I have an older friend (he’s 75) who has been quite deaf for years but would not even talk about it, or get help, because of the social stigma of wearing hearing aids. Also, privatisation of utilities should be illegal. Thank god we have a new Government here in NSW who’ve ruled out privatisation of any *more* public utilities.
I think that resistance is particularly a thing with men. I’m just telling myself they are reading glasses for my ears! I’m not thrilled to have them , but anything is better than this constant straining x
Just discovered your Substack Maggie (via Insta), hopped over, & this post caught my attention immediately. I’m an old GW reader, and an audiologist. Very sorry to hear of your experience (& quietly horrified at the cause...). Your best friend will be an audiologist who practises listening deeply to their clients. It’s a partnership. Go well! (& you’re right about the delay between onset & accepting hearing aids - often 20+ years - & yes, my observation is also it’s often longer in men, if they come in at all!)
Thanks Katherine. It’s hard negotiating how to see an audiologist in the UK’s increasingly convoluted health care system. I’m waiting for a referral - it could take months. I’m going to see if I can go private. I am encouraged that hearing aids have come on so far.
My husband is in his mid-sixties and has significant hearing loss from industrial deafness. It took him five years to come to grips with needing to wear hearing aids.
Hi Kate - as I said above, I’ve noticed that men are particularly resistant to getting them, but now I think about it my mum was too! So she got them when she was too old to adjust to them, which made her last years much more difficult than they would have been. I’m going to embrace them and be very out and proud about them!
Maggie, that was such an interesting read. I knew you had suffered from an ear infection after sea swimming but didn’t realise that it was so serious. I really hope that the surgery planned for next year will be successful. Julie V xx
Thanks Julie. It’s been very odd! As I said below, to Kate, my mum was too proud to get hearing aids until it was really too late, so I’m not going to go down that path. Xxx
Im loving your blog and as another open water swimmer, I’m so sad that this glorious thing I get to do every day has had this terrible outcome for you. I would be soooo mad!
I have an older friend (he’s 75) who has been quite deaf for years but would not even talk about it, or get help, because of the social stigma of wearing hearing aids. Also, privatisation of utilities should be illegal. Thank god we have a new Government here in NSW who’ve ruled out privatisation of any *more* public utilities.
I think that resistance is particularly a thing with men. I’m just telling myself they are reading glasses for my ears! I’m not thrilled to have them , but anything is better than this constant straining x
I’m sad for you, hearing loss is the pits, but pleased you had an encounter with such a lovely young man (I love ‘woo woo’ stories.....)
Thanks Jacqueline - I’ve got a fair old stack of them. I might share some more! Some people are funny about it though. Something to ponder x
Just discovered your Substack Maggie (via Insta), hopped over, & this post caught my attention immediately. I’m an old GW reader, and an audiologist. Very sorry to hear of your experience (& quietly horrified at the cause...). Your best friend will be an audiologist who practises listening deeply to their clients. It’s a partnership. Go well! (& you’re right about the delay between onset & accepting hearing aids - often 20+ years - & yes, my observation is also it’s often longer in men, if they come in at all!)
Thanks Katherine. It’s hard negotiating how to see an audiologist in the UK’s increasingly convoluted health care system. I’m waiting for a referral - it could take months. I’m going to see if I can go private. I am encouraged that hearing aids have come on so far.
My husband is in his mid-sixties and has significant hearing loss from industrial deafness. It took him five years to come to grips with needing to wear hearing aids.
Hi Kate - as I said above, I’ve noticed that men are particularly resistant to getting them, but now I think about it my mum was too! So she got them when she was too old to adjust to them, which made her last years much more difficult than they would have been. I’m going to embrace them and be very out and proud about them!
Good on you. I'm sure it makes life a lot easier. I'm so glad you had that healing chat with the wifi man xox
Maggie, that was such an interesting read. I knew you had suffered from an ear infection after sea swimming but didn’t realise that it was so serious. I really hope that the surgery planned for next year will be successful. Julie V xx
Thanks Julie. It’s been very odd! As I said below, to Kate, my mum was too proud to get hearing aids until it was really too late, so I’m not going to go down that path. Xxx
Thank you darling AJ! xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My hearing aids are fabulous - I can mute them!
That's VERY encouraging, thank you. I'm going to call them my Ear Glasses.
So fab to see you on Substack, Maggie. The water companies really are beyond contempt. I hope the next op offers some help. xx
Im loving your blog and as another open water swimmer, I’m so sad that this glorious thing I get to do every day has had this terrible outcome for you. I would be soooo mad!