Hearing change and depression

[mikeyUK]

Hi everyone I'm new!

A little bit about me:

I'm 28, live in London and I'm a teacher - I teach students with learning disabilities (such as autism). I've had hearing aids since I was 6 - it's sensorineural loss.

All my life I've been very happy go lucky, driven and social, never letting my loss get me down, even using it to empower me to advocate for others and empathise with many different individuals. Recently however this has not been the case.

About 3/4 months ago the aids I had been using for about 6 years broke. I was extremely familiar with them, very comfortable and they worked for me, life was great... Then I had new aids fitted and everything seemed to crumble.

The new ones make it that much harder to be social and engage in groups, in my flat, with a few friends, that’s fine, but out socialising it becomes a mine field of emotions and needs.

I am finding it increasingly difficult to be social - to the point of holding myself back and isolating myself from my friends, who, are obviously just wanting to have a fun time and not deal with my shit. I can’t blame them really, they just want to enjoy their time and have fun! I wish I could too. I still want to go to the pub with my friends!

I try and make an effort to be involved, but it just becomes tiring and I end up just getting pissed off and frustrated with myself and with certain individuals who I’m closer to for not doing more to support me (even though they are generally fantastic and they shouldn't have to feel responsible). It often ends up with me becoming emotional, usually this breaks the surface with tears, which probably makes everyone feel uncomfortable and unsure what to do.

I'm very very down at the moment, I've never felt this way about my hearing loss ever, it just seems such a struggle to do the things I used to do.

Does anyone have any experience with these depressed states?

[seb]

I think you need to get back to the audiologist for some adjustments. It sounds like you've only had the new aids for a few weeks and obviously they need some fine tuning to get things right so you can start enjoying your life again. Call and make an appointment tomorrow so you can get the HA's straightened out. Good luck! It will get better!

[AMazieLN]

I agree with PP. I became depressed a couple of years ago when my hearing loss dipped, it happened at a time when I was already vulnerable to depression because of other things in life. I have been on meds and seeing a counselor ever since. It is a long road, usually, to get back to where you were, once you fall back. I am back to myself, and I would actually say I'm 150% better than I was before! I continue my meds and counseling, though, for fear of falling back. I believe my Dr. has said at 3 years he will talk about tapering me off of the meds.

Anyway, all that to say, look into getting some help. At the same time, go back to your Audi, you obviously need adjustments or new aids if you're hearing like you were with your old aids. Can you share your audiogram (or at least your averages) and what aids you're using? The people here are very knowledgeable and can probably help you a great deal, so that you're prepared when you go back to the Audi. Good luck!

[mikeyUK]

Thanks guys.
I don't have access to my audiogram at the moment, but I'm off into the hospital tomorrow to have one of my aids repaired so going to have a chat to the staff there and see what they say. I am using Phonak Naida V SP aids at the moment.

It's difficult to know where to begin with these things. Sometimes I feel very alone, even with my friends around me.

[hearthere]

yea it can be a lonely battle, people dont understand how frustrating it is when you cant hear, but all you can do is your best and preserver till you get it right

[Don]

Originally Posted by mikeyUK

Thanks guys.
I don't have access to my audiogram at the moment, but I'm off into the hospital tomorrow to have one of my aids repaired so going to have a chat to the staff there and see what they say. I am using Phonak Naida V SP aids at the moment.

It's difficult to know where to begin with these things. Sometimes I feel very alone, even with my friends around me.

It might help to make a list (be specific) of the things you hear well with the new aids, and the things or situations where you don't hear well. Sounds like speech in noise needs an adjustment, and maybe a separate program for speech in very loud noise.

It takes several adjustments to get everything dialed in just right, so keep talking to your professional.

The other thing would be to start to think through where these thoughts are coming from. Obviously there is more there than just getting a new set of hearing aids.

Originally Posted by mikeyUK

Thanks guys.
I don't have access to my audiogram at the moment, but I'm off into the hospital tomorrow to have one of my aids repaired so going to have a chat to the staff there and see what they say. I am using Phonak Naida V SP aids at the moment.

It's difficult to know where to begin with these things. Sometimes I feel very alone, even with my friends around me.

How did you get on?