Help for Hearing Impairment

A question about : Help for Hearing Impairment

Hi all,
I thought I'd set up a thread for people (like me) with hearing impairments I have two CIC hearing aids and can't really hear much at all without them!!

I'd like to ask if anyone knows of any sort of equipment that I can use in conjunction with (or in place of) my alarm clock. I've reached a point now where I can't hear it unless I sleep with one of my hearing aids in - not ideal!!

I got funding for my hearing aids through access to work. Would this be a good place to try? (Do they still exist??! It's about 5 years since I last spoke to them!) The little company that supplied my hearing aids were wonderful but sadly don't exist anymore, and I don't like the company that bought them out (plus it's about 45 miles away from where I live)

Many thanks,
GNR xx

Best answers:

• Don't know if you know but the RNID have lots of info on 'gadgets' that help and if you buy through them you get two benefits.
  1. You get a 28 day trial period and can send the goods back if they don't do the job you wanted/hoped they would and
  2. You don't pay VAT if you are a hearing aid user and buy through them.
  I've found them really good.
  You want the Equipment dept in Peterborough though.
• Wow! Quick reply! Thanks for that - I was just looking at their website (followed it from another link on here - this forum is already fab!!)
  The only time I've ever asked for help with my hearing was to get my hearing aids, so all thihs is still a bit new to me - even though I'd had them for about 5 years!!
  I have found tinnitusexplained.org to be really helpful for my tinnitus, though (thought I'd give them a mention on here in case it helps anyone else!)
  Thanks!
  GNR
  xx
• not sure why you had to get your aids through funding via access to work because you would have got them via your doctor referring you to the audiology dept. but at least you got them free! not sure how that would work out with repairs/batteries because again audiology replaces aids and supplies batteries.
  for support equipment such as a vibrating/loud alert alarm clock again go to your doctor to be referred to the local occupational therapy department for the stuff you need. all free!!
• And yes, Access to Work still exists. Although I agree with what debtmuncher says, and it might be worth getting yourself referred to audiology so that you can see what the NHS would offer you now.
• Hi, I'm not sure about how you go about getting things free though you've already had advice on that. Have a look here for other available equipment. It is vital you get yourself a proper smoke alarm fitted if you won't hear it. If you speak to your local fire station they should be able to help.
• my disabled SIL also wears 2 hearing aids and we were supplied with a free thing to help her hear the tv better by the OT dept at the hospital free.I did have to buy her vibrating alarm clock via the RNIB website.You can get free smoke alarms specially for the deaf put in as well.
• GNR - you don't say anything about your financial situation (i.e. are you working or not) but i'm pretty sure Social Services will help with an alarm clock. They *may* ask you to cover the cost of what you would've paid if you were hearing, i think it depends on your local council and your own financial situation. I'm in Manchester, and when i approached social services up here, they sent someone out to assess me. I wound up with a flashing doorbell, an alarm clock which flashes, has a vibrating pad under my pillow, and a firealarm that also flashes/vibrates... and all i wanted was for them to sign the form for the concessionary buspass!
  anyway. do approach them, the worst that can happen is that they'll say no and you'll have to approach the RNID for something... let me know if i can help more - i've been deaf all my life so i'm used to battling bureaucracy!
  keth
  xx
• Thats a good question for me too, I'm glad you asked. My hearing is deterorating noticably. The doc says its borderline and at the mo any specialist would 'monitor' it. Seems to be at a certain tone? If I watch telly alone (oh the joy the remote to myself) I use teletext. So sorry for hijacking but lots of good info here. I had an assesment re the arthritis & will ask them about the hearing too.
• I'm in a bit of an odd situation at the moment - I've recently qualified as a teacher and work part-time as a receptionist (on a zero-hour contract - I haven't had any work for about a fortnight). I'm hoping to start supply work soon - just as soon as the General Teaching Council receive notification that I passed the course and have QTS. I'm not currently claiming benefits but was on JSA earlier in the year. I live with my mum (a pensioner) who is also hearing impaired. Oh, and I have a deaf cat too! Quite a household!
• Whether you work or not your local Occupational Therapy department should be able to give you a vibrating alarm clock. Often called a ShakeAwake. Ask your doctor for a referral or buy one cheap on eBay. Will cost about £15. Failing that try
  https://www.rnid.org.uk
• Thanks Allydowd - I've learnt so much already from starting this thread! I hope others find it useful too!
• Get in touch with your local Fire Station, They fitted me a smoke alarm & an alarm clock which has a vibrating pad you put under your pillow. Also if you have a Disability Solutions near you get in touch with them they will fit you a T- Loop system for your TV & a door bell that flashes when rung
• Mouseymousey - don't worry - you're not hijacking!! I thought a hearing thread might be useful so it's here for anyone and everyone!
  There's so much stuff I need to look into now! I never knew just how much help was out there (if you know where to look!) and all the different products too - I saw a vibrating watch which looks interesting... and like kethry said, the worst they can do is say no
• Yes, great thread. Can I also offer the info that although not FREE, I have now got hold of a 'ring enhancer' through the RNID for my elderly and VERY cussed father that works so well, he is aware of the telephone ringing even from 2 rooms away!! It has a strobe light that flashes so brightly it reflects off any shiny surface so he doesn't have to be facing it to benefit as it seems to reflect all round the room, daytime or nighttime. It may well be a result! NOW he can't say he doesn't hear the phone! I've checked it by ringing his number from my mobile - VERY sneakily- whilst in the room with him and then pointing out that he HAS heard it! I think he's pretty well boxed in now!
• Thank you for starting this thread we so need a deaf thread on MSE
  I've found RNID good for equipment, and their customer service is brilliant. I've ordered several things from them including the crystal loop (which sadly, they don't do any more and the replacement's not so good for me) and the shakeawake which actually didn't wake me .
  I didn't realise that I might get help from social services; When I lost my hearing very suddenly some years ago, I waited and waited and eventually gave up on an appointment that I was promised with a 'hearing adviser' - maybe that's the kind of info I would have been given if they had found someone who wanted the job!
  I'm on IB so I'll be phoning SS tomorrow and hope they can give me a little support. I can't afford most of the RNID and Connevans kit and there are things that would be useful.
  Incidentally, I use an old mobile phone (kept just for the purpose) as an alarm clock. One of the tunes wakes me even when I'm not wearing my hearing aids - I'm completely deaf to a lot of middle and lower range noises but high range I tend to hear better. I've spent many a night trying to sleep with aids in - its worse than wearing curlers as we used to in the 60's Its a case of trying things to find what works isnt it?
  Edited to say: I used to pick up hearing aid batteries whenever I was near the hospital; I mentioned there that I was giving up the car and wasn't sure how I would be able to get them (I'd previously been ticked off at the hearing aid clinic for buying batteries) and I found out that I can get batteries from my own surgery! I'm not sure all surgeries carry them but worth checking
• Hi Rosieben - I've not used tham for a long while, but I thought audiology departments could post aids out to you?
  By the way, you've given away your age now ...... 1960's and curlers...