I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. It is so frustrating! I've pretty much given up on telephone use at this point. I finally realized that it wouldn't matter how many times the person would repeat, my hearing aids were just not picking up many of the sounds I needed to figure out what they were saying without lipreading.

This is one of the reasons I look forward to eventually getting a cochlear implant. So many people have reported that they are able to use the telephone again after many years of frustration - it amazes me!

Prior to giving up (sad to say) - I made a point of starting every conversation with a stranger by saying, "I'm hard of hearing, so please be patient and speak slowly and clearly so that I can understand you better. I would really appreciate your cooperation." I always felt it was better to let them know up front before they took my order or whatever to head off impatience or nastiness that will often come about if they don't know you have a hearing loss first.

It's funny you brought this up as it relates to the new Patience Poll that was put up yesterday. You can vote in the poll at the main page of HearingExchange - www.hearingexchange.com. The poll is on the right side when you scroll down a bit.

Nowadays, I use email, fax, Instant Messenger and a virtual assistant who makes actual calls for me. I decided I'd rather pay someone to assist me than be dependent on the kindness of others. I just have too many phone calls to make, it would be an imposition! lol

Best,

Paula

Suzie

I bought two telephone amplifiers, one died after a year, the other is three months old and already no longer work. I have two Siemens (the small ones inside the ears). They cost me so much money!!! and are absolutely useless with the telephone. In fact, I struggled to take one off as soon as the phone rings. I am curious about good telephone, (hearing aids compatible).

It's really great to be able to communicate with you. I never knew boards for hard of hearing peole existed.

Ever hear of Been there....Done that.... Take it from me I know EXACTLY how you feel. About 3 years ago, I bought a Uniphone in which I use the relay service. Not only do I hear (see) everything that is said (the operator types it), I get to talk myself and can continue talking until I'm finished with no interruptions. The operators type in every word, number and even sneezes and laughs. So please try it (it is slower than a regular conversation but you get every word). You could try Harris communications and request a catalog www.harriscomm.com. Good Luck

I have the same frustration. I gave up using the telephone years ago. If I have to use it, I immediately say, "I cannot hear anything you say to me, but I need to give you some information." Then I tell them who I am and what I need to tell them. I then say if they need to get back to me they can leave a message on my answering machine and my husband will listen to it later. I have a cell phone for emergency use, but I can only use it for one-way communication (better than nothing). When someone answers, however, I don't even know if I'm talking to the right person - I just have to hope!

Calling the doctor's office is a nightmare. My doctor's receptionist finally got email and I could schedule appointments that way. Recently, however, my doctor moved to another office which does not have email. I have to physically drive over to the office to make an appointment (20-minute drive each way) unless I get my husband to do it for me. It is so hard asking him to do so much all the time and very frustrating. I often get people at work to call my hairdresser for an appointment.

What I would love is a service where I can speak and have an operator (or someday a computer program) be like an "invisible stenographer", typing all the responses from the person on the other end. It would be a 3-way connection (me, the other person, and the translator) so that I could hear the voice of the other person even though I cannot understand. If the display shows me what they are saying while I hear the voice, it would be great (like personal closed captioning).

I have a TTY and tried using the Relay service, but for me it is awful. It is so cumbersome and intrusive with the back and forth interruption of the operator. I feel so removed from the person I'm trying to have a conversation with because I'm only connected (and speaking to) the operator who has a separate connection to the other person (whose voice I cannot hear).

I've actually done that with my virtual assistant. She'll make the phone call and have Instant Messenger on while I'm at my computer with Instant Messenger on at my end. Then she'll talk to the person, type to me what they respond and tell them what I typed back. It's actually worked out really well. I've only done that a few times. Generally, I just email her with all my phone calls that need to get done and the details and then she emails me back later telling me the results. I make all my doctors', haircuts, travel arrangements, etc. that way. It has been a godsend to me, though obviously at a price.

For anyone interested in learning more about virtual assistants, what they do, how they are trained, etc... visit www.assistu.com. It is a wonderful organization that trains VAs as they are called and has a registry of people as well. Prices will vary based on experience.

For a more low cost option, you can search www.guru.com (or a similar site) and find VAs charging as little as $10 an hour for their services. (You can make a lot of calls in one hour!)

Sorry if this sounds like a commercial for VAs, the level of stress reduction since I started using one has been amazing, so I thought I'd share.

-Paula