Hearing aids

RE: Hearing aids

Fable — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 19:48:55 GMT

Yes, there is a period of adjustment when you first start wearing the aids as you get used to hearing certain sounds again. This is why you should be offered a couple of months trial period with any new set of aids to see if they truly work well for you. It took me a while to get used to my latest pair - hearing the windscreen wiper squeaking was a revelation!

I am glad that you will be able to get yours on the NHS. Although I have heard that certain regions will be or are stopping funding for two pairs of aids, showing a complete lack of regard for how hearing loss affects people. Here in NZ we get $1000 every 6 years to go towards a pair of hearing aids, which while helpful, doesn't come close to covering the cost of the most effective ones.

RE: Hearing aids

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:21:57 GMT

Thanks Fable - I'm in the queue for a pair of National Health behind the ears, which they say will take about 8 weeks. Like you, its my high frequency that has gone. I've been turning the treble up on the TV for years, but suddenly I seem so much more acutely aware of my hearing loss. I'm not sure if that is because it has declined faster in recent months, or just because I've been to see an audiologist! I'm really curious about this thing of the brain re-learning. I hadn't clicked that Evelyn Barbour-Hill meant that brain cells cease working properly they become dormant (I read in haste and thought he was talking about cochlear cells). If true, that would mean hearing aids continue to become more effective for some months as brain cells re-learn or re-activate? (you would assume they do, as they do for other types of brain activity).

RE: Hearing aids

Fable — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 00:51:32 GMT

I will second Evelyn on the advice to wear them all the time, except certain specific situations. All the audiologists that I have been to have advised this, because your brain needs to re-learn how to hear sounds that you perhaps haven't been able to hear for a while. If the hearing nerves in your brain don't get stimulated (because you can't hear a sound) then they stop working.

I have severe high frequency hearing loss and currently have in the canal aids, but previously had behind the ear. Unfortunately neither type good for using with a stethoscope! As has been previously mentioned you should really decide what aids to get in consultation with your audiologist to determine what is best for your kind of hearing loss.

RE: Hearing aids

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 09:24:21 GMT

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28765/hearing-aids/218509"]Wear them all the time, except when sleeping, swimming, bathing, shooting, operating DIY machinery or doing heavy gardening (this last not because of noise but because of the danger of losing them in the undergrowth).[/quote]

Exactly what my Mum said!

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28765/hearing-aids/218509"]Don't wear them just now and then because if you do your hearing loss will continue to increase.If the neurons attached to a particular hair cell have nothing to deal with, they get bored and wander away to find something else to do.[/quote]

I do wonder if there's any evidence for that, or if it is an old wive's tale. Presumably my hearing loss will continue to increase. Then again, perhaps it won't if I look after my ears (something I never did, dammit).

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28765/hearing-aids/218509"]Cheap alternative: stick a cork and a piece of string in one ear and a matchbox in your breast pocket. Everybody will shout.[/quote]

Thank you ... I was feeling a bit glum about it all, till that!

RE: Hearing aids

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:04:02 GMT

Decent hearing aids are "tuned" or otherwise adjusted to match as far as possible your precise needs. And your hearing and the aids checked and tested every six months for any necessary tweaking. Unless one ear is absolutely perfect (unlikely) get an aid for each ear – it really does make a difference.

Wear them all the time, except when sleeping, swimming, bathing, shooting, operating DIY machinery or doing heavy gardening (this last not because of noise but because of the danger of losing them in the undergrowth).

At first they will annoy you but this is just you hearing everything you always used to hear before the hearing loss came creeping in insidiously.

Don't wear them just now and then because if you do your hearing loss will continue to increase.If the neurons attached to a particular hair cell have nothing to deal with, they get bored and wander away to find something else to do.

Cheap alternative: stick a cork and a piece of string in one ear and a matchbox in your breast pocket. Everybody will shout.

RE: Hearing aids

George Cooper — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 21:44:31 GMT

Yeah - I'm 71 now and have accepted their necessity for about 4 years - BUT had probably needed them for up to a decade previously, given the number of times the word "Pardon" or "Eh?" entered conversations.

RE: Hearing aids

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 18:07:23 GMT

[quote userid="2122" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28765/hearing-aids/218501"]On return home, I hi-tailed it directly to Brecon Specsavers, booked to see the audiologist and within a week had my own personalised discrete volume-controlled, phone enabled, invisible doo-phlicks installed in my external auditory apparatus. WHAT a difference!! [/quote]

How old were you when that happened? I just kind of felt that was something that happened in one's 60's. Not early 50's!

