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Deafness, Difficulties & Communication - a blogg

Jenny105
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Back in the old days old every 7yr old took a hearing test at school, I was teaching in a Middle School in W Su.ssex when the day came for my class of 36 , 6-7yr olds to be tested. When the last child had donned the earphones I quietly asked if I could be tested. The soft response , ''staffroom, at break''

      This happened.  I was handed 2 pieces of paper which were to be shown to my doctor. Confirmation that my hearing levels were down enough to be of concern.


A test involves donning earphones  while the tester twiddles knobs for different frequencies. Each ear is tested seperately usually the sounds start  clear (press a on hearing) . If theres a hearing problem the sounds tail off ; the button pressing tails off. too head_bandage  

A graph is produced showing sounds heard across the board This indicates sound  levels heard and  not heard !!.

I might fnd a graph if there's interest.

This is a personal story from a non qualified person, just from someone with a longstanding hearing loss

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EmilieT
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Very interesting, @Jenny105, thanks for writing those posts! Here's my experience as well, to add to it slight_smile

 

Following an accident when I was younger, the ossicles in one of my ears (I believe that's the medical term?) were messed up, and I lost most of my hearing on that side. Before starting university, I went to see a specialist and got fitted with the smallest hearing aid they had. It was quite overwhelming at first, and gave me a few headaches from the amount of noise I could suddenly hear. 

 

Fitting the hearing aid took several appointments for me, and regular check ups to make sure the sound mixing and levels were right. Apparently the aid I have also has bluetooth and could connect to devices, but I've never used that feature - it makes me jump just to hear the little *beep* signaling me that the battery is low, I wouldn't want any more sounds going directly in my ear!

 

These days, I only wear the aid when going to group events (weddings, conferences, etc), so I can hear everyone talking to me no matter which one of my ears they are closest to. On a daily basis, my friends, colleague and partner all know I will only hear them distinctly if they are sitting on my left, so I do not really need the aid. While wearing it I can't put on earphones or headphones as well (it creates audio feedback), and since I wear my headphones a lot at work/during my commute it would be quite inconvenient to take the hearing aid in and out several times during the day. I'm also a bit weary of the fact that it's not waterproof so if I got caught under the rain, or forgot to take it out before washing my hair, it could get damaged.

 

This is my personal experience on this, and thankfully since only one of my ears is impaired, I can get by without too much trouble most of the time. I'd love to read from more people on this matter - it's been really great to read your blog so far @Jenny105 and I'm looking forward to your next post! slight_smile

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Jenny105
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Thanks for taking an interest in this story. Every person with hearing loss is different so my story is just one of many.

Today I'll tell a phone story.        In recent years Ive begun not to use the phone but did buy an Amplicomms Smartphone to kep in touch with the family via Whats App. I rarely ring or receive calls on it BUT keep it on extra loud in case of emergency........... So

The other balmy evening a friend and I went out for a meal at a local restaurant. My phone rang! Loudly!! In case it was a family emergency I answered. It showed as my GPs !!!!  So I continued. My friend and the tables around me heard '' This a reminder that you have a blood test at 11am tomorrow morning ''.   I was furious because a text had been sent  a few hours earlier, I have blood tests every few months, this has never happened before.

I did used to talk on the landline years ago but with older age deafness kicking in gradually on top of what was already there, Ive begun to lose confidence using any phone.

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Jenny105
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Thanks Emilie it is great you shared your story and that you are in employment with 02. It is most common that people with hearing issues become shy and reluctant to speak up. Deafness is a disability at whatever age but one that is invisible and one that has repercussions that others wouldn't understand. I hope others will share their stories in an 02 environment.
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Jenny105
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@EmilieT wrote:

Very interesting, @Jenny105, thanks for writing those posts! Here's my experience as well, to add to it slight_smile

 

Following an accident when I was younger, the ossicles in one of my ears (I believe that's the medical term?) were messed up, and I lost most of my hearing on that side. Before starting university, I went to see a specialist and got fitted with the smallest hearing aid they had. It was quite overwhelming at first, and gave me a few headaches from the amount of noise I could suddenly hear. 

 

Fitting the hearing aid took several appointments for me, and regular check ups to make sure the sound mixing and levels were right. Apparently the aid I have also has bluetooth and could connect to devices, but I've never used that feature - it makes me jump just to hear the little *beep* signaling me that the battery is low, I wouldn't want any more sounds going directly in my ear!

