I have worn hearing aids for a number of years, but as time as gone on I have come to realise how poorly we are served everywhere as a result
Do you know that one in 4 people have some degree of hearing loss, in my local town there are 39,000 people with hearing aids and yet there is one person employed by the council to advise and assist
Pre covid I and a small number of others, had started a project to explore the issue of loop systems which should help some of us to hear better in shops stores, hospitals and GP surgeries, sadly we had to stop and the local deaf charity hit problems
2years on we are now doing some work with the local Healthwatch and NHS to advise medical professionals on how to work better with those of us with hearing loss, eg, please dont face the computer when I an having a consultation with a doctor
If1 in 4 of us are struggling to various degrees why are services so poor, I do worry a lot is down to people being embarrassed by the condition, so are reluctant to mention it and many particularly retired, socially start to isolate themselves as they are struggling to hear, but why there are all sorts of devices as well as hearing aids to help us to communicate, what a shame there is no interest in NHS or local authority to explain what is out there to assist
People have mentioned the issue of earwax removal, I have just Googled the subject and as I understood, according to the NICE gudelines, if the wax is affecting someones hearing and or their health, a GP can refer to Audiology or ENT for them to deal with this matter, if you are struggling with this or any other service to do with your hearing, please contact GP, local Healthweatch and your MP to complain, its only when we highlight these issues things will change