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Some questions on hearing aids...
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Mine are private (NHS couldn't work out which aids are compatible for 6 months so I gave up). My hearing aids are steel coloured and barely noticeable which I like because I wear glasses most of the time so I don't want too much going on.0
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My Daughter has worn hearing aids since she was 4 months old and is now 7. She loves to choose her moulds and has differnt pictures on each side everytime. NHS hearing aids are great, good quality, free to repair (childrens are, not sure on adults) My daughter is so proud of her extra ears and wouldnt be with out them. Has never been picked on but have known a couple of kids to pretend to be deaf so they can have some lol.. she also recived glasses at 3.5 years a a few other issues lol.
Any one else on here have deaf little ones ??0 -
Hi there I wear the Oticon Spirit Zest type and I have to say getting used to them was a pain but the more you wear them the more you get used to them......you can't even see mine when they are in, and can't say anyone has noticed. I was talking to someone the other day that I've known for years and I mentioned about my aids and they didn't even realise that I'd ever worn them! They are much better than the old clunky ones and once you get used to them you do forget they are there. I personally think the in ear ones look a bit odd and you can tell you've got an aid in whereas these ones because they are clear at the front you can't see them.0
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I went to my GP as tinnitus, which has been getting louder for several ears, was becoming annoying. This was the first time I'd asked for help with it, guess I was scared of being told I was going deaf.
I was referred to a local (private but does NHS) audiology unit.
His hearing test showed i had 30% loss, bilateral, mostly high-frequency. He wasn't in the least interested in tinnitus, just said hearing aids would help. When I asked how, he said there wasn't time to explain, look it up online.
He took ear-impressions for aids. I told him I was a singer and definitely didn't want my ears blocked so I couldn't hear the other singers in my choirs, he said they'd be fine.
Went back for the fitting, having now done lots of research online. I said again I didn't want my ears blocked and asked for open-ear fittings. While I was talking he carried on stuffing his plugs into my ears and fiddling with his computer - I had to actually say "Stop" to get him to listen to me. I asked for aids in a different colour from NHS pink, he said they didn't do other colours, but I had read that NHS can supply these on request.
In the end I walked out without aids. Rang the local big hospital audiology and spoke with lovely chap there - yes they did colours, yes, they did open-ear if my hearing was suitable.
So now I wait for a new GP appointment to ask for a new referral to hospital audiology.
I was shocked to be told I had a hearing loss like that - I had been unaware of what I wasn't hearing.At the first appointment I didn't have any information of what to expect or to ask for. This whole experience has been horrible. I would give up on aids, but the tinnitus is interfering with normal life now, so cannot.
Do hearing aids help tinnitus?
And does anyone know how to make an effective formal complaint about this jerk so that others might not have the same care-less, conveyor-belt treatment from him?
Thanks for listening,Chyebren
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I have worn two aids since I was 7 - Im 45 now...I have grown up with various aids and different sizes/styles...The ones I have now are beige but after reading the above posts (thanx guys!) I'm gonna barter for a more funky colour at my next renewal time...:j... I've got black & purple hair, lotsa piercings & a very alternative dress sense so funky will fit in with me just fine!
Advice for a newbie wearing aids -
Well 1st get a cheap lip balm and use a smear of it on the mould to help with popping the moulds in until you get used to it...
Hairspray WILL bung up the vents in the aids and you will find that it affects their function somewhat...I have to scrape styling product build up off on a regular basis...:rotfl:
Change your tubing regularly - again leaving it too long till it goes hard affects function...
If like me you love your music get ear hook/s from the RNID website -
http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop/product-l329.aspx
They work in the same way as ear buds/headphones for your mp3/laptop etc and the jack on the end fits most standard jack sockets...(When I got mine I had a right laugh at just how many song lyrics I had miss heard!) :rotfl:
Yes you WILL get a build up of wax in the ear canal as wax cannot escape in the usual way as the moulds prevent it doing so...It will depend on the individual - In my case I get it bad so every 4 months I go to my local ENT clinic at the hospital and I have what is termed as 'suctioning'...It is basically like having your ears hoovered out!...It is painless but oh my what a difference it makes afterwards!...I have perforated ear drums so I cannot have my ears syringed like most peeps can but you may be able to get away with just that...Ask your GP or audiology unit for further advice...
As for being out in the rain/snow etc and the aids getting wet- wear a hat!
And lastly - BE PROUD of your disability...I wear my hair up most of the time...At least if other peeps can see the aids they know you ain't being rude or ignorant when you dont respond cos you ain't heard them!
