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My OH suffers from what he terms 'cocktail party' deafness where he has problems hearing conversations if there is any surrounding sound, eg TV, music, other conversations etc. I have similar problems occasionally myself and we both tend to use subtitles on many TV programmes in order to hear every word of dialogue. We each seem to hear different sounds that the other misses, eg one of us hears lower pitched noises, the other higher pitched like Jack Spratt and his wife we are able to, between us, pick up most sounds! Would either/both of us benefit from hearing aids at this stage? We are both 70.

Hi I wondered if there was any solution to the problem of someone wearing hearing aids constantly saying pardon so we have to repeat what we say, which they can then hear even though it's at the same volume. Im not sure if its become an automatic response or if he doesnt hear just because hes not paying full attention at that moment, but weve tried to start every opening line with his name to grab attention. Its just so frustrating for all.

I keep hearing conflicting reports about whether or not hearing aids can help tinnitus. What is the current thinking?

I'm a musician and I would say my hearing has deteriorated over the years. I am missing certain frequencies in my hearing. Would a hearing aid enable me to regain those frequencies or would it just amplify the ones I have left.

Does wearing headphones a lot contribute to hearing problems?

What are the differences between NHS aids and privately purchased aids? Is it advisable to try NHS first, then pay privately if no help?
Are the aids available all similar, or are some companies charging the earth for something available cheaply elsewhere?

Is deafness hereditary?

How often should I be getting my hearing checked? I have had problems with my hearing from a young age but other than when I'm in pain no-one ever seems to offer a check.

My hearing is not great, is there anything that you can suggest to help with resorting to a hearing aid?

I have a NHS hearing aid but cannot get on with it (as I wear glasses I find it very uncomfortable), I only use it when absolutely necessary. I would love to have the tiny one but they are too expensive. I'm interested to know Patricia and Richard's journey on how they got their implants?

How do you tell someone it isn't anything to be shamed of wearing a hearing aid. Especially a man.

Do you need a doctors referral for a hearing test?

hello, i had a perfurated ear drum several years ago as a result of an ear infection and ever since i have really struggled to hear but recently ive found its getting worse family friends and work colleagues are commenting on me shouting when i talk and i find myself saying what almost everytime some one talks to me what can i do will it get better on its own is it possibly just a result of wax or post-cold or do i need to seek some medical advice?

Is there a way that's best to approach hearing loss with my Dad? He won't go for a test because he doesn't want to wear a hearing aid (i think that's the main reason anyway) but he has the tv on so loud it's driving my Mum insane! Not sure what to do and any advice would be appreciated.

is there any tests or tricks we can do at home to check hearing loss - as a way to help someone understand that they might need to get a professional to check?

Is deafness hereditary? My grandma had to have a hearing aid.

DH had a bad ear infection which took a long time to clear up. Now has hearing loss as a result of wax build-up. Saw a locum (because own doctor on holiday) who advised to continue with olive oil treatment and that it would clear out on it's own. Been doing this for ages now with no success. Appreciate that getting water in ears is not advisable, however, I saw somewhere that one can rinse out with saline solution, would this also present a hazard?

My husband is a carpenter and he goes shooting and likes loud music. Are his ears destined to fail?or

Does listening to the TV and music at a loud volume really increase the chances of hearing loss?

For years I have had mild tinnitus in one ear. Recently I've found I have confused the direction sounds are coming from. I don't want to resort to a hearing aid and am wondering if it will work with the tinnitus.

My Mum struggles with ear infections caused be regular hearing aids and struggles to attach a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid. Is there anything else that she might be able to cope better with?

I have always wonder if the discharge I have in my ears is dangerous. I find it very irritating to the skin, making me itch inside the ear.
I have my first appointment in two weeks time to see what's going on.

How can you politely but delicately point out to a loved one that they are seemingly losing their hearing - the tv is so loud!

DH eventually agreed to hearing aids, but says that he doesn't hear any better with them, so doesn't use them. He can hear some people ok but struggles with others. I am one of those who he struggles with. Do you have any tips on how I can speak in a way that might help him to understand? I hope so, because although neither of us has voiced it, I think that we are both feeling quite lonely in our relationship now!

I've heard that you have to keep replacing the batteries in hearing aids; how often? Also, how do you adjust the volume of sound received? I have two married friends: one who shouts and the other being very softly spoken. Would I have to keep taking a NHS hearing aid out to adjust the sound levels?