Hearing Loss...
Discussion
Recently I have noticed that I appear to suffering a degree of hearing loss. Can't quite put my finger on it though it's an odd one.
I can hear background noise, so for example right now I am sat in a clients canteen for work. I am merrily typing away, i cant hear my keystrokes like i would be able to in a quieter room or an office space but I can hear the conversation going on three tables over an the detail. I can hear that someone just ordered a Latte from the coffee bar. So its a noisy background. I can hear all the detail of the things going on around me but nothing close up, customer was sat opposite me and I kept having to get him to repeat himself as i was struggling to hear him, he could hear me fine, its not very noisy in here but there is a constant background of talking, chairs moving, doors opening etc.
I have noticed when talking with people I am on occasion really struggling to hear them and find myself kind of half lip reading and when walking alongside someone I have to really concentrate to listen. Sometime even one on one in a quieter room I have to concentrate or it just all feels or comes across as white noise that I have to actively tune into!
My paternal grandmother has worn a hearing aid for as long as I can remember and she can't hear noises above a certain frequency (high pitched stuff and people who have soft or feminine voices she really struggles with) I have never really asked why she has it or how she ended up with it as I was a kid it just seemed normal "Old people have hearing aids" and as I got older I didn't even think to ask.
So, am I going deaf? or do I have a permanent selective hearing engagement
I can hear background noise, so for example right now I am sat in a clients canteen for work. I am merrily typing away, i cant hear my keystrokes like i would be able to in a quieter room or an office space but I can hear the conversation going on three tables over an the detail. I can hear that someone just ordered a Latte from the coffee bar. So its a noisy background. I can hear all the detail of the things going on around me but nothing close up, customer was sat opposite me and I kept having to get him to repeat himself as i was struggling to hear him, he could hear me fine, its not very noisy in here but there is a constant background of talking, chairs moving, doors opening etc.
I have noticed when talking with people I am on occasion really struggling to hear them and find myself kind of half lip reading and when walking alongside someone I have to really concentrate to listen. Sometime even one on one in a quieter room I have to concentrate or it just all feels or comes across as white noise that I have to actively tune into!
My paternal grandmother has worn a hearing aid for as long as I can remember and she can't hear noises above a certain frequency (high pitched stuff and people who have soft or feminine voices she really struggles with) I have never really asked why she has it or how she ended up with it as I was a kid it just seemed normal "Old people have hearing aids" and as I got older I didn't even think to ask.
So, am I going deaf? or do I have a permanent selective hearing engagement
Hi
Just to share my experience which is very similar to you.. I can hear precisely everything going on behind me but struggle with the conversation in front of me. I can walk into a quiet room and hear electrical devices. I can even hear slugs chewing the leaves at night in my garden.
But still having to lip read and struggling to keep up with conversation without really thinking hard about it. So I went for a hearing test. Result was almost a perfect score with only age consistent deficit.
I learn to manage it now.. if we go out I try and stand or sit near a wall to minimise background noise. Sometimes I resort to cupping my hands behind my ears which helps.
I suspect it's something to do with shape of ear or something like that rather than a defect in hearing sensitivity as such.
Just to share my experience which is very similar to you.. I can hear precisely everything going on behind me but struggle with the conversation in front of me. I can walk into a quiet room and hear electrical devices. I can even hear slugs chewing the leaves at night in my garden.
But still having to lip read and struggling to keep up with conversation without really thinking hard about it. So I went for a hearing test. Result was almost a perfect score with only age consistent deficit.
I learn to manage it now.. if we go out I try and stand or sit near a wall to minimise background noise. Sometimes I resort to cupping my hands behind my ears which helps.
I suspect it's something to do with shape of ear or something like that rather than a defect in hearing sensitivity as such.
Edited by bmwmike on Wednesday 15th March 11:31
Question, do you both have issues with fine motor control, eg very messy hand writing, plus issues with memory of the spoken word but ok if written?
Sometimes people with dyspraxia struggle to hear conversation especially in groups or noisy rooms. I hate parties because I can rarely hear what is being said unless its a close 1:1 conversation.
Sometimes people with dyspraxia struggle to hear conversation especially in groups or noisy rooms. I hate parties because I can rarely hear what is being said unless its a close 1:1 conversation.
geeks said:
Recently I have noticed that I appear to suffering a degree of hearing loss. Can't quite put my finger on it though it's an odd one.
I can hear background noise, so for example right now I am sat in a clients canteen for work. I am merrily typing away, i cant hear my keystrokes like i would be able to in a quieter room or an office space but I can hear the conversation going on three tables over an the detail. I can hear that someone just ordered a Latte from the coffee bar. So its a noisy background. I can hear all the detail of the things going on around me but nothing close up, customer was sat opposite me and I kept having to get him to repeat himself as i was struggling to hear him, he could hear me fine, its not very noisy in here but there is a constant background of talking, chairs moving, doors opening etc.
I have noticed when talking with people I am on occasion really struggling to hear them and find myself kind of half lip reading and when walking alongside someone I have to really concentrate to listen. Sometime even one on one in a quieter room I have to concentrate or it just all feels or comes across as white noise that I have to actively tune into!