RE: Hearing aids

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 12:45:24 GMT

[quote userid="6897" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28765/hearing-aids/218497"]Oh well - no mention of Sildenafil - so not all total gloom and doom chez Guthrie?[/quote]

I'm still massively disappointed that Pfizer developed this drug.

I was praying for Upjohn.

RE: Hearing aids

George Cooper — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 15:28:28 GMT

Hi Arlo

When on my annual pilgrimage to Iona and Mull, I was enjoying dinner in the Hotel high on the cliffs above Tobermory. I became aware of a "shadow" over my right shoulder - and turned to investigate. There was the waiter, resembling a fish, newly caught in the harbour, and looking at me expectantly as he was making those gasping movements of his mouth. It turned out he was, very politely, and de rigour for this establishment, enquiring about my enjoyment and satisfaction of the meal I had chosen - and I hadn't heard a single syllable he had uttered.

On return home, I hi-tailed it directly to Brecon Specsavers, booked to see the audiologist and within a week had my own personalised discrete volume-controlled, phone enabled, invisible doo-phlicks installed in my external auditory apparatus. WHAT a difference!! Without the things in my ears life sounded like someone had clamped pillows over my ears, and with them - wonder of wonders - I could hear, and sing, and play the guitar and the fiddle once again with aplomb.

That night (two grand the poorer) I posted on FB that I had relinquished any sense of pride that I might have had and made THE ANNOUNCEMENT to my muso friends. Their response floored me, because no fewer than seven of my harmonious buddies, emboldened by my admission, made their own appointments and they too were the proud possessors of hearing aids. Because it creeps up with stealth it is a pretty big step to take action and all seven had had suspicions, and my confession prompted them to get it sorted.

I have but one single comment - and that is that my pair has AGC (auto gain control) that I have no control over, so when a "loud" noise (like someone with clacketty heels or rustling cellophane nearby) is emitted, they shut down and open back up at random. Also I have found the treble setting to be too forward in the mix, and will need to be adjusted. Bear in mind that Sound Reinforcement is a major interest of mine (PA systems for bands and vocals) so I have a smidgin of understanding of things. I have found that playing and singing using a PA requires some dedication and a reappraisal of the 'noise' I am creating as it sounds different.

Stethoscopes too require a change of perception, and I am about to research electronic over-the-ear types. It has NOT helped that for 9 months I have had a malfunctioning left Eustachian tube which sounds like a swittling half full bottle - and for which I am due to see "a Specialist"!!

RE: Hearing aids

Julian Earl — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 12:48:30 GMT

Sorry to add a very gloomy aspect to this but I have commented to fellow males that the real penalty for living as a man is prostate cancer! My wife, from when she was a nurse on a surgical ward, told me that at the age of 50 years, 50% of men have evidence of the condition. At 60 years, 60%; 70 years 70%, 80 years 80% , and 90 years , I'm sure you can work it out,. If one lives to 100 then you are all but guaranteed! Luckily , she said most men die with it, not because of it.

On that gloomy diversion, at least it is often fully treatable nowadays. As a believer in major genetic influences on many diseases though, my uncle had it, my Grandad, , the latter of these two I am clearly a clone I await the signs with if not dread, then some fear! But if I cannot outlive my Grandad's age of 96 or so, I'll be mighty-angry lying on the mortuary slab!!

What has happened to the smiley box?? Insert the ironic smiley here instead!

Happy New Year to everybody!!

RE: Hearing aids

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:49:21 GMT

[quote userid="6897" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28765/hearing-aids/218497"]

Arlo Guthrie said:
So depressing to reach that age when you need reading glasses, finasteride (for the hair loss, too), and now a hearing aid.

Oh well - no mention of Sildenafil - so not all total gloom and doom chez Guthrie?

[/quote]

I love this expression, from a farmer

'It's the penalty for living'

Happy New Year

Neil

RE: Hearing aids

bob lehner — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 11:04:09 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28765/hearing-aids"]So depressing to reach that age when you need reading glasses, finasteride (for the hair loss, too), and now a hearing aid.[/quote]

Oh well - no mention of Sildenafil - so not all total gloom and doom chez Guthrie?

