Help for Hearing Impairment

allydowd

frugallass wrote: »

She also told me that there was no point in a hearing aid as this wouldn't allow the ear canal to breathe and would cause more infections.

I've now got tinnitus - not so bad during the day but a nightmare at bedtime - it's a constant 'rushing' sound (like distant traffic or a computer hard-drive) with the occasionaly high pitch noises.

If it were me I'd do three things:

1 Take a deep breathe and go back to your doctor and ask for an appointment to get a second opinion from another audiologist. Ask what can be done to get your ear healed up. You are entitled to a second opinion.

2 Ask the audiologist if a tinnitus masker would work for you. And if not whether there are any medications you could take for it.

3 Check out these links:

Tinnitus masker link

Tinnitus support link

GotNoRhythm

frugallass wrote: »

just discovered this thread and looking for a bit of advice....

I've had ear problems all my life - 3 myringoplasty operations over the years - and have always had hearing difficulties but managed to cope reasonably well.

Over the past few years I've noticed that the hearing loss in my left ear has become really quite noticable (to me and others) - if I sleep on my right ear I sometimes miss the radio alarm and I struggle to hear 'multiple' conversations. I went to the docs who referred me to ENT and was seen pretty quickly. However, on each visit the specialist told me that the ear was 'wet' and either applied a topical solution directly on the eardrum or 'hoovered' the stuff out. She also told me that there was no point in a hearing aid as this wouldn't allow the ear canal to breathe and would cause more infections. I got sick of getting the same response every six weeks or so and stopped attending my appointments.

I've now got tinnitus - not so bad during the day but a nightmare at bedtime - it's a constant 'rushing' sound (like distant traffic or a computer hard-drive) with the occasionaly high pitch noises - and I want to go back to the docs but am worried that I'll get a rollocking because I didn't stick with my ENT appointment.

I'm 39 but feel 89 sometimes

Hi!
It might be worthwhile asking your GP to refer you specifically for tinnitus counselling - my local audiology dept (York hospital) do this - they can offer things like a white noise machine (like a hearing aid but makes 'white noise' sounds) which may help. Also try getting in touch with 'HUSH' - Hull self-help tinnitus group (I don't live anywhere near Hull but they are a very friendly society with a website and are very helpful) I bought their 'seashore sounds' CD which I sometimes listen to at night if my tinnitus is very loud - it's bliss!
Also, is there another hospital nearby with an audiology dept? You should be able to choose which hospital you go to now, for treatment.

ETA - I've just read the above post (oops, sorry for repeating!) GNR xx

chalky_75

Hi
Thanks for putting thiis thread on. Has anyone else got these problems with their aids.
I get really sore ears. The inside get cracked and sore
The ear canal seems as if it has got athletes foot-- really itchy and irritating. Tried ointments from the doctor but not really helped.
I keep on having to have my ears syringed because all the dry skin gets in my ear.
Also gett ear infections which really hurt.

Hope someone may have some tips.

naf123

as weird as it sounds, it could be that the ear moulds are causing an sort of "allergic" reaction to your ears. I had problems with "spots" appearing in my ear.

The trick is to use the very best quality earmoulds.

Push and beg and plead with your NHS audiogolist for the better quality ear moulds (they cost more money so they are relucant to get them)

have a look at the website. Its a proof that they make non-allergic moulds.

http://www.minervalabs.co.uk/pages/non-allergic-materials.php

good luck

allydowd

naf123 wrote: »

as weird as it sounds, it could be that the ear moulds are causing an sort of "allergic" reaction to your ears. I had problems with "spots" appearing in my ear.

The trick is to use the very best quality earmoulds.

I know of an audiology department that used to use ordinary moulds and boil them in a saucepan to remove the irritant for patients with sensitive ears. I kid you not.

naf123

:rotfl: Were they scottish?

allydowd

Nope. Maidstone in Kent. :rolleyes:

Shelle

It is possible to learn to swim without hearing aids, although I cant for the life of me remember how I learnt :rolleyes:

I tihnk it was a combination of parents teaching me and at school, but I know I didnt have any "special" lessons. Doesnt mean the disability type lessons are no good, just demonstarting that it s possible, although would try every avenue with your son.

chalky_75

Thanks for advice re irritation. It drives me mad and make my problem so much worse

lozzer90

tattoed_bum wrote: »

hi everyone , this might not be the right place to ask this please move if not .

but my six yr old son is severly deaf in both ears and i coming on great with hearing aids ,but he is desperate to learn to swim ,the problem being his hearing is way below speech level when his aids are out so comunnication can be a struggle .

i would love him to go to swimming lessons but dont know how to go about the communication problem.
and trying to teach him myself in a public pool is virtually impossible

does anyone know how to get around this also how did you all learn to swim

my dh is also severly deaf but as he lost his hearing about 10yrs ago through meningitis it is a real struggle for even him to teach him

After reading this i thought i would go to my local swimming baths to see about swimming lessons, they told me i would have to pay £40 a lesson because it would have to be a 1 to 1 lesson, i think that is disgusting