How does hearing loss change you?

@judysmayo @joangela Restaurants really are frustrating, sometimes even when I am just with one other person. Being at home or visiting with a group of people is just as frustrating. I enjoy people so much that I look forward to it and then find myself feeling left out of because I don't know what's going on.
I have had some serious health problems but I think the hearing issue is the thing that causes me to feel depressed most frequently. It is so isolating.
JK

Sorry- there are devices that helps in restaurants- Pocket talker/ roger Pen - directional devices. More and more folks whether hearing is a issue or not are protesting restaurant noise. Reviews of restaurants will point out noise as an issue. It is getting to the point that I do coffee shop or cookout things because it’s quieter. And
I find I rather so Nd my money on other things. Books and critters are my thing. Besides I was born with a hearing loss. I chose my profession because I was not getting hired in my 40’s . So I went into Animal care . I am not into Muggles. People who are into people have a real hard time- socially and work wise. There is more help out there for that. One of the things I read is the lack of honesty about becoming hearing impaired. Part of it not realizing what is going on and as they do realize, that are scare of losing the job. That may still happen but work with your workmates/ bosses- make them understand as you begin to. As an important study ( last year? National Science... reveals hearing loss tends to isolate folks, and the brain suffers through that- they, not getting help for hearing tends to be very problematic leading tomind issues such as depression ..as demenia/ Ahtiemners, more realization that these matters have to be dealt with. Medicare fight / care for more hearing help has become stronger... Hearing loss group and others are making sure of that. Interesting even back in the late 60’s in discussions of which loss they rather have - blindness rather than hearing loss . What helps is making folks see / hear through us. I do ...
We are here as fellow deefies - and we learn from each other.

I only find my RogerPen and Remote Mic helpful in meetings where one person is speaking and there isn’t background noise... they pick up too much background sound in restaurants and it becomes overwhelming

It’s limiting- types of losses impact these things. Technology is improving all the time. T coil on my 15 years old hearing aids helps in restaurants/ tv with no captions and listing my music on iPod yet is only to supposed to be as a fm receiver of sorts and for looping
I always do whatever I can to better hear. Sira is with a British voice on my phone - awesome
Interactions among us helps us learn. I am trying not to take out my aids as much because it’s impacts my brain capacity on hearing parameters. So I put music on all day yesterday for the poodles and I. With my aids off for the night. , my tinnitus sounds was different though. Almost music before now like a dull sounding nothingness. Strange.

@judysmayo I never heard of the devices you mention. Which brand of hearing aids are the made for? I have Oticon, and have the Connect Clip to go with them. Does that help, but still not much in noisy situations.
JK

Pocket talker is for any aid- sold by Harris communication ( best catalog of hearing help devices ( oldest) . Small box that helps ..
Roger pen is much more expensive and is aid restrictive. First sold ( I think) with Phonax... works really well. There is a new version coming out this fall. I found our when I was being informed on cochlear implants ( maybe getting next year - Doc says for sure) - I am not sure- scary to hear differently for me

They are ALDs made only for Phonak hearing aids. Yes Harris Communication has generic systems and many companies have their own version

Allow me to second Julieo4. Hearing loss can be profoundly isolating, but does not need to be. Although by degree of hearing loss I am profoundly deaf, I have always functioned as a hard of hearing individual. There are a lot of devices, apps, and strategies available...not all of them will prove personally helpful to you, but some of them will. A few are game changers...loop systems, CART, and Innocaption+ are three of them. Having had a hearing loss from birth, I did not experience a loss in the sense that I never had it in the first place. Those who lose their hearing later in life truly do experience a loss but persevere, keep going, keep learning. Check look for a HLAA chapter and go to a meeting to meet others. If the idea of learning to sign appeals to you, then find a class. As for friends and families...the sooner you can be forthright about what you need to communicate, the sooner you can educate others how to communicate well with you. Unfortunately there are some who never "get it" but you will treasure and enjoy those who do.

Strange how some folks can be more isolated. my parents friends did not want their kids playing because they though what I had was catching/ not worth dealing with. Even my uncle and cousins . I felt like a nothing then and now. I socialize to some extent with strangers- tourists - tour guide of sorts . No real friend - causal friends not confidante types-they have a presence of hey deal with with her once or twice a month thing . I have learned to deal with it. I have being told my voice sound is off. Fyi

Ignorance and pride have no limits. So sorry to hear of your feelings of powerlessness ... helplessness ... isolation. But, now, you no longer need be shy as you atune yourself to today's "all out there wonderfulness." When you see someone who could use your help and you feel comfortable to be of aid, that will make you feel your self-worthyness, as you are, truly, one of God's miracles.