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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:
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10
purpleme12 · 30/11/2023 00:02

Oh no that doesn't sound good 🙁
Is it the first time you've had moulds?

Jyn · 30/11/2023 00:20

purpleme12 · 30/11/2023 00:02

Oh no that doesn't sound good 🙁
Is it the first time you've had moulds?

It is.
I thought it might be some release from the almost constant irritation pain of the domes. I currently have a small dome in my left ear and a normal in my right as it’s the left that flares up the most.
The moulds fit well, slot into my ear perfectly, but it’s that constant feeling that I want to blow my nose to pop my ears.
My other issue, I have hypermobility syndrome so I click and crack a lot, my jaw especially. When I’m eating and my jaw is clunking and cracking it becomes the predominant sound I can hear through my hearing aids. The moulds seem to exacerbate this to the extent I can’t really eat and hear a conversation at the same time.

I know I should persevere, and when I’m on my own with a bit of background music it’s ok, but introduce other sounds like conversation, the tumble drier etc and it’s all overload and I notice the dullness.

SuziLikeSuziQ · 01/12/2023 09:40

Jyn · 30/11/2023 00:20

It is.
I thought it might be some release from the almost constant irritation pain of the domes. I currently have a small dome in my left ear and a normal in my right as it’s the left that flares up the most.
The moulds fit well, slot into my ear perfectly, but it’s that constant feeling that I want to blow my nose to pop my ears.
My other issue, I have hypermobility syndrome so I click and crack a lot, my jaw especially. When I’m eating and my jaw is clunking and cracking it becomes the predominant sound I can hear through my hearing aids. The moulds seem to exacerbate this to the extent I can’t really eat and hear a conversation at the same time.

I know I should persevere, and when I’m on my own with a bit of background music it’s ok, but introduce other sounds like conversation, the tumble drier etc and it’s all overload and I notice the dullness.

Show quote history

It sounds like perhaps the moulds go too far into your ears. I've had a few pairs of moulds and the last ones are awful - my ears feel full and the left one hurts. So I switched back to my old ones which are much better.
If you can, ask audiology to make a new pair. Don't let them tell you otherwise! must follow my own advice

The issue with hearing technology is that only the person wearing it can tell you exactly what it's like. So any sound issues or mould issues are easily brushed aside as "you'll get used to it" because the audiologist or whoever can't hear or feel what the wearer does. It frustrates me when you get fobbed off by someone who has no idea!

Polgara2 · 01/12/2023 09:54

I was considering asking for a mould in my right ear later as that's the one I'm having a lot of problems with but I don't think it sounds like a good idea now!

Original poster
Violinist64 · 01/12/2023 19:16

I have been having terrible problems with my left aid in the last few days. It keeps screeching when I move my head. I have tried making sure that l don't have any hair in the ear and rejigging where the mould sits. I have not had this issue with this aid before but it is both annoying beyond belief for me (it hurts my ear) and very embarrassing thinking that others must hear it.

OP posts:
SuziLikeSuziQ · 01/12/2023 21:11

When did you last have the tube changed? Sometimes sound escapes as feedback if the tubes are slipping out of the moulds (especially when young people take their moulds out by pulling at the tubes!) and if the tubes are becoming hardened as they do over time it becomes easier for them to slip further down the mould.

I've bought some new ear hooks as I think the one on my right aid is a bit damaged. Hoping to be able to fix the issue quicker and easier than having to post my aid off to audiology. It still annoys me they don't have drop in clinics anymore for HA repair.

Original poster
Violinist64 · 02/12/2023 06:53

Thankfully l had a lightbulb moment yesterday. I had put the volume up the previous day and forgotten to turn it down. It was this that caused the problem.

OP posts:
SuziLikeSuziQ · 02/12/2023 07:51

How weird the volume wasn't back to normal after you switched them on yesterday. Glad you figured it out though.

Polgara2 · 02/12/2023 08:14

Yes mine return to normal when I switch them off too

Polgara2 · 02/12/2023 08:16

I got a new set of aids yesterday (after the switching off and on saga) new tubes and non vented domes. Think it seems better but need to test in busy scenario yet. Going back in a couple of weeks when he's had a think about if there's anything he can do to improve my hearing (probably not but 🤷🏼‍♀️)

Ticketybooboo · 05/12/2023 18:09

Tiny air vent holes can help with the full ear feeling.

purpleme12 · 08/12/2023 11:47

I don't hear something.

