Help for Hearing Impairment

buzi

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

It's the fiddling around which is so difficult, isn't it? I really only use the phone at work, so it's hard to 'practice', especially as the people I'd practice with have familiar voices, which are easier to hear ...

i always take my h.a out to use the phone which has a voice amplifier control, however the biggest problem for me on the phones is high pitch voice tones and people with strong accents i need to use the phone in my work but its difficult so will need to look for another job

bluedog

mojy wrote: »

Hi all

I was diagnosed with cookie bite hearing loss last year and have had tinnitus continuously in my left ear for more than a year too. was given two behind the ear hearing aids to wear but to be honest I find them really difficult to wear as they obviously amplify all sounds including sounds that I can hear normally without aids.

I sometimes feel like the Mel Gibson character in the film What Women Want with all the racket going on in my head:D

Does anyone else have this hearing loss and if so were you able to have adjustments made to your aids that helped?

Hi Mojy,

What you've described caught my eye as it is precisely the same type of problem I have with using aids. My hearing loss has never been given a name, apart from being congenital and severe, so I goggled "cookie bite hearing loss".

Going by the results, I DO have the same type as you as the graphs are "U" shaped and it is known to be congenital. Even the onset given in the description fitted.

Just briefly, incase it helps - I think I inadvertently caused myself bigger problems with it all as I didn't start wearing aids until far too late. I was first recommended to have a hearing aid when I was 18 years old, but didn't take it up. I eventually accepted it 12 years or so later and by then, had become so accustomed to my quiet world that even now, I struggle to cope with how loud the world is with wearing aids.

Without aids, I don't hear behind me and have poorer sense of direction as to where sounds are coming from - with it all going on, it ends up with brain over-load so I am selective as to when I use them. (Doesn't help that more recently, I keep getting infections which they say is partially due to wearing aids .....)

Over the years, I've had mufflers (not sure that is the correct technical name .. ) put in which helped slightly and various attempts at adjusting them but have not resolved the problem of it entirely.

I've learnt to lip read, use body language, voice tones and keep my sense of humour close to hand for the inevitable mis-hearing moments .

On the bright side, when others complain about a near-by, relentlessly yapping dog, I'm saying "what yapping dog?"!

Your description of Mel Gibson made me chuckle as it IS spot on in crowded/noisy places and I'll use that in future to explain to people why I take aids out in noisy places "so I can hear you" ... they look at me like I'm crazy!

Savvy_Sue

buzi wrote: »

i need to use the phone in my work but its difficult so will need to look for another job

May be worth talking to your employer about 'reasonable adjustments': it may be that the right phone would work for you, or if there's a lot of background noise can you be moved somewhere quieter etc.

There is also Text Relay: we sometimes get work calls this way.

buzi

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

May be worth talking to your employer about 'reasonable adjustments': it may be that the right phone would work for you, or if there's a lot of background noise can you be moved somewhere quieter etc.

There is also Text Relay: we sometimes get work calls this way.

Many thanks for the suggestions. The phone issue is tricky because I deal with calls from the public. The phone is an object of fear and worry. I get peoples names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses wrong and this just makes me worry about the next call I think I need to look for a job more suited to my hearing loss, easier said than done.

Firefly

I've just entered the work of hearing impaired having woke up a few months ago with no hearing on my left side. After far too much dismissal and too-ing and fro-ing I've just been diagnosed with sensori neural hearing loss with no hearing at all on left and 60% on the right. With another four weeks to wait before the CT and 5 before the MRI it's clearly going to be months before I get to the hearing aid stage. Work is difficult, home is ok when I'm on my own although I am often late for work if I am sleeping on my good side as I can't hear my alarm. Am I being far too impatient in wanting something done now? Not that I have any idea what can be done. There is a huge chance I'll be run over before then! I've had two near misses already!!!!

Savvy_Sue

First suggestion, use a vibrating alarm clock!!! I'm not sure the vibrations alone would wake me, but my phone vibrates and can go under my pillow.

The clock my Mum has - well, she reckons it would tip her out of bed if she didn't switch it off fairly promptly.

Probably the two best places to look are the AHL shop, and Connevans. I think either will accept returns if you find what you've bought isn't suitable.

Just realised it's Deaf Awareness Week! http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/

Errata

Using a vibrating alarm clock is a useful tip. They don't necessarily have to go under the pillow - most people will be woken up by the vibrations if it's left on the mattress next to them, or hung on the headboard.

buzi

you can get vibrating wrist watches, also i have a vibrating pad on my bed which is linked to fire alarm, phone and door bell, got it from social services for free

rachelandgromit

I think I was last on this thread about 5 years ago when I was told I needed hearing aids in both ears. I went to Audiology and had the full moulds fitted in both ears and I really struggled and gave up. In the past few months I've been engaging with our local Deaf Support and have had the vibrating smoke alarm fitted and they encouraged me to go back to Audiology. Long story short, but my hearing has got slightly worse again, however I am now sitting here with Oticon Spirit Zest Open Fit Hearing Aids in my ears hearing myself type (early days yet, only had them at 2pm

It's better than the full mould ones as my ears feel less restricted. I just have a couple of questions people may be able to help me out on.

Firstly, if I raise my hands, say as if to brush my hair I get loud whistling in my ears (ouch), and it really doesn't like it if I push my hair behind my ears (I do this alot as I have long hair and wear it down mostly), not to mention putting my sunglasses on. Is this normal?

I was told about the Oticon Streamer to help with mobile/phone/tv (particularly useful at work as I have to use a TV alot play back recordings of staff teaching). This was £260 to buy and if it I wanted the microphone thingy clip it was £150. Has anyone ever tried this? It seems expensive, however I am sure if I explain to work they would be willing to pay (if I get use to the hearing aids).

Thanks

JournalGirl

buzi wrote: »

Many thanks for the suggestions. The phone issue is tricky because I deal with calls from the public. The phone is an object of fear and worry. I get peoples names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses wrong and this just makes me worry about the next call I think I need to look for a job more suited to my hearing loss, easier said than done.

Buzi

Have you considered seeing a private dispenser, and seeking funding through access to work for a hearing aid system that is designed to use withe the phone.?