Any advice?

[Stevenanthony]

I'm not sure if this belongs here, but I am 15 and have been having problems with my hearing and a little bit of tinnitus for a few years now. Recently it has been getting worse and although it isn't anything very serious, it can be a little annoying to being able to understand a person very clearly or having to ask people to repeat themselves numerous times, and I think I might benefit from a hearing aid. I don't really want to say anything because I recently took an ASL class and started becoming interested in deaf culture, and I know if I tell someone I might need a hearing aid they will probably say that I'm just imagining it. Anyways, I told my mom I was having a little bit of trouble hearing and about my tinnitus and she took me to see my doctor who was absolutely no help. to make a long story short she told me I had tinnitus and had a nurse give me a very cheesy hearing test because they obviously didn't take me very seriously. then I had a hearing screening at school which wasn't much better mainly because they had to get through a few hundred students, and because I couldn't hear some of the tones, the nurse conducting the screening told me to raise my hand so she could pass me and not have to waste any time. And now I just don't know what to do, I can't ask to go back to the doctor because I already know that it is a waste of time and money, but I think I might benefit from hearing aids but I can't know until I can get a proper hearing screening and even if I did get a proper hearing screening, my mom can't afford hearing aids...any advice?

 

[Mewtilation]

Well if a doctor diagnosed you with tinnitus, that should be enough to convince anyone to take a better look at your hearing. While tinnitus doesn't always cause hearing issues, it can and that should be enough to get a look. So what if people tell you that you're imagining it? Do their opinions really matter? No, they don't. People are always going to question you in life, and if you spend your life worrying about what others will say or think, your life is going to suck. I would certainly hope the "doctor" you went to was an ENT or an audiologist, as those are the only "doctors" that can help you here. ( doctor is a very generalized term to use. ) There are plenty of programs out there to help low income families I'm sure an audiologist or ENT can refer you to, or you can always go online and search for programs in your area. There are a great deal of them.

 

[NaidaUP]

Do you need to see a doctor to see an audiologist? I would make an appointment with an audiologist and get a decent hearing test, that'll tell you exactly what / if you have a hearing problem.

I'm not in the US but where I am, I can just make an appointment with an Audi and get a hearing test done without seeing my doctor first.

Have you got other family members that you are close to, an auntie etc? Maybe you could take another family member a long when you have your hearing test?

 

[Mewtilation]

Still, my main advice is to stop caring what other people think about you..... yup, main advice.

 

[cdmeggers]

find an actual ENT doctor, or a qualified audiologist. They should be of more help for you.

there are programs available if your family truly cannot afford hearing aids for you.

There's the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund, they actually raise funding so they can help those in need get hearing aids (or upgrade to newer better hearing aids suited to their loss). Olive Osmond Hearing Fund
There is also Starkey's So the World May Hear program that helps those in need get hearing aids as well. Starkey Hearing Foundation | So the World May Hear

I think organizations like the Lions Club may be able to help too, either with funding or actually acquiring hearing aids for your use.

Hopefully one of these options will help if you do need hearing aids after going through a proper hearing assessment.

 

[Sarfarigirl2011]

yeah and beside, I had one who's really awesome!!! (.... I gotta see the 2nd audi soon since my hearing aid needs tweaking)

 

[Stevenanthony]

no it wasn't an audiologist...i didn't make the appointment, my mom made the appointment through Kaiser Permanente...and now that i think about it, I'm not sure why they wouldn't refer or recommend an audiologist...but it seems like during the whole appointmet, the only thing the doctor was there for was to recommend getting a flu shot over and over again, and then once my mom filled out the paperwork for the vaccine, the appointment was over.

i dont know the whole thing was kinda fishy

 

[Stevenanthony]

Well if a doctor diagnosed you with tinnitus, that should be enough to convince anyone to take a better look at your hearing. While tinnitus doesn't always cause hearing issues, it can and that should be enough to get a look. So what if people tell you that you're imagining it? Do their opinions really matter? No, they don't. People are always going to question you in life, and if you spend your life worrying about what others will say or think, your life is going to suck. I would certainly hope the "doctor" you went to was an ENT or an audiologist, as those are the only "doctors" that can help you here. ( doctor is a very generalized term to use. ) There are plenty of programs out there to help low income families I'm sure an audiologist or ENT can refer you to, or you can always go online and search for programs in your area. There are a great deal of them.

the reason im so concerned with if people think its all in my head, is because if they think that they will not take me seriously especially because im only 15. I don understand what the point of embarrassing myself for absolutely no reason is.

