Well that's not what I would have expected

[daverussell]

I'm 46 and I have mild hearing loss (along with Tinnitus and Hyperacusis). For 2 years I have worn hearing aids, they're an improvement but they are not perfect.

I'm curious about your experiences of hearing loss, especially around challenges with conversations...

Rather than missing a word or phrase here-and-there, I'm finding the biggest challenge is missing the point of the conversation or the context of a question. I think I'm so busy concentrating on ensuring I haven't misheard or trying deciphering on individual words, I'm lost on what the conversation is about or even forget part of the conversation.

Is this just me or can anyone relate to this?

[ChrissieMT]

Dave, I can totally relate to that. Sometimes I find that, when in a group of people, the topic of conversation has changed which can be quite embarrassing as I am still thinking the previous topic! I try to tell people that it takes more time to process words and conversations when you have hearing problems, I don’t think they get it. Unfortunately my hearing loss has turned to severe to profound, plus I have developed Pulsatile Tinnitus which drives me crazy.🙄 Keep smiling 🙂

[alpacagirl]

I totally relate to that too! I often struggle to work out what or who the conversation is about - sometimes I make a comment then realise that I’ve got completely the wrong end of the stick- when people look at me blankly or ask me what I mean😂 (or fall about laughing). I tend to keep quiet unless I can follow what’s going on. I also hate it when people ask me a question when I’ve no idea of what went previously.

Hearing aids help but don’t restore normal hearing do they.

[daverussell in reply to alpacagirl]

Indeed they don't. I usually find I'm just aware somebody said something, but it's just a mumble. Yet, I can hear a conversation several metres away perfectly well. In a classroom environment that's perfect, but not for normal face to face conversations.

[GRboyRiches in reply to alpacagirl]

Hi, again I say, it's all to do with the aids you have, it's how it is, modern hearing aids have 30/50% more processing power than anything offered by the NHS, although they will differ in opinion, but with modern technology comes a higher expectation, and Expectation is Always Higher than Technology, that's in all walks of life.

[GRboyRiches]

It's all to do with the aids you have, and your history.. Hyperacusis, that's another story in own rights... may I suggest a book...Living with Tinnitus and Hyperacusis, by Dr McKenna, Dr Baguley, Dr McFerran the formost authorities on these conditions, available on Amazon. Geoff

[daverussell in reply to GRboyRiches]

Hi GRboyRiches thank you. I have that book. It's very good isn't it?

[GRboyRiches]

It does give you a bit of a insight into problems, I use the tinnitus section a lot, most hard of hearing people don’t like noise or sudden noises they have very low thresholds but reduction on MPO. maximum power output, and 80dB thresholds normally solve the problems, Hyperacusis is generally more of a problem with anyone who has normal hearing thresholds and can’t stand 50 dB HL , but nothing is insurmountable if you put your mind to it.

[Morto]

Maybe better Aids? if like myself you have basic or NHS ones? I have tried the newer ones and await a different set as they didn't work out for my T but the sound quality and increase on what I could hear was was another level

[daverussell in reply to Morto]

I paid £2k. I hope they're good. I'm thinking of trying different domes.

[Morto]

What type of tech do they have on ? Some have Tinnitus Multiflex ,360 Directional ,Some have Auto Adjust in Group /Quite/Car /Restaurant settings ,Pairing with a App there are changes in the Apps that can be made also ,Hope it goes well

[daverussell in reply to Morto]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. They have two modes, configured by the audiologist, that I control from a button on the aid. They also connect to an app on my phone where I can switch to some preprogrammed modes you mention or some I can configure myself. In fact i can only control the volume from my the phone app.

I seldom use the phone app, although maybe I should. Though due to restricted socialising I haven't had the need to.

Many thanks