| Non-motoring > hearing loss | Miscellaneous |
| Thread Author: - | Replies: 15 |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:06
hearing loss - -
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Some you may remember that i enquired about Tinitus relief some time ago for SWM. It started during the last couple of years of her stressful job, now retired, we think the alternative natural remedies did help with it, certainly if she stopped taking the mixture it seemed to worsen. However over the last couple of years its become obvious that here hearing has been deteriorating, and finally she went to the hospital for a proper hearing test and evaluation. The result is that the nerve endings in her ear are damaged and irreparable, and she will need hearing aids in both ears to enable her to hear well again. Something she's quite obviously upset about as she's not an old woman, the redeeming factor being is that the specialist has assured her that by using both aids will see a considerable rduction in the tinitus. Apparently her type of tinitus is caused by the failed nerve endings being unable to hear outside are instead 'tuning in' to the sounds of blood rushing round her head etc...i've probably explained that badly so bear with me. Obviously she'll use the aids when they come and see for herself what sort of improvements are gained and then we'll see about maybe getting higher quality and more discreet aids for obvious reasons, she still wants to look her best and this is quite a blow to this good woman. The hearing loss she can cope with for the time being, it's the thought of losing most of the worsening tinitus that will help her overcome her fears. A couple of questions for our esteemed and worldly wise flock, s'funny who would think i'd be asking about this here, but put yourself in my position where else would you start, no trickery or get rich quick merchants here likely to rip you off, and you lot do have some serious combined knowledge. The world is full of trickery so trying to get this right, looking around this is not going to be cheap and we don't expect it to be. Has someone been through this and found a private hearing loss centre's products to be good? She suffered with very long term hot flushes and tried Chinese herbal treatments and accupuncture as remedies, they worked very well, astonishingly well in fact, but the centre she attended has closed. How does one go about finding a good and safe Chinese accupuncture and herbal remedy practitioner, is this even worth considering for this ailment? Thoughts? |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:24
hearing loss - FocalPoint
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Lots of experience here! I have worn hearing aids for about 13 years and my previous partner had them for about five years. My own hearing loss is quite severe, affecting high-frequency sounds. Briefly: NHS service largely a waste of time, in that the audiologists simply do not have enough appointment time to do the fine adjustments necessary. This was my experience with pre-digital aids and was confirmed recently by an acquaintance who has some digital NHS aids and finds he simply cannot use them much. I had much better results going private. The first people I tried I had two sets from; this was at a time when technology was advancing rapidly. The service was fine, but very expensive. They are a nationwide firm which I won't name, but I would never go near them again. An example of their prices: my second set from them, bought around 7 - 8 years ago, cost £3000, after a bit of negotiation - they tried to charge more, quite a lot more. Then, 18 months ago, I discovered SpecSavers. Don't laugh - they have been brilliant. Digital aids which automatically switch between speech and music programs (important to me as I play in orchestras) and which have a manual switch to a third program for telephone. A thorough follow-up service after you receive the aids, to enable the most subtle tweaking to tailor them precisely to your needs. In fact, as many appointments as you want, all included in the price. Did I mention the price? £1800. I cannot recommend SpecSavers highly enough. |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:37
hearing loss - -
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>> I cannot recommend SpecSavers highly enough. >> Many thanks for that full and thorough reply FP, SpecSavers to be explored in due course. What sort of aid life expectancy or guarantee can one expect for that sort of cost please, this was one of the reasons i asked here, didn't want to pay some wide boy several thousand pounds and when the things went wrong prematuely find he's cleared off to the Carribean with ours and others dosh. Much obliged to me learned friend. edit, tried various alternatives for hot flushes, little difference but the foul tasting brew from the Chinese doctor and the accupuncture was indeed an instant cure....thanks for your thoughts again. Last edited by: gordonbennet on Tue 6 Dec 11 at 13:39
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:31
hearing loss - FocalPoint
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As regards the hot flush problem, my partner used one of Holland and Barrett's hot flush herbal remedies (called Dong Quai) and was extremely impressed. Other herbal remedies often recommended are: Black Cohosh, Evening Primrose Oil, Ginseng. In addition, foods like soy products and lentils are sometimes recommended. Note: I am not personally endorsing any of these, just mentioning what some people use. I'm unable to comment on Chinese medicine. |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:42
hearing loss - Dog
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Sorry to hear that GB, my ole mum was quite mutton and suffered with tinnitus in her later years so I saw just how it affected her, In the first instance I would get in touch with www.jandevrieshealth.co.uk/team.asp?int_team_id=10 and see what he suggests, Secondly I would suggest joining a yahoo! hearing loss specific health group so you can learn from others with the same problem, groups.yahoo.com/search?query=hearing+loss&submit=Search Good luck! |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:47
hearing loss - -
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Thanks for those suggestions D, SWM might well show you her right hook in due course for the term 'ole mum', unfortunately for you its a good un and she won't hear your screams for mercy...:-) SHE is searching out Yahoo as we speak. |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:42
hearing loss - -
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| I've just realised my first post was misleading, we're not searching for hot flush cure, merely mentioned that the Chinese Doctor cured that easily, so wondered if the hearing loss might be worth exploring via Chinese medicine. |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:59
hearing loss - Roger.
