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Why did I ever hesitate?

(46 Posts)
Applegran Fri 15-Jun-18 18:25:09

This morning I had my first pair of hearing aids fitted - and already I love them! A little while ago I asked other Gransnetters for advice about getting hearing aids and got lots of encouragement - for which I was and am very grateful. Now I've got the aids I am hearing people so much more clearly - and realise for the first time how much I was missing. I also hear things like my keyboard as I type, which I used not to hear, but it isn't a problem. It's amazing that you can get these excellent hearing aids on the NHS. If you are hesitating to have a hearing test, but think you might need hearing aids, I can now join those who encouraged me and say - go for it!

DanniRae Fri 15-Jun-18 18:44:33

Very pleased for you Applegran - it's always good to hear a happy ending!! (No pun intended) smile

Squiffy Fri 15-Jun-18 19:05:45

That's great to hear read Apple! Isn't it funny how we're happy-ish to wear specs, but baulk at the idea of hearing aids?!

Nanabilly Fri 15-Jun-18 19:19:24

Good news that you are so happy with them applegran. I remember when I got mine and having to get used to strange sounds that is not heard for ages. A crisp packet sounded like thunder and people making me jump when they suddenly started talking to me .
Hope it all continues to go well.

Deedaa Fri 15-Jun-18 20:45:03

I was amazed how many instruments in the car actually bleep at me. I'd never heard them before!

annep Sat 16-Jun-18 03:21:40

Thanks. Glad to hear its been success. will pass on to my husband.?

Mapleleaf Sat 16-Jun-18 12:39:34

Lovely, Applegran. ?

chelseababy Sat 16-Jun-18 14:14:02

Good to hear of a success story. Of the 5 or 6 people I know who were fitted for them none has continued with them because they were too uncomfortable.

Feelingmyage55 Sat 16-Jun-18 14:19:13

Pleased for you. Enjoy.
sqiffy. Or false teeth?

Luckygirl Sat 16-Jun-18 14:29:26

Good news! As I said in your previousthread I have had no trouble at all with mine - apart from trying to replace a battery whilst at the theatre last night and dropped the aid on the floor!!!

For me the birdsong is the greatest joy.

bikergran Sat 16-Jun-18 15:02:05

Have booked a nurse to look at my ears..in couple of weeks...I work on a checkout and havce noticed I cannot hear the same through my intercom and also customers.

Must say I have been using earplugs for a few yrs on and off (not at my checkout) lol...but for going to bed when I need an undisturbed night, and wondering if it has pushed wax into my canal and I need the jet wash!! we shall see.

Applegran Sat 16-Jun-18 21:52:30

If your ears are blocked with wax, it is worth knowing that you don't have to have them syringed. I had mine cleared with a suction process - had to pay at Specsavers, and had to soften the wax in advance. The softening actually cleared one ear totally. I used Earol , which has a small spray fitting on the little bottle, and it gives your ear a measured dose of olive oil, which does the job but doesn't totally deafen you. In the past I've used a tea spoon of olive oil and ended up very deaf, for several days. Good luck Bikergran!

Granfran Sun 17-Jun-18 08:29:08

Struggling with my aids as they are uncomfortable so I am going to go back and see if there is anything that can be done. Was feeling more and more isolated because I couldnt hear so determined to persevere.

GabriellaG Sun 17-Jun-18 08:35:15

Morning everyone...cooler weather has arrived plus rain. shock
Hearing aids can be a blessing and a curse.
Thankfully, I don't need them YET but used to work for a woman whose aids made the most awful noise, whistling and cackling over which, speech could not be heard.
They were bought by her son at a cost of just over £5k. The specialist was called out several times to 'fix' the noise but she ended up getting NHS ones which were only marginally better.
I've no idea why they made such a noise.

Rowantree Sun 17-Jun-18 08:45:16

My hearing is rubbish - family trait. My children and OH have complained about it for years. Finally I had a hearing test - but I think I cheated..... blush

loopylou Sun 17-Jun-18 08:54:56

I love my hearing aids, thank goodness for the NHS ?
GabriellaG the whistling etc is usually because the ear moulds are fitted properly/snuggly, my DM had this problem.

