Help for Hearing Impairment

Savvy_Sue

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I have set a reminder on my phone for tomorrow to phone and make an appointment to show them how the new canal lock doesn't fit my hearing aid. Watch this space ...

I got up there this afternoon. Staff not very impressed a) because wrong attachment for hearing aid fitted and b) because tubing not securely fitted. She went off and re-tubed the new mould completely.

Sadly it's not as comfy as it was when I just tried it out. Quite hard and unforgiving. DH says I need to get used to it, and maybe I need to fiddle to make it more comfortable when it first goes in.

summerof0763

I am really annoyed at our audiology dept I had someone from the deaf club give me a home visit away back at start of year she said I really needed another hearing test as she didnt think my hearing aids were helping me she said she would sort it out for me, fast forward july was at a festival for a weekend piuring rain and on sun one of them stopped working got an app on tues they didnt have anymore of the same hearing aid, I wear two, so I have one that is suppisedly suited to me and this one that I would need to use just now which is a nightmare people accusing me of shouting which has got to stage I have virtually isolated myself from everyone.
My daughter phoned and phoned she was constantly getting answering machine, eventually she got to speak to someone, she told them all problems I have been having so she said she would have a look and phone her back, she phoned daughter back said there was an app in post, I got letter for an appointment for dec for audiology so not even getting hearing test I am raging a whole year and getting nowhere I feel like crying

default98

Hi, I was hoping for some general feedback on what to expect when it comes to hearing aid through the NHS / privately. I’ve gotten a little way through the process and have found knowing the rough steps has helped me manage things a little better.

I’ve had tinnitus at levels that I’ve been aware of for the last few years. I went to the doctors around 2 years ago. They checked my eardrum and confirmed there was no wax blockage. Nothing further happened. Since then I’ve tried a few small adjustments (no audio through headphones for a few months in case this was contributing to the ringing in my ear). I find certain things (tiredness, if I’m in a loud environment for an extended period of time) do cause the intensity of my tinnitus to increase, however I seem to reach a baseline level which I cannot reduce any further. Typically this is the level of my tinnitus throughout the day and I’ve not noticed it changing over the last few years.

As this baseline is loud enough to impact my ability to hear people in everyday environments I went back to the doctors a few weeks ago. Again my ears were checked. This time there was a small amount of wax build up. The feedback was to put olive oil into my ears to break it down and book a high street hearing test after 10 days.

I’ve been to Specsavers (their hearing test was free). My initial results are a moderate loss across frequencies which worsens towards the higher end. It is about equal in both ears. In terms of numbers it starts at around 45DB at the initial frequency, drops to around 55 DB for the next frequencies and finishes at around 65 DB at 8K.

Specsavers have given me the test results to pass onto my doctor. They have suggested a referral to my local ENT is recommended. This is for general tests to ensure there’s nothing more serious causing the tinnitus (there’s no real environmental factors or obvious causes that I can pinpoint and I don’t have any other current health issues).

If possible I could do with some feedback on how much of an impact hearing loss at my levels should be? So far I’ve been muddling along but I am finding more and more instances in which speech is at too low a level for me to hear and I often struggle unless I’m right next to the person speaking. Would a hearing aid be recommended or should I be able to manager without?

If a hearing aid is needed, how long should I expect for the ENT tests to take, I was hoping the end of the year (especially as it looks as though it will take time and revisits to get any hearing aid setup correctly). If I do need a hearing aid I suspect I will look to get a CIC or IIC device privately. Is it acceptable to try an NHS aid before hand though (would they have a generic unit that I can hand back after a few weeks if I do find a hearing aid helps)?

Savvy_Sue

Not an expert, but definitely try an NHS aid before paying for a private one. And I'll say again, try lipreading classes if there are any locally..

Errata

Over 65's like you are only entitled to Attendance Allowance.Which you are very unlikely to be awarded for moderate hearing loss.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/66978898#Comment_66978898

Errata

notsoold wrote: »

I
At what level of loss do the DWP consider it as being significant for it to be used as a reason?

Probably none as someone who has only a moderate hearing loss is still capable, with hearing aids, of doing all the everyday tasks someone with 100% hearing does.

Savvy_Sue

Generally for DLA the hearing loss would need to be linked to other ear problems, eg if it affects balance and you're having falls and are not safe to go out alone as a result.

My mother lived alone for six years after Dad died: she was so deaf she could not use a normal phone *, and struggled to receive calls on her textphone, but she could usually make them that way. Social services arranged for her to have flashing lights for the doorbell, the fire service installed flashing and vibrating smoke alarms, and she bought a vibrating alarm clock. There were various options for these things, including a pager unit which would indicate front door, back door or phone, but she never got on with that.

