For Those of us who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Part 2

[Violinist64]

The original thread is almost full and I have found it extremely helpful so have started this new thread.

Man, tinnitus is bad today! It's driving me mad. I generally can ignore it but I've had a bit of a cold this week and it's gone haywire, changing tones and LOUD!

Also bored of hearing, "just ignore it" from people, I don't think they realise how hard that is to do... I do ignore it most of the time, but not this week it would appear

Finally had my appointment for a hearing test and I have moderate hearing loss and have been referred for aids. NHS audiologist also suggested my tinnitus could be muscle spasms caused by vitamin deficiency so my gp has referred me for blood tests.

Finally have an NHS appointment next month, 8 months after referral

I just wondered if anyone here wears a bone anchored aid (baha)? I had surgery for the fitment a few days ago and it's really sore. The surgeon was quite cavalier about the whole thing and said I'd be ok to be back at work the next day. As it was I had the rest of the week off (the op was a cancellation on the list so it all happened really quickly) so I've not been in work but I spend a lot of time in online meetings wearing over ear noise cancelling headphones and there's no way I could wear the headphones at the moment. I know it sounds silly but no one mentioned it would hurt so I don't know how much pain should be expected.

If it's of any interest, I had a cochlear implant when I was 50. When I realised how incredible it was, I had the same op in my other ear. It totally changed my life.

Ibizafun - how long did it take to adapt to interpreting sound of cochlear implant? I was offered one but decided against it since didnt want to lose all residual hearing on that side and didnt think ageing brain would cope (am 68)Thanks!

Been fitted with bicros Phonak Audeo aids. I have a dome in one ear (non hearing side) and tip in other. Any tips on correct positioning? Keep thinking the tip is going to come loose and disappear! Any other advice please?

Do you have a little "tail " with the corda tube? If this is curled correctly, it should fit nicely into the concha ( bowl part ) of the ear to secure it in place. This can help to keep the dome in. If it is not staying put, you might need to ask for a longer tube- they come in a few different lengths. Or another option would be to ask for a larger dome or what is known as a double dome.

No tail that I can see. They do stay put but just need to get used to positioning I guess. Do you need to replace the wax tips on both sides or just the speaker end?

I have an appointment for NHS aids in a couple of weeks. Trying to think of what kind of questions I need to be asking.

I was all prepared to argue my case to get them but the decision was already made and they were fitted on the day. The audiologist talked me through maintenance, batteries etc and tuned them in. I've just managed to bluetooth them to my ipad so will see how that goes!

Thanks @LIZS. Hopefully they will have Bluetooth. I’m not sure if it will be one or two.

Similar @purpleme12

You didn't hear what I said so doesn't matter now

And I reply well if you told me again instead of saying ir didn't matter I would of heard it the second time

It does matter. What did you say

And yep reply. Doesn't matter

Well it mattered 30seconds ago

I'm so sorry, I missed your question. It's impossible to give exact timing as it's a gradual process, but if you really work at it you should see a huge improvement in a few weeks.

My implants have given me back my life, I rarely think about my hearing anymore and furthermore, they have protected me against cognitive decline in the future.

@ohthejoys21 , @Ibizafun , what does music (classical) sound like with your implants? Can you hear the different instruments in an orchestra?

I haven't been to a classical concert so don't know if I can hear the instruments individually but music in general isn't great. I'm better with music I heard before the implant- anything more recent I just don't bother with.

However I can partake in conversation and life now so it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

Can anyone direct me to a demo of the different notification sounds on Phonak? Yesterday I thought the smoke alarm battery was low as heard intermittent chirping but now think it was the hearing aid! I can recognise battery low and when the two pair, but there are other noises.

Which cochlear implants do people have please? I have a choice of AB, Cochlear and Medel. I’m used to Phonak aids and will retain one with a CI in the other.

There isn't much difference between the 3 companies. I went for. Cochlear because they do a microphone called Kanso which sits well away from the ear under my hair so I can wear my hair back and nothing shows.

Hi all, I have a query about eligibility for CI on the NHS for single-sided deafness. I experienced profound unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss a year ago. With constant, very loud!, tinnitus and vertigo. Would love to try a CI, but confused re. the criteria… from what I’ve googled it seems it wouldn’t be offered to me on the NHS (and there’s no way I could afford it privately), but I’m not 100% sure. Does anyone here know if it’s a possibility/been offered this for SSD? My other ear has good hearing

I doubt they would offer CI before trying Bicros hearing aids. I had historical ssd but was only offered ha when my good ear has moderate loss.

I have similar @TheyreStillGoingWithThemPlumsKerr SSD which is neurosensory. The hearing in my other ear is a mild loss. A CI wouldn't be offered as far as I'm aware. I have cros aids which work really well and I would suggest you ask for these and try them.

One thing I am enjoying is my disabled person’s railcard. It is my favourite mode of transport and l am able to indulge my love of rail travel to different parts of the country far more now that I have taken semi-retirement and am only working part-time. What’s more, as I have Bluetooth on my phone, I am able to read or do puzzles while listening to my favourite music and l am not disturbing anyone. On a recent long journey, I was able to listen to a radio play.

I do the same, @Violinist64 . I'm using my railcard lots more and taking my son on more train journeys. 😊
I have a connect clip that allows me to listen to radio/youtube/ phone calls through my hearing aids AND turn off my HA microphones so all I'm getting is residual sound faintly but mainly the sound of whatever I'm listening to. It's good for not getting the rage if someone is listening to loud music or having a speakerphone conversation! 😆

How do you become registered as disabled for deafness?