Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

Hi, @joangela I would also like to welcome you to Connect. I have had a hearing loss since 2004 which has gotten progressively worse over the years. I wear hearing aids but the latest problem I have had is a loss of clarity, and hearing aids help less with that than they do with volume. I do have hearing aids that were considered to be the most sophisticated in helping with that when I purchased them a little over two years ago. They have improved them even more but with the cost of hearing aids, it would be impossible to update them with every improvement.
I believe my original loss was probably due to getting older, but the loss of clarity is probably due to some necessary drugs I have to take.
I agree with @IndianaScott and @sparklegram Social situations can be very difficult. I have a problem even in my own home when we have company. Often there is more than one person speaking so it just becomes garbled. I have on occasion just stopped trying and politely dropped out.
I try to go primarily to restaurants that I know are a bit quieter. Some restaurants have tall booths or plexiglass shields between the booths and that helps to baffle the noise a bit.
I've heard great things about HLAA that @katherinebouton mentioned but unfortunately, the closest one to me is over away and their meetings are at night. I wish we had a closer one.
JK

Hi JK and Everyone! I'd like to say a few more words about HLAA. Yes, it's a terrific organization, and the peer support piece of HLAA can be life changing especially for people with adult onset hearing loss. Some chapters have parent's groups too. HLAA Chapters exist because people with hearing loss start them. They are not run by professionals. Some meet in the evenings, others meet in the afternoons. That decision comes from inside each chapter, based on what the nucleus of the chapter decides will work. If there is no HLAA chapter in your area, why not start one? It's not that difficult. When I started the chapter in my community, I went to the news media and asked them to write a story about HLAA, and why I wanted to start a local chapter. I arranged for meeting space at our local library, set a time, etc. Over 50 people showed up that night! Eleven of them agreed to work to develop a chapter. It was an incredibly rewarding experience. Those eleven people ranged in age from 35 to 85. We became friends. We learned a ton, and have been reaching out to others with hearing loss ever since. Yes, things change. Some of our original members have passed away, some have moved away, but new people continue to join us. I encourage everyone out there that isn't in an area where an HLAA chapter exists, to consider helping HLAA grow. It's up to you to make that happen! National HLAA staff has resources to help you. Call on them. You won't regret it.

@julieo4 My name is Mike Miles and I am an active HLAA member at the local and state level in PA. I am currently trying to start an HLAA Chapter in Berks County, PA. I am using the HLAA member list as well as the PA newsletter mailing list to try and attract interested members to help organize a chapter. Not having much luck so far. I like your idea of contacting the local media. Would you happen to have a copy of the article that was written which attracted so much interest? What chapter is it? Any information you learned along the way is welcome. Thanks.

Hi @contentandwell Sorry to hear of your health situation! I just got back from a week in Napa with our adult daughter and we did our best to improve the wine economy! 🙂

My wife's family has their roots in Italy, but sadly in one of the very few areas that can't grow grapes worth spit 🙂

I hope the sun is shining wherever you are today!

Hi JK and Everyone! I'd like to say a few more words about HLAA. Yes, it's a terrific organization, and the peer support piece of HLAA can be life changing especially for people with adult onset hearing loss. Some chapters have parent's groups too. HLAA Chapters exist because people with hearing loss start them. They are not run by professionals. Some meet in the evenings, others meet in the afternoons. That decision comes from inside each chapter, based on what the nucleus of the chapter decides will work. If there is no HLAA chapter in your area, why not start one? It's not that difficult. When I started the chapter in my community, I went to the news media and asked them to write a story about HLAA, and why I wanted to start a local chapter. I arranged for meeting space at our local library, set a time, etc. Over 50 people showed up that night! Eleven of them agreed to work to develop a chapter. It was an incredibly rewarding experience. Those eleven people ranged in age from 35 to 85. We became friends. We learned a ton, and have been reaching out to others with hearing loss ever since. Yes, things change. Some of our original members have passed away, some have moved away, but new people continue to join us. I encourage everyone out there that isn't in an area where an HLAA chapter exists, to consider helping HLAA grow. It's up to you to make that happen! National HLAA staff has resources to help you. Call on them. You won't regret it.

@IndianaScott , @joangela - Good morning, and welcome Joangela . Yes! Noisy rooms, restaurants, and people with a certain way of speaking. It's as though they inhale their words! My husband is a home brewer and believe me, tap rooms and brew pubs are the worst!

Hello Sparklegram. Thanks for the welcome. What is your situation?
JoAngela

@joangela - Let's see... my situation is that I'm 74. I've worn hearing aides since 1991 for a pretty normal hearing loss. I currently need new ones. I think it is abominable that there is no or very little coverage for seniors for hearing aids, glasses, and dental work!! I think my hearing has worsened since I got my last pair of hearing aids. I have Phonak, and they've been good, but I want to have an in-depth interview with my audiologist before I get a new pair. I have an excellent company here that works hard to find just the right hearing device for your particular hearing loss. My grandmother and mother both had hearing loss. My grandmother wore hearing aides but my mother refused! I've told my husband that i would pull my hearing aides behind me in a wheelbarrow if I had to! i can't stand not being able to hear.

@julieo4 Hi Julie. I would love to see one in this area but I am really not an initiator or organizer, and at this point in my life, I don't think that's going to change. I may have been more able to do that when I was younger, probably best when I was in my 50s actually and had gained confidence with life experience, but not now, in my 70s.
I would be a great co-organizer though if someone else got it started.
JK

Hi my name is Marty, I Have been dealing with hearing loss and tinnitus for quite some time, I wear hearing aids in both ears. I retired from the USCG after a 26 year career, my rating was Machinery Technician(mechanic) and I was around heavy machinery for most of my life and career my hearing loss is occupational hazard related. The VA furnishes me with hearing aids and treatment. I get a yearly hearing test and my most recent shows that my left ear is getting worse so I will soon get an appointment with a ENT. I am a bit nervous and worried about the outcome, but we will wait and see what the diagnosis is.