Scottish Newbie

[Elizabeth-Jane Clarke]

Hiya, 
I'm Ejay and a newbie to the forum. I have been partially deaf in my left ear since the age of 15, due to cancer.   I now have Meniere's Disease too, diagnosed approx 4 years ago, and both my ears are the same now.  I have lost low frequency and some high frequency noises.  I also have severe, loud tinnitus ( has got louder and louder over past 30 years).  I hear 4 different tones constantly, including pulsatile,  and one ear is slightly behind the other so it is like an echo. 

I have hearing aids, but despite specific setting supposed to help, they tend to amplify background noises too much and not help with conversation.  I can hear better in one to one conversation, but if there is background noise or more than one conversation in a room at a time, forget it.  However, if someone opens a packet of crisps at the opposite end of a noisy room, it is as if they did it right next to my ear!  I use a nebuliser several times a day or my eustachian tube gets blocked and my breathing, swallowing etc., become so loud I cannot hear anything else.  Ear pressure means I often feel as though I am underwater, and have vertigo.

I am wanting to learn BSL as I may lose my hearing completely, but also because speech is becoming increasingly difficult too, due to dysphagia caused by nerve damage from radiotherapy. I cannot eat or drink and I struggle with some facial expressions because of trismus and damage to facial nerves,  e.g. I cannot puff my cheeks or push one cheek out  with tip of tongue.  I am sure there must be others such as those who have had strokes, who must face similar challenge with BSL,  and I would love to hear how you adapt.

I home educate my youngest daughter, who is 11, and interested in joining the caring profession , so she is also eager to learn. We hope to do as much as we can online and then try to attend evening classes to complete official certified courses.

[Tracey]

Hi

I’m in Glasgow and I’m new too. So just thought I’d say hi x