Deafness and anxiety- what to do

[Wheretostarteh]

Apologies if there’s a place to specifically put this but I’m not sure where else to add it to.

Im deaf in my left ear, have around 30% less hearing in my right also, I have been this way since birth. I’m now early 30s with 3 young children and it’s causing serious anxiety.

I feel like I can’t go out without DH as I’m worried I or my DC will be ran over or mis-hear important conversations or I lose my DC because I can’t hear them. Crossing roads is a massive issue for me, I get incredible anxiety surrounding it and have to plan my route and if there’s busy main roads I have to cross I won’t go without someone (ridiculous I know!).

I should wear hearing aids however they confuse me more and hurt (I’ve not used them all my life and the sensation is too much for me with them).

I don’t know what to do anymore, I’ve been for CBT and counselling- neither have helped.

I don’t have a clue where to start with PIP or obtaining a blue badge (if I’d even qualify) and then the worry if I do apply and get it the DC will be taken off me because they think I can’t cope, it’s ruling my life now.

is anyone else in or been in a similar situation?

Im also awaiting an ADHD diagnosis (on the long waiting list) so I don’t think that’s helping, I also have OCD so the ruminating is included in it all.

I understand - my hearing loss isn't as great as yours, but I feel like this without my hearing aids. It's frightening, overwhelming, there's no wonder you're anxious.

Is there any way you could try hearing aids again? I understand they've come on leaps and bounds recently, and there are lots of different types now to try. It took three months of weekly visits to my audiologist to get mine right, but I really wouldn't be without them now.

Thank you for your reply. I last tried hearing aids around 7 years ago- with my level of hearing loss I can only use the typical over the ears. I wore them for 6 months and they made my anxiety (ironically) amplified, it was too much and the world was scarier. It’s definitely not an option for me I’m afraid.