Anyone here suffer from hearing loss?

I really feel for you. I too struggle if I can’t see faces. I cannot wait for masks to be gone.

Hearing loss is known to be one of the most isolating of all medical problems. The use of masks have made this even worse, as even those with only mild hearing loss often - even without knowing it - rely heavily on lipreading.

Hearing Aids - and I have always only every used those supplied by the NHS, should not be uncomfortable to wear, although they may take a few weeks to get used to. Specs should sit firmly on top of those aids, so should not disturb them when removing specs.

Masks are a real problem, Twice I have had to replace (at seventy quid a time) one of my aids lost when I removed my mask. Have tried all the different types of solutions, I do have one (a see through one), that I have changed the elastic to go over my head, not over the ears. Find that the fabric ones with the ear piece of the same material (not elastic), less likely to disturb my aids. When I leave a shop, I wait until I am seated back on my scooter, or in my car before carefully taking of my mask, checking each ear immediately.

itsawelshthing firstly you need to go back to your audiologist and ask for a re-assessment and ensure your hearing aids are up-to-date. Learn to use them slowly, taking a few weeks before wearing them all your waking hours. Not sure what sort of company you work in, but if a large one, you need to go to HR and let them know the problems you are having in this matter. Under Disability law they have to make appropriate arrangement to assist you. One way would be for them to source see through masks for you immediate work mates to wear, so you can see their lips.

Do not be afraid to ASK people to repeat, slower, what they are saying to you when in shops, you can even purchase a large badge which states you have hearing problems, please speak slower. Nothing to be ashamed of in having hearing loss.

Do NOT just ignore this - that way lies greater problems with mental health.

A very difficult time for you. My DS works in a restaurant and the staff all have transparent masks. They're solid plastic so re usable after a good wash. Perhaps the HR department could source these for your colleagues?
Other poster's suggestions are well worth trying. I'm sure things could be much better for you. Good luck.
If you're lonely you can always post on here.

Hello Itsawelshthing. I have hearing loss too, but mine is only age related. So probably not as severe as yours. I can empathise with you regarding the inconvenience /discomfort caused by spectacles, hearing aids and now face masks. However I wear all three if I'm out shopping etc. I always wear my hearing aids when at home, otherwise I wouldn't hear the doorbell /telephone, etc., etc. I too find it very difficult to hear people speaking when they are wearing masks. Let ike you, I need to see their lips and facial expressions. There doesn't seem to be a solution to this particular problem at the moment. Hopefully it will not be too much longer before we can be without face masks. But for the time being we just need to be patient. Sending you best wishes.

Sorry, don't know where Let came from. Should read Like you....

I’ve given up using my hearing aids because, like others, there isn’t room behind my ears for hearing aid, glasses, mask elastic and hair. I change glasses constantly all day and the hearing aids get dislodged.
My deafness is nothing like as bad as OP’s but I wonder why our hearing aids can’t go right inside our ears, safely out of the way.

I’ve only started wearing aids this year. I have significant hearing loss plus tinnitus. I have worn my nhs aids every day, all day since they were dispensed. Huge huge difference. I’ve had no discomfort. I am also a glasses wearer. I do have to be careful removing my mask to prevent the hearing aids dislodging. I’m a definite convert. Please do have a reassessment and another go. In my family husband and daughter are hearing aid users.

My right ear has deteriorated over the years. When I watch TV with my family, they ask why I have to turn it up. Mostly, I manage perfectly well with my left ear, but in a restaurant, where I am surrounded by others talking, it's often hard to catch what a companion is trying to say. As long as I can manage I will resist any suggestion of a hearing aid.

I, too, have hearing loss, which is magnified by the mask wearing. A thoughtful friend bought me a transparent mask, but as I pointed out it is she who should be wearing it. I believe my hearing started to fade when I had Scarlett Fever aged 10. I though I just couldn't concentrate at school, I just got further and further behind at school - hopefully that does not happen nowadays. I have great difficulty on the phone, too especially people with strong accents. I have one normal NHS hearing aid and one BAHA (Bone Anchored hearing aid)
I pray a cure will be found for hearing loss!

