"I wish I could wear... by Imogene

Hearing Aids”.

My instant response was “No, you really don’t!”

I mean let’s just take a look at it again “I wish I could wear Hearing Aids”. It seems such a silly comment for my 3 year old son to come out with. How did he even come to think of that? 

I know kids ‘say things’ mainly to get a reaction.. Well it certainly made me stop for a second.

There stood my rather mischievous boy, twirling the plastic on the battery pack (that he rather naughtily stole from my handbag), and looking at me like this was the most natural statement to make.

Of course it isn’t.

No one wants to be Deaf. No one asks to be Deaf, we just are and we somehow just deal with it. We don’t want to draw attention to it.

It’s our life and we put our Hearing Aids in because we need to. It's our habit. 

I sometimes very reluctantly want to put them in as I know as soon as I do; I have to get on with the day. Be an Adult and Mum. (Because sometimes it really makes it easier to pretend you’re still asleep when your little one shouts down your ear with none in!)

I had a memory of when Freddie wore some of my lipstick and he applied it pretty impressively; I remember thinking “Why would you think of doing that, you odd sod!” and once I uploaded the photo to Instagram many people gushed over how cute he looked. One of my friends went “aww, that’s so cute! He wants to be just like Mummy! He’s clearly picked up on your tips of applying!” and it instantly made me feel like I was so narrow minded. That I couldn’t see beyond the fact that, I am who he looks up to. He learns from me. He doesn’t see things as Male or Female; just quite simply, an activity that Mummy does. I want to try too!

It made me feel sad, it made me realise that I obviously hadn’t seen that in him. I didn’t notice that he watched me apply my lipstick and found it intriguing.I didn't notice them little eyes open wide with curiosity.

I noticed that he loves me putting moisturiser on his face – why didn’t the two click?

I felt bad for snapping (not out loud, but in my head) and being so negative towards his little declaration. I took a step back with that memory and tried it a different way.

“Why would you want to wear Hearing Aids, though Freddie?”

“Because then I can have my own batteries to put in them”

Welcome to this lad I call my son.

Playing Mum with No Working Hearing Aids.. by Imogene

Hi there again!

I am a Mum to two beautiful young boys (3 & 13 weeks) and they are the centre of my world. Everyday, I am doing things with them, listening to their cries, chants and giggles. They're honestly the most beautiful sounds I hear and I thoroughly appreciate being able to hear them. But what happens on the one day you can't?

Let me explain.
Wednesday last week, I woke as usual to the vibration of Freddie thumping around the bedroom and his (very) high pitched squeal as my hubby is tickling him. It's a normal morning. I sit up and put my hearing aids in and try and hush my lads as my littlest is fast asleep, and well, it's too early to hear such loud noises.
I get up, get dressed and go fetch some breakfast as Noah is still fast asleep. I do love the hectic mornings in this house. It's constantly filled with Freddie shouting he wants more milk with his cereal, or how hubby will be late home that afternoon, or that Noah will want a bottle at 20 past the hour. It's all so normal and it's the thing I wake up to and adore. I like the sound of babbling voices and things lumping around. It's my family.

I however dislike when my hearing aids run out. The tapping really irritates me, and always seem to start at the most inconvenient time! But like everything you tend to do as a parent you just put it to one side and get round to it when you can. My life is busy as a Mum, I'm constantly on the go of feeding and changing, as well as talking and playing. So on the day when one of your hearing aids decides it's finished it's battery life, you think "yeah, OK, I'll change you once I've finish *insert job here*" and this is exactly what I did.
Until my other one decided to start going off too.
Safe to say I rely on my hearing aids A LOT when I'm at home.

Freddie is very much one of them Toddlers that when they want something, they'll want to drag you or keep hanging around the item they want; for example Freddie keeps opening and shutting the pantry door when he wants something to eat. It's probably partly because he's around me most of the time, so knows that will get my attention. Of course he doesn't always do that, he does often shove his face in mine and go "Can I have a biscuit?" "Mummmmmmmmmmmy, I'm huuungry!" or "What time is it? Is it time for Dinner?!"

So on this day my hearing aids were tapping away, driving me up the wall. I had to stop doing everything and find some batteries.
I have many spots around the house and in bags where my battery packs seem to accumulate. In a basket above the microwave, in my handbag, in Noah's changing bag and beside my bedside. I went to all of my usual spots and there were either packets of all used batteries (why these were still here I've no idea!) or there was nothing to find.

Oh Sh*t!

I was a Mum in a house alone with two young, demanding kids and I was completely deaf.
You could imagine how quiet it felt. It felt really odd seeing and looking after my kids but with absolutely no hearing. I managed the best I could and things were OK, I just had to watch everything 10x more than I ever had before. Every move and action had to be accounted for.
A natural thing as a parent is to keep an eye out and look after your child, but there was something about them hours that made me feel like I was doing a terrible job. I know I wasn't really, but it did make me realise that sometimes I rely on my Aids more than I think.

I contacted my mum by text and she tried ringing me, but texting that I can't hear and well, it was a massive miscommunication but finally got to explain that I don't have any batteries!
 As a family we don't have any transport so I couldn't drive to the Hospital, I didn't have any cash on me to get the bus to the Hospital, or a shop to buy any, Chris was at work until 5, which means the shops would be close by the time he finished his shift (not to mention it was 10am in the morning).. It was basically the most annoying situation ever.