If I can think of any more tips I will add them later as an edit...Hope that helps anyone new to hearing aids...:beer::heartpuls Gains & £'s saved..Far too many to mention! Needless to say I LOVE MSE! :heartpuls
'Smile in the face of adversity..Whilst thinking where you can bury the bodies'
Area representative for National Association for Bikers with a Disability A cripple is a person who thinks a disabled person cannot ride a motorcycle0 -
I was referred to a local (private but does NHS) audiology unit.And does anyone know how to make an effective formal complaint about this jerk ......
If he is a private practitioner, he must be registered with the Health Professions Council. It is a statutory offence to practice privately without such registration. You can check his registration details here http://www.hpcheck.org/ and you can print off the form for complaints here http://www.hpc-uk.org/assets/documents/10003295raisingaconcernform-memberofthepublic.doc0 -
i have a nhs digital hearing aid been deaf all my life but noticed when some ones either at side or just behind me i have problems hearing them as anyone else had this problem? audiologist thought i was joking but i'm not so i dont bother with it now as its pointless if i cant hear them lol0
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i have a nhs digital hearing aid been deaf all my life but noticed when some ones either at side or just behind me i have problems hearing them as anyone else had this problem? audiologist thought i was joking but i'm not so i dont bother with it now as its pointless if i cant hear them lol
Hi istanbul...:)
My response to that it most of us hearing impaired have the same problem...It just goes to show just how much we rely on lip reading even though we don't realise it!...If someone is in front of us it makes it so much easier for us to hear them...
Also depending on your aid type, some have the sound receiver bit towards the top of the ear so therefore sounds in front are picked up better than sounds from behind or to the side...
Please DON'T give up hun...Go back and see the audiologist again...There are several audiologists in my local audiology department and chances are you will see someone else who takes your concerns as something other than a joke...
Good luck...:)
:heartpuls Gains & £'s saved..Far too many to mention! Needless to say I LOVE MSE! :heartpuls
'Smile in the face of adversity..Whilst thinking where you can bury the bodies'
Area representative for National Association for Bikers with a Disability A cripple is a person who thinks a disabled person cannot ride a motorcycle0 -
He wasn't in the least interested in tinnitus, just said hearing aids would help. When I asked how, he said there wasn't time to explain, look it up online.
While I was talking he carried on stuffing his plugs into my ears and fiddling with his computer - I had to actually say "Stop" to get him to listen to me. I asked for aids in a different colour from NHS pink, he said they didn't do other colours.Chyebren
I am appalled at your treatment at the hands of this so called 'professional' :eek:
If he is undertaking NHS work then you should quite rightly complain...
This might be of use to you -
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/health_index_ew/nhs_patients_rights.htmDo hearing aids help tinnitus? Chyebren
I don't really know to be honest hun...BUT I do find that listening to music helps - a lot!...If you look at my post - after yours above in this thread - you will see a link to purchase ear hooks that are FABand work brilliantly with aids and for me personally - tinnitus is gone! :j
:heartpuls Gains & £'s saved..Far too many to mention! Needless to say I LOVE MSE! :heartpuls
'Smile in the face of adversity..Whilst thinking where you can bury the bodies'
Area representative for National Association for Bikers with a Disability A cripple is a person who thinks a disabled person cannot ride a motorcycle0 -
koolkatsaffi wrote: »If like me you love your music get ear hook/s from the RNID website -
http://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop/product-l329.aspx
They work in the same way as ear buds/headphones for your mp3/laptop etc and the jack on the end fits most standard jack sockets...(When I got mine I had a right laugh at just how many song lyrics I had miss heard!) :rotfl:
koolkatsaffi wrote: »Yes you WILL get a build up of wax in the ear canal as wax cannot escape in the usual way as the moulds prevent it doing so...It will depend on the individual - In my case I get it bad so every 4 months I go to my local ENT clinic at the hospital and I have what is termed as 'suctioning'...It is basically like having your ears hoovered out!...It is painless but oh my what a difference it makes afterwards!...I have perforated ear drums so I cannot have my ears syringed like most peeps can but you may be able to get away with just that...Ask your GP or audiology unit for further advice...
Ah, I was worried about this. I get mega wax problems and actually went completely deaf for a couple of weeks recently as my non-deaf ear got so blocked up! I've had my ears suctioned a few times before so will ask at my next appointment if this could be made a regular occurance.
Thanks for all your help and advice, very useful! :T:www: Saving for a deposit - Target £30k by 24/03/14 (30th Birthday!) :www:
Current Savings - £18,153.11 / 60.51%0
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