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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:
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27
ThomasinaGallico · 27/02/2022 21:30

Several people have already mentioned this problem upthread but it may be a bit tricky to find their contributions. I seem to remember that clear moulds are better than opaque, that moulds/earpieces need to be kept clean and dry, and that there’s a number of creams GPs can prescribe to soothe the crustiness and itching. Worth making an appointment if you can.

purpleme12 · 27/02/2022 21:38

Thank you
I have otomize spray fairly regularly but that's more the actual inside of the ear
I just wondered if there was anything to help with actual crustiness on the opening
But perhaps it's worth ringing the doctor about that as well

Violinist64 · 08/03/2022 22:17

Im still waiting for my ENT appointment on 27th March and fed up with being hard of hearing. It’s exhausting and, as an instrumental teacher, not ideal. I found my hearing aid from when I needed it before and put in a new battery. The relief of being able to hear more clearly. I didn’t know my kitchen clock had an audible tick. The television is now at a more normal volume. I had forgotten, though, the downsides of hearing aids and am having to get used to the distortion of some of the higher notes on the piano and violin. It is better today than yesterday. @purpleme12 you are right about the ideas far too many people have about hearing aids being for elderly people. One of my pupils, a little boy, wears a hearing aid. It has a jazzy sparkly red mould. However, it is a bit of a downer that my eighty year old mother has far better hearing than me!

QuantumWeatherButterfly · 18/03/2022 16:25

Hi - I was recently diagnosed with mild to moderate bilateral hearing loss. I'm minded to go ahead and get hearing aids, but wanted to ask how those of you that already wear them went about choosing them? There seems to be so much choice, I'm really bewildered about what would be best.

Also - if you use bluetooth for device connectivity, how many devices can you connect? We're a really tech-enabled family, and I currently use headphones connected to 5 different devices! Or do you just take your hearing aids off if you're using headphones with non-connected devices?

scrumpledtitskin · 18/03/2022 16:58

I just saw the title and thought I'd jump in to ask if any of you knew that you can usually get your local fire service to fit visual vibrating smoke alarms?

It will vary slightly from area to area, and is sometimes funded by adult social care.

Basically, if you wear hearing aids and take them out at night you may not be able to hear your smoke alarms if they go off.

Just a thought, I'm sorry if it's already been mentioned.

SMaCM · 19/03/2022 09:51

QuantumWeatherButterfly have a chat to your audiologist about how you want to use your aids and they can advise you. You don't have to wear them all the time while you're getting used to them, just see how you get on with them.

Scrumpled that's really useful to know. I might follow that up.

purpleme12 · 22/03/2022 17:57

I've got a special headset that uses the t link thing

But it's not been working the past couple of the days (I mean it's not gone onto the T link) apart from at one point where it seemed to work
The rest of time it wasn't

Is this likely to be the headset going wrong rather than the hearing aids??

purpleme12 · 23/03/2022 09:59

Has this happened to anyone else before?

SkiRun0077 · 23/03/2022 16:11

@QuantumWeatherButterfly I have nhs Bluetooth ones, I had to ask for a extra access code to use my aids linked to my work phone and my own phone. At the time the lady was “oh no one has asked for two codes before…I’ll check if allowed” I explained I needed it for work and home use. I was given access they connect via an app on my iPhone. Tbh I’d happily pay to be able to add it onto my iPad as well but couldn’t be bothered to go back again to them as my aids are “free” on NHS and been a game changer for me in terms of quality of sound. If I have them linked to both phones at same time then only one ear piece works with each phone so I tend to disconnect them from my personal phone when I’m working as it’s easier.

SkiRun0077 · 23/03/2022 16:11

@purpleme12 sorry i don’t use that system. I hope you can get it checked.

ThomasinaGallico · 23/03/2022 22:01

@purpleme12 The T-loop setting can drop out sometimes quite randomly. Where did you get the headphones? It might be an idea to check with whoever you got them from. The other thing to check is whether the T setting is still right on your aids. Make an appointment with audiology (saying that, audiology were useless with me when I had a change of hearing aid and didn’t know the kit I was using wasn’t compatible).

Have they changed or updated any of your systems at work? Sometimes that can lead to compatibility issues. This really is complicated stuff.

purpleme12 · 23/03/2022 22:14

@SkiRun0077 thank you

@ThomasinaGallico
My work got it for me
I might have the company name they got it from in an email I'm not sure
Since last Tuesday the t link has worked about 3 times for a very short amount of time and usually it works the vast majority of the time
My facilities department have now contacted the company who provides them but they've said they want me to speak to IT first - I don't really know what IT will know about a headset with T link in?!!

