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Original poster

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

562 replies

Violinist64 · 05/06/2023 21:05

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Landivy50 · 28/09/2023 19:54

I have never been unable to use a normal hearing aid. Had a BAHA fitted over 20 yrs ago. It's a small operation, you get a new one every 3yrs. Would recommend to anyone.

GardenersDelight · 28/09/2023 20:13

PeskyandIknowit · 28/09/2023 19:53

@GardenersDelight I've an android phone and it connects well to Bluetooth but I guess depends on the phone and hearing aids. I like taking phonecalls through my hearing aids for the ease of it, but I use over hear headphones for music and podcasts as the bluetooth sound quality through the hearing aids just isn't as good.

Thanks what phone do you have? I've got a Samsung

GardenersDelight · 28/09/2023 20:14

@poppercorn thanks but I've got a Samsung

SuziLikeSuziQ · 29/09/2023 16:04

GardenersDelight · 28/09/2023 19:32

@suzilikesuziq yes I think I'm going to have to buy one though the audiologist thought the updated app meant I might not need to
Not sure whether to try with over ear headphones on top of the aids

I can connect to my phone with the app and control my hearing aid programs and volume, but I can't stream my phone audio through them without a Connect Clip. But it depends which aids you have. What make and model are they?

GardenersDelight · 29/09/2023 17:30

@suzilikesuziq I've got oticon engage be. I've downloaded app and can see battery life and control volume but don't seem to work out how to connect for calls( not that I have that many!)
I've got some over the ear headphones so going to try them before I buy any adapter

SuziLikeSuziQ · 30/09/2023 08:28

GardenersDelight · 29/09/2023 17:30

@suzilikesuziq I've got oticon engage be. I've downloaded app and can see battery life and control volume but don't seem to work out how to connect for calls( not that I have that many!)
I've got some over the ear headphones so going to try them before I buy any adapter

As far as I'm aware, you can only connect iPhones direct to oticon hearing aids for phone audio. They're "Made for iPhone".

To connect oticon to an android you need a connect clip. I got mine from Connevans and you get VAT relief if you fill a form to claim you have a hearing loss. Saved me about £25!

Summerswimmer767 · 30/09/2023 11:02

Gosh that makes me appreciate my nhs Signia Aids as they easily connect to all my iPhone devices I use them on my work phone, then switch them to my own phone or iPad as needed in the settings menu. I hope you can find a work around as it really is worth it. I do all my work Teams calls for hours using the direct stream via Bluetooth into my aids but I do work in a quiet office. My colleagues in busier locations have used Bose noise cancelling headphones over their aids and Access to work have funded them.

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 30/09/2023 17:01

I seem to have spent hours of my life researching which phones my new Oticon Reals will connect to, so I thought I'd share it here.

The bottom line seems to be that if you have an iPhone, you're fine. If you have an Android, the most you can hope for is to stream sound from your phone directly to your aids. Whether you will be able to do this depends on your aids, the make and model of your phone, and the Android version it's running. If you can't do it direct you should be able to do it using a ConnectClip.

There is a (well hidden) page on the Oticon website setting out which phones are definitely OK to do this but it's not exclusive. Link here https://www.oticon.com/support/compatibility?filters=Oticon%20Real%E2%84%A2%20miniRITE%20R

Despite many people saying'I can bluetooth my Android, no problem' it is NOT possible to use an Android to stream phone calls direct to your ears without a ConnectClip. The direct connection only allows for one way communication. If you want to listen to podcasts, audiobooks etc, that's fine, but you can't speak back on a phone call.

If you are able to set up hands free calls on your phone, there is apparently a workaround whereby you can effectively use your aids as a pair of Bluetooth earbuds and use the microphone in your phone to speak back. I haven't tried this so I can't say how well it works.

I'm heavily invested in Android and really, really don't want to switch, but I'm reluctantly considering it. I have a ConnectClip and it works fine, but it's another bit of kit to wear, switch on, keep charged etc.

Hearing aids compatibility | Oticon

https://www.oticon.com/support/compatibility?filters=Oticon+Real%E2%84%A2+miniRITE+R

GardenersDelight · 30/09/2023 17:18

Thanks @suzilikesuziq and @ montydonsbluescarf

PeskyandIknowit · 01/10/2023 08:19

It seemed stupid at the time but makes sense now, the first question my audiologist asked when I went to trial some HAs was, are you iPhone or Android? Upon answering android, he gave me phonak and unitron to trial as they connect to your phone with no problems, rather than oticon. I did later trial the oticon ones but I was already convinced by the unitron moxi ones :)

PeskyandIknowit · 01/10/2023 08:21

Different subject, anyone else in here with midrange hearing loss? (Or "cookie bite") I'm still processing that I've had this hearing loss all my life and have managed school, uni, working in an office - admittedly with a great deal unexplained headaches - and then a hearing test aged 30 has fixed the problem I didn't know I had!

GardenersDelight · 01/10/2023 11:44

@peskyandiknowit wish I'd known thatwhen i had first appointment,though the audiologist did know I was on android as I asked about connecting to my phone. I guess they're still not used to so many people wanting to do this

MegaClutterSlut · 02/10/2023 11:06

I've been deaf in one ear since I was born. Had an op age 13 to cover hole in ear drum but that failed. Do I need to have a doc appt or can I phone and request a referral for a hearing aid?

