I finally got a hearing aid!

Nurses Disabilities

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I've had a mild hearing loss for years but have put off getting the aids, mostly because of money and, I confess, fear of change. As annoying as missing a lot of stuff was, I was also in my comfort zone and it wasn't usually ME who was annoyed at the television being too lod.

The audiologist decided I could go with only one, since my right ear is appreciably worse than the left with a greater loss of the frequency in which one hears consonants - hence those familiar to many, I'm sure, misunderstandings. "You want a Coke?" "Why would I want a coat? It's hot in here!"

Well.

Everything makes noise! I never realized that the reference to a mouse click is because it actually, you know, clicks! My keyboard is a noisy little sucker, and my SLIPPERS make noise! The dogs' toenails make noise!

This was so worth doing. He told me it could be a long adjustment period - he's wrong. I got it this morning. I. am. THRILLED.

:)

I finally understand something I never got before - people with disabilities getting annoyed when people think they're so inspirational and well-adjusted when, to them, this is their normal.

I enjoy taking the hearing aid out after work. I retreat to the world I know - the nicely muffled one.

:)

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
I finally understand something I never got before - people with disabilities getting annoyed when people think they're so inspirational and well-adjusted when, to them, this is their normal.

I enjoy taking the hearing aid out after work. I retreat to the world I know - the nicely muffled one.

:)

:wink2: A lot of my friends with hearing aids say the same thing. By the way, the online club I belong to for people with hearing impairments is called the SayWhatClub. You might want to check it out. It's free to join.

Specializes in psych..
I've had a mild hearing loss for years but have put off getting the aids, mostly because of money and, I confess, fear of change. As annoying as missing a lot of stuff was, I was also in my comfort zone and it wasn't usually ME who was annoyed at the television being too lod.

The audiologist decided I could go with only one, since my right ear is appreciably worse than the left with a greater loss of the frequency in which one hears consonants - hence those familiar to many, I'm sure, misunderstandings. "You want a Coke?" "Why would I want a coat? It's hot in here!"

Well.

Everything makes noise! I never realized that the reference to a mouse click is because it actually, you know, clicks! My keyboard is a noisy little sucker, and my SLIPPERS make noise! The dogs' toenails make noise!

This was so worth doing. He told me it could be a long adjustment period - he's wrong. I got it this morning. I. am. THRILLED.

:)

Hi Sue, I have a hearing loss between 2000 and 6000 cps..with the biggest loss at 4000 cps. on both ears. My audiologist recommend a hearing aid, but the cost made me think twice. Now I am trying to practise lung sounds, and dont think I hear normal sounds like I used too. I wonder what a difference a hearing aid would be at my my particular hearing loss, and would i be able to hear lung sounds. I think too, when one puts the stethosscope isnt the hearing aid in its way? Now I know I covered this when i was studying Neuro..why dont I know these things....actually this question is for anyone that can help...Thanks

Specializes in psych..
I had worn analog aids since I was 15. Till then, no one knew I couldn't hear. Certain tones, some high, some low are lost in my hearing and the analogs basically cranked up the volume of those sounds I could hear. In 2004, I received digital aids. They turned up the bands for the sounds I couldn't hear all of those years (I'm 48).

The first thing I heard was my own voice! I would start talking to the audiologist and crack up laughing, settle down, talk again, crack up laughing again.

I went home and it started snowing.

I never before knew snowing made a sound! It was wonderful.

Birds singing, the leaves on the trees rustling, and the refrigerator motor!

Very worth it. I hear sounds people take for granted.

I think it is almost a gift, the hearing loss, because of appreciating those sounds I had never heard before.

Great you explained to me something I didnt know..so digiital hearing aids amplify the frequencies one has lost and not the good frequencies...and the analogs dont. I take it they still make analogs, must be the cheaper ones. I lost most at 4000 cycles..I remember recently my sister dropped a 1 qt glass jar, and I didnt hear it. I guess the sound of glass breaking must be near 4000 cps. Right now I want to be sure i can hear lung sounds for my clinical. I am considering getting a hearing aid

Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.
I finally understand something I never got before - people with disabilities getting annoyed when people think they're so inspirational and well-adjusted when, to them, this is their normal.

I enjoy taking the hearing aid out after work. I retreat to the world I know - the nicely muffled one.

:)

I now understand that statement, Sue. Just got my aids a couple of weeks ago. I found out in December, 2007 that I have a mild-to-moderate hearing loss, I was told I was really missing a lot of conversation. I went to see the MD for dizzy spells and found out I couldn't hear well. Couldn't get them until the FSA re-charged at the beginning of the year.

I was amazed at what I was missing. My computer is noisy and the mouse is awfully noisy! I had no idea of how noisy my house is, my car, etc.

I am having an adjustment period. There are times I just have to take them out - I am so overstimulated. I just have to retreat back into my nice, safe muffled world.

I have asked for accomodations at work - basically the E-scope for in the ear hearing aids.

Specializes in Mental Health.

I wear bi-lateral hearing aids and have done so for many years.

I forget I am wearing them sometimes now. I have even got in the bath with them on. :rolleyes: (Thank goodnes I wasn't having a shower!)

Taking them off after a noisey and busy shift can be a God send sometimes. REAL peace and quiet !!:D

Specializes in OR.

Yeah to you... That is exactly how I feel...normal, not super-nurse or

'inspirational', just doing the best job that i can with what i got. And yes, the peace at home is a retreat, my heavenly abode however muffled and silent.:up::D:yeah:

I finally understand something I never got before - people with disabilities getting annoyed when people think they're so inspirational and well-adjusted when, to them, this is their normal.

I enjoy taking the hearing aid out after work. I retreat to the world I know - the nicely muffled one.

:)

Can you use a regular stethoscope with hearing aids?

Specializes in OR.

Uhmmm, that would be a NO. I wear 2 BTE aids and there would be no place to put the ear buds of the stethascope.

Can you use a regular stethoscope with hearing aids?
Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.

I'm still waiting for the E-scope. You can't use a regular stethoscope with in the ear aids. It has headphones instead of earpieces.

I really don't like having to constantly take them out/put them back in. Sometimes this happens in front of families when I need to take an urgent listen when responding to an alarm, etc. No one has said anything yet. At this point I use a cardiology stethoscope - it's great.

I just don't like endangering that expensive technology with the in and out thing as well.

Your employer is supposed to make reasonable accomodations for you - like the stethoscope, earpiece for phone, etc. Get with your NM or Employee Health for what you need to do for your accomodations under the ADA.

Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I've thought about it for a while. I have 80% loss on the R but that is the side my wife sits on when we are driving or watching tele- I'm not sure I want to hear more on that side!

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