Violinist64 · 28/03/2022 19:48

I’ve finally had my ENT appointment today. Both consultant and nurse had no bedside manner whatsoever. I am a private music teacher and it would have been nice to have had a modicum of empathy as to the fact I rely on my ears to make a living (my listening skills are second to none because they have to be). It seems my right eardrum is still infected after over a year and I am on the waiting list for a more invasive investigation and treatment under local anaesthetic. If this is not enough, I will need a general anaesthetic and will have a new skin grafted ear drum. In addition to this l need two hearing aids as l have nerve deafness in addition to conductive deafness. I am being referred back to an audiologist. I have been wearing my old hearing aid in my left ear - it is probably about twelve years old. It has a loop setting as well as the general setting but I said I could do with a setting to reduce background noise. I was told to mention this to the audiologist. I am sure there are other settings that can be added to modern hearing aids and would welcome ideas from people here, please.

ThomasinaGallico · 28/03/2022 22:04

Violinist, you’ll probably get the newish Oticon Engage hearing aids which are Bluetooth compatible. They’re quite good with devices and internet phone systems but not so hot on real world sound (I think the digital resolution might be a tad notchy). Yes, you can have a ‘music’ setting (no compensation for background noise) as well as the normal speech and T settings.

I’ve heard that some musicians prefer to go private as they find the NHS models a bit basic for their needs - Widex is a brand I hear mentioned a lot. Depends if you have the money to fund it I guess.

Hercisback · 28/03/2022 22:16

Hi everyone, please can I join?
Mid 30s and recently got hearing aids fitted for moderate loss. I have had rubbish ears for a long time and the pandemic made me realise just how much I lip read.
I went private after a 80 something week wait on the NHS. So far so good with them. I love the peace of taking them out though!

Violinist64 · 28/03/2022 23:01

@ThomasinaGallico, thank you for this. Hearing aids have obviously come on a lot since my last one. I don’t think I can afford private aids, unfortunately.

Teawithmilknosugar · 28/03/2022 23:04

I've been diagnosed with moderate unilateral high frequency hearing loss with tinnitus, I have an appointment in a few weeks with an audiologist. I had my first hearing test at Boots where I was told I'd benefit from a hearing aid but also that I needed to be referred to see ENT, been there and now heading to an audiologist in a few weeks. Has anyone got unilateral hearing loss and what impact does a hearing aid have when the other ear is fine?

TheSparkling · 05/04/2022 13:27

I was browsing the hearing loss website the other day and read an article saying all the things your hearing aids should or could help you with. Well my HA don't help with any of the things listed which is why I don't wear them of course. But it doesn't stop people still telling me to!

Currently I am on day 5 of Covid and I know my hearing is suffering. Just hoping it's not permanent. Has anyone else has any loss of hearing due to covid?

SMaCM · 05/04/2022 14:23

I got really blocked sinuses with covid, so it's in the same sort of area. Sorry to hear about your hearing loss.

I got the multi mic to go with my hearing aids. It really helps me to hear my husband in the car, over the sound of the wheels whooshing etc.

Violinist64 · 05/04/2022 15:18

@TheSparkling, I am on day 4 of Covid and certainly felt l couldn’t hear as well yesterday. I think it is probably the general bunged up feeling of the virus. Hopefully it will disappear as we get better.

TheSparkling · 05/04/2022 17:26

@Violinist64 - I do hope so. I'm on day five and the bunged up feeling in my right ear has been there since last night. I really hope it goes away by itself as my right ear has the best hearing and I often worry how I would cope at work if I can't hear anymore.

It frightens me.

Plantsandpuddlesuits · 05/04/2022 19:52

It's new hearing aids day tomorrow for me I'm so excited! Old ones are sore and whistles so hopefully the new ones will be better!

purpleme12 · 05/04/2022 19:53

Ah ace I'm so happy for you 😀

Plantsandpuddlesuits · 06/04/2022 17:54

Loving my new hearing aids! Got then this morning and the difference is amazing from my old ones!

SuziLikeSuziQ · 06/04/2022 21:28

Hello all! I posted waaay back when this thread was started. I've missed a lot, sorry - it dropped off my list and I just found you all again!

So... Late to the party, but...

Yes, I have a Roger Pen and table mic through Access to Work. Bloomin' brilliant! My aids aren't Bluetooth (my NHS trust are giving the kids the new ones first!) but using my Pen I can connect to my phone and get all my phone audio directly into my hearing aids, including taking calls!

For anyone who'd like some beginner BSL, I'm a qualified Teacher of the Deaf with Level 3 (but starting to work towards Level 6) and offer beginner one-time sessions or short courses. Feel free to message me if you're interested!

Love that this thread is still going and we have new people all the time!