Any deaf Mumsnetter's out there? Come and tell me if you find deafness totally tiring also?

[PussinJimmyChoos]

I am profoundly deaf with tinnitus. While I really am happy with my lot as I realise things could be a lot worse, I do however find that being deaf is quite tiring and wanted to see if others had the same?

I think the main thing is the tinnitus as its constant and although I manage it fine, perhaps the constant ringing does take its toll by the end of the day...also, I have to lipread and all the turning to face DH/DS, often when I'm in the middle of something, is rather draining - especially when DS constantly taps me for something and I have to keep stopping everything to see what he wants - you know hearing people can chatter while pottering about the room, which is something I can't do . I sometimes get to the end of the day and I tell DH please give me 30mins or so where you don't talk as I want a lipreading break! lol

Just wondered if anyone else had similar?

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Hi I am only deaf in one ear (with tinnitus) and I find this hard work so I can only imagine how hard it is for you. I didn't want your post to go unanswered but I'm sure someone else will be along soon who is more experienced with this and might be able to offer some tips.

I've been deaf since I was two but the being tired thing seems to have been more in the last few years...maybe its my age showing...even though am only 33!!

don't think its your age just that you have more going on in your life now with DS!I've been deaf since I was 3. I got a severe ear infection and it damaged the development of my ear.

Do you have hearing aides? I hate mine and don't really wear it.

Yes perhaps that's it...I am more vigilant than a hearing mum would be, because I am determined that my deafness doesn't impact DS in any way and it doesn't I'm happy to say.

I had a friend around on Friday and even she was surprised at just how much tapping DS did. Like she pointed out, when her DD is being whingey, she can tune her out a bit but I can't as I make a point of looking at him every time he taps me, even if he's nagging for chocolate as it seems unfair on him to teach him how to get my attention and then ignore it when it suits me!

I wear one hearing aid...should wear two but don't find a second one makes that much difference and its extra faff...would be lost without my hearing aid quite frankly!

Tinnitus is a pisser though isn't it!

I have no experience, PIJC, but am being nosey, if you don't mind - do you sign? Are you bringing ds up bilingual, if so? Just wondered if that would allow you to use peripheral vision more than lipreading.

I'm not totally deaf but am supposed to wear hearing aids but never do because they make everything too loud!

I have never known any different, but it is difficult to constantly lip read. I didn't realise I lip read until I was about 15, now it is a very useful tool to have!

Oh - unrelated, but Elizabeth Pantley's website has a nice trick for children constantly interrupting - you teach them that they come up and squeeze your arm, you take their hand and squeeze back until you've finished (your conversation, usually, but I guess it's adaptable) and then give them your attention. That way they know they're not being ignored, but learn to wait a little more patiently.

No I don't sign as my speech is fine..I can do basic sign language but only use it when I mix with other deaf people - which is very rare for me [blush

Hopefully DS will be bilingual though as DH is Arab...quite why I went for a foreign guy with (what was when I met him) a strong accent when I am deaf I don't quite know but

yes I think the tinnitus is what i hate the most. it drives me mad somedays. but then again because i'm deaf in the one ear i hate having to keep turning my head and i have a permenant crick in my neck. sorry shouldn't moan about that really should i. but it does annoy me.

do you sign? does DS? is this something you would want to do?

Noble -I like that gentle squeezing idea...I will try that I think...I do use an Arab gesture I've picked up from DH which means wait wait but he stops for all of about three seconds then starts again - he's a persistent little bugger

Am not moaning about DS at all by the way - he is so lovely and its just normal toddler behaviour. I am just thinking maybe I find it a little more tiring due to being deaf iyswim?

She describes it here.

Oooh I like that idea! Will put into practice with DS starting from tmw!

I think toddlers interuppting is a standard thing, its just harder for me with all the turning around I have to do - its like being at Wimbledon some days but without the strawberries and cream

Another bump