Hearing loss

[NHMaria]

Hi all, I've had tinnitus for many years. It was mild for a long long time, so it was totally bearable, and just meant I didn't hear the higher tones of birdsong or someone's voice in a particularly noisy room.

But in the last couple of years it's suddenly gotten much worse. A shrill ringing in one ear and a buzzing in the other. I don't even mind all that so much. The serious problem is hearing loss. I find it now impacts on everything - everyday life, when I'm in groups of any sort, anywhere, trying to hear someone speaking to a group, with my friends if there's more than one. It's becoming a big problem.

I've been through the NHS for hearing aids and I do wear them at times. But they exacerbate every noise, not just the person's voice I'm trying to hear. So I hear every rustle of paper, every scrape of the chair, every noise outside...and I hardly hear what I need to hear any better. It just creates more noise and I have enough of that already going on all the time. It feels exhausting and makes my nervous system all jittery and rattled.

I'm scared of losing my hearing all together! And I don't have the money for very expensive hearing aids.

Anyone else in this boat? I'd be so glad of some suggestions. I've ordered the book 'Rewiring Tinnitus' which I hope will help.

Thank you.

[Happyrosie]

I totally understand- but I got used to the noises quickly. Audiologist advised me to use aids one hour on day one 2 hours on day two etc etc until wearing them all the time while awake, and that you soon get used to the extra noise. Have you tried this?

If you’ve tried this and after a few weeks it’s no better then get another appointment with the audiologist and explain.

[Tal-r789T]

Hi, I found it hard to get on with HA initially, and TBH minimal support. I did wear them for a bit then not. I was advised the brain will forget what it can start to hear but doesn't need to -i.e. the things you couldn't hear due to hearing loss but can again with HA, but are 'background' - the brain just needs to learn to forget again. It was a process over time for me, but I am now comfortable with them. I've had to adapt life a bit - for instance office work is difficult as I can experience noise overload when concentrating - but playing music through my HA helps me with this. I'm gradually getting used to it, and the ability to hear speech again is so important to me. I have found social situations different but similar - having a direct conversation with someone/group seems to make me ignore background noise more.

[Gladeville]

Hi maria . It sounds like you have hyperacusis as well . I'm dealing with the same things as you . People don't understand that hearing aids magnify the hyperacusis. I've stopped being afraid. I've had all the panic attacks ever want to have, and realised i can take control of my body , and make my body work for me . See julian cowan on u tube. Tinnitus gone.

[Hylda2]

Was told by my audiologist I had tinnitus because I was a little bit deaf! My brain was filling in the vacant space.

I now wear hearing aids supplied by the local tinnitus clinic at the hospital. Ok I still read sub titles on the television but am very happy with them.

Was told 12 years ago put them in and get on with it. Loved hearing the birdsong again but a carrier bag rattling was such a loud noise. Now I can ignore the tinnitus unless like now I’m thinking of it and can hear the great grandson’s voice. Although have been known to turn them down after one too many “Nanny’s”!

Please persevere.

D

[mariadavies]

Hi, I use hearing aids for moderate hearing loss and tinnitus.I also attend Lip reading classes, which is helpful, practically and socially. I have to face a person to lip read. I find it impossible to hear when more than one person is speaking, especially when they 'talk over' each other!

To help with background noise, I have a programme on my hearing aids that allows me to disconnect the back microphones. The Lip reading Tutor has also advised me to sit facing other people who sit against a wall to assist hearing. I used to sit against the wall, thinking that this helped!

I quite often don't use my hearing aids at home and when I go out, other than socially on my own or with my partner. Fortunately, he is very patient when I sometimes asked reportedly, what did they say, if we speak to some one in passing. Otherwise I would have to use them more frequently. I have seborrheoic dermatitis in my ears, which is uncomfortable, although I have silicone moulds on my hearing aids.

I hope my information may be of use.