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I Am Hard of Hearing and Wear Hearing Aids

I have come to the conclusion that the main purpose of the audiologist who fits you for a hearing aid is to convince you to "get used to it" no matter how you feel about it if the hearing aid(s) you've been given are the best sound quality and fit for you and for your budget.

After all, it's the best they can offer you and the alternative is for you to go around not hearing very well which is not good for your social life, your brain or your general well being and safety. So...you will be told you have get used to whatever is bothering you about it if it basically works OK. I've noticed that audiologists seem to develop a firm but weary tone when they explain the "adjustment period." They've heard all the complaints; this the best they can do for you; your job now is to get used to it.

As a patient who has just drained my savings and gone into debt, this is a little depressing. I can hear better now...but I am uncomfortable...and I have to...[i]get used to it.[/i]

I really, really hope all this changes in a few years. I think it will because I've been reading up on all the newer hearing technologies. Who knows, maybe by the time I am out of debt, the technologies will have already improved. And I can stop being uncomfortable. I've read that the newer technologies will be cheaper as well so maybe I won't spend a chunk of my retirement years in debt by then.

Meanwhile, I have an appointment with my hearing aid audiologist. And at least I am mentally prepared for what I know he is going to say when I tell him I am hearing better but hate the feel of those awful little plastic plugs in my ears.

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SwampFlower · 31-35, F

Been dealing with desensitized specialists in another field all day. The lack of compassion can be overwhelming. Best of luck with your appointment. 🤗

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greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@SwampFlower Yes, I do know
It took me 4 years to find a doctor who would take my painful and chronic UTIs seriously, even after several hospitalizations.

SwampFlower · 31-35, F

@greenmountaingal it's all so frustrating trying to be taken seriously. 🤗

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@SwampFlower The two groups of people who are least able to advocate effectively for themselves are old folks and kids. And patients in general are coming from a place of vulnerability and less power.

HootyTheNightOwl

i choose to go without my hearing aids before i ever get back on the bandwagon of back to back ear infections again.

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purplepen · 51-55, F

@HootyTheNightOwl That's sad. I wonder if you could make holes in them yourself.

HootyTheNightOwl

@purplepen Not these new ones... the old ones were much harder and made out of a plastic/resin type material.

The types that are currently in use have us over a barrel either way in that both are a softer, rubbery type material. One of which is little bigger than the opening of a pen cap and doesn't have the required space to insert the hole because of the tubing smack in the center of it.

The other is very similar to the old one in design, though made out of a softer rubbery type material, that i've been told by my former audiologist, can carry infection much easier than my old one. i can't guarantee that the mold is free from infection by the end of the appointment to set up my hearing aids and only audiologists have access to the special stuff that they disinfect them with - so, by the time i get home and make the hole, there's a chance that they are already contaminated... that's IF i can make the hole without slipping off the material or breaking the mold.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@HootyTheNightOwl Maybe dip them in colloidal silver solution...?

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