Help for Hearing Impairment

altocumulus

Guardsman wrote: »

Strange but true

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12759295

a non-surgical option for a BAHA ...

Guardsman

Spring is here just going for a walk is far more pleasant since I had the hearing aids fitted not only can I see what nature has to offer I can also hear it.

Hear-Hear

Indeed, Guardsman, it's not just conversational speech that is helped, but also the everyday sounds of nature. I suspect you are progressing well with your new hearing aids. May your thoughts help inspire just a few of the several million people in the UK who have a hearing loss, but choose to do nothing about it.

Savvy_Sue

I can't believe I haven't thought to ask on here before, but I don't think I have, explicitly, so here goes.

Is there ANYWHERE you can go to try out phone headsets BEFORE you buy, or is it a case of ordering and returning if it's no good?

The detail is that I have a mild hearing loss in my left ear, but I can't hear the phone with it. So I used to hold the phone to my right ear with my left hand, and use my right hand to take notes if necessary.

And then I crocked my left shoulder fairly comprehensively, so it hurts to do this. It hurts a bit less if I'm near my computer, because I can hold the phone in my right hand and type with my left, but it's still not great.

What (I think!) I want is a monaural wireless headset which 'works' with my hearing aid in my left ear, so that my right ear is free to hear what my colleagues are saying to me and so that I'm not either tied to the phone or having to faff about when I need to take a call.

Someone from the RNID came to our lipreading class the other day and she did a bit of research for me and suggested that Plantronics headsets are the bees knees, but the ones I looked at are over £200! :eek: I could get in touch with Access to Work but I don't think I'd get very far because

a) the arm is getting better, just it's going to take a (long) while;
b) using the phone is not a huge part of my job
c) I've been back at work for almost a month and I've coped ...

I do have a hands-free phone, but the office is quite noisy and I sometimes struggle to hear well enough (eg if I listen to the answerphone hands-free), plus the other end of the conversation can be quite personal / confidential. If they picked up office noise and realised other people might be able to hear what they were saying, that could be very difficult.

I'm in Bristol, but willing to travel ... What was our local Disabled Living Centre says they don't do office equipment any more (although that's been news to all the Occupational Therapists I've asked!) and the local Centre for the Deaf isn't interested because it's for work not home.

And yes, I'm sure work WILL pay, but I don't want to ask them to unless I'm fairly confident it's going to help.

Errata

I am your fairy godmother
Have a look in the Connevans catalogue http://www.connevans.com/
If you order something and it turns out to be of no help, they'll take it back and refund.
It's worth having a natter to them on the phone (sorry ) to help identify what might be the most suitable bit of kit for you.

Discogod

the hearing centre i use in nottingham has an 'environmental aids' room where you can try things out - this includes different phones. I've not used these though so don't know if it would help your situation in any case. Not sure if your local place has anything (i suspect you've already asked....

Savvy_Sue

Errata wrote: »

I am your fairy godmother
Have a look in the Connevans catalogue http://www.connevans.com/
If you order something and it turns out to be of no help, they'll take it back and refund.
It's worth having a natter to them on the phone (sorry ) to help identify what might be the most suitable bit of kit for you.

yes, I know I can do that, I was just hoping I could TRY something.

I'm a bit funny about having things in my ear / on my head, so if I just hate the sensation of a headset then I'll just have to persevere as I am.

Discogod wrote: »

the hearing centre i use in nottingham has an 'environmental aids' room where you can try things out - this includes different phones. I've not used these though so don't know if it would help your situation in any case. Not sure if your local place has anything (i suspect you've already asked....

Yes, I've asked, although I may have to contact them and not mention that it's for work, except I think the Deaf Centre comes out to assess you at home, which could make life a bit tricky. Hardly ever use the phone at home, prefer email! But thanks for the thought.

As it happens, DH is at a meeting at the local Disabled Living Centre today (although they have a new name now), and he's going to double check that I was given the right information when I phoned.

If they'll assess me for home use but not office use, then I shall just have to say it's for home and send them a big fat donation afterwards!

naf123

You may know me on this thread - I have had so many problems trying to find a new hearing aid on the NHS that suits me.

So I had an appointment today - tried on the Oticon Spirit Zest SP (which the audio told me was a rebranded version of Oticon Chili for NHS use) I am unsure what version it is, so if anyone here an enlight me - please let me know.

For the first time in 10 years, I hear much better now. Far better than phonak nadia. It brought tears to my eyes. Finally my long ten years never-ending search for an adequent replacement to the phonak sumpero has arrived. And what boosted me even more was that I immediately got compliments from family and friends that my speech has somewhat improved! (I dont know what my speech was like or is like but if they are telling me my speech has improved....wow!)

What the tradegy is here, for 10 years I was messed around, trying on diff hearing aids without success...with a devstating effect on my studies and degree, (nevertheless, I still managed to get a first in my degree, but it was sheer HARD work that got me my results!) and finally, the good news is, there IS a crediable, suitable hearing aids for profoundly deaf people!

All of you, profoundly deaf people here on MSE - I urge you to go to your audio on the NHS and try on the oticon spirt zest SP (superpower)!! It rocks! I am in the early days, but the indications looks highly promising!

Good luck all!

Savvy_Sue

naf123 wrote: »

Far better than phonak nadia.

That's great news! However, I'd just like to say that what doesn't suit you may suit someone else: I don't know what model of Phonak one of my very deaf relatives is using, but I know it IS a Phonak, and I also know it's private (and eyewateringly expensive for all the extras which were wanted).

I know it's a Phonak, because when I first saw them with it on, they had the 'loop' on and I read 'Primark' not 'Phonak' on it. This seemed a bit unlikely because they are not the kind of person who shops in Primark! :rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

Just to update on DH's visit to the local Disabled Living Centre as was: they confirmed that they don't have headsets or other office bits and pieces for people to try out, but they agreed that it was a reasonable request, so someone is 'looking into it'.

It may not help me, but maybe it will help the next person ...