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Original poster

Thread for those of us that are deaf/hard of hearing?

986 replies

flamingo40 · 04/09/2021 17:45

I've looked through the health topics and can't find any particular areas for those of us who are deaf or hard of hearing to turn to if we are after advice or just fancy a chat with people who are in the same situation?
I guess I'm asking firstly if I'm missing something or secondly if there isn't an area we can go to would this be something Mumsnet would think about adding?

Having been hard of hearing for years and now a permanent hearing aid wearer I'd love you get help and advice and talk about experiences to other people

OP posts:
Thread gallery
27
YogaLite · 07/10/2021 10:21

Just thought of another question, do many of you use sign language/makaton?

My DS started as hearing so early on it wasn't needed but as he is now older (young adult), I feel we should teach him at least some makaton. He has learning disability so can't handle a full on course.

Do any of you feel a need to learn or tried to learn at home? Obviously I would have to learn some basics too, is it easy from YouTube etc?

purpleme12 · 07/10/2021 10:27

I've never heard of the use it or lose it thing before!
Where have you heard that from?

purpleme12 · 07/10/2021 10:28

I'm not sure the use it or lose it thing is true

YogaLite · 07/10/2021 11:12

I have read about neural networks a lot when researching my DS problems, it was specifically about how brain/nerve cells trim unused pathways. Can't remember where I read it as it was a few years ago.

In particular it was about eyes, that patching the eye permanently (in animals) makes them lose sight because the signals stop flowing through the nerve cells.

I am sure there was something about it in general terms about other senses.

SkinPaperThin · 07/10/2021 18:02

@YogaLite I'm learning British Sign Language but makaton may be a better option for someone with a learning disability. It's a simplified version of sign language with the added benefit of pictures to help the learning process. YouTube will have lots of videos and there are courses you can do too.

SkinPaperThin · 07/10/2021 18:08

There's also SSE - Sign Supported English that might be useful.

BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 08/10/2021 11:55

Very interesting and informative thread, thank you @flamingo40.

I have mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears and have NHS hearing aids. They are Oticon (not sure of the model) and are NHS. They connect via bluetooth to my phone and can be controlled via the phone. If I had an iphone I could also stream music, calls, etc direct to them via bluetooth! So disappointed that my phone is android! I can buy a gadget to allow me to stream, but it'll cost at least £150 so may have to wait.

BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 08/10/2021 11:58

I think the device that allows streaming is called the Connect Clip or something similar.

Soggychip · 08/10/2021 12:19

Great idea for a thread. I started wearing NHS HAs last year for mild hearing loss. I’ve struggled since I was in my 30s (suspect measles as a child and a burst eardrum in my 20s might have contributed but my DF and 2 of my grandparents were quite deaf. I find even with aids it’s a struggle sometime when people wear masks and/or there’s a screen. Also constantly pulling them out when taking off a mask. Plus the arms of my glasses are a poor fit for the HAs.

ihavespoken · 08/10/2021 15:13

Thankyou for this thread!
I have cookie-bite hearing loss (mid frequencies - my low and high are ok) and the NHS wouldn't give me any aids as it wasn't bad enough.

However it was bad enough to be a source of friction and annoyance in my relationships! Fortunately I could afford private audiology and have some Widex ones which are hardly visible.. they were £4000 over 4 years though (including cost of finance, so I'm not sure how much the actual aids were).

I'gd got out of the habit of wearing them during lockdown as I WFH alone all day and it didn't seem necessaryt, but the audiologist recently told me I should wear them as much as possible to keep my brain used to receiving the signals.

I've just had lunch with my mum who's a BAHA user and is waiting for an ordinary hearing aid for her other ear.. the background noise in the cafe including the radio and the coffee machine made it a bit difficult at times Grin.

I don't know how much longer my current hearing aids will last as they were only guaranteed for 4 years (and that time has now elapsed) but I do like the idea of bluetooth ones if/when they need replacing.

I am going to look into lipreading / BSL classes so thanks to PP for the tips.

ihavespoken · 08/10/2021 15:20

@YogaLite

I have read about neural networks a lot when researching my DS problems, it was specifically about how brain/nerve cells trim unused pathways. Can't remember where I read it as it was a few years ago.

In particular it was about eyes, that patching the eye permanently (in animals) makes them lose sight because the signals stop flowing through the nerve cells.

I am sure there was something about it in general terms about other senses.

