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Hearing Aids
Millie2787
Community Champion Posts: 5,160 Part of The Furniture
Yesterday I had my hearing assessment after noticing my hearing was getting worse and well it’s turns out I have quite a significant deficit in both ears and that I need hearing aids.
I really am not sure how I’m meant to feel about all of this , I’m really quite young to be having this type of deficit though the audiologist did say it could be as a result of a condition they think I have that’s been causing my headaches.
I’m worried about how people are going to react my mum has already said “Ffs kid what else can be wrong with you” and well my sister said “ I could have told you that”.
I’m nervous about how loud the sounds are going to be as I’ve read the first 8 weeks of wearing hearing aids can really be quite intense . I don’t really know what to do about work and university too , I’m not sure how I’m going to wear masks now I’m going to have these hearing aids behind my ear , I’m not sure how I’m going to cope in teaching sessions as the start of my new module is the week after I get my hearing aids fitted.
It all just seems really overwhelming and I don’t really know how to think or process it all
I really am not sure how I’m meant to feel about all of this , I’m really quite young to be having this type of deficit though the audiologist did say it could be as a result of a condition they think I have that’s been causing my headaches.
I’m worried about how people are going to react my mum has already said “Ffs kid what else can be wrong with you” and well my sister said “ I could have told you that”.
I’m nervous about how loud the sounds are going to be as I’ve read the first 8 weeks of wearing hearing aids can really be quite intense . I don’t really know what to do about work and university too , I’m not sure how I’m going to wear masks now I’m going to have these hearing aids behind my ear , I’m not sure how I’m going to cope in teaching sessions as the start of my new module is the week after I get my hearing aids fitted.
It all just seems really overwhelming and I don’t really know how to think or process it all
Sometimes all you need is one person to believe in you , for you to begin to believe in yourself.
6
Comments
Hopefully, the transition to wearing hearing aids is an easy one for you and doesn't become too overwhelming - and sending lots of hugs
Sinead
I'm hearing that you are feeling overwhelmed after finding out you need hearing aids and are unsure how to process it. That sounds really difficult. As @sinead276 has already said they are there to help you and thats a good thing. I think people often notice things less than we do. There's a song I really like called 'no one cares' by Josie Man and it sounds like a harsh title but the song is basically about how you often get wrapped up in worrying about what other people think when really everyone else is also wrapped up in themselves.
I can imagine it must be quite a change at first but im sure you'll get used to them and remember if you do have any issues im sure you can speak to your audiologist about them. In regards to Uni there should be stuff in place to help you, most lecture theatres should be fitted with hearing 'T' loops. And If you need any extra help you could always ask for some help from your unis student services. When I was at uni a friend of mine wore hearing aids and in some classes they had a notetaker sit with them to help them. So hopefully there are options available to you if you need them. I understand the issue of wearing a mask with anything around your ears, it can be really annoying, they're not the most comfortable but you might find that those mask headband, ear protecters things might help.
I really hope everything goes okay for you, keep us updated with how you are getting on
I guess I’m more nervous about being super sensitive to sounds for the first few months as understandably my body isn’t going to be used to hearing at that level . Still feeling lots of conflicting feelings about it all though
That's completely understandable it must be a big change. The RNID has some tips for people getting used to hearing aids, I'll post the link to the article here in case you want to have a look at it.
https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/hearing-loss/hearing-aids/getting-used-to-hearing-aids/tips-for-getting-used-to-hearing-aids/
I’m getting so frustrated, everyone just seems to be making it so complicated to even try and get help . University have said to me they want medical evidence before there but any reasonable adjustments in place , but that’s just ridiculous it’s not like I’m wearing choosing to wear them . I tried to get a letter of medical evidence from my Gp but they said they haven’t received anything to even say I’m having hearing aids so they can’t do that , I rang specsavers back and told them that the Gp is saying they haven’t got anything and they said they would resend the email.
I rang the university information point today to get an appointment to speak to a disability advisor about what adjustments could be put in place and she told me they had no appointments but then I had an email from someone with a list of appointments to choose from so I can’t understand why people have to make it so bloody didn’t to try and get some help.
I’ve ordered a little case to keep my hearing aids in when I feel like I have to take them out and little drawstring bag to keep my spare batteries in , I’ve been doing a lot of research and the batteries have to be changed quite frequently every 10-20 days depending on how frequently they are used which I guess with mine is gonna be all the time
Hi Millie,
It seems so confusing for you right now and I’m sorry your going through a tough time please know we are here for you and you can vent here whenever you need to, we’re here for you Millie ❤️
Libby
Just waiting for my Gp to get in touch on if they can write the medical evidence letter or not
Hopefully it goes well sending love ❤️
I guess maybe i am slightly beginning to come to some sort of peace with the fact im going to have hearing aids but i dunno my brain still wants to block it all out , like its not really happening ... sounds stupid really doesn't it .
