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.

Mine are Phonak and there is a specific app to support them. I can adjust settings etc via it and get maintenance reminders.

Oh I do know what you mean. I did download the app. It doesn't make a difference to my problem though.

@purpleme12 what phone (make and model) and what hearing aids (make and model) have you got? Was this ever working properly for you? Has your phone updated its software recently?

Moto g54 5g

Hearing aids phonak bolero.

I have always had this problem yes. I got them a few weeks ago the hearing aids. This is the first time I've had Bluetooth ones.

No I don't think it's updates its software

According to the Phonak website, the Moto g54 5g is only compatible with the Phonak Lumity, Paradise and Marvel aids. https://www.phonak.com/en-uk/support/compatibility .If you're getting some degree of compatibility you're already ahead of the game.

I have a similar issue with my Oticon aids. I chose my phone because it was listed as compatible, but there's something in the phone software that makes answering phone calls a problem and they've subsequently been removed from the compatibility list. They still stream perfectly well and I can make phone calls, but if I answer a call the phone gets confused and can't decide whether to answer on the handset, the speaker or the aids. I've come to the conclusion that if you want to get the full benefit of LE Bluetooth you need to have an iPhone.

Any solution for you will be specific to your particular phone and aids. The best way forward is to search Phonak users Facebook groups and forums. I've found the Oticon groups very helpful in finding solutions (or sadly, confirming that there aren't any so I can stop searching). Good luck.

Oh wow I didn't know this

Audiologist didn't say anything about certain phones being compatible and others not so this never occurred to me

I guess that makes sense that it's not quite right...

I have Resound aids, and a iPhone. I experience the phenomenon you are describing, if I open an app with sound function (FB, YouTube) and it's ready to play the clip even though I haven't asked it to. If I move away from the app, normal service resumes.
It sounds like it's happening for you even when you haven't opened the app. Is it worth having a rummage in the apps that use Bluetooth, see if you can switch off Autoplay or something?

That was @purpleme12 by the way!

That doesn't sound like my problem?

Have had earache for the first time in my life - having worn aids for past 60+ years - was due for microsuction so started bicarb of soda drops but by 3rd day had dreadfully itchy ears so stopped on the especially itchy side. The nurse was most patient when doing the procedure - but was told my ear was very swollen so now have 14 days of antibiotic drops and not wearing aid on that side. Has anyone else had this reaction to bicarb drops - the Doctor didnt feel this could be the case but I do find the drops make my ears dry and then itchy...

When I booked microsuction I told them I wouldn’t be using drops of any kind, because I wasn’t going to go without my hearing aids for that length of time. The microsuction was absolutely fine. They make a big fuss about you using drops beforehand but it isn’t essential.

Thanks for that advice - will try not using drops next time! It feels very lopsided with only one - and of course everyones having to repeat!

I use olive oil drops.

So I have had my aids for about a month now, and getting used to them. Still struggle getting them perfectly in place first time, always seems that one is too far in/not quite right, it get there eventually.

im interested in the talk about drops. My ears tend to get waxy (a reason I put off a proper hearing test for way too long, kept blaming the wax), and I’ve already clogged up the wax filters that are supposed to last 2 months, first one within 2 weeks! I’ve learned to make sure my ears are properly dry (difficult as I shower just before leaving for work), but are there any drops that are safe to use maybe overnight to keep them clear?

@Milliways, I am a new hearing aid user (at 77!) too, but about 2 months in. Mine are private from Amplifon, but are actually rebadged ReSound Nexia aids (latest model) so probably similar to your Jabra ones (ReSound is the parent company). I had similar issues with wax filters - but they were only lasting 2 or 3 days! I don’t have very waxy ears, but suspect that the domes were picking up wax on insertion, which for a new user can be a bit tricky. I read on a US forum that one user changes the domes every few days, placing the worn ones in a pot, and once there are 6 or 8 domes, pouring hot water in and swishing it about, which dissolves the wax which collects in the tiny pore in the top, then drying them out for re-use. I am doing this, and have had no further issues with the wax filters.

I mentioned it to my audio last week, and he thought it was a good idea! So it might be something to try.

@NanTheWiser thank you, that is a good idea. I will give that a go.

I am now removing the dome every night and giving it a really good go with the little brush, and wiping the filter every day, which is helping.
i thought it was likely because they are being pushed all around my ears trying to get them in! (It seems ridiculous that you can put your own finger straight into the hole but cannot guide these tiny things in)

I am joining this thread because I have been struggling with my hearing for about a year, getting noticeably worse over the last six months. Last week I received a diagnosis of otosclerosis. I have moderate hearing loss in one ear and mild in the one I thought was unaffected. I am on the waiting list for hearing aids. I have awful tinnitus in my bad ear.

