As you may already know, I suffer from bouts of depression which quite frankly I believe all D/deaf people do to some varying degree.
The other day I was feeling low and it was suggested that I listen to music. Music? Hold on, how is that accessible to all D/deaf people? It got me wondering how D/deaf people deal with depression and their access to music.
Do D/deaf people read the song lyrics online? Do they watch a song lyrics video on YouTube? Or watch a sign-song performance of the song of their choice if lucky to have been produced?
I also struggle to listen to music at night and I currently use basic earphones which cost me about £20. I hear differently with them in. I can’t use headphones over my hearing aids as it creates feedback and presses my hearing aids into my skull.
I saw that custom made earphones can be purchased where an ear mould impression is made of the users’ ears. It looks like a solution for me as basic earphones slip out and it means I can’t hear the music clearly. I would like to purchase or even try the custom made earphones before committing to buy.
They are around the £200 mark…
I have tried the silhouette hooks before where you change channels on your hearing aids to the ‘T’ position but they broke easily and lost reception if you even so much as breathed or sneezed.
Would anyone care to research suitable earphones with me? I surely can’t be the only deaf person who enjoys listening to music.
I’m sure once a suitable gadget is found or created that depression for deaf people would reduce. It’s not a luxury item, suitable earphones for deaf people, it’s a necessary health issue. It can help save a deaf person like me suffering mental health issues when their access to music isn’t met.
Please leave a comment below if you’re willing to discuss this further.
Lianne Herbert is a deaf professional writer. Lianne is also on a Copywriting course to enhance her freelance prospects. She is currently involved with the West Yorkshire Playhouse on a Playwright course.
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Anne
March 16, 2017
I know what you mean about ear-hooks. I use then to listen to music when I’m walking to/from work & running. They don’t keep still in which is an annoyance as the music drifts in an out. Also, its really hurts when you accidentally tug the wires. I’m considering ordering an Oticon Streamer Pro to use instead but it costs about £150. There is a special phone app for it too. Maybe the company which makes your ‘aids has something similar you could buy.
Kate2987
March 16, 2017
Have you tried audio input cables? Plug into iPhone/pod then straight into hearing aids (with attachments) available from Connevans.
Alternatively Bose ear plugs seem to be the best for me.
Lianne Herbert
March 16, 2017
I have tried them before with old hearing aids of mine when I was at university and had a FM radio device. I was wondering if there’s something cheaper to buy that I could replace if it broke.
ukhistorygeek
March 16, 2017
Hi Lianne, I gave up on the ear hooks too, years ago. They sound like a good idea initially esp if you want it to look as though you’re wearing earphones like a hearing person but, in reality, as you’ve found, they’re a fiddle and a pain!! I switched to this – https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop/iloop-product-l423.aspx – you don’t say how deaf you are, I’m profoundly deaf and love music, and it’s an earlier version of this product that I use. Like the hooks, this works with the t-switch, and unless someone comes close enough to hear your music through your aids (and it does have to be close, intimately type close!) no one can tell you’re actually listening to music. That can be quite useful!
Lianne Herbert
March 16, 2017
Hi there,
I’m severe to profound with my deafness. I will look into the product you have recommended. I currently don’t have the T position programmed on my hearing aids though! Got a ‘music’ channel instead.
Sara
March 16, 2017
Hi there. It depends on your aids but I would be happy to help research this
Lianne Herbert
March 16, 2017
Hi Sara,
I wear Phonak Nathos S+ SP W at the moment. Would you still be able to help?
Natalie
March 16, 2017
I’m severe to profoundly deaf and love my music. Before when I was hearing I played a lot of instruments and listened to music constantly and figured after deafness music and I were no longer friends.
Thankfully it wasn’t to be. I found a loop system that’s really good for transmitting without the crackles (it’s a bluetooth one from action on hearing loss for £50). It really does help! I can walk around, dance, watch (subtitled) films on the train and I still get excellent reception. I can’t recommend it enough for listening to music on the go.
After explaining what music meant to me to a kind audiologist he spent nearly an hour tuning a music programme for me. Normal day to day it drives me nuts because it picks up everything, but for listening to music indoors it’s perfect. I can even vaguely sing in tune with it. Not as good as before, but enough to enjoy singing without the neighbours calling the RSPCA!
The programme also really helps with the viola. I don’t get anything from halfway up the D string (about ten notes) but it’s enough that I can play and figure the rest out by feel.
Music doesn’t need to end when your hearing does 🙂
Anna
March 16, 2017
Hi, I’m sure it’d be worth asking your audiologist about streamers, as mentioned above. They might have tester models that you can try out and see if it’ll be a good fit for you – I learnt about them that way, through a routine check up. Access to Work will fund it and audiology can link it to your hearing aids and phone, so they can set it to your hearing levels. They’re amazing gadgets!
Sara
March 16, 2017
Same as me! Happy to help as it would help me too!
Deirdre
March 16, 2017
I have hooks and I loathe using it as it doesn’t fit behind my ears as wearing hearing aids and glasses doesn’t help! And using it in the public just make the sound go all crackly (due to electronic signals such as wifi etc) and it leak out so other people can hear my terrible taste in music.
I have been advised to get a bluetooth loop from Action on hearing loss but they are £££ and is a necklace loop which is rather awkward.
I dearly would like bluetooth hearing aids that i can pair with the iPod/iphone- seem the NHS isn’t providing these yet some cochlear implant wearers have bluetooth processors.
My general opinion is that hearing aids aren’t really being updated for the 21st century technology and are being churned out without the Deaf person in mind in terms of quality of life.
Shirley Stott despoja
March 16, 2017
My FM hearing system for radio, tv, phone etc changed my life. I walk around the house hearing my music through small caps on my hearing aids. Please ask an audiologist about it. It has been replaced on the market by Bluetooth which doesn’t hVe the range, alas. You can also hear music via iPad and iPhones and blue tooth. Don’t give up. There are many ways…
Caroline
March 16, 2017
I have the Oticon streamer, which I use mostly when out and about as the sound quality isn’t top notch. At home, I use Geemarc CL7400 BT headphones. I wear them without my hearing aids on as they go very loud. I am severe/profound deaf.
James Holt
March 16, 2017
Thanks for sharing your story Lianne 🙂
I’m a deaf (from birth) musician so it was interesting to read how other deaf people listen to music.
I recently made this video for one of my songs with the lyrics on-screen for deaf friends/listeners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqZZT-vMx1g
Toby
March 16, 2017
I haven’t read the other comments, but one very convenient way to listen to music is gear like the iCom, which Phonak don’t make any more. The device plugs into your iPod and then streams the audio direct to your hearing aides.
John Connors
March 18, 2017
I want with the headphones over aids solution. I got a pair of headphones with enormous amount of room inside. I’d use the induction coil rather than the microphone as it could pick up directly from the speaker current. They weren’t cheap though 😐
Maresia
March 22, 2017
Hmmm very interesting topic as it looks like I will have to ask my audiologist about it which has been booked next week. Thank you Lianne for brought this up about it! I’m severe-profoundly deaf too! 🙂 hopefully one day I will be satisfied to able to enjoy while listening to music without any fiddling with earphones(!)