Hearing Loss DAC/AMP advice

[Gamma]

Hi,

As a result of cancer treatment I suffer from hearing loss of different frequencies to various degrees in both ears (up to 50db). Consequently, music and audio sound abnormal and lifeless

I desperately wish to listen and to enjoy audio again

I am hoping someone can recommend a way to do so, ideally with PS5 compatibility (UAC1 support)

I recently discovered the Qudelix-5K which allows me to individually adjust frequency volume for the L and R channel on the DSP – SPK EQ setting. I have adjusted frequencies up to 20-30db from 60Hz-8000Hz in line with my hearing loss

Using this with my HD800S and Arya has been positive, and brought back some enjoyment. However, it is flawed and I wonder if there is a better product(s) or solution.

I would appreciate any discussion about this, be it recommendations, cautions or general advice,
Many thanks

 

[staticV3]

Hi @Gamma! Welcome to ASR.

Which flaws in your Qudelix setup are you looking to fix?

 

[Gamma]

Hi @Gamma! Welcome to ASR.

Which flaws in your Qudelix setup are you looking to fix?

When making adjustments with the Qudelix music and audio does sound quite muddy and muted. Whilst it is a big improvement it is still not remotely like it was with healthy hearing and no processing. And so I was wondering about alternatives.

Bearing in mind, my hearing loss is most severe in the low frequencies <250hz so raising that could muddy the sound potentially? And I assume raising the db level to the amount I am could introduce distortion or other degrading effects?

 

[DVDdoug]

I'm not familiar with the DSP EQ you are using but any boosting can push the peaks into digital clipping (distortion). Usually there is a "preamp" setting that's normally used as attenuation (rather than amplification) to bring-down the overall (digital) level and prevent clipping. If you are using digital volume control as your everyday volume control, that's usually attenuating and it can help too.

You can also clip the analog amplifier with too much amplification and boost, and in some cases you may drive the headphones into distortion.

Sadly, I doubt anything will make it sound "normal" to you but hopefully you can make it sound better. And it's probably best to adjust by-ear to whatever sounds best. From what I've read, it's the same with hearing aids... They are often EQ'd but for some reason music doesn't sound as good as it used to.

As you probably know, 50dB is a LOT.

Bearing in mind, my hearing loss is most severe in the low frequencies <250hz so raising that could muddy the sound potentially?

If it can be done without distortion it shouldn't sound muddy to you!

 

[Speedskater]

First forget about the frequency extremes. Try 100 Hz to 5 kHz.

 

[Roland68]

Hi,

As a result of cancer treatment I suffer from hearing loss of different frequencies to various degrees in both ears (up to 50db). Consequently, music and audio sound abnormal and lifeless

I desperately wish to listen and to enjoy audio again

I am hoping someone can recommend a way to do so, ideally with PS5 compatibility (UAC1 support)

I recently discovered the Qudelix-5K which allows me to individually adjust frequency volume for the L and R channel on the DSP – SPK EQ setting. I have adjusted frequencies up to 20-30db from 60Hz-8000Hz in line with my hearing loss

Using this with my HD800S and Arya has been positive, and brought back some enjoyment. However, it is flawed and I wonder if there is a better product(s) or solution.

I would appreciate any discussion about this, be it recommendations, cautions or general advice,
Many thanks

May I ask how long you have had this hearing loss?

 

[Gamma]

I'm not familiar with the DSP EQ you are using but any boosting can push the peaks into digital clipping (distortion). Usually there is a "preamp" setting that's normally used as attenuation (rather than amplification) to bring-down the overall (digital) level and prevent clipping. If you are using digital volume control as your everyday volume control, that's usually attenuating and it can help too.

You can also clip the analog amplifier with too much amplification and boost, and in some cases you may drive the headphones into distortion.

Sadly, I doubt anything will make it sound "normal" to you but hopefully you can make it sound better. And it's probably best to adjust by-ear to whatever sounds best. From what I've read, it's the same with hearing aids... They are often EQ'd but for some reason music doesn't sound as good as it used to.

As you probably know, 50dB is a LOT.


If it can be done without distortion it shouldn't sound muddy to you!

I appreciate the response, I will see if I can adjust pre-amp and, if I'm not already, use digital volume control.
Because I never felt the need, prior to hearing loss, I'm not particularly savvy with all these adjustments. But on the Qudelix currently I use their "SPK EQ" coloumn and adjust frequencies on that, and have not touched anything else.

And yes my hearing aids sound absolutely nothing like normal hearing! To the point where I stopped using them. But it could be worth me exploring the market, as my health service provides cost-effective aids.

 

[Gamma]

May I ask how long you have had this hearing loss?

It has been almost 2.5 years now. The left ear degraded across the board with a loss around 30-50db depending on frequency (the greatest loss in the lowest frequencies). The right ear was initially ok but after an ENT physician negligently inflicted trauma on the eardrum, there was a massive low-frequency (250hz and below) loss – this has persisted for a year.

Prior to this rapid loss, I was in great health, was able to hear between 30hz-16800hz, and a massive music and audio lover – spending most of my time critically listening to music and appreciating innovations in audio. These hearing complications were straight out of a nightmare for me.