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I am MUTT & JEFF :-) I had one privately sourced hearing aid purchased when in Spain.(There is no provision for health service aids in Spain). It was an "in ear" type and cost, after negotiation and paying in readies, around 1900€. (Around £1650 at the time). It worked well, but did irritate my ear and blocked up easily. It also quite often caused a gagging reflex, only cured by doing an R&R! During the period it was in active use, I had the shell re-modelled due to changes in my ear fat level (a diet!) and the internal works were replaced under warranty. The brand is "Widex" and it was, of course, digital with a two position switch for total amplification, or filtered amplification -for speech. It became apparent that I needed a second aid for my other ear, but I was not in a position to buy one. [The exchange rate had cut our pension incomes by around 25% :-(]. On our return to the UK I have obtained a pair of NHS digital "behind the ear" aids and have to say that they are absolutely fine. From initial doctor's referral to aids in the ears was no more than 6 weeks. The audiologist took a lot of trouble and, indeed, I have since been back to enquire anout "tweaking" one aid, only to have it amply demonstrated that one ear is so bad that no tweaking will improve it! All our experiences with the NHS, since our return, have been very satisfactory, the local NHS audiology department included. My new aids work fine; every six months or so I can have the flexible tubes replaced if necessary and the batteries are free! |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 14:13
hearing loss - Bromptonaut
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| Roger's experience with the NHS mirors that of the Mother out law. Audiology at Northampton General were really good, IIRC they have a turn up and wait service some days. They helped for a while and still would if Alzheimer's hadn't deprived her of the ability to use them. |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 16:07
hearing loss - -
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Thanks Roger and Brompton, interesting that maybe more recently the NHS hearing depts might be better than FP's not so good experience, could be a postcode lottery things is affecting results too. Any further experiences boys and girls please relate them, trying to garner as much information and experiences as possible. |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:47
hearing loss - CGNorwich
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| Don Quai can make you feel a little hoarse |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 13:50
hearing loss - -
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Hot flushes CGN?...:-) Thanks for that though, noted. Luckily SWM hasn't lost her sense of humour over this, married to me she needs one. |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 21:47
hearing loss - Meldrew
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I have used this man for 10 years, very keen prices and good service. He is near Evesham www.blackminster.co.uk It is worth visiting his site just to get prices for comparison. |
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New Tue 6 Dec 11 21:58
hearing loss - -
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Thanks for that recommendation Melders, noted for later. See i knew it was worth asking hear...geddit..:-)...groan. Last edited by: gordonbennet on Tue 6 Dec 11 at 21:59
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New Wed 7 Dec 11 13:09
hearing loss - DeeW
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| Useful thread, thanks, GB - daughter (in her twenties) is presently awaiting results of MRI to investigate causes of her tinnitus, which has disrupted her life for several years now. |
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New Wed 7 Dec 11 13:18
hearing loss - -
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Hope your daughter gets some good results DW, far too young to have this horrible condition. Please update us in due course. |
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