This is making her terribly depressed. She cannot wear a hearing aid because she suffers from tinitus and the aid makes the sound increase to a loud screech. Can anyone suggest anything she can do to help, she feels so isolated and I feel so helpless.
2007-04-01 10:20:36 · 13 answers · asked by lottie 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
She needs to go to an audiologist and they can help her. There is no such thing as she can't wear a hearing aid. Hearing aids do not make the tinnitus louder and if it does then it is not the right hearing aid for her. The audiologist will test her hearing and recommend aides that will work for her as well as suggesting possibly a pocket talker and things so she can hear the tv better. Call your nearest audiologist not a hearing aid person but an audiologist and get her seen.
2007-04-01 10:25:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your grandmother's "loud screech" is audible to others, it is not her tinnitus, it is the hearing aid - it isn't fitting properly. However, a small percentage of the population with tinnitus has found that putting things in their ears makes the tinnitus sound louder. It typically does not change the sound of the tinnitus (if they hear a high pitch ringing it just gets louder, it does not change to a screech or crickets or anything).
If she can tolerate things in her ears there are devices than can amplify the TV and radio. "TV Ears" have various ways of connecting to devices, either by plugging directly into the TV or by using an external microphone placed in front of the TV speakers. The advantage to the microphone is that it will pick up all the room sounds as well, including voices. Simple to use - large wheel that is an on/off switch and volume control in one. When not in use it sits in a base and charges.
There is another device - "The Pocket Talker" which has earphones or earbuds that your grandmother would wear and they are plugged into a small box that has a microphone on it. She would wear the box in a shirt pocket or point it at the person talking. Very simple to use - on/off switch and volume control.
For other items meet with an audiologist or search for "Assistive hearing devices"
2007-04-03 21:39:56 · answer #2 · answered by longhornfan1722 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am much younger and have the same problems and tinnitus. I use subtitles on the TV as much as possible although it is not always available. There are other things that will help. Make sure there are no background noises when talking to her and these can be washing machines, other conversations etc. Face her when you talk to her so she can watch your mouth (we all lipread to some extent). When you hold conversations - consider these things and involve your grandmother. Other than that avoid total quietness because then she will hear the tinnitus. If the tinnitus bothers her when she goes to sleep - then put the radio or tv on just loud enough to drown out the tinnitus. Perhaps get her an iPod - plug her in and switch her on!!!! Keep her mind off it, keep her busy and I hope she feels happier soon
2007-04-01 17:37:44 · answer #3 · answered by ☆Lauren☆ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
what about closed capitioning for the TV? where the dialog is run in words across the btm of the screen. also, does she have a computer? if she can get into e-mailing or chatrooms or even shopping online, perhaps that will make her feel more connected. You are a good person to care so much.
2007-04-01 17:52:38 · answer #4 · answered by njyogibear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can not imagine why you would ask here????
what kind of health insurance does she have ??? SSA medicare??? she needs surgical help from a neurological specialist. or accept being deaf and use the closed captioning.
What about contacting Boise and headsets
Money should not be a problem NOW get the best.
That screeching is feed back and Boise can fix that.
PS: get your SELF help,,, you are about to loose her and that can hurt so bad.
God bless that you stay strong.
2007-04-01 17:38:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
On the Tv you can use subtilites on ceefax page 888
As for Radio I think there are some places that actually write up radio programmes so she can read them.
Hope thats helps
2007-04-01 17:24:24 · answer #6 · answered by dixidan_2000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't know. I was going to say hearing aid. Enjoy her and talk to her. She just got old. That's all. Happens to all of us.
2007-04-01 17:30:59 · answer #7 · answered by Michael A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What ?
Only kidding. My mum is incredibly hard of hearing. One thing I have learned is not too feel sorry for or patronise anyone with any type of disibility. We all have our flaw's and no-one is perfect
2007-04-01 17:28:14 · answer #8 · answered by Neil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh dear.
Has she tried other kinds of aids? There might be one that won't screech.
2007-04-01 17:26:28 · answer #9 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well with the TV,, my dad had an amplifier that he plugged into the TV, and wore head phones, this solved the TV problem, conversation? sorry can't help.
2007-04-01 17:26:21 · answer #10 · answered by valda54 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