My paternal grandmother has worn a hearing aid for as long as I can remember and she can't hear noises above a certain frequency (high pitched stuff and people who have soft or feminine voices she really struggles with) I have never really asked why she has it or how she ended up with it as I was a kid it just seemed normal "Old people have hearing aids" and as I got older I didn't even think to ask.
So, am I going deaf? or do I have a permanent selective hearing engagement
Sounds like you have fairly typical hearing loss. You have a problem with the frequencies where consonant sounds are formed which makes words harder to interpret. I'd arrange a proper hearing test at the audiology centre to find out what's wrong. Don't bother with the Specsaver's ones, they're not conducted in proper quiet conditions.I can hear background noise, so for example right now I am sat in a clients canteen for work. I am merrily typing away, i cant hear my keystrokes like i would be able to in a quieter room or an office space but I can hear the conversation going on three tables over an the detail. I can hear that someone just ordered a Latte from the coffee bar. So its a noisy background. I can hear all the detail of the things going on around me but nothing close up, customer was sat opposite me and I kept having to get him to repeat himself as i was struggling to hear him, he could hear me fine, its not very noisy in here but there is a constant background of talking, chairs moving, doors opening etc.
I have noticed when talking with people I am on occasion really struggling to hear them and find myself kind of half lip reading and when walking alongside someone I have to really concentrate to listen. Sometime even one on one in a quieter room I have to concentrate or it just all feels or comes across as white noise that I have to actively tune into!
My paternal grandmother has worn a hearing aid for as long as I can remember and she can't hear noises above a certain frequency (high pitched stuff and people who have soft or feminine voices she really struggles with) I have never really asked why she has it or how she ended up with it as I was a kid it just seemed normal "Old people have hearing aids" and as I got older I didn't even think to ask.
So, am I going deaf? or do I have a permanent selective hearing engagement
You probably find men easier to hear than women as men form their consonant sounds at a slightly lower frequency.
You might be lucky and it's just wax...
bmwmike said:
Hi
Just to share my experience which is very similar to you.. I can hear precisely everything going on behind me but struggle with the conversation in front of me. I can walk into a quiet room and hear electrical devices. I can even hear slugs chewing the leaves at night in my garden.
But still having to lip read and struggling to keep up with conversation without really thinking hard about it. So I went for a hearing test. Result was almost a perfect score with only age consistent deficit.
I learn to manage it now.. if we go out I try and stand or sit near a wall to minimise background noise. Sometimes I resort to cupping my hands behind my ears which helps.
I suspect it's something to do with shape of ear or something like that rather than a defect in hearing sensitivity as such.
It's not always been like this I used to be just fine. But sitting/standing in front if a wall is a good shout I will give it a try.Just to share my experience which is very similar to you.. I can hear precisely everything going on behind me but struggle with the conversation in front of me. I can walk into a quiet room and hear electrical devices. I can even hear slugs chewing the leaves at night in my garden.
But still having to lip read and struggling to keep up with conversation without really thinking hard about it. So I went for a hearing test. Result was almost a perfect score with only age consistent deficit.
I learn to manage it now.. if we go out I try and stand or sit near a wall to minimise background noise. Sometimes I resort to cupping my hands behind my ears which helps.
I suspect it's something to do with shape of ear or something like that rather than a defect in hearing sensitivity as such.
Edited by bmwmike on Wednesday 15th March 11:31
blueg33 said:
Question, do you both have issues with fine motor control, eg very messy hand writing, plus issues with memory of the spoken word but ok if written?
Sometimes people with dyspraxia struggle to hear conversation especially in groups or noisy rooms. I hate parties because I can rarely hear what is being said unless its a close 1:1 conversation.
My hand writing is awful yes and I do remember the written word over the spoke but somewhat doubt I have dyspraxia, I have no other motor issues to speak of. I am dyslexic but the two arent related Sometimes people with dyspraxia struggle to hear conversation especially in groups or noisy rooms. I hate parties because I can rarely hear what is being said unless its a close 1:1 conversation.
WinstonWolf said:
Sounds like you have fairly typical hearing loss. You have a problem with the frequencies where consonant sounds are formed which makes words harder to interpret. I'd arrange a proper hearing test at the audiology centre to find out what's wrong. Don't bother with the Specsaver's ones, they're not conducted in proper quiet conditions.
You probably find men easier to hear than women as men form their consonant sounds at a slightly lower frequency.
You might be lucky and it's just wax...
Not wax I don't think, had ears checked not so long ago for that anyway (completely unrelated thing)You probably find men easier to hear than women as men form their consonant sounds at a slightly lower frequency.
You might be lucky and it's just wax...
Thanks for the replies, proper hearing test it is then. Wish me luck trying to get an appt with my GP!
I've got the same thing, aggravated by damage to my right ear from firearms when younger.
One little trick that I've found useful is to wear ear plugs. It is counter-intuitive but it works for me. In addition I've found that people talk louder when the see the ear plugs. It stops that ridiculous scenario of telling someone you can't hear them, them leaning forward and then talking quieter.
It is not perfect and I still need to lipread, but it is a marked improvement.
One little trick that I've found useful is to wear ear plugs. It is counter-intuitive but it works for me. In addition I've found that people talk louder when the see the ear plugs. It stops that ridiculous scenario of telling someone you can't hear them, them leaning forward and then talking quieter.
It is not perfect and I still need to lipread, but it is a marked improvement.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff