Deafness, Difficulties & Communication - a blogg

[Jenny105]

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  

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

[jonsie]

Brilliant. I have to use earphones for any calls I need to make when I'm away from home. At home everything is on speaker as I'm usually alone.

[Jenny105]

Im still mainly a landline user . My old hearing aids werent compatable using the loop setting with this phone. So I used the hands free setting with top volume. 

The new hearing aids are compatitble which seems to make a private call using the phne in ordinary mode.       I rang American Express this am and the call server wasnt very clear. I reverted to Hands free BUT next time i go to a call centre I'll ask them to adjust their mouth piece and speak slightly slower and a tad louder

Ive yet to try my new aids on a smartphone 

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@jonsie wrote:

Brilliant. I have to use earphones for any calls I need to make when I'm away from home. At home everything is on speaker as I'm usually alone.

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[Jenny105]

It may be a little while before I blog again as Im preparing for Loki , Sounds Support Dog to come .

But here's a hearing loss story. 

Having a meal in the open air part of a restaurant with a friend , my phone rang.  Odd! , no one rings me.  I checked out where it was from thinking it must be a family emergency.             The GPs !!

I hesitated but answered.   On boost and very loud a voice bellowed '' This is a reminder of your blood test tomorrow at College Drive , 11.30 with the nurse ''

In one way it was funny.... but suppose I had been indoors ;  or been on a first date ; or in a train ; or with a member of staff etc       

I complained as this has never happened before . There are now strict guidelines about text only alerts

[Jenny105]

I haven't found a good pair of earphones yet. But I will attempt loop setting with my smartphone one day. I get nervous to try.