First of all good afternoon to you all! 
I'm a Newbie, & I'd greatly appreicate your advice or guidence regarding my hearing loss if you feel you can help...
My names Jen, I was diagnosed with profound deafness at 19 years old (Im now 23) - the cause of which has never been determined or fully investigated. I was told by an ENT doctor it was generic (no one in my family suffers with hearing loss) and that it will degenerate over time...I can expect to be fully deaf by 60.
Recently, as my hearing is getting steadily worse I am finding it increasingly difficult to go about my normal daily routine. I wear two hearing aids which are of some assistance, but I am starting to struggle to cope as my hearing loss is getting progressively worse.
I work full time for the NHS & am increasingly finding it hard to communicate affectively. I am consistently on edge when talking to people (Infact, ive given up on the phone completely despite having a specialist RNID handset) and dread when anyone talks to me. I concentrate so hard on understanding what people are saying, that I regularly don't take in what they have actually said.
If I mishear which results in error, or if I consistently have to ask people to repeat themselves, it upsets me to think that I am easily conceived as being unintelligent & incapable of performing tasks because of my hearing.
I am so depressed over this, and on plucking up the courage to speak to my GP I felt I was dumbed down, because he stated that I seemed to be having a conversation with him fine whilst I was telling him about my anxiety (in a small confined space on a 1-2-1 basis I usually am able to converse, its when there is background noise or I am unaware of a conversation is going to be made with me that I struggle)
I am so depressed, I cry consistently about this as I have been told nothing can be done. I do not want to not be in work, but I find myself dreading going in. People make unintentional hurtful comments (more due to the lack of disability awareness training amongst staff I employed with...and I work for the NHS!...ironic isn't it?!)
I am really unhappy. I do know I am not the worst off person in the world, and having people telling me this does not seem to help my situation...it is all relative to what i know isn't it? I wondered if anyone could kindly offer me confidence boosting tips or advice on how to be proud of the person I've become, and assistance in dealing with these horrid social situations - instead of crying myself to sleep every night, and becoming depressed because of my disability.
I'm a Newbie, & I'd greatly appreicate your advice or guidence regarding my hearing loss if you feel you can help...
My names Jen, I was diagnosed with profound deafness at 19 years old (Im now 23) - the cause of which has never been determined or fully investigated. I was told by an ENT doctor it was generic (no one in my family suffers with hearing loss) and that it will degenerate over time...I can expect to be fully deaf by 60.
Recently, as my hearing is getting steadily worse I am finding it increasingly difficult to go about my normal daily routine. I wear two hearing aids which are of some assistance, but I am starting to struggle to cope as my hearing loss is getting progressively worse.
I work full time for the NHS & am increasingly finding it hard to communicate affectively. I am consistently on edge when talking to people (Infact, ive given up on the phone completely despite having a specialist RNID handset) and dread when anyone talks to me. I concentrate so hard on understanding what people are saying, that I regularly don't take in what they have actually said.
If I mishear which results in error, or if I consistently have to ask people to repeat themselves, it upsets me to think that I am easily conceived as being unintelligent & incapable of performing tasks because of my hearing.
I am so depressed over this, and on plucking up the courage to speak to my GP I felt I was dumbed down, because he stated that I seemed to be having a conversation with him fine whilst I was telling him about my anxiety (in a small confined space on a 1-2-1 basis I usually am able to converse, its when there is background noise or I am unaware of a conversation is going to be made with me that I struggle)
I am so depressed, I cry consistently about this as I have been told nothing can be done. I do not want to not be in work, but I find myself dreading going in. People make unintentional hurtful comments (more due to the lack of disability awareness training amongst staff I employed with...and I work for the NHS!...ironic isn't it?!)
I am really unhappy. I do know I am not the worst off person in the world, and having people telling me this does not seem to help my situation...it is all relative to what i know isn't it? I wondered if anyone could kindly offer me confidence boosting tips or advice on how to be proud of the person I've become, and assistance in dealing with these horrid social situations - instead of crying myself to sleep every night, and becoming depressed because of my disability.
They communicate with people who understand/use English, they may choose to use voice or printed message. Also, a deaf/hoh person who cues has experience with a system that has "honed" their speech reading skills.