JohnfromUK Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 I have some hearing loss - although I have been good about wearing protection. Several relatives, none of whom were shooters also had hearing loss so I suspect genetics play a bit part. I have also suffered from several ear infections throughout my life which may not have helped. I am OK under most circumstances, but a noisy room (such as a party) makes hearing near impossible. I think in future I am going to have to avoid busy parties because this past Christmas I attended a very noisy party in a low ceilinged room - and was accused afterwards by family (and not in jest) that I was being offhand, inattentive and antisocial! Truth is I couldn't hear a word, and myself and two other shooters, plus one other elderly neighbour gathered in a corner and 'observed' - as none of us could carry on a conversation. The resultant increase in my tinnitus lasts several hours afterwards. Many people don't realise how these situations can prevent hearing any conversation - because they have never suffered from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobba Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 11 hours ago, Scully said: OH reckons my hearing is growing worse, but after going to the doc's for ever so slight dizzy spells it turns out I've had a virus which has led to Labyrinthitis. I never shoot without hearing protection, but I'm not convinced I've got the best protection. I have several mates who wear no hearing protection at all when shooting. Scully. An observation if I may. Some years back my GP diagnosed me with Labrynthitis. This was worrying for a number of reasons, not least of which was my scuba diving. In a boatyard I bumped in to a guy who turned out to be an ENT Consultant. As a chancer I mentioned my difficulty. He was cautious in his response but suggested from what I described that, with my GP, I look at "Benign Positional Vertigo" as more of a possibility. Apparently some similar symptoms can lead to confusion. There are BMI articles and self help exercises. I followed that advice and in my case it was indeed BPV. I have had no related issues since then. On a personal note as to hearing loss (I'm 75). As a result of 5 yrs in rock bands in the 60's (lead guitar 2 X 30 watt vox's and stood next to 4 speaker column 100 watt PA) and at that time an old sxs without ear defenders it is said that I am now profoundly deaf over certain sound ranges. Both ears have aids. All on the NHS. Free battery supplies an annual checkup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 48 minutes ago, JohnfromUK said: I have some hearing loss - although I have been good about wearing protection. Several relatives, none of whom were shooters also had hearing loss so I suspect genetics play a bit part. I have also suffered from several ear infections throughout my life which may not have helped. I am OK under most circumstances, but a noisy room (such as a party) makes hearing near impossible. I think in future I am going to have to avoid busy parties because this past Christmas I attended a very noisy party in a low ceilinged room - and was accused afterwards by family (and not in jest) that I was being offhand, inattentive and antisocial! Truth is I couldn't hear a word, and myself and two other shooters, plus one other elderly neighbour gathered in a corner and 'observed' - as none of us could carry on a conversation. The resultant increase in my tinnitus lasts several hours afterwards. Many people don't realise how these situations can prevent hearing any conversation - because they have never suffered from it. I can’t fathom why but I find I can make out conversation better in such situations with earplugs in and keep a pair in my wallet for those situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 hello, NHS hearing aids are FREE , and free batteries every 3 months, or your NHS surgery will give you 1 per week, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibble Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, Old Boggy said: It is usually the opposite ear to the shoulder that you shoot off that suffers most loss as that is less protected from muzzle blast. OB Mine is in my right ear and I'm right handed a RAF doctor told me it's because it's nearer the breach and not shielded by your skull, however apparently the skull conducts damaging sound. Mine was made worse by SA80 5.56mm rifles as the breach is really near your ear and we were only issued yellow ear plugs which fall out the first time you dive too the ground. A few years ago I was on a boat in Germany with my Boss, younger colleagues kept offering us seats which we refused on the grounds we both needed to keep our knackered knees moving. We agreed growing old wasn't fun but wouldn't swap perfect health for the times waking up covered in snow, frozen Boxing day shoots on the Moors, Section in Defence ranges as dawn comes up over Northumberland or belting across Norfolk on a motorbike so fast a F15 flys down next to you for a look. I do however wear proper protection now and make my son wear massive ear defenders. Edited January 21, 2019 by Dibble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 19 minutes ago, Wb123 said: I can’t fathom why but I find I can make out conversation better in such situations with earplugs in I have not tried that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibble Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 2 hours ago, JohnfromUK said: I