I was really shocked that my ‘good’ ear is affected and keep thinking I might have made a mistake/not pressed the button properly. Last time I had a hearing test I put little wooden pegs in boats so haven’t had much practice! I now struggle to hear people if I am not facing them and am finding choir tough as I can’t hear the other singers very well. I’ve been using subtitles for about six months. I know this is very minor compared to lots of people, but it has been a bit of a learning curve for me. I’ll be reading the thread closely, particularly regarding care of hear8ng aids when the time comes. Is it true they can improve tinnitus?

Well, the low level sound of the hearing aid being on does a very good job of drowning out the hissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, so I do have days free of the Tinnitus. I notice when it changes from picking up the computers and monitors at work to the tumbledryer/airfryer/etc at home, as the frequency changes - but at least it's not the hisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

I'm a fairly new hearing aid user, in case useful for other newbies - I have realised that my R ear must be slightly narrower than my L. The result is that the hearing aid dome / mechanism feels irritating and itchy in my R as if it didn't fit so well ( no problems with the L ear). Consequently I'm booking in with my NHS audiologist who say they can sort it with a slightly smaller size dome on the R (I think). So hopeful that they can sort this out !

@PotOfTulips, l have a similar problem, except that my left ear canal is vastly larger than my right because of major operations in the past. The best solution for me was to have ear moulds.
I have been having lots of ear infections recently and am waiting for an appointment with ENT yet again as the gp suspects l have a cholesteatoma in my right ear, which is my "good" ear. My hearing has gone down in that ear, too. However, l appear to have lost the vast majority of my hearing in my left ear. I am finding it exhausting straining to hear all day and I loathe it when people tell me l am not listening. I am a professional classical musician and can still play my instruments (piano, violin and viola) and enjoy listening to music. It's just that I need music and the TV to be at a high level. I am now at the point where I feel my hearing loss is a disability, yet, as generally seems to be the case with hidden disabilities, it is as if it is me needing to be the one who apologises for something that is beyond my control.

Hello - posting in the hope of some support / wise words. I'm in my early 40s and have moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. No known cause. I used to get my aids direct from the nhs and felt very cared for. I moved 3 years ago to an area where this service is subcontracted out to specsavers and at the same time I've noticed a real deterioration in my hearing. I have a busy job and home life and find handling my hearing loss exhausting and frustrating (as do my family!).
I went back to specsavers in the summer (2.5 years after my last appointment) and they wouldn't re-test or upgrade to Bluetooth aids which I feel I would benefit from. I was told they would consider upgrading me in October and Bluetooth aids are provided on a case by case basis. I strongly made my case and this was signed off by the store director for my next upgrade.
I went in today and was told I'll only be able to get new aids end of January when I hit the 3 year mark since the last appointment. They agreed to test me as it's the second time I've been in, there's a marked difference and they adjusted my aids accordingly.
I feel like everything is a battle, I'm so tired of advocating for myself. And feel for those who aren't able to. I was told specsavers' contract is to upgrade every 5 years unless a case made for earlier. And they only change the aids they offer to the latest technology every 4-5 years anyway.
In my old area I was offered better aids after less than 2 years without even asking.
I left the appointment today and cried, I'm just feeling deflated.
I was thinking about complaining about the system (to the CCG?) but probably just a waste of energy. Is this just how things are? I feel like I'm really held back socially and struggle with work but maybe that's just the reality of things! I know new aids aren't going to solve all that but at the same time I know technology moves quickly and I've always noticed the benefit of upgrades in the past.
Sorry for the long post and pity party, I'm normally pretty upbeat but struggling today.

@nononoyesno, I understand and sympathise. I have been fortunate enough to have hq Bluetooth hearing aids for the past 2½ years but, like you, l have moved from an area with up to date audio technology to one where new hearing aids will be inferior to those l already have. Nice audiologist, though. I have another six months to watch before I can get new aids, but my hearing has deteriorated dramatically in the past few months. I can hardly hear anything in my left ear and my right ear has also become much worse. I have injections again, too. I think that the only solution for me would be to try and afford private hearing aids. You are correct, though, the strain of trying to hear all day long is exhausting.

@Violinist64 thanks for the support and sorry that your hearing has deteriorated so significantly. It's a shame we have this 'postcode lottery' system. I'm also thinking about private aids eventually.

I see that some places (e.g. Amplifon) seem to offer a free trial period with new, private hearing aids.

Has anyone tried this approach? I'm interested as I think there will be better options available than my NHS 9nes, but not sure if the improvement would be worth - £5000 or so.

Yes, I went to Amplifon back in July. I had already decided to go private as i could easily afford to do so, and wanted top of the range aids. There is a free trial period, a month I think, and got their ampli-energy aids which are actually rebadged Resound Nexia aids. These are top of the range aids, and the smallest available. When I went, they had a discount offer, so while the full price was £5000+, I paid £3500. So do check if they have offers, I suspect they sell most at a discount.