Challenging Hearing loss!

[ChrissieMT]

I have recently had several audiology checks ups, both private and NHS. All the practitioners have said that my hearing loss has advanced considerably and is now severe to profound and challenging! I tried several new replacement aids privately and the audiologist eventually gave up on me. I managed to get an NHS appointment, following a test the audiologist was so shocked at the change that he got colleague to re-do the test, same conclusion. I had new NHS aids prescribed but they have given me a mould which I truly cannot wear, it is so big, uncomfortable, doesn’t seem to help and finally is unsightly. I am posting a photo of my old private aids which are deteriorating, alongside the new NHS so you can see what I mean!

I really feel like locking myself away and do not know what to do?

[daverussell]

I understand but you have nothing to be ashamed about.

When I first started wearing aids I went private and chose the most discrete ones I could get. I was happy to the pay an extortionate amount and pay extra on top.

However, due to noise sensitivity my aids sometimes cause more of a problem. I have to point out that I'm unable to hear, shift position, or move closer etc.

Once I have pointed out my disability people are a lot more understanding. At times I wish I could just wear a sign around my neck.

[ChrissieMT in reply to daverussell]

Thank you Dave. I had another appointment yesterday and it would appear that the moulds have been made to large for my little ears! Unfortunately I have 100% wax in one ear and 30% in the other, despite using drops this is not clearing. GP surgeries are not obliged to offer microsuction and syringing is no longer thought to be safe. The only option now is to go private which costs between £50 to £75, where on Earth do they get these extortionate prices? It seems to me that people with hearing problems are severely penalised financially.

[BAHA2]

Hi ChrissieMT you must be feeling lost, however I would encourage you to challenge your audiologist to recommend an alternative to hearing aids if they are not suitable for you. When this happened to me my audiologist suggested I be recommended for an Bone anchored hearing device. Also I would suggest you search the internet for your local NHS standards for hearing and I am confident it will specify that if hearing aids are not effective than alternatives must be considered. Best of luck 😃

[alpacagirl in reply to BAHA2]

Surely they wouldn’t have tested your hearing with that quantity of wax - it just wouldn’t be accurate. The last time I had my ears tested in 2019 I had to move to ear moulds from large domes as there is a limit to how much they can turn certain frequencies up with tubes and domes. They shouldn’t be that uncomfortable though - although I agree they don’t look great! Definitely go back to your NHS audiologist as BAHA2 suggests. I really sympathise with you and hope you get some joy re the wax.

[ChrissieMT in reply to alpacagirl]

Most of the tests were done before the build up of this wax, I had it removed by Specsavers late June, but it built up after. The most recent visit showed the 100% and 30%. They have agreed to do a new mould so I shall wait and see. I am still using drops to try to clear the wax so that a new impression can be made on the 22nd Dec.

[GRboyRiches]

Hi Chrissie....well looking at the aids you have there, the BTE NHS is certainly not strong enough for a Severe/ Profound Loss, the Private one, a Phonak Audeo is a bit ancient, obviously you have had them a number of years, but in any case the Loudspeaker is not big enough, you may be beyond the rubber ends and need a personal made one which has a louder speaker in it, there are some very good aids available which you can wear with a smaller mould without any annoying whistling...good luck.

[ChrissieMT in reply to GRboyRiches]

Thank you for your reply, yes, I have had the Phonak for 6 years but despite several visits to two Private audiologists and one NHS, nobody has come up with a better one for me. The audiologist from Specsavers went way beyond what one would normally expect, he even had some moulds made for me, but even then the sound was not good. I shall continue my search in the hope that someone can help me. 😒

[GRboyRiches]

Unfortunately you are probably to far away from me, but I have never promoted myself on HealthUnlocked, but there are Horses for Courses in anything, if I know your area I can put you in touch with someone decent who may help Geoff

[ChrissieMT in reply to GRboyRiches]

Thank you Geoff, I live in Cambridgeshire, my nearest big city is Peterborough.

[GRboyRiches]

Anywhere near March

[ChrissieMT in reply to GRboyRiches]

Yes, quite near.

[GRboyRiches]

Ok, I’ll ping you over a tel no, what you do is entirely up to you, Geoff

[ChrissieMT in reply to GRboyRiches]

Thank you.

[ChrissieMT in reply to GRboyRiches]

Will you message on here?

[GRboyRiches]

Look GY Hearing Centre on FB

[GRboyRiches]

Not worked in office today done two home visits

[Htims46]

Hi, They look terrible, I’m not surprised that you cannot wear them. Why Oh why have they put those ear moulds on them? it’s as if they found them laying forgotten somewhere and thought ‘ Oh good we’ll use these’ If it were me I would go back to them and demand that they change the ear moulds.I have been almost totally deaf in one ear for 50 years and still cannot get

a diagnosis or more importantly hearing aids that work for me. Being like this has made me very antisocial. I think people with hearing loss get a very poor deal, they think Oh well she’s got hearing in one ear. I didn’t have to be told to live in a ‘bubble’ Iv been forced to live in one for years. I wish you all the best in your quest for better hearing aids, don’t give up like I have, be

Insistent.