RE: Hearing aids

Liz w — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 10:59:27 GMT

One of our nurses was made to wear a decorated buster collar on her hen night and struggled to hear a thing, so I wouldn’t recommend it

RE: Hearing aids

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 10:14:30 GMT

[quote userid="3094" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28765/hearing-aids/218460"]At least I have a good excuse if my wife tries to hold a conversation from another room and I don't answer![/quote]

I know the feeling!

I had a revelation last night, though. Someone showed me how they cupped their ear to hear someone speaking to them more clearly at a drinks party. I tried it, and it really works. Even more pronounced when you cup both ears. I know, not ideal to have to stand there cupping both ears while you talk to someone, and it makes it hard to have a drink a the same time. I thought I might instead buy a Buster collar and line myself up with whoever I am talking to, in a similar way to the Jodrell Bank Observatory.

Or maybe a couple of discreet chocks placed behind my ears to force them outwards so they catch more sound.

[quote userid="7638" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/28765/hearing-aids/218454"]If you are unsure, it might be worth trying the NHS hearing aids, so you can actually experience what the audiologist thinks a "2" is.[/quote]

Yes, I am doing precisely that. I do wonder, though, whether I'll bother with them. At the moment, I'm probably at around 5-10 'what?'s per day. It's bearable.

RE: Hearing aids

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 09:03:16 GMT

I'm glad I stuck with Bose and never got one of those deafening Sonos speakers............

RE: Hearing aids

Julian Earl — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 20:34:40 GMT

It is not just age Arlo! I am of that age, but fracturing my skull apparently damaged the ossicles inside my left ar. When in hospital my wife noticed fluid discharge from my left ear but nothing was done to investigate this. Since then I endured a few years of complaints that the Hi-fi or the TV was too loud** and eventually I relented had my hearing checked out I was referred to Specsavers [ go figure!] who referred me back to the GP to send me to the ENT department at Lincoln and between them Specsavers and the hospital confirmed my wife's suspicions my left side was impaired and the ENT checked air-conducted hearing and bone-transmission, CAT-scanned my head ( again!!) before designing an aid for my left ear. I do admit that the TV is indeed clearer now, except for some US-dramas when the actors can't speak clearly and the sub-titles are back on ! At least I have a good excuse if my wife tries to hold a conversation from another room and I don't answer! My aid is tailored to my lug-hole, sorry I mean my external auditory meatus! I've only forgotten to remove it once before taking a shower but fortunately my left ear was not electrocuted and no sparks occurred! As for model, it is just a standard Bespoke NHS- Aid which is good enough.

HTH?

** P.S. I had tried to argue that my music taste was meant to be played at 100 decibels but Mrs Earl was not convinced!!

RE: Hearing aids

Stefania Glowka — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 18:49:43 GMT

One of our nurses (46 years old) left the practice 3 years ago to teach veterinary nursing at one of the colleges. Complete deafness in the right ear diagnosed in the autumn following asymptomatic viral infection (consultant she saw 6 weeks after referral told her that course of steroids given at early stage could have helped to prevent deafness). Being deaf in one ear is not ideal when you teach an NHS hearing aid fitted just before Xmas sorted the problem 100%. I am sure you can be fitted with something that works for you, Arlo.

RE: Hearing aids

Neil Wheadon — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 18:39:35 GMT

and the edit button, I'll try to insert a smiley .......phew that works

RE: Hearing aids

Neil Wheadon — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 18:38:00 GMT

I tried to like that comment but the button doesn't work, something else to get fixed MR GUTHRIE (guess we use CAPITALS for EVERYTHING now)

RE: Hearing aids

Mark Hedberg — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 18:21:22 GMT

Based on chats with my sister in law, (childhood deafness) ears are massively individual. Sound "quality" varies enormously, and what is an outstanding hearing aid for one person is absolutely crap for another.

In general, you get what you pay for, but price doesn't automatically equal quality.

Some of it depends on the frequency - are you having problems with higher or lower frequency? Are you having issues with background noise? Is it a general loss of volume, or clarity?

If you are unsure, it might be worth trying the NHS hearing aids, so you can actually experience what the audiologist thinks a "2" is. It may well be crap, but you now have a baseline to compare the expensive ones to, should you decide you want to upgrade. Or it might be better than you expected, and good for the times you really need it. (Grandfather only really used them at times where many conversations were going on, for example.)

Note: I am not an audiologist, so if your audiologist has a particular recommendation, I would obviously absolutely defer to them.

Good luck!

RE: Hearing aids

David Mills — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 18:05:29 GMT

Sorry, didn't catch that