Hearing loss

[Cogcog]

My hearing has always been pretty good, except for the selective deafness employed when the OH is speaking but of late I have noticed that it is shocking when there is background noise. I am fine 1-2-1 but as soon as there is background noise all I can hear is mumbling. I noticed it acutely at 2 weddings this week when the noise of loud music in the background or lots of people chatting together made it impossible for me to hear what was said, even from my OH sat alongside me but facing in the same direction as me. I have also noticed that when I go into a town or city centre I find it very difficult to use the mobile phone because of the background noise from traffic. This never used to be the case.

Is this the normal decay of old age or is it worth looking for an hearing test?

[steeveeboy]

WHAT?
Seiously though if it's worrying you go see your GP mate

[Cogcog]

I guess it has slipped under the radar because I am not often in situations where I am trying to have a conversation with background noise, but it is a real PITA when I need to do that.

[AMLK]

I have this problem too. For quite a while I have struggled when in noisy places, but more recently it has been getting worse, and I have noticed I am using lip reading to support my hearing as I rarely hear well if someone isn't facing me. I hope it isn't due to age as I am only 35yrs!

I have to admit great reluctance about going to the docs, but I think if it gets any worse I wont have much choice.

Let me know if you get answer about yours - Good Luck!

[Cogcog]

Sounds like I am not alone.

I suspect the fear of doc suggesting an earing aid is what is keeping me away, and the fact that in 95% of my life it has no effects ( I can hear the OH's instructions!). At the wedding party I came out and my ears were buzzing which hasn't happened before because the music wasn't that loud (0thers were able to talk to each otgher) and I was sat around a corner, but even so it ain't like it used to be.

[P924]

Me too.

Had an issue with my right ear getting blocked (started thursday). Had it cleared professionally this morning, and there was an unbelievable amount of wax in there. The audiologist checked my left ear (which has been fine) and said it had a similar amount of wax, but he wasn't able to clear that ear.

Go to your GP and get your ears cleared.

[cossy400]

Recently had my hearing aids and im 34, there not as bad as there were years ago and these do sit behind the ear with like a wire in to the ear canal, My currently problem ive got the mother of all ear infections and im currently thinking whether or not the blunt axe in the shed will cut my head off, i think im goin to have to have the moulded bits for my ears,

[ClintonB]

Cogcog said:

Sounds like I am not alone.

I suspect the fear of doc suggesting an earing aid is what is keeping me away, and the fact that in 95% of my life it has no effects ( I can hear the OH's instructions!). At the wedding party I came out and my ears were buzzing which hasn't happened before because the music wasn't that loud (0thers were able to talk to each otgher) and I was sat around a corner, but even so it ain't like it used to be.

I suffer from this but I doubt it has much to do with hearing & noise levels. Rightly or wrongly, always has a hint of dyslexia to me - I can hear the noise of the conversation, just can't make out the words.

Edited by ClintonB on Sunday 25th September 03:41

[CunningPlan]

Me too. It's really noticable at a pub where a lot of us are gathered - often I can't follow the conversation at all. I'm going to get a test and see if I can get something for the odd times I might need it. There is pretty much no stigma attached to hearing aids now.

[JABB]

If you have an iphone, get uHear app.
I had a problem they couldn't find a reason for and I had this app. It was proving my point and the doc even admitted it was a good test.

[Cotty]

CunningPlan said:

Me too. It's really noticable at a pub where a lot of us are gathered - often I can't follow the conversation at all.

Same here, if there is a large crowd, I can't hear what most people are saying, just the ones close to me. Some people thought I just had a quiet personality as didn't join in but if you can't hear the conversation then you can't join in.

It hit home a few years back. In a pub with a crowd for a quick after work drink, most drifted off for their trains. I stayed because I wanted a drink. Sat down at a table with the only guy left. We demolished a couple of botles of red wine and one to one we talked more than we have ever done before.