I've ordered a litte case made out of frog fabric to keep them in when i take them out and also a little jute drawstring back that says "Aimees Hearing Aid batteries" on it to keep my copious amount of spare batteries in
Some sounds I’m slowly becoming used to like being in the car , the TV , the fridge etc . But there is also some sounds that are almost painful for me to hear like the dogs walking on the laminate, the toliet being flushed (if I’m the one flushing it) etc.
I had a meeting on Thursday for my updated Study needs assessment for Disabled student allowance and she’s putting forward recommendations for a note taker - Someone who comes to my lectures and takes notes and I can choose to speak to/ not speak to them , Sit next to them etc it’s all down to me . A session with a specialist hearing equipment company who can put forward recommendations for a radio aid and a specialist stethoscope as well as any other equipment they think I may need.
Lots of frequent breaks is a good idea, im sorry i cant offer any help or advise. I just wanted to say sending lots of hugs.
If you dont mind me asking, How do you feel about the meeting ? I hope you get all the support you deserve.
And how do you feel about having a note taker? It sounds like it could be really helpful if that was something you wanted.
Im also glad to hear they're going to help you get the equipment you need.
Take care aimee
Just checking in to see how you’re getting on with your hearing aids. It’s sounds difficult I imagine it must be a big change.
It sounds really positive that uni are helping you, so I’m pleased about that.
Sending lots of hugs
Sinead
Everything I’ve read says I should be used to them by now , but I’m really not . I can’t even wear them at the volume level they’re set too and have to turn them down as much as it will let me.
I’m sorry to hear you’re still struggling with your hearing aids. That sounds really difficult. Have you had any follow up with your audiologist to explain how you’re feeling and that you’re struggling with them still?
I had a follow up 4 weeks after they were fitted to see how I was getting on with them , I explained I was still finding it hard but they said it would take time getting used to them. I had them fitted back in February now and I’m still struggling a lot with them
I'd agree with @jess63 - it'd be a good idea to see if you can be reviewed by the audiologist here, if it's taking longer than expected to get used to them. It might be something they need to tweak or sort out from their side, so well worth speaking to them to see what they can do, and I hope they can listen to your concerns and support you as you need. How does that sound?
Also, I'm glad to hear that the university is offering you support. The things they've offered have all been really helpful to those I knew at university who used them, so I'm sure they'll help to make university a less painful experience for you. How do you feel about the support they've offered?
I was a little sad because my normal audiologist has left the store I got to, so I have to have the other one which I had met once before and he’s nice. But yeah had built up a good relationship with the other lady.
Aim is to now build up to wearing them for most of the day before I head back to university in September and hopefully by then I should be able to wear them for majority of the day.
Life with hearing loss at 21 certainly hasn’t been easy and it still really upsets me at times.
I can relate to this. I was diagnosed a year ago (19 years old) with a condition relating to my hearing. It is truly upsetting, especially at a young age, as now your life has become less qualitative and having experienced a slightly more qualitative life before, you end up contrasting it to your now less qualitative life which makes you feel like you have lost something major - it's heartbreaking that it feels like you're griefing. However, I've learnt that your current situation doesn't mean you cannot continue to live a similar life to the one you had (and could have) when you didn't have the condition. It is wonderful to see that despite how difficult the process is to adapt to your situation, you are taking it with a positive attitude. I believe it comes from some strong hopeful energy as you did mention 'hope'. No matter what, your condition will still have an effect on your life and you will face upsetting times here and there, but you can experience more happy times. To remember this, I can significantly help you in your journey.
I must really say that I'm so proud of you for coming this far.
But there’s 2 of them presenting my first session tomorrow so I don’t really know how the whole wearing the radio aid is going to work as it has to be worn around either the neck on the lanyard or clipped directly onto their top if they have that. I emailed all my facilitators or of my first module Sunday around it all and all of them were lovely and came back with similar responses on that they will support me the best they can to ensure I have a positive experience of the module
My tutor also replied asking if it’s something she wants me to bring up in a big meeting that all the children’s nursing team have once a term. It’s just mainly around managing the expectation of using my Radio aid, so that’s another thing to have a think about.
Starting a fresh academic year at university is hard enough without the added barrier of still learning to live with hearing loss - which I don’t think i will truly be ever able to accept.
Just wanted to check in to see how you are doing?
We are always here for you.
Hope uni goes well and you get the support you need and deserve.
You've got this
"Like when I was down you just had that smile that made me feel like everything's worthwhile. Thinking of the day when you went away, what a life to take, what a bond to break, I'll be missing you"
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