Awful hearing

[stressym]

Hi

I'm 42 and my hearing is terrible- it makes my life a misery but I'm so reluctant to go to GP because I really don't want a hearing aid. Is there anything else I can do to improve this myself? Any tips v welcome - please don't tell me to visit GP.

[Jenny2710]

I have hearing aids , I found the national health ones were not comfortable and old technology,I eventually went privately,to Boots,I wear them all day totally discreet,no one knows,until I tell them. It has transformed my life.my hearing problems are genetic,my mum and nana were /are hard of hearing.
It could be ear wax, bite the bullet, go to the GP,get it checked. I am so pleased I did.

[FinnegansCake]

I have the same problem. How much did your hearing aids cost, Jenny, if you don't mind me asking? I've been putting off getting some because I've heard they are very expensive, but I'm struggling more and more when there is background noise or a group conversation.

[Jenny2710]

£2,500,told they should last 5 years,so it balances out. They are free on the NHS but they are not as good in my experience. When I had the NHS ones I put them in as I went into work and immediately took them out as I got in the car they were uncomfortable. These ones I wear from getting up to going to bed,the technology is superior as they can be adjusted to suit the environments you work and live in. You do have to persevere with them as if your hearing has gradually declined it takes time for the brain to adjust to increased hearing, over time your hearing adjusts and you don't hear everything at a heightened level. I teach and initially a child tapping a pen on the desk was startling, I don't hear it now. In contrast my mum who is very deaf can't bear wearing her aide as she has never adjusted to the noise, she said to me ' why are the birds so loud?' Bless her. She can't wear them in a car as she says she can hear the engine noises.

If your hearing gradually declines you might be surprised at the difference hearing aides make. I got them as it was affecting me in the class room, I could not hear the children well enough let alone my own kids. My son asked me for the apple sauce I thought he wanted napkins,so I told him they are in the drawer. My life is improved by the hearing aides. M in my late 50's, I also need glasses, can't function without those either😊

[Littlefish]

I had my hearing tested last year and I'm on the border for needing hearing aids. I'm really struggling in the classroom as I teach very young children who:
a. Are very short and I'm very tall
b. Have not yet learned to look at the person who is talking
c. Have high pitched, quiet voices

I wouldn't get hearing aids on the NHS as my hearing isn't bad enough, but would I be able to get them privately?

How do I know if they would help?

[Jenny2710]

You can be assessed privately, a lot of opticians test and supply them. Yep young girls with soft voices are difficult to discern.

[Littlefish]

Thanks Jenny. If things continue as they are, then I might look into it.

[Littlefish]

All their voices are difficult to discern, against the general classroom background noise!

[Floralnomad]

OP , are you sure you've not just got compacted wax in your ears ? My DS (24) is moderately deaf and he has ITC aids from Specsavers , they do various options and he had more expensive ones that were £1600 about 3 yrs ago , he has a pair of their basic ones for spare ( £500) . They supply batteries for about 3/4 yrs and ours have been in for various bits and pieces ( mainly wax removal) several times and they've never charged me .

[Floralnomad]

littlefish , my DS is a secondary school teacher and his aids filter out background noise .

[Littlefish]

Floral - that would really help me.