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Help for Hearing Impairment

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  • bluedog
    bluedog Posts: 502 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    chalky_75 wrote: »
    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.

    I totally agree with naf123 about hypo-allergenic ear moulds. I had a similar problem to yours and went to my hearing aid clinic to ask about them and the audiologist did the moulds there and then. I'd been expecting a bit of a fight for them (warned it may be difficult) but she even marked them as priority so got them within 2-3 weeks.

    They've made a big difference as I can now wear them without the deep and intense irritation the regular moulds gave me.

    Good luck.
  • My this is a wonderful thread! My father also has this problem with constantly needing his ears syringed and getting like Ezcema in his ears which is a vicious circle as the audiologists won't see him if his ears are in poor orsder. I never knew about this possibility of allergy - his doctor tells us " well what do you expect if you keep something pushed into your ear"!! No kidding!
    We have the audiology appointment in 2 weeks so guess what I shall be asking for !! If it stopped Dad complaining how itchy and sore his ears are all the time it would be great. Thanks all.
    x:T
  • froogirl
    froogirl Posts: 28 Forumite
    Just found this thread, which is great. I have one tip and one question.

    The tip first - instead of a vibrating alarm clock, I use a Lumie Bodyclock (a sunrise alarm clock), as I prefer to be woken up gently by light rather than by vibration.

    My question is about accessing audiology services. I have NHS hearing aids, but don't wear them that often. I'm deaf in one ear since birth and hard of hearing in the other (acquired and slowly deteriorating), but I lip read well and only wear my hearing aids when I know I'm going to be with a group of people.

    Anyway, this time last year I had an operation on my deaf ear which didn't change my hearing, but does seem to have changed the shape of my ear. Due to scar tissue pain, I haven't been able to wear that hearing aid at all until now, and have only just discovered the mould is now too tight and the tube is too short due to a tiny bit of scar tissue above my ear. How do I go about getting a new mould and tube? I've never been to my local audiology dept (as was sent to a private clinic clearing NHS waiting lists when I got my latest hearing aids and always get batteries sent by post). Do I need to be referred by my ENT consultant (I'm not due to see him until January) or can I just make an appointment direct? I'd like to get this sorted out soon so I can enjoy a party or two over Christmas. :D

    Sorry - that ended up very long-winded, but hope someone can help.
  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 47,308 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'd go and ask your GP. They should be able to refer you to NHS audiology. However I wouldn't hold your breath about being seen before Christmas - referrals can take a lot longer than that (even if they're not supposed to.)
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • rosieben
    rosieben Posts: 5,010 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    froogirl wrote: »
    ..... How do I go about getting a new mould and tube? I've never been to my local audiology dept (as was sent to a private clinic clearing NHS waiting lists when I got my latest hearing aids and always get batteries sent by post). Do I need to be referred by my ENT consultant (I'm not due to see him until January) or can I just make an appointment direct? ... .

    I don't think you'd need a referral just for new moulds and tubes. We don't even need an appointment for this at my audiology dept, its a case of turning up and waiting. They always take a new 'mould' for the moulds anyway, apparently our ears change as we get older, put on or lose weight etc.

    I'd ring your audiology dept to check whether you need to make an appointment; ( they may not ask, but you might need to make it clear that you were referred to the private clinic by the NHS) ;)
    ... don't throw the string away. You always need string! :D

    C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener
  • rosieben wrote: »
    I don't think you'd need a referral just for new moulds and tubes. We don't even need an appointment for this at my audiology dept, its a case of turning up and waiting. They always take a new 'mould' for the moulds anyway, apparently our ears change as we get older, put on or lose weight etc.

    I'd ring your audiology dept to check whether you need to make an appointment; ( they may not ask, but you might need to make it clear that you were referred to the private clinic by the NHS) ;)

    Thanks for the info - the whole "Audiology Dept" thing is a mystery to me. I know I'm on their system, because I ring them up to get batteries. I've never been there because I see my consultant either on his visits to our local cottage hospital or on a surgery ward if I need an operation - and the 'private clinic' was just two men in a community centre. The joys of rural life!

    I will ring up the Audiology Department and see if I can venture into the Big Town on spec. My biggest need is a new tube, which hopefully they can provide on the spot. The new mould is a secondary concern. Fingers crossed.
  • chalky_75 wrote: »
    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.


    That's my problem too, one ear has suffered continually for almost 5 years, less frequently in the other. I am a regular at the ENT clinic. But so much of the medication has been used, that I am now largely allergic to them. The severity of the condition in one ear is causing the canal to close up.

    Hence the solution for me is to no longer wear hearing aids - hence I now class myself as disabled whereas I was reluctant to do so before.

    My aids were from a private company and they did everything they could to address any allergy issues when the problem first started (at their own cost), but to no avail. Mind you I've worn hearing aids for the best part of 45 years - so as said elsewhere; "what do you expect when you keep putting things into your ears" :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
  • naf123
    naf123 Posts: 1,708 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    That's my problem too, one ear has suffered continually for almost 5 years, less frequently in the other. I am a regular at the ENT clinic. But so much of the medication has been used, that I am now largely allergic to them. The severity of the condition in one ear is causing the canal to close up.

    Hence the solution for me is to no longer wear hearing aids - hence I now class myself as disabled whereas I was reluctant to do so before.

    My aids were from a private company and they did everything they could to address any allergy issues when the problem first started (at their own cost), but to no avail. Mind you I've worn hearing aids for the best part of 45 years - so as said elsewhere; "what do you expect when you keep putting things into your ears" :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

    You tried everything? even Titanium ear moulds?
  • naf123 wrote: »
    You tried everything? even Titanium ear moulds?

    That is one option not mentioned by anyone...

    The issue is also what is left, medication-wise, if wearing a titanium mould still causes infection...

    Something to ponder on, thanks....
  • allydowd
    allydowd Posts: 4,965 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Uniform Washer Name Dropper
    The issue is also what is left, medication-wise, if wearing a titanium mould still causes infection...

    Something to ponder on, thanks....

    Ah, the answer is simple...Bone conduction aids don't have to have an ear-mould, so no irritation. Information here:

    RNID factsheet link
    Debt-free day: 8th May 2015 "Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck," Dalai Llama
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