Help for Hearing Impairment

Hear-Hear

That is a great outcome for you GlasweJen. I'm truly pleased for you, and thanks for letting us know the outcome. Isn't the internet wonderful !

Guardsman

8 Month Old Deaf Baby's Reaction To Cochlear Implant Being Activated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTzTt1VnHRM

Brilliant video clip.

Guardsman

BBC National Orchestra of Wales offers concerts for deaf people
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21610194

GlasweJen

I was getting my aids fine tuned today and the audiologists assistant asked if I used a DEX. I don't but now that I've come home and looked I want one! Only problem is they're £300!

So does anyone know if you can buy these 2nd hand/cheaper? My audiologist doesn't supply them due to lack of demand so he is happy to pair one bought anywhere with my aids. It's the widex m-dex that I fancy and my aids are widex clear passion 440 C4-PA.

Guardsman

You say you want one but do you actually need one ? On the house phone I have a volume control and when I'm using my mobile I can hear it better when I take my hearing aid out.

littlemoney

I have had Sprit Zest hearing aids since October 2010. I have a referal back to the audiology clinc at the local hospital and I struggle to hear what people say to me, even on a one to one basis. At work and elsewhere when in groups I feel socially isolated as I can't hear general conversations about what is going on. At work we also have mandatory team meetings but I have to wait till the minutes are produced to find out exactly what was discussed by everyone.

As my hearing aids are less than 3 years old am I likely to get an upgrade to a newer model. Is there anything in particular I should ask for. I used to enjoy music, listening to the radio and dancing but again I struggle. Music sounds very tinny, and even watching the TV I need the sub titles to get all the words.

Are new hearing aids any better or do I just have to accept I will just be more and more isolated as I get older. Are there any extras or settings you can get in newer aids that might make life more enjoyable. I thought I would ask as I know there are many help people on this forum and so I know the right points to raise with the audiologist next week.

Hear-Hear

Three years is the usual replacement/upgrade timescale for NHS hearing aids, but if you have the Zest models, then I guess you received them some time after August 2010. There has been no revision to the NHS Catalogue since then, so they won't have any better model to offer you from the standard range.

However, the range of hearing aids in the Catalogue is actually quite vast, and the audiologists can supply pretty much what they wish. Whether their chiefs will permit them to run with the extra costs of non-standard supply is a matter for your local PCT (local CCG after 31-03-2013, when the PCT's are abolished). So, you need to ask if your audiologist is permitted locally to supply anything better than the standard Zest. Even an upgrade to the Zest 'C' would be a leap forward, as it is Bluetooth-enabled.

Savvy_Sue

You might find using an induction loop useful in meetings: if work doesn't have a portable one you could ask about one being supplied as a reasonable adjustment to keep you working.

GlasweJen

Guardsman wrote: »

You say you want one but do you actually need one ? On the house phone I have a volume control and when I'm using my mobile I can hear it better when I take my hearing aid out.

I don't need it to function on a day to day level so it's not a necessity but it would certainly come in handy. At the moment I need to take my aids out to listen to music and it has led to me damaging the aid (and sticking my last ones through the washing machine).

I do struggle on the phone although I have an iPhone 5 which dampens background noise which makes a huge difference. I think the dex could help that but I'm not sure? I'd mostly use it for listening to music, utilising t-loop stuff when out and about (I can't wear a t-enabled aid in my left ear because it annoys my pacemaker and my pacemaker annoys it back so I have a different aid that I put in my right ear at work but that arrangement is a bit odd).

GlasweJen

Being a pest!

So my new aids are settling in but I've been changed from a tiny open dome to a more closed (and bigger) tulip dome.

Now the tulip is much better for playing instruments and for listening to opera but they itch like mental! Does anyone know how to calm down the itching?