In this Hearing World, how do you fit in?

You sound like someone who wants help. Have you asked your family to help you set up an appointment with a trusted Audiologist to have your hearing evaluated and to discuss options to help improve your hearing? It's important that you self advocate as many people who have never had a problem with hearing don't know about the many options we have available today to improve hearing and understanding.

Hello @joangela and @bdzwahlen I agree with bdzwahlen's suggestion of checking in with an audiologist to see first what help might be available for you. I know when I told my family I was doing this it helped because they then took my hearing loss more seriously, too! It is such an easy thing for others to ignore, misunderstand, etc., but when they realized I was off to get professional help for it they realized it was far more of an issue.

Personally I also am very upfront with anyone I am with about my hearing deficit and tell them right away I have the problem. It bothered me at first, but now it is second nature and really helps me get included better and often times I even get asked if a place to meet, eat, etc. would be 'ok' for me!

Hi. I have a profound hearing loss,and I have worn hearing aids for 25 years. As my hearing get's worse, it is harder for my entire family unit to adjust. Since I come from the Hearing World, losing my hearing has been very difficult. I was also the main bread winner of the house, and a top notch sales person.

@joangela I have had the same problem with my family for 18 years. I used to be the one making accommodations and adjusting my life to make it easier for them, but realized it was wearing me out and causing me all types of anxiety. So I found some lists of things that hearing people can do to include HOH people in their conversations. HLAA has it on their site but there is a separate discussion chain on this Mayo Clinic site started by @editored on March 7. Take a look at his lists. Good luck.

Hi Scott, I have had hearing loss of some kind since I was a very young child. I still come from the hearing world. My hearing has just been progressively worse over the past 20 years. I do have an excellent ENT and audiologist. I am pretty happy with them. I was a very huge communicator, and it continues to be a very huge adjustment.

@joangela, the thread is https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-for-speaking-with-someone-with-hearing-loss/ -- I hope you find it to be useful.

Have you been evaluated for a cochlear implant to see if you quality? I have profound hearing loss and have been wearing hearing aids for over 40 years. I have normal hearing below 500 HZ and profound after that. I am getting an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant in May. I have talked to a lot of people and they all say I wished I had it done sooner. Go to AdvancedBionics.com for more information.

I have a profound hearing loss. My hearing has diminished greatly over the past 40 years so I know what you mean when you say you're feeling left out. My siblings, nieces and nephews are aware that the telephone is difficult for me. I use a lot of technology, Made for iphone hearing aids have saved me though phone calls are still difficult and must be scheduled. We use email and text messages to communicate until a problem or conversation becomes too large, then we schedule a phone call.. When we are together, which is rare as we are scattered, my family does their best to include me. But I've always felt it's up to me. I speak up when I can't hear,I tell people to look at me and to slow down. I like to say that I've trained my family and friends but honestly, they've also trained me, too. I know it's exhausting to be in a group, particularly if there's background noise but you just have to jump in, speak up for yourself. I agree that having an ENT physician and audiologist evaluate your needs is a good way to start. There's tons of technology out there. Ask about it.. Try it. That's all you can do.

Hello. Apparently I am a candidate for cochlear implants, I am just not ready for that. Good luck to you with yours in May. I have heard some real good things about them. 😁

Hi all- I am a candidate as welll and my doc I can wait a year . I talked to someone who has them for years. She says she is okay with Music . She replaced them last year . That’s my fear even with the company I chose - Advanced Bionics . Better with phones is what I have been hearing. It be great someone do a journal of their journey each day. It’s is a month after implants put in Thst they are activated.