Just read this! That must have been what the audiologist meant - thanks
Original poster
flamingo40 · 10/10/2021 09:33

One of my hearing aids has broken. It's got no sound at all. I wear phonak m90
I've booked an appointment with boots tomorrow so hoping they'll sort it there and not have to send it for repair,
Luckily my left is still working but I've gone from hearing quite well to half my hearing.
I can't explain how this has made me feel. Isolated I guess.
The thought of it going to repair and having to cope with just one is filling me with dread.
I know this is a very small problem, I know I'm lucky to have one that still works. But I also know how difficult this will make my life until it's fixed.
I don't know why I'm posting I guess I just wanted to say it to people that would understand

OP posts:
Weedsorwishes · 10/10/2021 10:13

Sorry to hear that @flamingo40 hopefully you get it fixed quickly

Original poster
flamingo40 · 10/10/2021 10:35

Thank you...
Just needed to vent.
My husband says people will have to accommodate me instead of me accommodating them which I think was a lovely thing

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 10/10/2021 10:41

oh no that's really bad. i know when i can't wear a hearing aid i don't feel half as confident. and don't feel as willing to join in with everything
i hope you can get it sorted soon

KnottyKnitting · 10/10/2021 13:53

Flamingo40 Check inside the battery compartment- sometimes you get a bit of corrosion that stops the points connecting. Looks like a sort of white bloom. I use a cotton bud with a tiny bit of surgical spirit to clean the points- usually works if that is the problem. Another thing to try is stick it in the dry box- might be a bit of moisture?

ihavespoken · 11/10/2021 11:32

Oh flamingo40 I hope you get sorted- when my hearing aid broke down it just needed a new receiver which they had in stock and they replaced it on the spot - fingers crossed yours is also a quick fix x

YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp · 11/10/2021 11:44

@PawPrintsInMyPansies

Hi, can I please join?

I have hearing loss in both ears and moderate tinnitus. I have hearing aids, but rarely wear them at the moment because covid and working at home. I am so happy most people have stopped wearing masks, I discovered during covid that I actually lip read without realising. Masks made life difficult.

I find I’m ok on one 2 one conservation, but really struggle in crowds especially with noisy backgrounds.

Unlike other disabilities, why is it ok to mock those of us who are deaf/hard of hearing. Every time I’ve ever told anyone, they always respond with a ‘What?’ Or ‘Pardon?’. Ha ha. So funny. Thinking about it, that’s probably another reason why I rarely wear my aids.

I too have that mocking. Like you I found lockdown even more isolating, I cannot understand people speaking with masks on despite 2 aids. I am 67, I started having hearing loss in my left ear as a teenager after a nasty infection caught from swimming in the Med. My parents refused to let me see a Spanish doctor so by the time I got home and saw my own go the damage had been done. I didn’t have a hearing aid until I was in my 50’s, and within a couple of years needed two. I am now pretty socially isolated, I cannot be in busy or noisy environments and I really struggle if I can’t lip read the person talking to me. My husband thinks deaf=daft I think! It’s very hard.
SMaCM · 11/10/2021 11:54

I often ask people to remove their masks to speak to me. I am choosing to put myself at risk, so they are usually happy to do so. When I went to give blood she went away and got a clear mask.

Original poster
flamingo40 · 11/10/2021 11:55

Update.... Boots were fantastic. Serviced my hearing aids, changed tubes and connections.
Also referred me to gp as I've a wax build up.
He explained a lot to me which I've not had before with my nhs appointments.
I can hear again thank god!

OP posts:
YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp · 11/10/2021 12:05

@flamingo40

Update.... Boots were fantastic. Serviced my hearing aids, changed tubes and connections. Also referred me to gp as I've a wax build up. He explained a lot to me which I've not had before with my nhs appointments. I can hear again thank god!
Do you think Boots hearing aids are better than the nhs ones? I am wavering because of the costs ☹️
Original poster
flamingo40 · 11/10/2021 12:49

I've read somewhere that done nhs postcodes do the same as boots.
I know mine certainly doesn't.
It was very expensive but I can honestly say they've changed my life. I can hear on the phone as they're Bluetooth and calls connect straight hm my ears. They're definitely far better quality than my nhs ones and the app on my phone enables me to adjust the hearing aids to adapt to different scenarios. When I'm in a fitness class for example I bring the speech of my instructor higher and music lower, in restaurants I change them so I drown out background noise and focus on speech.
The service for and issues is quicker than nhs too

OP posts:
ihavespoken · 11/10/2021 16:19

@flamingo40

Update.... Boots were fantastic. Serviced my hearing aids, changed tubes and connections. Also referred me to gp as I've a wax build up. He explained a lot to me which I've not had before with my nhs appointments. I can hear again thank god!
YAY!
purpleme12 · 11/10/2021 16:40

@flamingo40

I've read somewhere that done nhs postcodes do the same as boots. I know mine certainly doesn't. It was very expensive but I can honestly say they've changed my life. I can hear on the phone as they're Bluetooth and calls connect straight hm my ears. They're definitely far better quality than my nhs ones and the app on my phone enables me to adjust the hearing aids to adapt to different scenarios. When I'm in a fitness class for example I bring the speech of my instructor higher and music lower, in restaurants I change them so I drown out background noise and focus on speech. The service for and issues is quicker than nhs too
Wow that's amazing that you can do that with them
purpleme12 · 11/10/2021 16:45

My right ear is blocked now
The last time my ear was blocked was over 15 years ago. Many times since then I've had too much wax and problems with that but my ear is actually blocked now
I'm really struggling. Most of all I'm struggling at work. I wear a headset at work in my blocked ear 😞
With already reduced hearing
I am really feeling it that they've taken away the ear unblocking at GPs
😞