 

[Mewtilation]

the reason im so concerned with if people think its all in my head, is because if they think that they will not take me seriously especially because im only 15. I don understand what the point of embarrassing myself for absolutely no reason is.

Well you'd be surprised how many people wanted to start "joining" the deaf community when switched at birth came out. It's seriously frustrating and rather depressing. I was born deaf, but none of my immediate family is. ( mother, brother, sister, father. ) But I have 2 uncles who are, an aunt and one grandparent. Now, don't get me wrong I love switched at birth! However, as soon as it popped, my sister started "having hearing issues" and needed to learn ASL. *smh* It was all I could do not to punch her in the face.... seriously. Like it's a damn epidemic! ( needless to say she was NOT deaf and NOT losing her hearing. OF COURSE SHE WASN'T! ) So, I can understand that there are people out there who do things for attention or to fit in. "munchausen by proxy" is another attention getting messed up method. So yes, some people will think you're faking.... SO WHAT? If you really need the testing, and your family really loves and cares about you ( I'm sure they do ) They'll get the testing. If you're being honest, the test will show. If that test shows you're being truthful, you can rub it in their faces of the people who doubted you. Being 15 or 40, you can't live your life worrying about what others think about you. Doesn't matter what age you are. I'm 26, and went to college and work full time. Everyone "thought" I'd never get into the medical field being deaf, but look at me! If I'd have cared about what they thought I'd be collecting disability or working for some terrible job that pays crap that I probably would hate. Do some research, get the test done, for yourself. If you're having hearing issues, that can make you suffer in school, learning and everything. Seek an AUDIOLOGIST or an ENT. Those are the only one's trained to diagnose your issue.

 

[Stevenanthony]

Well you'd be surprised how many people wanted to start "joining" the deaf community when switched at birth came out. It's seriously frustrating and rather depressing. I was born deaf, but none of my immediate family is. ( mother, brother, sister, father. ) But I have 2 uncles who are, an aunt and one grandparent. Now, don't get me wrong I love switched at birth! However, as soon as it popped, my sister started "having hearing issues" and needed to learn ASL. *smh* It was all I could do not to punch her in the face.... seriously. Like it's a damn epidemic! ( needless to say she was NOT deaf and NOT losing her hearing. OF COURSE SHE WASN'T! ) So, I can understand that there are people out there who do things for attention or to fit in. "munchausen by proxy" is another attention getting messed up method. So yes, some people will think you're faking.... SO WHAT? If you really need the testing, and your family really loves and cares about you ( I'm sure they do ) They'll get the testing. If you're being honest, the test will show. If that test shows you're being truthful, you can rub it in their faces of the people who doubted you. Being 15 or 40, you can't live your life worrying about what others think about you. Doesn't matter what age you are. I'm 26, and went to college and work full time. Everyone "thought" I'd never get into the medical field being deaf, but look at me! If I'd have cared about what they thought I'd be collecting disability or working for some terrible job that pays crap that I probably would hate. Do some research, get the test done, for yourself. If you're having hearing issues, that can make you suffer in school, learning and everything. Seek an AUDIOLOGIST or an ENT. Those are the only one's trained to diagnose your issue.

I do watch switched at birth too...another reason for people not to believe me. But honestly i cannot stand people who are that impressionable who want to be like everyone they see on tv. I was noticing that my hearing was changing since before I first saw the show, but didn't really start paying attention to it (my hearing) until recently, it's been getting a bit worse. School usually isn't much of a problem. As long as the teacher talks loud and clear enough and the other students aren't too loud I can understand most of what is being said but not without effort, which is why I think I can benefit from hearing aids.
And what if someone who doesn't believe me doesn't put too much effort into my test and it ends up like the last one? I don't know, i just don't really know what to expect.

