Could Really Use Some Advice

[colins]

I had thought that setting up a HA program for acoustic guitar is a case of enhancing something, but I found it is actually a case of subtracting things. My audiologist showed me on his computer screen when he modified a program on my HAs for me to use while playing guitar. There were about five different effects that the HAs used to make the general speech program more effective. If I have them in for speech they help, but when playing acoustic guitar with the HAs in speech program, I heard the “phasing” effect that others commented on in recent HA threads.

Taking out these effects but leaving the same high frequency compensation that I have for speech, means that when I switch to my “guitar” program I don’t notice any treble change and I hear all my guitars with ears that have compensation specifically for the high frequency loss my audiologist assessed in my initial visit.

Admitting I needed HAs and having a program set up for guitar is the best "guitar" purchase I have made for a long time. I don't GAS for new guitars because all my current ones sound so much better.

[George6654]

I’ve worn hearing aids for years and choose what an audiologist does to them, the minute I pick up my Martin or any other Acoustic for that matter, they come out. You will do the same. Acoustic sounds through hearing aids are rubbish.

[colins]

Originally Posted by George6654

I’ve worn hearing aids for years and choose what an audiologist does to them, the minute I pick up my Martin or any other Acoustic for that matter, they come out. You will do the same. Acoustic sounds through hearing aids are rubbish.

That's interesting to read and it shows that the individual circumstances can affect the best path forward. My HA's give me a major improvement in my acoustic guitar sound and now I couldn't imagine playing guitar without them. It does make me wonder though, whether the audiologist dialled back the effects in your HAs to give you a cleaner program for playing guitar? Mine only did it after I told him this had worked for others (which I learnt via the threads I mentioned above).

[DanLaFortune]

I say tune the HA to the McPherson and THEN go get yourself that Martin. Afterwards you can always get the HA's re-adjusted. Seems more simple, cheaper and more ethical overall.

[rabbuhl]

Option 5: borrow a Martin from a friend. Otherwise take the McPherson.
Option 6: look for a used Martin and resell it afterwards if needed.

If you buy it from GC and return it you are costing them money.

[alien]

I voted for Buy and Keep, but could have easily voted...Just take the McPherson. My reasoning is this: Taking a Martin, or any guitar, that you don't intend on keeping defeats the purpose of dialing in that sound. Plus, it is a bit devious. Plus, what's not to like about getting a new Martin? Look for a 000-18 or 000-28!

[PassingThru]

I do appreciate all of the poll participation and comments. I took the McPherson for the fitting. I must say for my second set of hearing aids, the music setting is dramatically differ from my first set of hearing aids. Now, an acoustic guitar sounds like it should.....or as good as it will get.

I go back in couple of weeks for a final set up and by then I'll have a new-to-me Martin 000 to bring with me. It arrives Monday.

[Knollhaven]

Ope - sorry, I was too late to this party! Let us know how you like your Martin!