Help for Hearing Impairment

Hear-Hear

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Is there a device of some sort that I can use / wear to filter out certain noises? I can't deal with multiple noises at once. It just goes into one horrible noise and hurts.

Yes there are such devices, but it depends on what specific sounds or types of sound you are trying to filter out. Best advice would be to go and see an audiologist. Have your ears examined and hearing checked first. Then ask about what you require specifically. If there is a solution for your particular needs, the audiologist will be able to supply it, or point you in the right direction.

Savvy_Sue

Hear-Hear wrote: »

Sorry Sue, I did see that original post of yours back in February, but I couldn't be sure what it was that you were shown. It should have been documented on your records for that date though.

I do wonder if it's worth asking to go back to the 'Open Fit' style. These slim tubes tend to be much more discreet and certainly more comfortable. Importantly, the slim tubes can be fitted with 'Semi-Closed' domes, Closed Domes, or Double Closed Domes. As such, they can fit a much wider range of losses than the 'Open' Domes. Worth asking when you are there next week ?

Right, when I got back to clinic the new mould was there, and the old one was just plain wrong. Fortunately I saw the lady who told me about this different kind, so she DID know what I was on about, and also said that if she'd seen the first new mould she would never have fitted it because it clearly wasn't what she'd ordered.

Apparently it's a 'mietal tip' or 'myetal tip', but I can't find it with either spelling, it sounds like my-eetal. And it's clear, not pink and sparkly.

It's triangular, and doesn't fill my ear completely, and has a little plastic 'stem' with which to pull it out of my ear.

It IS more comfortable than anything I've had before, BUT it does still sometimes also go into the 'vacuum in my ear' mode which I hate. I wonder if I could get a hole in it to reduce that problem, I'll have to ask.

And I know I need to go back for adjustment, she didn't have time to do the full tweaking and it's just not the same as the previous mould, which was apparently just plain wrong, but the aid is still adjusted as if I had that.

My testing has been slightly hampered by the fact that they've changed the settings for the loop system at church, and it no longer works. Of course no-one knew this until I told them. God help them if I get to the stage where I actually can't hear without the loop system working because I may just badger the technician every week until they get it right.

cairndog

Has anyone with a T-coil hearing aid used the Amplicomms TV 2410-NL Digital TV Listener or anything similar ?
I have moderate hearing loss and an NHS Siemens Pro M h/aid and am trying to improve the sound quality/clarity when watching TV.
The Samsung TV sound is poor anyway and I am thinking a digital TV listener may be worth trying.
They aren't cheap but Connevans say they can be returned if unsuitable (? )
I'm fed up of subtitles and can't get those on recordings.
Any suggestions/experience with these gratefully received.

skater_kat

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Is there a device of some sort that I can use / wear to filter out certain noises? I can't deal with multiple noises at once. It just goes into one horrible noise and hurts.

hi
i know you are also ASD like myself. i had the same problem, many people with autism have different sensory issues... and so i had a 'sensory needs assessment' from an OT, which ended up with me going to a audiology specialist clinic in london. i had to push for this with the help of an autism support worker, as my local audiology department said my hearing was fine, "it must be your autism", not an audiological problem. which was not true as the audiologist in london confirmed.
anyway it is worth you investigating this and sticking with it. it took me 2 years to get sorted but i am now having hearing therapy, have a personal FM listening device and TV listener.
PM me if you would like any more detail.

Indie_Kid

skater_kat wrote: »

hi
i know you are also ASD like myself. i had the same problem, many people with autism have different sensory issues... and so i had a 'sensory needs assessment' from an OT, which ended up with me going to a audiology specialist clinic in london. i had to push for this with the help of an autism support worker, as my local audiology department said my hearing was fine, "it must be your autism", not an audiological problem. which was not true as the audiologist in london confirmed.
anyway it is worth you investigating this and sticking with it. it took me 2 years to get sorted but i am now having hearing therapy, have a personal FM listening device and TV listener.
PM me if you would like any more detail.

Thanks. I've not had any assessments like the sensory needs one you mention. Social services are well aware of my difficulties, including my sensory issues, which they've completely ignored.

I did talk to my GP about this some time ago; but he wouldn't do anything. It seems that he couldn't understand where I'm coming from on this. I have other sensory issues, which thankfully have settled down somewhat.

Hear-Hear

cairndog wrote: »

Has anyone with a T-coil hearing aid used the Amplicomms TV 2410-NL Digital TV Listener or anything similar ?
I have moderate hearing loss and an NHS Siemens Pro M h/aid and am trying to improve the sound quality/clarity when watching TV.
The Samsung TV sound is poor anyway and I am thinking a digital TV listener may be worth trying.
They aren't cheap but Connevans say they can be returned if unsuitable (? )
I'm fed up of subtitles and can't get those on recordings.
Any suggestions/experience with these gratefully received.

There are a variety of Siemens hearing aids supplied by the NHS. Have a look at the name of your specific model printed between the words 'Siemens' and 'Pro'. If it says 'Reflex' (aids issued between 2008-2010) or 'Impact' (aids issued 2010-2014), then it may well be Bluetooth compatible, for which you can buy the 'Tek' or the 'Mini Tek', enabling you to stream the TV output directly to your hearing aids.

If it's the Siemens Prisma (pre-2008) that you have, then they won't be Bluetooth compatible, but the good news is that you are overdue for replacement / upgrade hearing aids. :T

SHERWOOD

Hi,


I have an NHS hearing aid issued 10 years ago - I haven't worn it much because I feel its so big and conspicuous - its a Danalogic 6 with an earmold. If I went back to audiology would they give me a more modern hearing aid - how often are they upgraded? Many thanks.

Hear-Hear

Yes indeed. Your hearing aids are long overdue for replacement upgrading. It's odd that they haven't offered you this during your annual check-up sessions. The current NHS guidelines recommend a three-year pathway for hearing aids. There have been massive advances in technology since you had your Danalogics, which are now obsolete.

The earmould is also long overdue for replacement. The structure of it is likely to have changed and of course your ears continue to change shape as time goes by.

You don't have to wait until your next annual check-up. Contact your audiology dept as soon as you can to book an appointment. Also worth checking with your GP if you are in an AQP area. If so, then you will have a choice between going to your hospital or going to a private firm near to you that has been approved by the NHS for supply of NHS-funded hearing aids. Waiting times in AQP areas have fallen to as little as 10 days now.

SHERWOOD

Hi - Thank you so much for your reply.




At my annual check ups the tubes are changed, new batteries given and that's it. I've got to the point where I'm not using it - but I'm missing out on life so much. I took the plunge and rang Audiology this afternoon - I have an appointment Tuesday week. You have given me the confidence now to approach them to ask for a newer upgraded model. Many thanks once again.

sueturnersmith

Are you supposed to have an annual check-up? The hospital has never asked me, and I have had my current Spirit 3 aid for several years. I have not been sent for a new hearing test, and my hearing is now much worse than it was.

When I asked for some new tubing I had to leave my aids with them for several weeks, and really struggled because I can hear hardly anything without them. And when I was asked originally for a hearing test, I had to wait almost a year!

I don't think I am in an area which offers outside testing.