I want to click "like, like, like" on every single post so far!
That is ridiculous that your father has taken away your aids. How would he like it if you hid his glasses, his shoes, his car keys? Tell him you need them to function, period. What you said above about passing your A levels should be crucial. No healthy parent would deliberately put obstacles in their child's path when it comes to education.
So I totally agree with the advice to talk to your audi, your school counselor, legal authorities, anyone you can - AND continue to talk to your dad yourself, please don't give up. Someone should make him see the light, I hope sooner rather than later. And I hope that "someone" can be you, rather than legal authorities, but if not, well, he's brought it on himself. You do not have to fight this battle alone if he won't listen to you. (Um, speaking of who is the "deaf" one in the family...)
Re: the discomfort. Yes, sometimes it takes time, but sometimes that "plugged up" feeling can be helped by different ear-molds, putting in an air vent (have to be careful, as if the vent is too large, it can cause that annoying feedback whistle), or using a non-allergenic material for the molds. (That would help more if you have itching, though; the non-allergenic material probably will make no difference re: the plugged up feeling.) And to some extent it's just something you get used to. But it should not be literally uncomfortable.
If the hearing aids themselves are uncomfortable behind your ears, sometimes that can be helped by adjusting the length of the tube so that the plastic HA sits at a slightly different place. I had one aid once that was rubbing me raw at a certain place; the audi changed the tube length and then it was fine. WHAT a relief!
Re: things sounding different, yes they do. Some of that "different" is because you weren't really hearing everything before, so if with the aids you are now hearing "s," "sh," and other sounds that were faint or missing to you before, yes they will sound different. That is a GOOD thing, and will just take some time to get used to.
The quality of people's voices and of music does change, there's no doubt about that. Some aids are better than others at meeting complex needs. If you're getting them from the NHS, you probably are not getting the most advanced technology possible.
However, anything is better than nothing, certainly, and it does take a while for the brain to adapt to the new sounds you are hearing. You might want to look into a listening therapy program. Here is one example:
Neurotone Inc | Hearing Loss Treatment Software & Services
Ask your audiologist for suggestions, and/or google "listening therapy" and see what you find.
Some people find it easier to adjust to hearing aids if they wear them only a few hours a day for a while, then work up to wearing them full-time. Others are fine with wearing them full-time right from the start. It's an individual thing. Again, your audi might be able to give you advice on that.
Also, just a word: now that you know you have a hearing loss of unknown origin, you need to be especially diligent about protecting yourself from loud noises. No more dancing right in front of the band! Wear ear protection if you go to sporting events where there is a lot of loud noise from the crowd. Don't listen to your iPod cranked up to high volume. Google "ear protection" and "noise-induced hearing loss" and you will find a great deal of information.
You sound like a very mature young person and well-equipped to advocate for yourself. I suspect that your parents must have done something right along the way for you to have developed those strengths. I hope that they can find a way to get over this hump in the road with you so that your relationship with them is not destroyed forever. Perhaps if they realize what they are risking, be it from conversations with you or conversations with a school or legal authority, they will come around as they should and start learning what they can and should be doing to help you.
All the best to you, and I hope things can start to get resolved quickly.
! I'm so sorry to hear about all that's going on. At least at your age you can be out of there soon!