 

[Mewtilation]

If you go to an ENT or an Audiologist who's job is specifically what you're dealing with, they'll put as much effort into it as they need to determine if there is an issue. You can't just go to a general doctor and expect results for something made for an ENT or audiologist.

 

[ohmylight]

Well you'd be surprised how many people wanted to start "joining" the deaf community when switched at birth came out. It's seriously frustrating and rather depressing. I was born deaf, but none of my immediate family is. ( mother, brother, sister, father. ) But I have 2 uncles who are, an aunt and one grandparent. Now, don't get me wrong I love switched at birth! However, as soon as it popped, my sister started "having hearing issues" and needed to learn ASL. *smh* It was all I could do not to punch her in the face.... seriously. Like it's a damn epidemic! ( needless to say she was NOT deaf and NOT losing her hearing. OF COURSE SHE WASN'T! ) So, I can understand that there are people out there who do things for attention or to fit in. "munchausen by proxy" is another attention getting messed up method. So yes, some people will think you're faking.... SO WHAT? If you really need the testing, and your family really loves and cares about you ( I'm sure they do ) They'll get the testing. If you're being honest, the test will show. If that test shows you're being truthful, you can rub it in their faces of the people who doubted you. Being 15 or 40, you can't live your life worrying about what others think about you. Doesn't matter what age you are. I'm 26, and went to college and work full time. Everyone "thought" I'd never get into the medical field being deaf, but look at me! If I'd have cared about what they thought I'd be collecting disability or working for some terrible job that pays crap that I probably would hate. Do some research, get the test done, for yourself. If you're having hearing issues, that can make you suffer in school, learning and everything. Seek an AUDIOLOGIST or an ENT. Those are the only one's trained to diagnose your issue.

Hahaha I don't know how many times I've been told "oh you have hearing problems? You're deaf? Have you seem that show Switched at Birth"? Lol

 

[Mewtilation]

Hahaha I don't know how many times I've been told "oh you have hearing problems? You're deaf? Have you seem that show Switched at Birth"? Lol

My point exactly..... The show opens up people to a new level of understanding..... but at the same time..... omg....

 

[Stevenanthony]

I honestly think I might have a slight hearing loss. For a few years I have had to ask people to repeat themselves at least 10 times a day just because I couldnt understand them but I started watching switched at birth this year so I know that it's not just switched at birth that is making me think this. I never really thought that I could have a hearing loss because my hearing was fantastic before, but when I started taking asl is when I really begin to consider that I might have a hearing loss. Around that time I started paying more attention to my hearing and studying different kinds of hearing loss and learning more about the Deaf/HOH community. I don't think I'm imagining it because every once in a while (about once a week) I will completely lose my hearing in one or both of my ears for a few seconds up to almost a minute but it hasn't gone on longer than that. I almost always have some kind of ringing or humming in my ear(s), no matter how quiet it is, I can still tell its there. One time it hit me so suddenly (and loudly) it actually scared me and made me jump! What do you think? Does it sound like I'm imagining it?

 

[Stevenanthony]

My point exactly..... The show opens up people to a new level of understanding..... but at the same time..... omg....

I worry about what happens when the show messes up with their facts (and they already have with the CI episode) and people are misinformed. the show has been so correct up until then that people will pretty much believe whatever they say now.

 

[Stevenanthony]

Well you'd be surprised how many people wanted to start "joining" the deaf community when switched at birth came out. It's seriously frustrating and rather depressing. I was born deaf, but none of my immediate family is. ( mother, brother, sister, father. ) But I have 2 uncles who are, an aunt and one grandparent. Now, don't get me wrong I love switched at birth! However, as soon as it popped, my sister started "having hearing issues" and needed to learn ASL. *smh* It was all I could do not to punch her in the face.... seriously. Like it's a damn epidemic! ( needless to say she was NOT deaf and NOT losing her hearing. OF COURSE SHE WASN'T! ) So, I can understand that there are people out there who do things for attention or to fit in. "munchausen by proxy" is another attention getting messed up method. So yes, some people will think you're faking.... SO WHAT? If you really need the testing, and your family really loves and cares about you ( I'm sure they do ) They'll get the testing. If you're being honest, the test will show. If that test shows you're being truthful, you can rub it in their faces of the people who doubted you. Being 15 or 40, you can't live your life worrying about what others think about you. Doesn't matter what age you are. I'm 26, and went to college and work full time. Everyone "thought" I'd never get into the medical field being deaf, but look at me! If I'd have cared about what they thought I'd be collecting disability or working for some terrible job that pays crap that I probably would hate. Do some research, get the test done, for yourself. If you're having hearing issues, that can make you suffer in school, learning and everything. Seek an AUDIOLOGIST or an ENT. Those are the only one's trained to diagnose your issue.

