and may even take a run at getting my wife and kids back.  If that doesn’t work, I plan to propose to the audiologist – the first person who really tried to help me, and she did it with your hearing aids.  How can I thank you?