I'm not saying there was nothing she couldn't do, or that her deafness wasn't extremely disabling at times, but with the right equipment she could get by just fine.

* I have been reminded of the story of the man who came to install loft insulation at Mum's house. Up he went, and she continued pottering round the house and pretty much forgot he was there. After a while the phone rang, but she couldn't understand what was being said, so suggested they should call back in a couple of hours so that they could speak to her cleaner.

Then a couple of paramedics appeared at her door. She denied having called an ambulance, but they asked if they could come in and check the house.

Up in the loft, the chap had fallen and damaged his leg. He'd tried shouting, no good. So he'd phoned his office, and they'd called mum, no good. He was extracted from the loft in due course, which can't have been easy as access is quite tight ...

summerof0763

summerof0763 wrote: »

I am really annoyed at our audiology dept I had someone from the deaf club give me a home visit away back at start of year she said I really needed another hearing test as she didnt think my hearing aids were helping me she said she would sort it out for me, fast forward july was at a festival for a weekend piuring rain and on sun one of them stopped working got an app on tues they didnt have anymore of the same hearing aid, I wear two, so I have one that is suppisedly suited to me and this one that I would need to use just now which is a nightmare people accusing me of shouting which has got to stage I have virtually isolated myself from everyone.
My daughter phoned and phoned she was constantly getting answering machine, eventually she got to speak to someone, she told them all problems I have been having so she said she would have a look and phone her back, she phoned daughter back said there was an app in post, I got letter for an appointment for dec for audiology so not even getting hearing test I am raging a whole year and getting nowhere I feel like crying[/oh dear thought maybe someone would have some ideas for help no worries will struggle onQUOTE]

Savvy_Sue

summerof0763 wrote: »

I am really annoyed at our audiology dept I had someone from the deaf club give me a home visit away back at start of year she said I really needed another hearing test as she didnt think my hearing aids were helping me she said she would sort it out for me, fast forward july was at a festival for a weekend piuring rain and on sun one of them stopped working got an app on tues they didnt have anymore of the same hearing aid, I wear two, so I have one that is suppisedly suited to me and this one that I would need to use just now which is a nightmare people accusing me of shouting which has got to stage I have virtually isolated myself from everyone.
My daughter phoned and phoned she was constantly getting answering machine, eventually she got to speak to someone, she told them all problems I have been having so she said she would have a look and phone her back, she phoned daughter back said there was an app in post, I got letter for an appointment for dec for audiology so not even getting hearing test I am raging a whole year and getting nowhere I feel like crying

summerof0763 wrote: »

oh dear thought maybe someone would have some ideas for help no worries will struggle on

Hard to know what to suggest, but you could contact your GP and see if they know what the local arrangements are / what targets there are, and ask if the appt could be for a hearing test. In some areas it's been contracted out, eg my brother goes to SpecSavers for his NHS appointments.

Also contact PALS and ask them if this is in line with service expectations. They usually have an email address.

default98

Thanks for the replies

[FONT=&quot]I gave my test results to my GP the other week and they've advised a ENT referral. I've heard back from the ENT department with a date of the 3rd February next year.

Whilst I'm happy to take any tests they recommend I'm not quite sure what I'm waiting for. From what I can see the actual hearing test is likely to be the same I've been through (I had a tone test through headphones and a tone test through bone conduction) so I think the additional stuff will things like an MRI to rule out any serious issues. I feel in okay health aside from Tinnitus and do not have any balance concerns (so not Meniere's or TMJ).

As it's likely I will end up getting a hearing aid privately, should I continue to pursue this whilst waiting for the ENT appointments and tests? Are the ENT department likely to be able to pin point the issue (if for example it's damage to my inner ear hair cells will they be able to see this) and will the results be needed when fitting a hearing aid privately (will it allow for specific adjustments)?

My fear is just that if I wait I may find it's just a initial appointment on the third. If more substantial tests are needed I may need to wait for further appointments and then wait again for results / any NHS hearing aids if they do decide to fit them.

If one of the explanations for the costs of getting treated privately is speed when compared to public health I'd be losing this if I didn't query them now (especially if the end result is just me being in exactly the same position - aware that I'm struggling to hear but not of the specific cause - several months down the line)[FONT=&quot] or is it jus[FONT=&quot]t best to be [FONT=&quot]patient[FONT=&quot]?[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
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