Back in a previous post I talked about all the problems I had trying to upgrade to a digital aid. The problems have finally mostly been sorted out and I have now been wearing my digital aid full time now that I don't need to swap back to the analog aid to be able to connect to my laptop or mp3 player. To be honest I don't think there is that much of a difference between them although the digital aid might be slightly better. That said there are still a few problems, firstly for whatever reason the middle setting on the audio receiver no longer works properly, instead of just letting me hear my mp3 player or laptop or whatever only I'm getting all the normal background noise as well. Its exactly the same as the third setting which is just slightly louder. Secondly whilst not having to take the shoe on and off to change the battery is great, the receiver doesn't seem to stay on completely tight so I have to push it back in and I'm worried about it possibly falling off. Thirdly I'm not sure if the second audiologist who sorted out the attachment turned off the mute program even though my mum told her not to or whether that was turned off before but I now cannot mute the hearing aid. This is a bit of a problem as there is no on/off switch (to turn it off you have to open the battery compartment) and the volume is controlled by buttons so you have to remember how many times you turned it down or up to get back to normal rather than just setting it a specific number.
Whilst these are annoying problems they are not major, what is more annoying is what we (mainly my mum) have to deal with from the audiology department. In the Part 1 I mentioned how the first audiologist had sent me away with the hearing aid full of programs which he knew wouldn't work with my type of hearing and then sent us away with the attachment for the digital aid which needed nearly microscopic screws to attach. There is also the revelation that I can have a second digital aid which nobody thought to mention when we were faffing about trying to get the analog aids repaired whenever they broke, being told that the were limited parts as they weren't made any more etc. Not to mention how rude even the secretaries in the department are with my mum facing an inquisition as to what she was there to collect (the second digital aid), who was it for etc. I think people who work in hospitals and especially what you would think to be less stressful departments such as audiology would be more polite and empathetic. They need to understand that people generally don't want to be there, they are taking time out of their day and nice manners go a long way. Another department which isn't great is eye department in which each time you go you have to talk to a different member of the consultants team and explain your medical history over each time. I think it is ironic that the most pleasant department(s) is the school of dentistry. Lets face it most people are like me and they hate going to the dentist/orthodontist but the people there whether they be secretaries, nurses, dentists or orthodontists are also polite and friendly, other departments could definitely learn from them. That said I know all hospitals are likely to be different but as I said I think hospital staff need to remember that people generally don't want to be there so they shouldn't have to deal with rude, unhelpful and frustrating staff as well.