Currently have an ear infection in good ear so nearly completely deaf which has given me a kick up the bum to sort it. Tia

Summerswimmer767 · 02/10/2023 11:24

@MegaClutterSlut I had to go via GP then GP nurse did basic hearing test in surgery which showed significant hearing issues then referred to Audiologist at local hospital but this was few years ago pre-covid so it may have changed.

Summerswimmer767 · 02/10/2023 11:26

@MegaClutterSlut i actually had my hearing aids changed during covid and they did the whole hearing re-test automated pushing buttons based on what I could hear and then new aids were set up over the phone.

Ibizafun · 02/10/2023 11:37

I had a cochlear implant at 50. When I realised how life changing it was I had my other ear done 6 months later.

It isn't perfect but the key message is life changing.

Please feel free to ask me anything.

MegaClutterSlut · 02/10/2023 12:10

Thanks all. Just didn't know if I could refer myself to a audiologist at the hospital. Had loads of those hearing tests when younger and lots of hospital apps with audiology but never offered a hearing aid for some reason. Haven't been for years now though

Had loads of perforated ear drums when younger and haven't had any for a few years, until now 😭

PeskyandIknowit · 03/10/2023 15:47

@Ibizafun Life changing is the phrase! It's been great gaining the hearing I didn't know I'd lost, but it also sent me on a bit of a spiral of how much of my personality has come from having the hearing loss?

I'm fairly introverted and shy, I'm slow to join in a group discussion and an evening with friends over, I enjoy the social time but get to a point in the evening and just shut down, I'm enjoying the people but don't have the capacity to interact anymore. I guess I'm wondering how much of that is because hearing and processing has been taking up extra capacity and that's why...
If my hearing loss has been diagnosed at birth or as a child even, would I be a louder person??

I know its in the past and I can't change that, and life is easier now so move forward. But I do find my mind wondering to the what ifs...

LIZS · 03/10/2023 15:56

@PeskyandIknowit that's amazing and I can so identify with the social difficulties and shutdown. I was diagnosed with one sided hearing loss as a child but had no aids offered, probably because one ear still functioned, and am still muddling through. What did they offer you? I'm waiting to see if my nhs appointment will be expedited (3 months and counting) or dh will see if his private healthcare will help.

Ibizafun · 03/10/2023 16:39

PeskyandIknowit · 03/10/2023 15:47

@Ibizafun Life changing is the phrase! It's been great gaining the hearing I didn't know I'd lost, but it also sent me on a bit of a spiral of how much of my personality has come from having the hearing loss?

I'm fairly introverted and shy, I'm slow to join in a group discussion and an evening with friends over, I enjoy the social time but get to a point in the evening and just shut down, I'm enjoying the people but don't have the capacity to interact anymore. I guess I'm wondering how much of that is because hearing and processing has been taking up extra capacity and that's why...
If my hearing loss has been diagnosed at birth or as a child even, would I be a louder person??

I know its in the past and I can't change that, and life is easier now so move forward. But I do find my mind wondering to the what ifs...

I'm also quiet.. although deafness is totally isolating, if I'm honest I think it's just the way I am.. an introvert. I have a friend with a noticeable hearing loss who is like a magnet to people.. bubbly, effervescent and loud.

PeskyandIknowit · 03/10/2023 17:00

@LIZS I was diagnosed with bilateral congenital mid-frequency loss (all the good stuff, speech and music!), but only aged 30 because for some reason I took myself for a hearing test, no other medical professional had picked up it previously. I have moderate/severe hearing loss but somehow have made it to this age before noticing?! I've got RIC hearing aids and the difference has been great!

SuziLikeSuziQ · 06/10/2023 09:51

@PeskyandIknowit I wasn't diagnosed until I was early 30s and as my loss has slowly got worse over the decade since, I have found myself enjoying social situations like the pub less and less. I dislike having to concentrate so hard against all the surrounding noise for extended periods of time. I actively avoid pub situations now, unless I'm only with one or two other people who I know well.

So what I'm trying to say is that my hearing loss has caused me to be quieter than I was. But I don't know if that would be the same or the opposite for someone who gained more access to sound having been born with less? Interesting!

Yoghurtpotsatdawn · 11/10/2023 07:52

SuzielikeSuziQ. I’ve just seen your reply to my question about mixed hearing loss . Thanks for the advice. That makes sense. I’ve just got back from visiting family to find a letter with an appointment letter for a CT scan next Tuesday, so hopefully that will be able to see what’s going on.

Since starting to wear my new aids my worst ear now feels full and low level painful and the tinnitus more noticeable. The scan is for my sinuses as well as ear as the ENT guy found the septum was deviated and I get pain round my eye socket. He’s also going to put a camera down my nose into my throat. Very impressed how quickly all this has been arranged as they guy said he wasn’t worried about anything.

GoalGameOn · 11/10/2023 13:06

Hi, I'm after some advice!

I've picked up my NHS Phonax hearing aids this morning. So far so good!

However I've been trying to connect them to my laptop as I use a Softphone for work (self employed). I just can't get the audio to work!

Is there a device or something I need to purchase?

Thanks

BestIsWest · 14/10/2023 18:45

Just joining this thread as I’ve finally admitted to myself that my hearing is bad, I’m having regular bouts of tinnitus (like a horse galloping in my ear) and am going to request an audiology referral from my GP this week.

I did have a diagnosis of hearing loss about 15 years ago and was borderline for aids back then but didn’t get on with the one I was given. However reading about the link between hearing loss and dementia has spurred me on. I have some experience of aids as DM wears them and I’m forever fixing them.

Going to scroll back through the threads now and look for tips.