I am nervous about getting my hearing tested tomorrow (Friday).
By nonew3
@nonew3 (1941)
United States
August 7, 2008 12:04pm CST
I am going to get my hearing tested tomorrow (Friday).
I am having problems understanding everything that people are saying, and I am really kind of nervous about getting my hearing tested.
I am getting tired of nodding my head and having to ask people to repeat themselves.
Yesterday it actually got a bit embarrassing at the YMCA when I had an incident of someone at the front desk talking to me about something and I was struggling to hear everything that he was saying. I had to ask someone else to explain to me what was going on because I was having such a hard time understanding him. It was awful.
I also was a bit rude to a salesman at a retail store because I kept being asked if I needed anything. I am tired of trying to figure out what they are saying when they do that, it distracts me and frustrates me, and then I lose my train of thought.
I would not feel quite as bad about getting my hearing tested, except that hearing aids are thousands of dollars, and I am very low income. My credit is very poor due to financial difficulties, and there is no way that I an afford to pay for them out of pocket.
I am already learning sign language, by the way. I am using voice carry over for my phone calls. I am probably somewhere around intermediate level in proficiency, but I know enough to get the gyst (spelling?) of whatever the interpreter is signing.
I have heard that what I really have could be Central Processing Disorder, but I have had a hard time getting tested for that because the places in my county that test for it won't take my insurance.
So, I am really nervous about all this.
4 responses
@1grnthmb (2055)
• United States
8 Aug 08
I hope you have good luck with you test. Do not be nervous about them. Hopefully you will have a good person testing you. Make sure to tell them that the problem is more so when you are out around other people and have distractions. A general test will not take that into consideration. I would say more but I will be repeating my self from your discussion on people thinking you are faking it.
@nonew3 (1941)
• United States
8 Aug 08
You are very right. Regular hearing tests, or pure-tone tests, do not take that into consideration at all.
I think this is one of the reasons why I am so nervous about having the hearing exam. I have had times in the past where I am struggling to understand people when there is background noise and distractions, but the pure-tone tests came out normal. It makes it hard to want to get re-tested later on.
@nonew3 (1941)
• United States
9 Aug 08
The hearing test was within normal range. But, that is a hearing test in a quiet environment. That really doesn't show how well I function in the noisy environments of real life.
The hearing-tester has sent a recommendation to my primary doctor to refer me for testing for auditory processing disorder.
It is common for those with auditory processing disorders to have normal hearing and yet have difficulty hearing and understanding when there is background noise and distractions.
@nonew3 (1941)
• United States
9 Aug 08
What had happened in the past is that I would test normal with the usual pure-tone tests, but then nothing else would be done. There would be no further testing whatsoever.
I still must function as if I am hard of hearing, in real life, because of this problem that I am having. Oh, it's great to hear tones, all right! But, it becomes rather useless if you still have difficulty in following conversations, remembering things told to you auditorily, and get easily distracted by the stupidest things like someone tapping a pencil.
I have often wondered if I just have a bad memory, but I don't think that's really the case, because when I make a lot of written notes and do things more visually, I then remember things well enough to even get A's in most of my classes in college.
It's a very good thing that I am able to get peer notetakers and can borrow a tape recorder from the disability department when I am in college classes.
Anyway, wish me luck as I try to get someone to test me. It has been an uphill battle because of insurance issues.
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
7 Aug 08
a) if you need a hearing aid, there are agencies that can probably help you with getting one if you are on a low income and b) the hearing test is really not that bad. i have had a few and have some significant hearing loss in my left ear which i could get a hearing aid for right now, but dont want to yet.
@nonew3 (1941)
• United States
7 Aug 08
Yeah. I have heard that the decision of whether or not to get a hearing aid is a major one due to cost, upkeep and maintenance, getting them repaired when they break down, making sure they don't get sweat or ear wax in them, making sure they don't get damaged due to pouring rain, and etc.
I consider it to be a deeply personal decision.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
7 Aug 08
I think I'm having the same problem that you are. I hear people talking but have a hard time understanding the words. My doctor set up an appointment for a hearing test and I canceled it because I was nervous about what the results would turn up too. It's getting so that I think I'm going to have to go. Luckily for me I have insurance that will cover it. I think you should think about going before it's too late.
@greenglitterturtle (2750)
• United States
7 Aug 08
hi nonew....that is very frustrating to go through what you are dealing with. there are times that i can't hear or understand someone and i don't like to ask them to repeat all the time either. my mother is almost completely deaf but a hearing aid that cost $2000 allows her to greatly improve her hearing in one ear. i sure hope that something will work out for you. you ask God to help you and maybe someone can help you financially to get a hearing aid. i will pray for you.