have some hearing loss - although I have been good about wearing protection. Several relatives, none of whom were shooters also had hearing loss so I suspect genetics play a bit part. I have also suffered from several ear infections throughout my life which may not have helped. I am OK under most circumstances, but a noisy room (such as a party) makes hearing near impossible. I think in future I am going to have to avoid busy parties because this past Christmas I attended a very noisy party in a low ceilinged room - and was accused afterwards by family (and not in jest) that I was being offhand, inattentive and antisocial! Truth is I couldn't hear a word, and myself and two other shooters, plus one other elderly neighbour gathered in a corner and 'observed' - as none of us could carry on a conversation. The resultant increase in my tinnitus lasts several hours afterwards. Many people don't realise how these situations can prevent hearing any conversation - because they have never suffered from it. My Father and I both have this he has been told it's called "Cocktail Party Deafness" I started to notice it 20 years ago when pubs ripped out carpets and soft seats, they must have adsorbed some background noise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 (edited) I have always worn ear defenders as I used to work in very noisy machinery rooms, however my hearing has declined possibly due to a burst eardrum during the Falklands and also due to not being able to wear hearing protection when I was using pumps etc in the FS. Its not much at the moment, but I prefer to have the TV a notch or two higher than my wife does. I also don`t like diving down in water more than a couple of metres as I can feel the pressure building up and find it hard to equalise the pressure, sometimes it is the same with flights. I wouldn`t like to lose much more, as it would take the joy out of a lot of simple things. Edited January 21, 2019 by henry d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 3 hours ago, Bobba said: Scully. An observation if I may. Some years back my GP diagnosed me with Labrynthitis. This was worrying for a number of reasons, not least of which was my scuba diving. In a boatyard I bumped in to a guy who turned out to be an ENT Consultant. As a chancer I mentioned my difficulty. He was cautious in his response but suggested from what I described that, with my GP, I look at "Benign Positional Vertigo" as more of a possibility. Apparently some similar symptoms can lead to confusion. There are BMI articles and self help exercises. I followed that advice and in my case it was indeed BPV. I have had no related issues since then. On a personal note as to hearing loss (I'm 75). As a result of 5 yrs in rock bands in the 60's (lead guitar 2 X 30 watt vox's and stood next to 4 speaker column 100 watt PA) and at that time an old sxs without ear defenders it is said that I am now profoundly deaf over certain sound ranges. Both ears have aids. All on the NHS. Free battery supplies an annual checkup. Thanks for that Bobba. She did carry out quite a lengthy examination, and told me to come back if it didn’t clear in a week, which it hasn’t, so will mention this when I go back. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol p Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 (edited) I'm slowly getting that way. Last Christmas was my chronic tinnitus' 10th birthday. I've got used to it now, its been a hideous and upsetting companion. Some days its been like a mouse squeaking next door and others, like today, it's like I'm standing next to a chinook that's about to lift off. Either way my hearing is dropping off. But I am greatful its my ears and not my eyes that are failing me. Edited January 21, 2019 by Pistol p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 22 hours ago, team tractor said: My dads 67 and just been told he could do with hearing aids. £3000 😮 . oh and after paying in since 15 with not a single stage of unemployment in all this time , the nhs can’t help I have hearing loss, mostly caused by Tinnitus. I've recently been examined at my local NHS hospital and have been measured up for a hearing aid. I'm 61 and have paid my NI contributios since I was 16. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 1 hour ago, steve_b_wales said: I have hearing loss, mostly caused by Tinnitus. I've recently been examined at my local NHS hospital and have been measured up for a hearing aid. I'm 61 and have paid my NI contributios since I was 16. I’m going to force him to the doctors again I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 9 hours ago, Dibble said: My Father and I both have this he has been told it's called "Cocktail Party Deafness" I started to notice it 20 years ago when pubs ripped out carpets and soft seats, they must have adsorbed some background noise The modern trend for houses and pubs etc to have `hard` surfaces, particularly rooms without soft furnishes (carpets and curtains) definitely exacerbates the ability to hear conversations clearly, particularly when there is background noise. Like JohnfromUK said above, conversation at parties is an absolute no-no if one has such hearing loss. Hearing aids of course help in one to one situations with no background noise but even with a `background cut out` programme on the aids, conversation is nigh on impossible in a crowded pub or party atmosphere. I notice it particularly in my two daughter`s kitchens with solid floors etc. that the sound echoes badly and distorts my hearing. I`m also accused of being an unsociable old s-o-d and not joining in on the conversations. