Finally I seek Help

Support Doc 7

Visit to Consultant (Ear, nose and throat) 29.08.2006 

Notes (unedited) I made before my first visit to ENT Dept about hearing in 2006

• I am finally admitting that I have a hearing problem, which I need help to overcome.
• Feel hearing has never been as good as it could have been. 
• Problems:
• ‘tinnitus’ (jungle insect buzz) noticed since taking aspirin before long haul flight a few years ago (5 or 6)  Constant but more noticeable in evening when watching TV.
• For years have often asked what has been said – thought I was not paying proper attention – knitting, sewing etc.
• Now use subtitles on TV Some actors I can hear well – others are a nightmare.
• Have always had more problems with conversation in noisy background.
• Problems with hearing speakers in meetings – hopeless if they have a beard!
• Often ‘mishear’ words and eventually ‘work out’ meaning – not always successfully!
• Hopeless with people in different room calling to me – can hear them call but not what they say. 
• Increasing lack of awareness of people directing speech to me.
• Waiting rooms a nightmare – especially in crowded, open spaces where there is background noise and staff designated to ‘call’ people for appointments have difficulty making themselves heard. – also voices over intercoms often so indistinct I cannot recognise my name being called much of the time.
• Cannot hear digital alarms on: 
• clocks (when I am asleep), 
• cooker when I am not in the kitchen.
• Can hear the microwave in our bedroom – providing there is no other noise in the house.

• Bomb blast nearby when a baby in London during the war.
• Ear infections in Gibraltar – cried with pain – M O put penicillin powder onto cotton wool and put in ear.  
• Had hearing tested in 1992 – see audiogram overleaf.
• Put off having a hearing aid – 
• Mother had problems with hers whistling. 
• Like spectacles, felt I would be too reliant on one so tried to manage without
• Less socially acceptable than spectacles.
• Husband feels hearing is getting progressively worse.
• Hoping to gain benefit from small digital aid.

If, like spectacles, hearing aids had been developed into attractive fashion accessories I might have been more eager to seek help sooner.