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I'm in my 70s and aware for some time now that my hearing is deteriorating. A younger friend (early 60s) has had a cochlear implant and is over the moon at the transformation this has meant for her life. If found suitable for my problems, is there an upper age limit for having this on the NHS?

I've had tinnitus for about three years now and the level has remained fairly constant. It's a buzzing noise which seems to act like "white noise" - muffling other sounds, especially voices. Patricia, did your Meniere’s disease lead to tinnitus, as it did for my father-in-law? If so, have you learned any good distraction techniques? I seem to hum or whistle quietly to myself most of the time, but this must be really annoying for other people.

I have had significant hearing issues, often related to the time of day. In the morning I struggle to hear out of the ear I woke up with is painful and often hard of hearing.

i have tinitus, What can i de to reduce this?

I have lost some of the low tones in both ears and the hearing aids precribed by the NHS really don't help. I was warned that they are really for high tone loss, so i shouldnt expect too much.

I really dont know what to do...my hearing is becoming a bit of a joke amongst family (not being unkind, but I have to laugh at myself or I'd cry!) I am on a very low income so cant afford anything private/expensive. Do you have any suggestions as to anything which might help, please? I'm ok 1-1 as long as its in a quiet environment, but can't make out what is being said, if people aren't looking at me or if there is background noise.

Can chronic otitis externa lead to permanent hearing loss? I've had it for five years and during that time had complete deafness in one ear which is then sorted out with microsuction. Then it reruns and the cycle continues! I've noticed over the years my hearing is a lot worse and I've also found out I have exostosis. Maybe that's what the cause is?

I'd like to know if there are any early warning signs to look out for? For example; is tinitus a sign that hearing loss will follow?

how can I discreetly ask people to face me so I can read their lips, I find this much easier than struggling to hear them as my hearing is getting worse.

Can you get a range of aids for hearing loss with the NHS or do you only really get the best treatment if you're able to pay for it? My partner suffers at times and is terrified of losing his hearing as music is his life!

I can hear people around me quite well, but have difficulties listening to the TV. Listening to dramas especially, when actors are speaking low, and the background noise increases, makes it almost impossible to hear what is being said.

Wondering whether it's a hearing problem or poor direction by TV companies.

After many years of being in very noisy environments and being around lots of loud live music (before the days of ear defenders!), I now have mild tinnitus. Is hearing loss another inevitable outcome of this?

I remarried 3 years ago, and I realised I was constantly asking my new husband to repeat what he had said. I went for a hearing test, which detected no problems , but I still can't hear anything he says the first time. Are NHS hearing tests infallible or have I just married a mumbler?

Do you have to go to GP to get hearing tested or do they refer you? I think my hearing is getting worse but not sure if its just the noise around me that makes it difficult to hear others talking.

My hearing has deteriorated over the last couple of years (I'm 58). I find it difficult to hear people in meetings at work and often have subtitles on the TV. I had a hearing test at the opticians and was given NHS hearing aids. I have tried using them, but can honestly say that they don't make my hearing any better. They magnify all the background noises so I struggle just as much if not more. Are there different types of hearing aid? Would a private one be better? How do you know where to go for a trustworthy service?

I have been very deaf in one ear since birth and now the other ear has deteriorated to the point where both are under conversation level on the audio tests, I am now having a hearing aid fitted but worry about the adjustment period. I suffer from dizziness although balance tests at the hospital in the audiology came back fine, I also suffer tinnitus, ear ache and headaches but as yet, nobody can ascertain the cause, will this affect my ability to adjust to using aids. I also am able to hear noise, but cannot ascertain what exactly is being said, its almost like mumbling or white noise in front of me when I am trying to lip read someone, will a hearing aid help with this and clarify the sounds or will it just raise the noise in general?

Are there any solutions to watching television with people who all need the volume at a different level, other than a hearing aid.

Are the hearing aids that are available on the NHS as good as an aid that is purchased privately? and if not what should we be looking for in a digital hearing aid so we know we are getting the best there is.
My husband suffers with deafness and tinnitus in both ears.

You often see opticians etc. offering hearing tests nowadays. Would you recommend going to one of these places if you are concerned, or just go to your GP and ask them to refer you to the hospital?

Hi Patricia,

I also suffer from Meniere's and also Migraneous Vertigo along with Fibromyalgia and despite having my hearing checked and being told it is ok, I really struggle to hear people especially in a crowded environment and find myself nodding or shaking my head according to facial expressions while not hearing them. What would you advise me to do?

My hearing seems to have got gradually worse, its just not sharp anymore. I don't want to wear a hearing aid, is there anything I can do to improve my hearing

I've been told that my hearing is not 100% - however I am worried that the person may be trying to push his services as a supplier of hearing aids

i use an hearing aid but it seems to make a noise when i am using my telephone for the person on the other end. Is there a kind of phone i should be using that wont make a noise?

What's the easiest (kindest) way to break it to someone that would take offence that they need their hearing tested?

I have high pitched whistling in my ears, is this going to affect my hearing

how do you tell the difference between age related age defienccy and an illness in the over 60s

I have just got some NHS hearing aids. My hearing is not too bad at the moment, I have trouble sometimes hearing my daughters, but can hear my husband ok, without them. My problem is that I wear glasses all the time & find wearing both together very uncomfortable.
Apparently there are glasses that can have hearing aids attached, but they are expensive. Do you have any advice please. I do not want to spend a large amount & then find they are still not suitable for me.