Whatever the original cause of deafness, many sufferers can have partial hearing restored with the assistance of a small hearing aid. If you have difficulty hearing what's being said in a crowded room, consult your doctor; he may refer you to a specialist. Treatments can range from removing wax from your ears to taking a mould of your ear in order to fit an aid correctly.
Modern electronic hearing aids work by transmitting sounds down a plastic tube from a tiny microphone and amplifier to an earpiece or a vibrator fitted into or behind the ear. The aids are powered by tiny batteries which last for several weeks at a time. Keep a couple of spare batteries for emergencies.
A special device in the form of a low-voltage transmitter can be attached to the back of a television set to be used in conjunction with a hearing aid. This means the rest of the family can watch the television with the volume at a normal level. Ask your local television dealer or the RNID (below) for information.
Clean your aid by wiping it with a damp cloth and occasionally rinsing it in a weak antiseptic solution. Clear a tube blocked with wax under hot, running water, and then empty the tube of any water drops by blowing through it.
If your aid begins to whistle, check that the plastic tube has not cracked. They do become brittle with age.
If you would like to know more about deafness and the various treatments available, contact the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), 105 Gower Street, London WC1E 6AH. They produce several leaflets which are available, including Aids to daily living (useful day-to-day accessories for the hard of hearing), NHS Hearing Aids Service (which guides you through the process of getting a hearing aid from the NHS), and Hearing aids: questions and answers (advice on choosing and caring for aids).
Good advice on how to destroy your hearing aid