so your sister basically just wanted to learn sign language? does she understand that she doesn't need to be deaf to learn?

 

[Mewtilation]

so your sister basically just wanted to learn sign language? does she understand that she doesn't need to be deaf to learn?

I was born Deaf, this is my Step sister, not biological. ( My biological siblings know ASL from growing up with me and my other Deaf relatives. ) Yes, she took ASL in High School, but you have to realize a lot of the Deaf community doesn't take well to hearies who learn ASL. Not saying all Deaf are like this, but a TON of them are. I know a lot of Deaf people who don't even like late deafened people. Personally myself, I'm more apprehensive towards the hearing. However, that doesn't mean I don't have hearing friends.... I just tend to be standoffish with hearies at first is all. I personally don't care if someone is late deafened or born Deaf, I'm fine with either set. However, like I said... A lot of the Deaf community does not interact well with the hearing learning ASL. Personally, ASL students make me want to shoot myself especially after being on this site for a little.

 

[Stevenanthony]

I was born Deaf, this is my Step sister, not biological. ( My biological siblings know ASL from growing up with me and my other Deaf relatives. ) Yes, she took ASL in High School, but you have to realize a lot of the Deaf community doesn't take well to hearies who learn ASL. Not saying all Deaf are like this, but a TON of them are. I know a lot of Deaf people who don't even like late deafened people. Personally myself, I'm more apprehensive towards the hearing. However, that doesn't mean I don't have hearing friends.... I just tend to be standoffish with hearies at first is all. I personally don't care if someone is late deafened or born Deaf, I'm fine with either set. However, like I said... A lot of the Deaf community does not interact well with the hearing learning ASL. Personally, ASL students make me want to shoot myself especially after being on this site for a little.

Why is it exactly that Deaf people tend not to like hearing people who try to learn ASL? I've seen this before but could never really understand. What about it bothers people so much?

 

[Mewtilation]

Why is it exactly that Deaf people tend not to like hearing people who try to learn ASL? I've seen this before but could never really understand. What about it bothers people so much?

I'm sure as with there being thousands and thousands of Deaf people, there are thousands and thousands of different reasons they have or don't have for their dislike of the hearing. My uncles are the same way. They don't want anything to do with hearing people whatsoever. ( This doesn't include family ) They absolutely detest the hearing learning ASL. The reasons they gave me? They explained that ASL is a cultural language. It is the language of the Deaf and they want to keep it that way. I can imagine there is a lot of the Deaf community that feels the same way, maybe some that don't. Again, that's just what I heard from my uncle. I can always see two sides to every story, so I can reason with them and understand where they're coming from. Personally myself, I don't care either way. Again, I'm not as quick to make hearing friends, but I don't discriminate. I'm apprehensive of hearing people at first, but that's usually it. That's more from me being uncomfortable around them for some reason. Honestly, I'm not sure about the reason, I just know I am.

I'm sure you'll get a lot of different reasons for various Deaf people not enjoying it. I'm also sure you'll get people who really just don't care. You'd have to ask them, I've only interjected my personal opinion and experience... I definitely can not speak for all the Deaf community.

I will say, ASL students make me want to scream though.... Maybe it's the fact they're ASL students before they're signers... :P

 

[Angel1989]

Even though you are only 15, you need to be proactive with your health. If you do have a hearing loss it is best to find out sooner then later. Not fair for you to miss out on things that you should be hearing. Maybe show your parents some research or some posts here about hearing loss. Only you know what you actually hear. Then hopefully you can make an appointment with an audiologist and get this figured out. Good luck!! ,