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When to get a hearing aid?

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  • 21-06-2014 5:43pm
    #1
    zxmeera5
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭


    Hi all,

    I frequently find it difficult to catch what my teenage kids are saying. They speak fast and a lot of it just sounds like gibberish to me. I find myself constantly having to ask them to repeat/ slow down/ speak up...

    A few days ago the 9 year old said "I don't mean to be cheeky but shouldn't you get a hearing aid?" I was taken aback and promptly told him he was being cheeky. I've been mulling over it since. To be honest a year or 2 ago I availed of free hearing screening that was being offered by Hidden Hearing in a local shopping centre. I was told I had some loss in a high pitched register and it was recommended that I go for full diagnostic testing. They write to me roughly every 6 months offering a hearing test but I just recycle the letters when I see who they're from.

    How bad would I need to be to get one? My late mother suffered from nerve deafness and never enjoyed success with a hearing aid although she tried several. I'm really reluctant to go down this road at this stage. Cost is a significant factor in putting me off as I feel I can manage away as I am.
    anyone had a similar experience or any thoughts on how I should proceed?
    thanks


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    #2
    joanmul
    Registered Users Posts: 182 ✭✭joanmul


    I am in the process of buying two from a Northern Ireland supplier. He visited my house because he was making a couple of visits near me but I will probably go up to Banbridge to see him. I found him exceptionally helpful and considerate.


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    #3
    cobham
    Registered Users Posts: 760 ✭✭✭cobham


    Good question... I was at same point some years ago. I mentioned to a doctor what I was thinking of and was advised to have ears checked by a specialist before going route of getting hearing aid. This led to sessions of antibiotics (no good) and then surgery with grommuts inserted (worked for a while) and now back where started. Yes it is expensive as you will have to get audiology test done (100 euro) as well as pay for consultant, initial visit and return after hearing test. Specsavers are doing hearing aids now....

    Meanwhile I have just visited elderly parent who recently got pair of hearing aids but never used them once in the week. So perhaps good to get used to them when younger!


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    #4
    zxmeera5
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭zxmeera5


    Thanks for those responses.

    Cobham, have you got a hearing aid yet? If so, is it making a big difference?

    thanks again


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    #5
    annieoburns
    Registered Users Posts: 505 ✭✭✭annieoburns


    No I did not get hearing aids as can manage without as lead a quiet life!

    It is nuisance really not to catch what shop assistant says or if in a group of people with background noise. One ear is very good but other poor so I cannot locate a sound eg which direction traffic noise is coming from or where a mobile might be. But traffic sound could be important and that was reason that prompted me to go get checked. I once stopped abruptly on a side road when an ambulance was roaring somewhere. I did not want to join main road until I worked out where it was, even tho I had right of way... person behind me was not amused :o

    I was told that the level of deafness I have is not likely to disimprove with age so that is some consolation


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