My Nan came to my rescue and brought some in Boots for me and brought them to me (Got to love Grandparents who'll do anything for you!). I was saved and all systems were go..
I will never let myself get in that situation ever again. It was hugely frustrating.
It showed me what I am capable of as a Mum, exactly how much I appreciate having Hearing Aids in my life and that I love the sounds my family make. If I didn't have them, I don't know what I'd do!

Immy: Hearing Aids - Part 2

So I went to the Hospital on Tuesday for my eyes (boo, but yay also as there was nothing wrong!). And, whilst I was there I thought I may as well get some batteries and tubes, since I was hanging around waiting for my lift. I went to the front desk - as we previously know not to go to Audiology anymore for these things! AND I took my red book, just to dodge any volunteers who refuse to give me any batteries, just because of a booklet.
Thank heavens I had my sister with me (as I couldn't see due to eye drops) who could see the batteries the lady gave me, and notice that they were the right ones. I took the ones in my handbag to my sister so that she could check and the lady looked confused, so I explained they were the ones that I purchased (the ones from boots - in the other passage) and she was surprised and asked where you get them and how much. I told her that they were £3.59 and she actually gasped and covered her mouth, which seemed a little dramatic    but she said that she never expected them to be so much. (but, really, a normal packet of AA batteries are just as much, if not more!) I gave her an overview of the story about how I wasn't able to get them and she said that you can get batteries from Audiology at anytime, despite the volunteers desk being closed!
I was never told that you could, but I suppose the only reason I really knew of that was because there was a nice woman who spent the time to take an interest in what I was asking. Also, she gave me 4 packets of batteries! (despite the lady next to her telling her that she should only give out two - but she completely disregarded it (YES!))
I also went to Audiology to get some tubes (as they don't have these at volunteer desk! good idea they had there, cos I then had to go to Audiology anyway!) and found out that the service at the local doctors is back, but only for 1 day a month, and only for 2 hours - still that can be a massive inconvenience but, at least there is a actual chance to receive some batteries!
So I am fairly pleased that my services have resumed - but again, I had to go digging! But, at least I know now.

Immy - *Rant* over Hearing Aid Batteries!

I'm sorry, most of you probably don't want to read a post full of moaning. However it's something as a Deaf person, I have to say as it's been getting under my skin!
My local Hospital is a good 6 miles away from my house and I have no transport, so I have to either rely on my parents giving me a lift or getting the bus at £4.10 a return - either way, it's a massive pain to get there. They did have a service where they had people from Audiology come round the villages for things like batteries, clean tubes and anything else you wanted to ask them about. But, last month they got rid of that service (yes, it was only 2 days a month and at the most awkward time, but you always made it so you could go) - due to the funding at the local Doctors. Now, I understand in a way why they may have dispose of that facility as there is probably very few people in the Norfolk villages that are Deaf or wear hearing aids, so if they needed to cut funding on something it may be that. Simply because they think 'well there is a Hospital you can go to' - but they just don't think about us small people who find that difficult!
But saying all that, going to the Hospital isn't that straight forward either as the last time I went up there they altered everything about how you can pick them up, where you can pick them up and well, I was annoyed I hadn't been told. Especially when you have a new system to pick them up! They've got it now so that you have to use a red booklet to collect anything from Audiology - only it's not at Audiology anymore it's at the front desk, where they've plonked volunteers at the desk who don't know nothing about what they're doing. I don't just say that out of being annoyed, they honestly don't know what they're doing.. I asked them (before I had the red booklet, or understood there was a red booklet (and wondering why I was never informed I needed a red booklet)) if I could have some orange batteries and was told "well, are you Deaf? Do you need them?" I tell them yes, as I am Deaf with two hearing aids.. but they looked at me disbelieving so I had to lift my hair up to reveal my aids (it was like I had to prove myself!), then I get asked "Do you have your red book?" I say I don't have a red book nor do I know of a red book needed.. and they point blank refused to give me any batteries. Now, I stood there thinking 'well would I honestly be standing here, asking for batteries, with hearing aids in.. if I didn't actually need them?' Now, would I? Why would I waste my time doing that? Why would anyone?
Anyhow, I got a red book eventually.. and I get A packet of batteries - 1 packet, of 6.. now, why? It'll only mean i'll have to go back in a months time, at my inconvenience (but, I need them to pretty much survive - so..) . I just don't understand why they have to make everything that much more difficult.

The reason that inspired me to do this piece was that on Saturday I had to go buy some batteries as they both went out at the same time. The Hospital 'couldn't cater to this facility' as it was the weekend.. so I had to result in going in Boots and getting some for £3.59 a pack! It seems a lot of money when you can normally have them for nothing.
but I suppose it's NFN. (Normal For Norfolk) - Eleanor Inspired!!

Can you relate to this? Have your Hospital got a new system on the receiving of hearing aid batteries? Do you need a red book? Or feel you have to prove you're Deaf to anyone? We'd love to hear your stories too!! :)