Hi I'm Vicki. I worked as paediatric audiologist with children with complex needs. Ask away!

VickiKirwin

Hi everyone, my name is Vicki. I worked as paediatric audiologist with children with complex needs, and am now an advisor for the National Deaf Children's Society. NDCS supports all children and young adults with any type or level of hearing loss. If you have any questions about the ears, hearing, hearing tests, types and causes of hearing loss, hearing aids, cochlear implants, supporting children in their hearing and listening development, or transition from children's to adult's audiology services, please ask!

VickiKirwin

For any audiologists following this thread a new one-day course on 10th October in Sheffield may be of interest - "From Finding to Fitting - Audiology & Learning Disabilities". Download flyer here: http://www.baaudiology.org/files/2514/0671/8875/From_finding_to_fitting_advert_Compatibility_Mode.pdf

StuMuzz

Hi Vicki,
I wonder if you can help.
I am supposed to wear hearing aids, I've lost the upper range and it is now into middle range. Hope that enough info as it's all i was told.
I don't wear them as I find them useless.
I had a couple of follow up tweaks and found them no better.
Sound is tinny with no base.
Every thing is louder including the background noises, which blocks out voices.

From day one i was wearing them from when i woke until going back to bed for many months, as I know it take time to adjust.

Just gave up with them feeling very disappointed.
Stuart.

StuMuzz

Hi Vicki,
I wonder if you can help.
I am supposed to wear hearing aids, I've lost the upper range and it is now into middle range. Hope that enough info as it's all i was told.
I don't wear them as I find them useless.
I had a couple of follow up tweaks and found them no better.
Sound is tinny with no base.
Every thing is louder including the background noises, which blocks out voices.

From day one i was wearing them from when i woke until going back to bed for many months, as I know it take time to adjust.

Just gave up with them feeling very disappointed.
Stuart.

HearingGuy

Hi Vicky, I have a military background and communicate using "Delta, Bravo, Charley"-like letters when spelling out words, letter by letter. https://saywhathearing.com/en/articles/knowledge/the-secret-of-the-military-alphabet-for-clearer-conversations Have you found this to be helpful with your patients? 

VickiKirwin

Hi @HearingGuy

I can't say that I have used it with my patients as I've mostly worked with children over the years where they are still learning new vocabulary every day, but it sounds like a very useful tip for some adults - thanks so much for sharing! 

Vicki

HearingGuy

Vicki, 

Thanks for your reply. Yes, due to the fact that the alphabet is standardized across all armed services (Army Navy Marines Nat. Guard etc.) its pretty useful for a large swathe of the ex-military population.

wanderinggal

Hi Vicki I am asking about my own problems for a change with hearing . Having been diagnosed with meneres disease which is damn annoying to say the least I find that even though I can hear it's getting to the point I'm not hearing clear enough any more I hear different words can not concentrate or hear in not even really noisy situations . My ears have been blocked for a while and I feel a little confused and over whelmed trying to hear conversations I struggle and hate the noisy roads and traffic , motor bikes leave me gritting my teeth and I cover my ears if ambulances or other vehicles pass and get really really wound up as it hurts the constant ringing drives me after 25 years round the bend . I have a lot of deafness in my relatives that usually starts around age 40 ish . My dad refuses a hearing aid which annoys the whole family . Usually when I ask Drs to look in my ears they say there's no evidence of blocking or debris I'm getting a lot of comments . ”Get a hearing aid " I'm finding this blocked head feeling I'm not fully with it like I'm sort of getting over a cold but not got one , it's been going on a couple years worsening . Hearing test was normal but on the underside of line of normal range . What can I do to remedy all these complex complaints feel I'm missing out on conversations and going a bit batty 

Mumof2ds

Hi @wanderinggal. 

I too have Menieres Disease, and bilateral progressive hearing losses, my tinnitus maskers in my hearing aids do help in the day, but night time are horrendous. 

Had Tinnitus in right ear for 45 years, and left ear since May 2017. Different tones, screamingly high pitch, and the other low alternative buffering like a car over a cattle grid. 

Look after yourself. Here if you need a shoulder. 
P X 

VickiKirwin

wanderinggal

The symptoms of Menieres are varied for different individuals but the sensitivity to noise and blocked feeling in your ears are caused by it. The blocked feeling originates further inside your ear and behind the eardrum - this means that anyone looking into your ear would not be able to see any blockage or cause of a blocked feeling. It’s often known as a feeling of “fullness” in the ear. 

Even if your hearing is still too good for hearing aids there can be difficulties hearing things as clearly as you once did. Some auditory rehabilitation might be helpful along with learning tactics to make listening easier in difficult listening environments etc. Your GP could refer you to a Hearing Therapist or audiologist for further advice. If you haven’t already, try contacting the Menieres Society - they have lots of useful information on their website (including a great booklet on “controlling your symptoms” and advice for family members etc) and helpful people on the end of the phone or email who really understand the condition and will point you in the right direction for peer support or a doctor who specialises in it https://www.menieres.org.uk/  

Good luck

Vicki

Mumof2ds

Thanks @VickiKirwin, for great info. 

My right ear too always feels dead, but I can hear through it with aids. 

Yes! @wanderinggal, crowds, echoey places, and crowds all affect my fullness, to both ears, as does weather / stormy / pressure, definately a connection. 

Everyone I have heard about on FB forums seems to have differing symptoms, not the same for everyone. 

The Menieres Society are fab, joined for the second year running, the "Spin magazines" are great with information, updates, and I support them with buying bits and pieces on their gift list, cards, calendars etc,  and membership well worth while. FB groups and other forums I found are : 
Menieres Worldwide, Menieres uk and forum Managing Menieres UK. 

Loads out there, wishing you luck @wanderinggal, and here if you need a fellow MD warrior! ? Also thank you @VickiKirwin, good to know you are there. 

I am very lucky to have a fabulous efficient, yet very caring Hearing therapist at my local hospital in Maidstone. Kent. UK. . XX 

Mumof2ds

Also search your local area for hearing loss and support groups, I've met some lovely people at my local HiKent hearing loss charity, we meet every 3-6 months for a tinnitus support group, all such differing symptoms. XX 

debbiedo49

I work with children with a s n ( mainly autism) and often wonder what the world sounds like to them? Some wear ear defenders as the world is too noisy. Some don’t like music or singing or shouting. Some have different types of communication issues. We use picture cards for those who struggle with words. It’s fascinating trying to put yourself in their shoes.

debbiedo49

Also I have weird hearing I sometimes have to cover up my ears in bed as I can’t get to sleep for the noises in my ears.