on 31-01-2017 19:03
on 31-01-2017 19:03
Hi this is an add on to my post older lady seeks mobile smart / phone
At 24 I was found to be partially hearing. Its not just the elderly who are deaf. Ive worked, been very ill, lost my job, done voluntary work for disabled people. Travelled the world from Florida to Moscow, Iceland to South Africa. But conversing and communicating with my family is difficult. Deafness is known to isolate people, withdraw from what they could do etc
Its tough/ Tougher if I lived alone. I dont know where to go for all round equipment advice thats relevant, impartial and skilled.
02 have good customer service but arent trained for this area. Plus there arent any phones to trial that are anywhere near high enough volume or complexity. With help i could manage complexity.
on 31-01-2017 19:07
on 31-01-2017 19:20
Hi @Jenny105, thanks for your feedback on this. I've been sharing your experiences with the team and would love to hear more from you. Have you ever experienced examples of customer service that catered really well to your hearing issues? If so, I can share these with our team in order to improve. Its a great opportunity for you to share, and us to learn :).
Also, any other general accessibility suggestions are really welcome too. Eager to find out more from you!
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on 31-01-2017 19:23
on 31-01-2017 19:23
on 31-01-2017 19:59
on 31-01-2017 19:59
on 01-02-2017 03:41
on 01-02-2017 03:41
Too true that it isn't just older people who have hearing disabilities, I had just turned 30 when I started having problems. I thank God that it is only partial but I cannot watch most TV or films without subtitles or the volume racked up to unacceptable levels for others. I'm really interested in your experiences @Jenny105 because who knows, my hearing could worsen at any time, I've already noticed the deterioration over the years.
on 01-02-2017 09:21
on 01-02-2017 09:21
Hi @jonsie, may I ask if you use any kinds of technology to aid your hearing? No need to share of course, but I'd like to understand the issues better :).
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on 01-02-2017 09:40
on 01-02-2017 09:40
@Toby wrote:Hi @jonsie, may I ask if you use any kinds of technology to aid your hearing? No need to share of course, but I'd like to understand the issues better :).
I use two hearing aids but they are ok in the UK to a certain extent with loop induction systems but I tend not to wear them here as there is nowhere that has such systems. Whilst they help in general conversation, batteries last a week at best and though free in the UK through the NHS, here they cost a couple of pound each and last half the time. The only way I can take a mobile call is to put it on speaker and put the hearing-aids on full.
No such problem with Skype and I'm not at the stage where I see myself as disabled but my hearing is deteriorating. Tinnitus is totally different from hearing loss though the effect is the same. There is no 'ringing' noise for me. Try to imagine a car/truck tyre being deflated and that hissing noise is what I suffer from. Amplify that threefold and maybe you get an idea.
Whilst I am not deaf as such, I cannot hear clearly, I have to be looking at someone to be able to read their lips in order to converse. Talking in a group...? Forget that but the biggest stigma is that people think you are ignorant because you don't hear them. You look normal, you can speak normal but in general, people do not understand and are not very forgiving.
on 01-02-2017 10:25
on 01-02-2017 10:25
Thanks for the info @jonsie, really useful to hear from those who experience these kinds of problems. We've reached out to the accessibility team in O2 to a). Pass on all feedback and b). See what we can do to improve and to involve affected customers in useful activities going forward.
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on 05-02-2017 21:28
on 05-02-2017 21:28
Hi
in the UK there is a loop system for TV users. At least in our county. We also have some free equipment for alarms etc and other items one can buy. Plus a dept to help with work items - if that system still operates!