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 17 minutes ago, Old Boggy said: I`m also accused of being an unsociable old s-o-d and not joining in on the conversations. Looking on the bright side - this can have advantages! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 I was most impressed by a demonstration bone conduction system a rep fitted to me once. The demo kit fitted like a pair of glasses and the sound was clear as a whistle, and would Bluetooth to ones telephone etc also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 2 hours ago, team tractor said: I’m going to force him to the doctors again I think The doctor should arrange a test for him at the hospital. My test was excellent and I was shown a graph of certain high pitch noises that I cannot hear. Also a few lower ones too. My Tinnitus in my opinion is worse than a few years ago. At first, I could only hear the high pitched whine I my ears if I was in a quite room etc. Now, I hear it all the time. I've learned to live with it for the past 35+ years. At the hospital, I was advised against paying for expensive hearing aids, as they do not do anything better than the NHS ones. The only difference is that they are smaller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebarrels Posted January 22, 2019 Report Share Posted January 22, 2019 Went for an audio last week,got to be retested in 14 days,slight variation in left ear.Always had H1 results but now they feed the readings into the system and any variation throws out a retest,so hopefully the next test is H1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krugerandsmith Posted January 22, 2019 Report Share Posted January 22, 2019 On 20/01/2019 at 20:24, Harnser said: Something wrong there . Your dad will be entitled to lemonades on the nhs . harnser Of course he is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted January 22, 2019 Report Share Posted January 22, 2019 14 hours ago, JohnfromUK said: Looking on the bright side - this can have advantages! I agree, selective hearing can be a wonderful thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retsdon Posted January 22, 2019 Report Share Posted January 22, 2019 Hearing loss can start quite early. Back in my early 20s I was taken aback to discover that I had measurable hearing loss on my left side, apparently on account of shooting without ear protection. I wasn't aware of it at all, and only found out when I had a medical for a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxo Posted January 23, 2019 Report Share Posted January 23, 2019 When I was a youngster in secondary school a history teacher came from behind and clapped both hands over both ears because I was talking. I felt "ping" and everything went quiet. Years later a doc said I had the biggest perforated eardrums he'd ever seen. If only I'd known then what I know now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted January 23, 2019 Report Share Posted January 23, 2019 10 minutes ago, toxo said: When I was a youngster in secondary school a history teacher came from behind and clapped both hands over both ears because I was talking. I felt "ping" and everything went quiet. Years later a doc said I had the biggest perforated eardrums he'd ever seen. If only I'd known then what I know now. hello, that also happened to a school friend i knew , teacher slapped his ear so hard he eventually lost all hearing, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxo Posted January 23, 2019 Report Share Posted January 23, 2019 Strange thing is.. in a quiet room I can hear a pin drop but if there's any background noise at all and there usually is, I can't hear someone standing next to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSpredder Posted January 23, 2019 Report Share Posted January 23, 2019 As a teenager I shot with .303 and 12 bore, at a time when nobody seemed to use any ear protection at all. Over the next 25 years I did virtually no shooting, but spent a lot of time spent around noisy machinery. I don’t know whether it was the early shooting or the later workplace noise that caused my hearing to deteriorate. Nowadays I have no difficulty at all when one person is speaking clearly, at a constant volume level. I can watch films from the 1960s and hear every word , but most modern film and TV seems to drown out the dialogue with background sound effects, while the actors mumble nearly all of the time. (Michael Portillo’s railway journey programmes on TV are a notable exception). Oddly enough, when outdoors I am better than many other folk at pinpointing the direction from which a sound is coming. Why should that be, I wonder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted January 23, 2019 Report Share Posted January 23, 2019 On 21/01/2019 at 19:59, team tractor said: I’m going to force him to the doctors again I think Tell him to ask his Doctor for an appointment at your local Hospital ENT department. They should arrange for him to have a hearing test. Following that, if he needs hearing aids, they will take ear moulds. He should get them fitted after a couple of weeks. Batteries are free, you just need to collect them. I have found our local audiology department to be great, with just one possible observation, the staff are NOT deaf ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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