Coconut Sun 17-Jun-18 09:38:56

I may need hearing aids at some stage. When I had a hearing test, my tinnitus was so loud on that day, that I couldn’t hear when the beeps started ! ! Tinnitus is always bad on the times I have a bad night.

grandMattie Sun 17-Jun-18 09:47:59

I'm so envious Applegran. i think i am pretty deaf - always say "sorry, didn't hear that", "Pardon?" and all the other stuff one days. My dr. doesn't think I am "deaf enough"! Am see ing him again re. hearing soon, so shall bring the subject up again.
curiously it is the DCs who are upset about hearing aids. I replied that if I was lame I would use aids, I already wear glasses, so what is the difference with hearing aids? grin

Applegran Sun 17-Jun-18 09:59:36

grandMattie I am sorry your doctor doesn't think you are "deaf enough" for hearing aids - but unless you are tested he or she cannot possibly really know. I can manage most ordinary conversations without aids, but have lost a lot of the higher frequencies, so I may 'hear' what is said, but not be able to make out all the words, so don't get the meaning. I think it is well worth asking again - or going to a different doctor in your practice and asking. I am not at all worried about the aids being visible - why should we be? There is no shame in being hard of hearing. My DD didn't notice that I was wearing aids! But she and the GC are happy that I have the help to hear better. Am finding there are things I need to learn and get used to - but really worth sticking with it, and not being put off by little things. However old we may be, we can still adapt and learn!

Greciangirl Sun 17-Jun-18 10:18:03

I on,y have a mild hearing deficiency
But was persuaded to go for an nhs test.
I have some very flimsy hearing aids that keep falling out.
Also, the batteries keep running down very quickly.

I hardly every put them in now as I don’t feel they make a great deal of difference. It’s a fiddle trying to get them in with long hair in the way.
If my hearing deteriorates any further then I will go back.

Mamar2 Sun 17-Jun-18 11:35:01

Got hearing aids for the first time on Tuesday. The right is perfect but the left ear sounds are tinny & as if I'm in a cave. The sound of a crisp packet rustling is deafening. I'll go back in a month or two if it doesn't improve.

On the whole they are good tho.

vickya Sun 17-Jun-18 11:40:39

I've had NHS hooked over the ear ones for a while now. They fight with my glasses and fall off sometimes. I keep checking them and pushing them on. But I was turning the tv up very loud and not hearing when in groups so I zoned out of conversations. The bird song is better. I can hear more birds with them. I lost one and although free to get, you have to pay £50 for a lost one to be replaced Then of course we found the lost one, in the garden. I am still not able to hear chat easily in places with noise or music and talking to more than one person.

Mary59nana Sun 17-Jun-18 11:55:53

I was deaf in both ears after a gradually process
My GP said it’s a sign of ageing
I’m was at the time 54
2 years later and another my kinder GP
Who referred me to ENT I have just had my second ear op and can hear perfect in both ears
I’m so happy and grateful to the NHS and my lovely GP

pheasant75 Sun 17-Jun-18 12:03:02

Hello , I went for hearing test at a major high street supplier seemed very good until they told me the price?? then I heard about hearing direct .the result was i ordered 2 of the same type for around £400 pair had them 5 years now and I order batteries on line from the same source. wonderful.
my brother ans sister use the NHs ,one only supplied same type thought this might be of help

Happysexagenarian Sun 17-Jun-18 12:06:05

I have had my hearing tested twice during the past 4 years, but apparently I am not yet deaf enough for them to offer me any sort of aids. I have to turn the TV up really loud and I'm always asking people to repeat what they say. I bought amplifying headphones for the TV which is a big help and my husband can have the volume at an acceptable level. But I'm wondering how much worse it has to get before I can have some help. A local optician quoted me £3000 for hearing aids. Can't afford that! Why is it that hearing seems to be of lesser importance than eyesight.