Having a social life when you’re hard of hearing.

Travelsafar can you ask your friend where they got the badge please? I have a lanyard but don’t find it very effective.

Tachinan I agree with your post.

Teabagwoman....purchased from Ebay.

I’m very deaf, have tinnitus too, and unless I can can lipread too I find conversations very difficult. I have Bluetooth hearing aids, fully programmable which are a big improvement on the previous ones. I bought mine through Specsavers quite simply because there’s a 30 month wait for an
NHS appointment here and I was becoming very isolated.
Lockdown was very difficult because face masks meant I couldn’t lipread and that started the ongoing reluctance to socialise.
I do go to two small art groups where I can join in but the thought of going to the theatre or cinema or a restaurant or party …… I even avoid meeting up with big family events simply because I get so fed up with not being able to hear conversations.
I don’t think people understand just what it’s like, I know my husband doesn’t, he gets very snarky despite knowing just how deaf I am 🤷🏼‍♀️

Taichinan yes! It’s the utter exhaustion from trying to listen and join in isn’t it?

Without hearing aids it sounds like I’m underwater…..😵‍💫

Thank you Travelsafar, that will be my next stop. I’ve given up on big family events too RosesandLilac, they’re exhausting and sitting listening to constant white noise is incredibly boring. It interests me that people are very concerned and helpful where my poor sight is concerned but, with one or two exceptions, are much less helpful where my hearing is concerned.

My DH has profound hearing loss in one ear and moderate loss in the other. He always refused hearing aids and I got fed up with repeating everything several times and him making wild guesses at what had been said and consequently getting information completely muddled up. I signed him up to a clinical trial a few years ago for the first smart hearing aids you could control with a smartphone. He cried when he first wore them as he heard birdsong outside. He’d forgotten what this was like. He now has bought the latest Oticon ones which are even better. It has changed his ( and my) life.

I have just connected my aids to the Phonak App, I will see how it goes today as I am off for breakfast withdear friends. Fingers crossed it helps.

30 month wait for an NHS appointment here - the GP can refer you directly to Specsavers who act as agents for the NHS. I was seen there within 10 days of going to the GP, got my aids and walked out wearing them - all free and all in just a few days!

I am sorry that your GP did not plug you in to that system and that you have had to pay - this is iniquitous.

Mind you, aids are not much use if you do what I just did - dropped one in a cup of tea!

The comments about "probation" sound familiar.
When I was first tested they only gave me one aid. When I went back for a review I was given a second one.
I got the impression that they get so many people who get aids and then don't use them that they ration it a bit to avoid waste.

Then I was sent off and told they don't do follow up unless you need it.
I struggled at first because they really irritated my ears and I get eczema in my ears. I've got that sorted now so manage ok.
Restaurants are difficult though.
I have only very basic phonac aids and after five years I decided that I want to try something more sophisticated and willing to pay if necessary. I rang the NHS first and they have said I can have bluetooth but have to be checked first. So I'll see what they can offer before I go private.

RedRiding hood, what cleared the eczema up??

Oil of Olay. Every night when I do my face I do my ears too 😬

vegansrock
A big hug to you and your husband.
That little story made me weep.
🐦🐦‍⬛

@loopyloo.
I had itchy ears all my life. Lots of wax build up as well. I was having microsuction every 3 or 4 months.
Moisterisers had no effect, I tried all sorts, olive oil - not much help. Hydrocortesone cream had limited effect but what was an absolute game changer for me was using betnovate scalp lotion.

betnovate in ears

I only need to use it for a couple of days about every 5 or 6 weeks and my ears are clear and itch free.

I paid privately for hearing aids have only been wearing them since Nov. I have several choices for different areas of noise such as outside/traffic, television, automatic (for most normal sounds ) and noisy/party which is great with lots of people. I’m used to them now and don’t miss parts of conversations like I used to . The first day I noticed loads of small noises that I’d stopped hearing the world felt as if it was turned up! The indicator noise in the car was SO loud! Do go back to your audiologist and get them adjusted/ upgraded

@Twiceasnice I know what you mean I didn't realise our kitchen clock ticked or how much noise water made being poured from kettle to cup
Though I must admit by about 7pm I'm quite happy to take them out and be deaf again! I tend to watch tv with sound via headphones so don't worry about wearing aids!😃