Help for Hearing Impairment

Hear-Hear

Well it looks like your audiologist has indeed sent the test results to your GP as she promised to do. Like your audiologist, I too would have expected your GP to refer you to see an ENT Consultant. However, it up to you and your GP to decide whether medical investigation is necessary.


So, ask your GP to refer you to ENT for medical investigation if you wish to access the service through the NHS. There seems to be an increase in people choosing to see Consultants privately. You would definitely be seen more quickly, achieve an earlier diagnosis, and you wouldn't have the GP acting as a sort of 'Gate-Keeper'. On the other hand, the diagnosis and treatment plan should be he same, whichever route you choose.

bluedog

Thanks Hear-Hear. I've managed to get an appointment with an entirely different gp whom I've not seen before but has been recommended to me. I don't mean to sound anti-medic by any stretch of the imagination and hope my last post didn't come across that way. The gp I see normally is on sabbatical so I had to see one of the others that I've not been able to build a relationship with. I find his bedside manner difficult to understand especially when he won't listen and made it harder than ever last time when he even laughed when I said I don't use cotton buds and that I had to keep asking him to repeat what he was saying, especially given the nature of the visit.


I don't doubt the audiologist at all because she is lovely and such a genuine and sincere person. Without going into detail, I've enough reasons and experience to think there is a problem somewhere with the messaging system in practice between the hospital and the surgery where reports aren't actually received. I know others who've had exactly the same issues where they have to be chased up and the longest time waiting for one was 4-5 MONTHS! I was also warned by one consultant that there is someone else with a similar name to me at that hospital and notes have been mixed up !!


Probably the most upsetting thing about it at the moment is not being able to hear my granddaughter and I'm beginning to feel its affecting our relationship as she's too young to understand I'm not ignoring her on purpose or why I can't understand what she is saying and talk "nonsense" back to her in her view.


Hopefully the gp I see next week will be more willing to listen and help. Thanks again

Errata

It's always worth seeing a different GP at a practice when you feel you're getting nowhere with the one you usually see.

[Deleted User]

I hope this is the right place. I have two problems related to my hearing and telephones and if anyone can help I'll be grateful. A few weeks ago I collected my new NHS hearing aid. Unfortunately it still does not help on the telephone although it is loads better than my previous older NHS one.

I manage by keeping my 'phone on loudspeaker with my hearing aid in. I have to do the same on my mobile 'phone. It is a problem because at home (if I have visitors) or outside (if using my mobile) everyone can hear the call on loudspeaker.

If anyone can recommend a better telephone (land line) maybe something really up to date I'll be most appreciative. My present one is corded and I have a 'connected' cordless one in the same range in my kitchen.

At present I can't buy a new mobile 'phone as my present one is fine for texts and I don't often use it for calls - it is a straightforward pay as you go type.

If you know of anything new please let me know.

Thank you

Crimson

Hear-Hear

Two things you need to do:-

1. Make sure that you have a hearing-aid-compatible telephone. A quick scan through an Argos catalogue will show you that just over half of the 'corded' phones are indeed hearing-aid-compatible.

2. Make sure that your audiologist has programmed the hearing aids to include the "autophone" or "automatic telephone" function (different manufacturers use different terminology). There has been a tendency for some audiologists to omit third part of the programming, but it only takes 30 seconds extra.

Then, as soon as you bring the phone close to your ear, the microphone on the hearing aid will power down and the autophone function will kick in. Simple amazing, and available on most hearing aids for a good few years now.

cairndog

Hear-Hear wrote: »

Two things you need to do:-

1. Make sure that you have a hearing-aid-compatible telephone. A quick scan through an Argos catalogue will show you that just over half of the 'corded' phones are indeed hearing-aid-compatible.

2. Make sure that your audiologist has programmed the hearing aids to include the "autophone" or "automatic telephone" function (different manufacturers use different terminology). There has been a tendency for some audiologists to omit third part of the programming, but it only takes 30 seconds extra.

Then, as soon as you bring the phone close to your ear, the microphone on the hearing aid will power down and the autophone function will kick in. Simple amazing, and available on most hearing aids for a good few years now.

Is this setting the same as the T- coil (loop) setting ?

I have the same problem with my Siemens Impact pro-m and I tried a very expensive specialist telephone from a deaf equipment supplier. This was hopeless and I sent it back.

Maybe because it wasn't corded or my hearing aid wasn't on the correct setting. (The supplier said to use the T-coil setting.) ?

A compatible corded phone from Argos could be the answer ?

Indie_Kid

Help with ear plugs please:

Was fitted with some musicians ear plugs by Specsavers a few years. I don't wear them because they're a pain to get in and out and hurt my ears. The foam ones I have are a bit rubbish too.

Someone did suggest hearing aids and did say there's a setting so that you can't hear anything. I seem to remember a friend mention that their severely deaf son once did this. He doesn't like the sound of lawnmowers; so switches his hearing aids off.

[Deleted User]

Thank you to Hear Hear and Cairn Dog. I'll look into it as I'm really struggling on the 'phone. My computer is playing up a bit and sometimes it gives an error number and I can't get into the website so I apologize for the delay.

Crimson

skater_kat

for pimping hearing aids, i jut bought some 'ear gear' for mine.

at the same time i saw that connevans have some free stuff at the moment (you just have to pay postage). hope its helpful to someone.

http://www.connevans.co.uk/catalogue/6865677/Free-stuff

Savvy_Sue

skater_kat wrote: »

for pimping hearing aids, i jut bought some 'ear gear' for mine.

at the same time i saw that connevans have some free stuff at the moment (you just have to pay postage). hope its helpful to someone.

http://www.connevans.co.uk/catalogue/6865677/Free-stuff

So what's an Edulink Bending Tool? Would that help me get my tube to the right shape, ie one where it stays in my ear rather than falling off when I bend my head forward?

You can tell I'm tempted ...