And someone says 'have you got your hearing aids in so you can hear'

It instantly gets my back up. It's so rude and ignorant.
Because you wear hearing aids then the only reason that you can't hear something if if you've not got them on and it gives you the right to say that.
I always wear them and there was a lot of background noise which was the actual reason.

Jyn · 08/12/2023 13:13

Ticketybooboo · 05/12/2023 18:09

Tiny air vent holes can help with the full ear feeling.

I assume I can't poke those in myself? 😂

Heffapotamus · 09/12/2023 12:42

purpleme12 · 08/12/2023 11:47

I don't hear something.

And someone says 'have you got your hearing aids in so you can hear'

It instantly gets my back up. It's so rude and ignorant.
Because you wear hearing aids then the only reason that you can't hear something if if you've not got them on and it gives you the right to say that.
I always wear them and there was a lot of background noise which was the actual reason.

I agree it's so rude! I hate it when people whisper and then assume I can hear them. Hearing aids don't give you supernatural hearing 🤣

PeskyandIknowit · 09/12/2023 22:39

@purpleme12 I've found this too! Really annoying. I put my aids in when I get up for the day and they stay in, but if you talk like a mouse with other noise going on, I'm still not going to hear it

purpleme12 · 09/12/2023 22:48

I'm so glad other people agree.

This other person saw nothing wrong with it 🙁

Original poster
Violinist64 · 10/12/2023 06:14

Couldn't agree more. The other thing that annoys me is when you haven't heard and the other person shouts. Shouting does not work. What we need is the person speaking a little more slowly and clearly; preferably facing us so that we can lipread.

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Ticketybooboo · 10/12/2023 08:01

Sadly not! They need to be done by the mould makers. I can’t sleep on feather pillows as it gives me that blocked ear feeling. The vents really help.

Jyn · 10/12/2023 09:39

Ticketybooboo · 10/12/2023 08:01

Sadly not! They need to be done by the mould makers. I can’t sleep on feather pillows as it gives me that blocked ear feeling. The vents really help.

Thank you.
I need to go back and they need to help me get this right. My ear is a weeping sore at the moment so I had no choice but to try and return to the mould yesterday. Speech was horrific and every ‘s’ type sound seemed to have a low whistle to it. I’m so frustrated by it. I can’t hear well without them and can’t function with them. I could cry at the moment over it.

purpleme12 · 11/12/2023 12:54

I didn't hear something.

Other person: 'it doesn't matter'

I feel like I don't matter.

I'm probably over emotional aren't I

Walkacrossthesand · 11/12/2023 19:35

@purpleme12 I agree totally - it's so excluding isn't it. Would they say that if a normal hearing person said 'pardon?' suggesting that they'd spoken too quietly - probably not. I tend to push back 'no, I really want to know what you said, now - it matters to me!'

Original poster
Violinist64 · 13/12/2023 06:44

And another thing is when we are in a large group and someone makes a jokey remark and everyone laughs. The problem is that we have not heard the punchline and it would be embarrassing to ask the person to repeat themselves so we laugh along with everyone else as we do not want to bring attention to ourselves. It has happened to me far too often.

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ThePoetsWife · 13/12/2023 16:53

purpleme12 · 11/12/2023 12:54

I didn't hear something.

Other person: 'it doesn't matter'

I feel like I don't matter.

I'm probably over emotional aren't I

That's so shit.

Tell them that you do matter. Call them out.

ThePoetsWife · 13/12/2023 16:54

Violinist64 · 13/12/2023 06:44

And another thing is when we are in a large group and someone makes a jokey remark and everyone laughs. The problem is that we have not heard the punchline and it would be embarrassing to ask the person to repeat themselves so we laugh along with everyone else as we do not want to bring attention to ourselves. It has happened to me far too often.

Tell them. Deafness is nothing to be embarrassed about. They should be embarrassed for not including you properly by making sure you can hear them.

Original poster
Violinist64 · 13/12/2023 18:21

It depends on where l am. If it is a gathering of friends, then I have no problems with this - they all know that I’m deaf anyway. If it is a large meeting or a wedding, say, when someone makes a joke or off the cuff remark, it would interrupt the flow so that is when l don’t say anything. The problem is, of course, that asking the person next to me to tell me what was said is equally tricky because I can’t hear whispers.

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