Help for Hearing Impairment

sunnyone

CurrentWorker wrote: »

Hi, I assume PCT is my local hospital that supplies hearing aids? I do have Siemens hearing aids but I dont think they are wireless/bluetooth models. The only reason I asked now was that I asked my local hospital if my hearing aids were up to date last week so and they said it was the latest version/model. Perhaps (Highly doubt?!) my hearing aids are wireles/bluetooth models. It would be a great thing for me to have as I can then use my mobile a lot better.

You can use a mobile?

Which phone, I have a HTC Desire which I use to text and for browsing etc, but I havnt been able to hear any phone (even aid compatable phones) enough to hold a conversation for nearly two years and you have the same hearing loss as I have (severe/profund).

I would happily change mobile if I could have a normal phone conversation.

Errata

I have a Doro I bought from Connevans http://www.connevans.com/information/40gsm410%20datasheet.pdf
From memory, they will take it back if a buyer finds they can't use it. Give them a ring, they've very helpful and knowledgeable.

CurrentWorker

Hear-Hear wrote: »

Current worker,

The PCT is the authority that runs the NHS in each geographical area. It is currently up to each PCT to decide which hearing aids to provide to their population, whether to supply one or two aids for binaural losses, etc, etc.

You mentioned in an earlier post that you have Siemens Reflex aids. These hearing aids are indeed wireless, which Siemens calls e2e, to emphasise the point that the two hearing aids work together, as a pair. However, you have been mis-informed that Reflex is the latest version/model. It is not !!

Reflex was removed from the Catalogue in July 2010, and replaced in August by the Impact range, which is bluetooth-enabled. It may well be that your PCT has abundant stocks of old Reflex aids to get rid of, but to tell you that they are the "latest" rather than the fact they are "obsolete" seems unethical, and rather depressing to me.

The bluetooth is truly awesome for use with a mobile phone, but re-read my reservations above about using it with the streamer for TV. BTW, beware, there are a small number of bluetooth mobiles that are not compatible with the Siemens bluetooth, but only a few - if you PM me the make/model of your mobile, I can check it out for you.

Before I start, thanks for the help so far. :T

So as I have the Relfex model ( I can only use one hearing aid as Im profound in one and serverly in other), the wireless must be useless if Im wearing one aid only? Unless you can use it for other things which I/we do not know of? I only ask this as I would 'prefer' having bluetooth models as Im am young (17 yrs old) and play with quite abit of gadgets and use my mobile/TV lots. How can I ask the hospital about getting the Impact range? As I spoken earlier above the person who I had an appointment with 'made' it quite clear that mine was the latest (reflex). Do I have the right to ask? ect?

Also another question is I cannot wake up without the need of some help as I cannot hear the alarms and I am really strugglying with college and work at this current time. Any ideas and what websites I can look into? Also any benefits/funding to provide these things? We are a very low income family so yeh.

Once again, thanks for your help so far x

Hi Sunnyone

I didnt see you post as I was writing one up, so I replied below quote.

You can use a mobile?

Which phone, I have a HTC Desire which I use to text and for browsing etc, but I havnt been able to hear any phone (even aid compatable phones) enough to hold a conversation for nearly two years and you have the same hearing loss as I have (severe/profund).

I would happily change mobile if I could have a normal phone conversation.

Yeh I can, I suppose I been using them since the age of 11 as my mum and dad wanted me to get used to them and have a high chance so I have been taught using them quite young. I can have normal converations with people and I mean personal people, not people who work in a company or a call centre ect as I cant hear them tbh. I atm have a iPhone 3gs. I have the volume really loud but that means everyone can hear the convo but that the way it is. There are things you can use to improve the sound such as a 'bluetooth' or loop system which goes around your neck. You have to remember even that my hearing and yours are same/smiliar, we might hear different pitches as well. So you could be hearing all the pitch noises that I cant hear which a mobile might produce well ect. I also found it easier when I got my new hearing aids last year (Reflex) from the old brown ones which were not digital.