 

 I'd love to read from more people on this matter - it's been really great to read your blog so far @Jenny105 and I'm looking forward to your next post! slight_smile


Emilie    its interesting to note your reluctance to try bluetooth. Im wondering if that is ''disability syndrome '' related. Im a fairly up for it person but Im reluctant to try bluetooth (if i understood it)NGTS on my phone; or other support measures. There is E Sussex Hearing Resources near me who are helpful BUT i still can't make the leap.  Ive had help from 02 Community mates who provide info and encouragement.  eg it took 2 yrs to try a tablet and months to set it up. Thanks guys and gels.

 

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Cleoriff
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Thanks @EmilieT  for sharing your story as well. A very interesting thread @Jenny105 wink

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Mi-Amigo
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An interesting thread @Jenny105 which has made me more aware of some of the difficulties in coping with deafness. Thanks also to @EmilieT for sharing your story.

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Some people see things as they are and ask "Why?"; I dream of things that never were and ask "Why not?"
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jonsie
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Very good reading through this thread. I suffer badly from Tinnitus myself and have done for many many years as I used to work in an industrial environment (you wouldn't believe the noise within a well known local bakery)

 

I had the sound tests a long time ago which consisted of headphones and listening for beeps, pressing the button when heard. I ended up with two hearing aids but I never really wore them much because

  • they were quite conspicuous and I was very conscious of them when I was in my early thirties
  • they tended to help but seemed to also amplify the noise in my ears
  • they were uncomfortable and ultimately painful after continual wearing

The hearing aids somehow got lost when clearing my home to go and live in Thailand.

 

I think I will make a hearing appointment at the hospital because technology has moved on from the behind-ear rather unsightly ones from years ago.

 

And talking on the phone is extremely difficult unless I wear earphones.

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Jenny105
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@jonsie wrote:

Very good reading through this thread. I suffer badly from Tinnitus myself and have done for many many years as I used to work in an industrial environment (you wouldn't believe the noise within a well known local bakery)

 

I had the sound tests a long time ago which consisted of headphones and listening for beeps, pressing the button when heard. I ended up with two hearing aids but I never really wore them much because

  • they were quite conspicuous and I was very conscious of them when I was in my early thirties
  • they tended to help but seemed to also amplify the noise in my ears
  • they were uncomfortable and ultimately painful after continual wearing

The hearing aids somehow got lost when clearing my home to go and live in Thailand.

 

I think I will make a hearing appointment at the hospital because technology has moved on from the behind-ear rather unsightly ones from years ago.

 

And talking on the phone is extremely difficult unless I wear earphones.


Thanks for writing about tinnitus. That sounds a difficult  condition to live with.

Im not qualified so i cant give medical info. However it might be worth a trip to the GP to find out what developments there have been recently ?? A new GP referral might be neeeded. Mine lasts 3yrs and is renewed. I believe there is a Tinnitus Association with website for info. Go for it best wishes

 

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Cleoriff
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@jonsie wrote:

Very good reading through this thread. I suffer badly from Tinnitus myself and have done for many many years as I used to work in an industrial environment (you wouldn't believe the noise within a well known local bakery)

 

I had the sound tests a long time ago which consisted of headphones and listening for beeps, pressing the button when heard. I ended up with two hearing aids but I never really wore them much because

  • they were quite conspicuous and I was very conscious of them when I was in my early thirties
  • they tended to help but seemed to also amplify the noise in my ears
  • they were uncomfortable and ultimately painful after continual wearing

The hearing aids somehow got lost when clearing my home to go and live in Thailand.

 

I think I will make a hearing appointment at the hospital because technology has moved on from the behind-ear rather unsightly ones from years ago.

 

And talking on the phone is extremely difficult unless I wear earphones.


Thanks for sharing that @jonsie It leads me consider having a hearing test at Boots. I think they are free.

My problem is, I have always had very acute hearing and one of my sayings to my lads was 'Watch it! I may be as blind as a bat, but I can hear exactly what you are muttering about me while you hide in that kitchen!'

 

So it's hard to come to terms that my hearing is getting worse. I sit quite close to the TV and my husband is always telling me to turn it down and saying I must be going deaf.

The GP nurse syringed my ears about 3 months ago. Very little improvement. So a visit to have them tested is on the cards. Hopefully, I can find something small and discreet to fit in  my ears.

I have very short hair and wouldn't want any aids on display. (I have very short hair and they would be)

 

I think it's a matter of silly pride as you get older.  My walking is getting more difficult and I refuse to have any type of walking aid. That says more about me I think innocent

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jonsie
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I had my ears syringed and it made no difference at all either. If you can imagine a lot of people muttering away , that is the constant noise I hear and unless there are subtitles on the TV, I can't follow a film or any TV because even with headphones, I can't make out clearly what folk are saying

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