I was a 'Bit Deaf'

cabbie 21 I was told the same and got some hearing aids but I just couldn't bear the noise! it sounded as if my husband was shouting at me and hearing my shuffling feet and other noises that I didn't like. I turned the tv down but then my husband couldn't hear it!! you just can't win! So they are sitting in a drawer perhaps ready for when I just can't do without them!!

Thank you all for your input.
My hearing became a problem whilst working in a busy, loud environment.
I couldn't hear a word that was being said!
(I don't work there anymore)
Also, I find some voices shockingly difficult, despite saying "pardon" two or three times.
My aids apparently adjust by themselves to the situation I'm in, didn't cost anything, and I wasn't pressured.
I was advised that it can take a month or so to get used to them.
PS - my hair is silky, eglatine I did wonder if it could be my hair, because its annoyingly messy.

Most hearing aids these days come with a volume control, and if you think they are too loud just adjust the volume while it is in your ear.. there should be no feedback ( high pitched noise when you put your hand near your ear) if there is then you need to turn the volume down one notch or two....

Do persevere, MissAdventure as it takes a while for your brain to adjust to the changed hearing ability. Wearing my aids I went into the loo at a supermarket and a child started screaming - I had to leave instantly as I thought my eardrums were going to explode, and traffic noise almost made me leap in the air. It settled down very quickly. My aids seemed more of a hindrance initially. Itching almost drove me crazy but after a few weeks my ears seemed to accept the small plastic inserts and I don't have problems any more. I have mild to moderate hearing loss (otosclerosis) and the aids have been a big help - I had the TV so loud that the family couldn't stand it!

I've had NHS hearing aids for about 18 months now and wish I'd got them sooner. They make such a difference. I put them in as soon as I'm washed and dressed and take them out at bedtime. I always put them in with a magnifying mirror so that I can see that they're in place properly. A travel mirror obviously helps if you're away from home.
If they ever chafe (rarely) it's because I haven't pushed them in properly so I take them out and pop it in again. Lots of welcome advice at audiology and remember to get the pipes changed every six months as the plastic can get brittle over time.

Can you turn the volume up and down?
My family are always onto me to get one. I had a test 4 years ago and he said my hearing was deteriorating, but not bad enough for aids yet. I'm 82.
So many other medical problems (minor TG) this one comes way down the list.

I too got mine from Specsavers but free, as they are NHS agents here, as they are in many areas. I got my aids immediately - ears tested, aids in and off I marched!

I agree with all the posters who said wear your aids all the time as soon as you get them. I clean mine with alcohol wipes and if my ear is itchy I give that a swipe too. I've found the little interdental brushes handy for cleaning too. (The aid, not my ear!)

Yes, I can turn them down.
I'm not quite sure how to 'work' them yet.
I think they're supposed to adjust by themselves though.

It's so irritating when you miss one word in a sentence . I got embarrassed having constantly to ask people to repeat themselves: 'Would you like some ???' would leave me wondering what to reply!

Had mine fitted a couple of weeks before Christmas, wow what a difference. The noises I hear sometimes make me jump they are so loud, I didn't realise how much my house creaks!! The noise my saucepans make when I put them in the sink/dishwasher....my husband was always shouting at me to make less noise (he also wears hearing aids). I have persevered and worn them all day every day. In fact they are so comfortable I went to bed with them in the second day of wearing them ???

Perseverance to allow the brain to adapt.

Miss Adventure I've worn hearing aids for many, many years. Everything you describe is quite normal as your brain starts to hear all the things it hasn't heard for a long time. If you wear them regularly then your brain will adjust and sort out all the background noise that you don't need to hear - your own footsteps for instance.

Again the itching can be a pain but it does disappear over time. I get it occasionally but nothing that bothers me.

All of these minor annoyances are as nothing compared to being able to hear again and so partake more fully in life. Sadly my DH is not prepared to go through the 'pain barrier' of acclimatising and so he has become more reclusive.

By the way if your hearing aids are NHS then you are entitled to a Disabled `Persons railcard. You supply your brown book as proof. Brilliant as you get 1/3 off fares, can travel at anytime of the day, can travel anywhere in the UK and a person travelling with you gets the same benefits. It seems to be a benefit that is not widely known about.

Good luck. Persevere. It is worth is

A common scenario at our house:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOgsNX33byk

Those of you that wear them all the time, can I ask how long the batteries last?

Unfortunately not all areas have comissioned Specsavers to issue hearing aids so in my area can only go to clinic open two short mornings each week in local hospital. You can look on a website to find out which areas.

I cannot for the life of me know why people think NHS hearing aids are not as good as mega priced ones. There is no difference in them ,apart from the price and the snobbish attitude towards them The service you get from the NHS is second to none,and you can go to have them adjusted any time you want. All for free too.

As for batteries they last two weeks . NHS ones you just go to local pickup point for more , no charge again either.

After a while you don't notice stuff like your feet on the carpet or your clothes rustling. You do hear the birds again, I cried first time I heard them after so long. This post brings it all back, the itching and the teething problems - for a while one would not fit comfortably on the right ear but I just persevered, (about 18 months for both to be totally fine) It has been so worth while and if you are in a situation that's too loud you can just take them out - bliss.

Thank you all so much.
I can learn a whole lot more from threads like this than I can from being given instructions by the technician.

I’ve had NHS hearing aids for over three years. At first, my long hair swishing against my ears sounded loud! As predicted, it took my brain about six weeks to adjust to them but they are great - I can hear birdsong, participate in group conversations and hear actors' voices, even when seated near the back of a theatre.
My grandson (aged five at the time I had mine) also needs to wear aids, if he has a cold. He was able to choose to have pictures of footballs on his and felt sorry for me as I was not offered any decoration on mine!
To those folk who may need them, don’t delay; it’s better to become accustomed to inserting the aids and changing the batteries whilst fingers are nimble enough to cope. The change you’ll experience will be for the better, if you’re willing to persevere. My batteries typically last about eight days; my DD was advised to change (and clean) DGS's each Sunday evening.
Happy hearing, everyone!

My stepdad found that wearing his hearing aids at home in a quiet room for the first week very helpful before he gradually increased his wearing of them in public.

littleflo and jenil23 I have been wearing my hearing aids for years and recently had replacements from Specsavers (on NHS) which are superb. I am also lucky enough to have been given a loop for my tv by the local authority - amazing!! Those barmy subtitles are no longer required - although they do make you laugh sometimes - and the sound of the tv is now 'inside my head' which enables conversation over it, as well. The batteries on the gizmo last 4 hours approx. Please persevere with hearing aids everyone, I know they seem weird and can be a bit disorientating at first, as well as itchy, but it will be worth it for you and your family and friends.

PS You aren't supposed ever to get them wet. I once dropped one next to the car in pouring rain in the car park - went to book club unaware - when I went back they were lying there in a puddle - panicked, dried them, and they were OK. You will probably get in the shower with them on as well. Correct procedure is then to curse and throw as far away out of the wet as possible.

A friend once found one of hers in a cup of cold coffee.

I wear mine all day. But I do sometimes have trouble hearing people who are very near me. The loop is great for church (and I can hear our priest whispering to servers etc and to people round the font at baptisms, quite amusing at times!). DH is infuriating, doesn't always wear them and takes them out in the evening saying they make him tired