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Adjusting to hearing.
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November 27th, 2010LifetrackingA little while ago I mentioned about my deafness, and the associated consequence of not being able to hear (what a surprise), and some of the ways I learnt over the years to cope with it.
I’ve come across some advice, which covers both how some deaf people cope, and some general advice about what might work when talking to them – it’s a handy PDF, and well worth a gander. Somethings you might not know, or may surprise you.
Anyway, a week ago I got fitted with my ‘new ears’. Or Ears 2.0 as I like to call them. The are a pair of ear moulds with a behind the ear (BTE) aid. The fancy ‘Oticon Spirit Zest P/Mini’ or some catchy name like that. My first impression is that the actual unit is much smaller than when I last used a hearing aid.
So this hearing malarky. It’s a bit overrated right? Well not quite. but this was my first impression:
The world is a tad noisy.
Neil
rasgaIn general, this week has made be realise:
- The world is noisier than I thought.
- Somethings make sounds, that I never was aware of.
For the first point, I’m now much more aware of noises on my peripheray. The only downside is that I’m obviously also hearing a lot more noise around me, that I need to get used to and tune out.
The second point is the funniest, my iPhone keypad makes noises when you dial a number. I had never heard that, or had an inkling it did that. I can hear the fan on my Macbook whirring away as I type, I can hear the sounds of me tapping away on keys! I can listen to music on the Macbook without needing speakers or headphones, even if it’s only half way up (before I could never hear it).
As you can imagine it’s a bit of aural overload at the moment, but it has been great. I’ve not needed to ‘blag’ a conversation at all; I can hold down a conversation without needing to focus all my efforts on the person talking to me – a success.
I’m learning day by day what ‘normal noises’ sound like. Curtains screeching along a curtain poll, leafs crunched underfoot, that the toilet flush is a bloody loud noise. A lot of the time has been spent with me just listening, and looking to work out what is making the noise. Like when I heard a printer churning out pages slowly, 20m away!
So whilst it is early days. I’m looking forward to seeing what technology is out there to assist, and generally provide more functionality. I know bluetooth exists in some hearing aids! My current task is to workout the best way to listen to my iPhone/MP3s, and whether I get telecoil style earloops, or bluetooth neckloops, to use with the aids, or just remove them etc.
Tags: hearing aids, learning to hear, nhs hearing aid, oticon spirit zest, spirit zest
11 Responses to “Adjusting to hearing.”
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Mark
Great post, it’s so easy to take these things for granted. I’m certain your openness will help others. Toilet flush noise can be minimised through purchase of a heavy lid and lowering before flushing!
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Great post Neil. Was good to chat yesterday about sites/projects and Ears 2.0.
Like so many things hearing is another thing people take for granted you only realise just how amazing and lucky your are when you read stories like this that make you think about it more than usual.
I hope you continue to enjoy hearing new sounds around you & you get to prioritise sounds, so you don’t hear that noisy fridge so much.
Andy (Writing from the noisy @urbancoffeeco).
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Shona
A wonderful insight into a new phenomenon for you, which many of us take for granted. Go you!
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Yes, thank you – Like Andy I really appreciate following your journey and “hearing through your ears” as it were. The other morning I was on the bus and someone hadn’t changed the keypad settings on her phone and it was making a hugely irritating set of bleeps and bloops and I was about to turn and say something irritable when I remembered your tweet about the iphone and I suddenly thought “What if she’s hearing impaired” (Ok – I ACTUALLY thought “What if she’s deaf?” but I don’t want to admit to my thoughts being that un-PC.) It calmed me down. I mean, she probably wasn’t coz she was also wearing an ipod: but I didn’t know and that was the point. Strike one for tolerance. Sort of.
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Really lovely post that just made me appreciate the tinkling bell on my cat’s collar.
Sounds like you and Ears 2.0 are getting along well. -
Andy
Reading this made me smile. It’s funny what people take for granted, and in a way, it envious that you can now delight in something so simply accessible to the majority of folk and yet are signals we ignore most of the time.
I hope Ears 2.0 continue to impress.
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OMG! I remember times when I have been cured of blocked ears, being delighted by crunchy leaves! Thanks for the reminder – good post.
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[...] The second part ‘Adjusting to Hearing’ Tags: deafness, hearing [...]
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This really resonates with me. I’ve heard that birdsong is one of the more confusing sounds because often you can’t see where its coming from.
I am partially (very) deaf in one ear, although as this is nerve damage I have been told that I shouldn’t have a hearing aid as it would cause longer term damage.
All the tips in the pdf you linked to are coping mechanisms I use daily.
I’m really glad you are enjoying exploring and finding these new sounds.
Charlie
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twinaided
An interesting story. I was mono at age 13 went stereo at 42. Looking to get bluetooth aids after christmas then hopefully listen to music wirelessly? Coping strategies mentioned ring a bell. Cant hear my cats bell.
Been there got the t shirt. -
Neil H
All – Thankyou for the nice words. Still along while to get used to everything.
Charlie – I’m lucky that my nervous side of things are fine, it’s just the middle ear that isn’t so good.
Twinaided – Bluetooth aids, should be good. Hope that all goes well for you.
