Thursday 30 September 2021

Frustration

I am going down to Ripon next week to have my ears examined and to order new Hearing Aids which are not available on the N H S.  The ones I have (which are NHS are so frustrating because now that I am really shaky my hands will not stay still enough to change the batteries   So - all the plans are laid.

This morning the Hearing Clinic rang me and said they wanted me to put drops in my ears for the next week.   So, taking out my hearing aid I proceeded to do just that. Then I put cotton wool in my ears for an hour.   Then I decided to put my Hearing Aids back in - but I couldn't find them.   I searched and searched, I  went in every room, I  went over every surface,  I retraced my movements over and over again, but to no avail. w ith a sense of panic I made myself calm down and sat down in an armchair for a think.

Towards the end of the news on television there was an item about a naughty little boy and a teacher who had developed a way of making the little boy confront his behaviour and then go and apologise to the child he had hit.   This brought tears to my eyes (yes, I know he was probably a little scamp who drove every teacher mad) and I felt in my cardi pocket for my hanky.  There was the hearing aid! At least I didn't put my cardi in the washing machine before I found it..

I am rather pleased with myself today.   My carer is on holiday this week and I have a lovely replacement (we have met before - I had two carers when I first came home and she was the other one) .   Because my usual carer is not here I am getting my own lunches and I am rather pleased with todays.   I had a panini filled with smoky fried bacon, cranberry sauce and toasted with slices of brie on top.   I have eaten it in cafes lots of times but thought I would try it myself.   Not bad for a first attempt - it needs perfecting so that everything is ready at precisely the same minute but the taste was delicious.

The sky is looking very black and it is very windy.  I think Priscilla and I might stay in today.   I feel better for a walk every day but Priscilla can be so contrary in the wind.   See you tomorrow

29 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

Are you any more likely to be able to change the battery in a privately provided hearing aid than an NHS one?

Derek Faulkner said...

The hearing aids that my partner has recently bought cost her £2,800 and have some kind of bluetooth link with her mobile phone, but they are apparently very good. I misplaced my reading glasses indoors this week but no end of hunting the house has yet found them.
A lot colder today.

Rachel Phillips said...

Ask St Anthony for help and you will soon find your lost reading glasses Derek.

Derek Faulkner said...

That was a good point Rachel but he had no more luck than I did, luckily I can still read without them, they just make things more clearer.

the veg artist said...

I have just spent 2 hours looking for a dip pen and nibs, if that makes you feel any better!

Bovey Belle said...

My daughter made herself a similar (cheese and onion though I think) panini for lunch. I bet yours hit the spot!

My sympathies over your hearing aids. My mum was profoundly deaf and had no hearing in one ear and very little in the other. If her hearing aid broke she was lost. When she was in hospital, they mislaid it, and of course, couldn't make her understand anything they were saying. It is SUCH a handicap. I hope your new hearing aid will be easier to cope with - the batteries are so fiddly.

Oh and Derek Faulkner- you know if you buy yourself another pair of reading specs (just those cheap ones from a Pharmacy) your other ones will turn up straight away!

The Feminine Energy said...

I wish my sky was black today and it was windy. I'm getting tired of the daily sunshine, believe it or not. Very boring to have the same weather day after day. I'm glad you found your hearing aid. Sounds like something I'd do, most definitely! ~Andrea xoxoxo

Derek Faulkner said...

Well, Bovey Belle, it could end up being the final solution and much better than wandering round the house shouting out "St. Anthony, where's my bloody glasses"

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

I looked after three young men who wore hearing aids during my time in care work, I don't want to think about how many hours I spent looking for lost hearing aids. Even more frustrating were the people who would put the aids in when the batteries were flat.
I'm having a good day today; I haven't misplaced anything - yet.

CharlotteP said...

It's good that you are able to get to the clinic. My Mom needs new hearing aids, but can't get out. I rang Specsavers (the place her doctor sends people to), and they said they needed a referral from the doctor to do a home visit. The doctor duly came and referred her. then we got a phone call from Specsavers to say that they couldn't do home visits. Grrr!

Helen said...

My son wears hearing aids and also has fine motor control issues making it next to impossible to remove and replace tiny batteries ... his are placed in a charger each night which makes life much more enjoyable for him. Take good care.

Sue in Suffolk said...

Your pannini sounds delicious
So far today I've not lost anything! although there is still time

The Weaver of Grass said...

Rachell I will let you know about replacing batteries when I get the new aids. But tha tis not the on ly reasoon I am not happy with my aids.

John Going Gently said...

Well done with the panini
It’s nice to eat something different
I’m making sushi for the first time tomorrow

Kathy said...

I was going to suggest to you the other day about digital hearing aids, I do hope you are suitable for them as I wouldn't be without mine now, just plug them in at night in their docking station where they charge up overnight, I am sure you won't be disappointed.

We all lose things apparently it's healthy to do so, or so I am told. Very frustrating though.

Take care, love reading your blog each day. Thank you

Heather said...

Your panini filling is my favourite - absolutely delicious. So glad you found your hearing aid and I hope the new one will be more convenient for you. Good luck with the ear drops. When ever I have to use them, or eye drops, quite a lot seems to find it's way down my neck!
Colder here today with wind and rain, and more to come according to the forecast.

The bike shed said...

Oh, how long is it since I went to Ripon? Must be more than ten years. But as my son has moved to Leeds perhaps I shall be there before long.

Debby said...

Oh, how lucky it is that you are a sentimental sort...or you WOULDN'T have found that hearing aid!~

Debby said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Rachel and Weaver - digital hearing aids don't need batteries replacing regularly as the NHS ones do, you simply place the digital ones in their docking station overnight to charge up.

Anonymous said...

Continuing on from Bovey Belle's comment, hospitals must have quite a history of lost hearing aids. An elderly friend had hers on her bed tray, along with discarded containers, lolly wrappers and the morning paper, all briskly gathered up by the cleaning person, and discarded. She was sure it was under the paper, and was quite expensive to replace. I am just pleased the charity shop didn't vacuum my mother's hearing aid up, after she forgot about it on the change room floor and couldn't contact them til the morning.-Pam.

Joanne Noragon said...

Something is wrong with my left hearing aid. I'm getting on well with just one.

Janie Junebug said...

My friend's hearing aids are rechargeable. All he has to do is put them on the charger. I hope you find hearing aids that work well for you.

Love,
Janie

Terra said...

I am going to try your idea of bacon, cranberry and melted brie with panini, sounds scrumptious. I have hearing aids too, and you are right, it takes a steady hand to change the little batteries.

Librarian said...

Mmmh, I love bacon and brie sandwiches! Maybe I will make myself one some time next week when I am home again after my two-week break.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you everyone - you always brighten my days

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

I taught a little fellow who had hearing aids this past year and he was good at letting me know when his batteries were dying. It was so fiddly trying to replace those tiny batteries, that I ended up having him do it and he was so quick at it! So, I can imagine it's even more frustrating for you. I hope you are able to get a new hearing aid that will be even better! -Jenn

Tom Stephenson said...

That reminds me of an Andy Capp cartoon from years ago. He is about to fill in his Pools coupon and asks his wife, "Where's my pencil?" She says it is behind his ear and he says, "Stop messing about, woman. Which ear?"

thelma said...

Well all turned out well with finding the hearing aid and you had a delicious lunch. 'Sense of panic' it never seems to go away but it keeps us on our toes.