Hearing test

[firewatch]

can i get a free hearing test on the NHS?
I am struggling to hear people on the phone at work and think i need a hearing aid!!
I think it annoys people when i have to get them to repeat themselves, and my supervisor has to turn the phone down when she uses it!!

[jen78]

Some GP surgeries can do them, I had my first one there and subsequent ones at the hospital ENT department.

Boots and Specsavers also do free hearing tests in certain stores.

Gives them the change to try and sell you an expensive hearing aid but there is no obligation to buy anything by having the free test.

Could you use a headset at work as I find these clearer sometimes.

Have you had your ears properly checked for any blockages or wax. Get your GP or practice nurse to check, I always get told off for using cotton buds (my ears drive me mad as have meniere's and been told they shouldn't be used in case they damage the ear).

Have you had a recent cold or similar which could have caused your hearing to suffer?

Without driving yourself mad try and distinguish whether it is sound in general or more certain frequencies (pitch of sound ie high or low) that you are struggling to hear.

[jen78]

Oh, just remembered, an interesting thing my mum said.

She has menieres too and had a hearing test lately. They sussed her hearing is far worse than she realised as I guess you do adapt in many ways, learn to pick up on lip reading, expression etc...

He asked her to turn away from him and he read a list of words for her to say back and she did very very badly and was really shocked.

[weeal]

my mum has to go to the local hospital for her hearing aid and associated tests

[firewatch]

thanks i will have to book an appointment, it is really getting to me i struggle to hear the phone and not be able to multi task when someones trying to talk behind me and im trying to concentrate on the phone.
I might see if i can get a headset, or a better phone!

[jen78]

In ear headphones are good as they distract you from other sound around you.

[weeal]

I got a brill amplifying phone for mum from Maplin electrnonics, its really good - only �20

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=a mplified%20phone&source=15

[Jafi]

make an appointment with your Doctor and they will refer you to the audiology department. Not sure if you can call them up for one, as i was refered by my Doc. Be prepared to wait a while for an apponitment though as their waiting lists can be long, and yes it's free on the NHS.

You can buy phones that have an in built amplifier, they really are worth the money. There are loads of other gadgets you can get like portable loop systems and doorbells.

[weeal]

Jafi, our local council provides loop systems etc for free to folk who need them

[firewatch]

that would good apart from i need a phone with a transfer button on it, as i have to transfer calls internally.
i shall just have to see if i can get a hearing test.

[Jafi]

I got mine from the social worker for the deaf, weeal. Think i had to pay a small charge, can't remember what for now, but it was peanuts.

She also arranged for an attachment to my smoke alarm, i've got a strobe light fitted onto my bedroom wall and a vibrating pad that fits under the mattress, so that it alerts me if my smoke alarm is acctivated during the night.

Hope you manage to get yourself tested quickly firewatch, i know how it feels.

[Meg888]

Access to Work (you can contact them through the Jobcentre & website) can supply grants for your employer to provide any equipement needed to support you with your job. This can mean new phones / hearing aids / loop systems etc. Your employer pays up front then can receive anything up to 90% back once satisfied with the goods.
It is both the responsiblity of your employer & the government to keep you in employment if confirmed that you have a disability.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Emp loymentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/index. htm