Dear Itsawelshthing, I know exactly how you feel & the challenges you face. I’m in the same boat.
You really must speak to your employers to see what adjustments can be made to help accommodate your hearing loss and frustrations. It might not solve all the issues but it’s a start and by law they must help you cope.
Like you I struggle to lip read when masks are in place but I’m quite assertive and make it clear that, from a safe distance, I’d appreciate it if the other person would help me by just pulling down their mask for a second. They always do apart from a Sainsbury’s Customer Service woman who wrote out her response. Fair enough if she felt more comfortable responding that way.
The issue with specs, aids, mask & hair is a nuisance but just keep checking that yr aids are in place every time u remove anything from your face or ears and you’ll be fine. It’s just another routine!
Meanwhile, masks will shortly be unnecessary if everything goes to plan but in the meantime you can be an Ambassador for the deaf/hard of hearing community by trumpeting your deafness far & wide. Encourage others to accommodate you just as they would if you were blind or severely disabled. In the main I’ve found people very accommodating and kind once they realise my struggle. One thing I do as a matter of course is start a phone conversation with “Before I begin, I have to tell you I am very hard of hearing so please speak slowly. If you don’t mind, I might have to repeat back to you what I think you’ve told me. OK?” It works a treat.
Chin up. There’s a lot of us out there. You’re not by any stretch of the imagination, alone.

Itsawelshthing. I have hearing loss too, but mine is only age related.

I taught deaf and partial deaf children and it shocked me the attitude by some and also their lack of understanding of the children's needs.

I am new to aids and found them difficult (masks and reading glasses) and was not wearing them all time. My glasses are on and off a lot. I've given up on lots of occasions with people with quiet voices (even with my aids in !).

I am wondering about the smaller aids but they are very expensive.

I still find it puzzling why so many people have no problem with wearing specacles to assist their sight - but resist wearing aids to assist their hearing.

Hearing aids are much more fiddly than glasses , the bit behind your ear is the battery compartment so it can be a bit heavy at first , then you have to make sure the aid is sited properly
I have the tiny ones and have so far managed to find them when they drop out , then they have to be cleaned before wearing again
Don’t get me wrong , they work great , better in one to one , not so in a crowd , but they need more effort than putting your glasses on
I have both , masks are another hurdle
Then you have to take them out at the hairdressers , you shouldn’t get them wet

I too struggle with the masks as can't hear people even with hearing aids in. I didn't realise how much I lip read

You can get glasses with built in hearing aids at specsavers! Worth investigating maybe?

I am sorry that you are experiencing such a difficult time. My husband has two hearing aids and finds a snood face covering much easier to wear than a mask as it doesn't go near his aids. We joke that he looks like a bank robber but he says they are much more comfortable. Purchased on Amazon.

I think you should simply wear the hearing aids. If they are properly fitted then they will not be uncomfortable.

I wear aids, glasses and masks and have no problem. Little tip.....when you take your mask off remove the elastic from OVER your ears first - that way the aids do not fall out.

I do not even notice my aids at all - it really is just a question of persevering.

If you think that aids and glasses are "bulky" then try choosing a lighter frame.

Thank you all. I've booked in for an audiology appointment to get my hearing retested and go from there. I think my hearing has definitely got worse. I have tried wearing my private aids but can hardly hear anything with them so that was a waste of 2k that I paid 5 years ago. I've been conned I think. x

Five years is a long time. Probable changes in your hearng mean s that those aids are no longer correctly adjusted for you. Why did you opt for private aids in the first place?

Would you wear spectacles for five years without any on-going eye tests?

I have needed, hearing aids for the past twenty odd years. Always obtained them via NHS. So many changes in those aids over the years and reduction in their size, whilst improvements in the performance.

Need regular tests to ensure that the prescription of the aids I am using is correct at the time.

I stopped wearing hearing aids when I thought I had lost one when I took the mask off when getting into the car. Somehow the mask strings/elastic gets tangled up and pulls the hearing aid out. I now wear them for tv etc or when seeing our adult grandchildren as I miss a lot of what they.say as they speak quite quickly.

Lovetopaint037 - see upthread for how to remove mask without hearing aids flying off!

Franbern It is unfortunate, at the moment, that hospitals can't do yearly tests (covid restrictions). I have to have mine done there as opposed to Specsavers as I have tinnitus as well as a hearing loss. I was hoping to get a test booked last week but now have to wait another two years.

Itsawelshthing. there's nothing wrong with the NHS hearing aids, that's all I've ever worn. Because the cartilage of my right ear has been damaged I have to wear a bone anchored hearing aid - it's NHS, marvellous, has blue tooth. When I am called on my mobile phone, the conversation comes straight into my BAHA (Hearing aid). Hopefully that will be available soon on the conventional hearing aids.