Help for Hearing Impairment

disabled_NCIS_fan

Does anyone who has had hearing loss from birth find that as they get older and they lose more they don't realize it? I am 23 and my family say they really notice how often I shout now or don't hear things yet I don't realize it.

Savvy_Sue

Errata wrote: »

Sue - just a guess as I had this problem once, sounds like the tube is either too long or too short.

I think it's too long. As I say, need to psych myself up for the parking hell, and there's a lot of other stressy stuff going on atm so my hearing aid is the least of my worries!

Although they've just moved into shiny new buildings, so I ought to go and nose round! :rotfl:

SHERWOOD

Hello,

As promised I have an update on my visit to Audiology today.

I plucked up the courage to make an appointment to see if I could get an upgraded (smaller) aid to replace my 10 year old model that I find ineffective and the mold painful to wear. I was told I could have a more modern one - was shown a smaller version of the one I have and told that I would need a hearing test before it could be fitted .... minimum waiting time 6 months! So its 1 step forward and 2 steps back.

My work Occupational Therapy Department have agreed to give me a hearing test and send the results and a covering letter stating that my work is suffering due to hearing loss (I'm a minute secretary) to see if the appointment can be brought forward.

I don't think it will have much effect though so may have to go down the private route - an option which I can't really afford.

Savvy_Sue

SHERWOOD wrote: »

Hello,

As promised I have an update on my visit to Audiology today.

I plucked up the courage to make an appointment to see if I could get an upgraded (smaller) aid to replace my 10 year old model that I find ineffective and the mold painful to wear. I was told I could have a more modern one - was shown a smaller version of the one I have and told that I would need a hearing test before it could be fitted .... minimum waiting time 6 months! So its 1 step forward and 2 steps back.

My work Occupational Therapy Department have agreed to give me a hearing test and send the results and a covering letter stating that my work is suffering due to hearing loss (I'm a minute secretary) to see if the appointment can be brought forward.

I don't think it will have much effect though so may have to go down the private route - an option which I can't really afford.

It could be worth you looking at getting a personal listener for meetings (which your work OT dept should pay for!). I have the Sonido from this page and you could use it with 'normal' earphones if your current hearing aid isn't comfortable. There are much more sophisticated versions available but this could be worth a try - or I don't know if any of the portable loops systems can be used with headphones rather than the T-setting on your hearing aid? I'd expect an organisation which employed minute secretaries to have loop systems available ...

You'd possibly have to 'train' people to speak to the microphone, of course.

Using a portable loop enabled one of my siblings to continue working after losing a lot of hearing. Their comment was "I used to fall asleep in meetings because I couldn't hear a word of what was being said: now I fall asleep because they are so boring." Of course the minute secretary doesn't have that option!

Indie_Kid

Does anyone with Hyperacusis fly and how do you find it please? I have an opportunity to go abroad next year and the easiest option is flying, which will take about 2 hours or so. I have never flown anywhere at all.

Savvy_Sue

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Does anyone with Hyperacusis fly and how do you find it please? I have an opportunity to go abroad next year and the easiest option is flying, which will take about 2 hours or so. I have never flown anywhere at all.

I'm sure mine's not as acute as yours, and I HATE using earplugs, but I do when I fly ...

disabled_NCIS_fan

Can you get anything to jazz up a hearing aid looks wise? The one I currently use is beige and really now I am finally allowed to use it again I would like to make it look nice.

wildwestfan

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I'm sure mine's not as acute as yours, and I HATE using earplugs, but I do when I fly ...

Could you use noise cancelling headphones and music or audio book to suit?

Savvy_Sue

wildwestfan wrote: »

Could you use noise cancelling headphones and music or audio book to suit?

I don't think that would help me. It's not just a noise thing, it's how my ears feel. And I don't like the isolated feeling I get from having anything in my ears.

Plus I don't own any ...

Indie_Kid

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I don't think that would help me. It's not just a noise thing, it's how my ears feel. And I don't like the isolated feeling I get from having anything in my ears.

Plus I don't own any ...

They are also rather expensive. Mine cost me around £200 last year.