I suppose there are a number of different factors but please reply/PM me if you wish to know more information, I be really happy to help.

Errata

Also another question is I cannot wake up without the need of some help as I cannot hear the alarms and I am really strugglying with college and work at this current time. Any ideas and what websites I can look into? Also any benefits/funding to provide these things? We are a very low income family so yeh.

Contact the team for hearing impairment at your local council. They, or a local organisation contracted to them, will be able to provide you with a shedload of technical equipment to meet your needs. Free of charge.
My local one has a vibrating pad which goes under the bottom sheet of the bed and when its mate the alarm clock goes off it vibrates enough to shake you out of bed. HTH

CurrentWorker

Errata wrote: »

Contact the team for hearing impairment at your local council. They, or a local organisation contracted to them, will be able to provide you with a shedload of technical equipment to meet your needs. Free of charge.
My local one has a vibrating pad which goes under the bottom sheet of the bed and when its mate the alarm clock goes off it vibrates enough to shake you out of bed. HTH

Okay thanks, I will be looking into that then. I give them a ring on monday as I need it pretty soon I can say haha.

Is the vibrating pad any good? I have a double bed and I tend to sleep all over the place you see

Thanks

P.s, luving your sig!

Hear-Hear

Hello again CurrentWorker,

As you have a unilateral loss, the wireless connection between the Reflex hearing aids will be pretty much redundant for you. It's not used for other things, apart from turning a pair of hearing aids into a complete hearing system. The wireless hearing aid technology became commercially viable in the early 2000's, and the NHS took it in 2008.

You certainly have the right to ask, and the best way to ask is to ask from an informed point of view ! (Websites like this are just brilliant for information ). Tell then that you are aware that the Siemens Reflex is obsolete, that you know Siemens do not supply them any more, and that you would like to try the Siemens Impact which was released in the Summer. You have nothing to lose by asking. As I said before, they may be trying to run down stocks of their Reflexes, so offer to call them every week so that you can be the one of the first to ge the Impact. You may have to pay extra for the TEK accessory that enables you to pair audio sources to your Impact aid, and the NHS are likely to have to order it for you (unlikely to be in stock). Errata's advice is good. No matter where you tend to sleep in your double bed, you will love the effectiveness of a "shake-awake".


Sunnyone
The vast majority of mobile phones are not hearing aid compatible, so won't activate the 'autophone' function on your hearing aids. If you have severe hearing loss, you really need bluetooth-enabled hearing aids to use a mobile phone effectively. It's not a question of changing your mobile - it's a question of changing your hearing aids I'm afraid.

Errata

CurrentWorker wrote: »

Okay thanks, I will be looking into that then. I give them a ring on monday as I need it pretty soon I can say haha.

Is the vibrating pad any good? I have a double bed and I tend to sleep all over the place you see

Thanks

P.s, luving your sig!

I sleep in a double bed all over the place like you! When the vibration starts it's like a blooming earthquake and would shake the dead back to life. No chance of you sleeping through it

moneypenny2k

I have a moderately severe loss and a normal alarm is no good to me. The local sensory team of the council provided me with an alarm clock ages ago. It has a strobe flashing light and vibrating pad but it does tick rather loudly and would disturb a person with normal hearing. Newer one's may be different.

My ex used to call it the aliens landing. TBH I found it a rather horrid way to start the day and now have a daybreak alarm that wakes you with an artificial sunrise. They cost about £60 each but are a much more civilised way to start the day.

http://www.lumie.com/shop/categories/dawn-simulators?gclid=CKHytY_N0qUCFYIe4QodBwiXjg

Indie_Kid

Where does one get a hearing test done? Apparently Specsavers do them and so do the local hospital. I think I need mine testing - although not sure how much is due to having issues with my nose.

Errata

Your first port of call is your GP.