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Frequently Asked Questions Introduction
EARS
Marvellous things, ears. They help keep us upright, give a sense of direction, warn of
danger, allow more contact with our fellow human beings through speech and music, and
very useful as a diagnostic tool – ask any doctor or mechanic.
Look after them, because once the cells that enable us to hear are dead, they DO
NOT grow back.
How can we do this? By wearing ear defenders in noisy workplaces, by not having the
music up too high, by keeping the volume down on personal stereos, by not exposing
them to noise so loud they hurt after.
How is hearing loss caused? Hearing loss is caused in many ways. Some people are
born deaf; some lose their hearing through illness, accidents, noise, getting older (but
not always) and very occasionally medication.
In some people, hearing is very sensitive and the difficulty is hearing too much sound.
Some frequently asked questions:
I don’t hear as well as I did, what can I do about it?
Ask your GP for a referral to the Audiology department at the hospital for a hearing
test. You may be prescribed a hearing aid as a result of this test. The new aids are
digital. You will only get one if it is needed, and then it works very much better in the
ear - as opposed to in a box in a drawer!
If you are planning on going to the theatre, using an amplified telephone, watching TV
or attending a lip reading group in the future, ask about having the loop programme
added to your hearing aid.
Is there any help after an aid?
Yes. There are hearing aid aftercare clinics run by Hi Kent all over the county where
you can exchange batteries and get your NHS aid checked over and re-tubed. This
should be done every three to four months. Our volunteer will be happy to answer any
questions concerning your hearing aid and its use that you may have. Please bring your
battery book and any used batteries for recycling. Please be aware that you will get
one pack of six batteries per hearing aid.
If you have a private aid, please refer to your hearing aid dispenser.
Hearing Aid Aftercare Clinics are held in Age Concerns, sheltered housing complexes,
health centres, church and village halls across the county. Look at the website
www.hikent.org.uk or contact Hi Kent for details of clinics in your area.
I would like to help at a clinic. How do I become a volunteer?
Please contact any of the Hi Kent centres or email [email protected] for an
application form. Full training will be given and expenses paid for this very worthwhile
activity.
I use my aid, but I still find it difficult to hear conversation.
Try Lip-reading classes. THEY ARE FREE 
Everyone there (including the tutor) has the same difficulty so are not impatient if you
don’t hear the first time. The room is looped, so the sound is ‘fed’ into your ear via the
hearing aid T switch or loop programme. Lip-reading teaches how to look for external
clues such as body language, facial expressions as well as using your hearing. As you
develop your skills, self-confidence improves and helps to lessen the feeling of
isolation, which often happens with a hearing loss. Try to develop a sense of humour,
because sometimes you will get it wrong. The classes also provide a social activity
especially if you have just moved into the area and would like to meet people.
Look at our website www.hikent.org.uk or contact Deb Jones at Hi Kent’s Maidstone
Office 01622 691151 for details of the Lip-reading groups in your area.
I frequently miss callers at the door and on the phone. My family and neighbours
say my TV is far too loud. What can I do?
There are lots of products on the market to help, but the main problem for most people
is knowing where to find them. On assessment of need (not financial), Social Services
may also provide some equipment to help.
Contact Hi Kent to request an assessment via any of our centres Maidstone: 01622
691151, Canterbury 01227 760046 or Medway 01634 825043 or email to:
[email protected]
I am in my thirties with a young family and a BSL user. Will Hi Kent assess me?
Whilst Hi Kent can provide information and advice, they only assess those over sixtyfive on behalf of Social Services. Those under sixty-five and whose first language is
British Sign Language are seen by Deaf Services. They can be contacted in the
following ways:
Kent Contact and Assessment Service
Voice: 08458 247 100 Text: 08458 247 905
Email: [email protected]
Why do I want an assessment?
We will send you some information prior to your visit so you can think about any current
difficulties with your hearing loss and how we may be able to help.
During an assessment, one of our specialist staff will be able to discuss equipment and
services to help with a hearing loss. They will have information on doorbells, amplified
telephones, smoke alarms, pager systems, loops for the TV, vibrating clocks and much
more. Ask about being registered as deaf or hard of hearing.
Why would I want to be registered?
Some equipment is only available to buy. If you buy something to support your hearing
loss, it is generally VAT exempt. On production of your registration card, some leisure
centres, cinemas and rail operators will discount entry, tickets or fares. Contact your
local facility regarding their concessions.
The numbers on the hearing impaired register will also have an impact on funding for
services in the county.
Where do I go for an assessment?
Assessments are usually in your home. Sometimes it is easier to see you in one of our
centres where the equipment you want to try is set up and ready. Television aids,
various doorbells and telephones are available for demonstration in our equipment
rooms. Centre assessments ALWAYS need an appointment. The demonstration room
has many uses so it needs to be booked.
Who can refer someone for assessment?
Anyone can refer friends, family or neighbours for assessment. You do not have to go
through the doctor or hospital. GP’s, nurses, other agencies and carers can all refer.
The only condition is that the person you are referring MUST agree to having an
assessment.
For any other queries or information, please contact one of our centres where our
friendly staff will be pleased to help.
COMMUNICATION TIPS
Speaking to hearing aid user:
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Be in the same room. It is impossible to lip-read through walls and upstairs!
Attract their attention so they know you want to talk.
Have the light on your face so it can be ‘read’.
Face the person you are talking to. Don’t look down or turn away – they just lost the
thread of what you were saying.
Have your mouth clearly visible – don’t chew, smoke or eat whilst talking. Also
untrimmed beards and moustaches make it difficult.
Establish the subject. ‘Appointment. Have you made one yet?’
Speak one at a time. It is impossible to lip-read more than one person at the same
time.
Keep background noise to a minimum, turn down the radio, music or move to a
quieter place.
Keep sentences short.
Remember lip-reading is very tiring.
Hearing aid user listening:
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Position yourself with your back to the light so the speaker’s face is seen clearly.
Try and relax! The more anxious you get, the less you will hear.
Find out the subject at the outset.
Watch the lip pattern of the speaker. Everyone lip reads to a certain extent.
Watch facial expressions – they will tell you much about the subject and the
speaker’s mood.
Gestures – watch for nodding, pointing, direction of gaze etc;
Remember, lip-reading is tiring. It requires deep concentration.
For hearing impaired people Lip-reading is like having to read a badly printed,
badly expressed book in semi-darkness where letters are missing from words,
words are missing from sentences and the pages turn over of their own accord
before you have finished reading.
Next time you are asked, smile and repeat what you said.
UPDATED 2012 APW