I had my ears tested today

[VectraMan]

I've always struggled in noisy pubs, or when people mumble, or when people have thick accents, even with people I know well. When I started relearning French I was hopeless at the listening side, whereas other people in the class seemed to do okay. It's taken me a lot of practice (listening to the French news on TV) to get the hang of being able to "hear" French.

My Mum said the same about accents, so I think it's genetic to some degree. I don't think it's actually about hearing, but about how our brains interpret language. It stands to reason that some of us aren't as good at it as the norm.

I was the same at 18 as I am at 39, so it's not age related.

[norrahe]

Anyone ever had their ears syringed?

Yep, it's not that bad, though get your ears checked for blockage beforehand and then use some drops such as otex, which may negate the need get them syringed.

[FiveTimes]

top tip - don't have the free hearing test at spec savers.

They will say you are going progressively deaf and need their £495/ear hearing aids. If they do, just book appointment with your GP and get a referral.

[VectraMan]

Yep, it's not that bad, though get your ears checked for blockage beforehand and then use some drops such as otex, which may negate the need get them syringed.

I had a phase of needing it doing every year, but haven't for about 5 years now. Drops make bugger all difference.

It's quite pleasant actually. As long as they use warm water.

[norrahe]

I had a phase of needing it doing every year, but haven't for about 5 years now. Drops make bugger all difference.

It's quite pleasant actually. As long as they use warm water.

Can be pleasant but sometimes can make you dizzy and nauseous.

[xoggoth]

I've always found it hard to follow conversations in crowded bars, nowt wrong with my hearing either. Some brain oddity maybe as I can't multi task either, I have to fixate on one thing at a time.

[Platypus]

I don't think it's tinnitus. I have this too but I don't have any ringing or noise issue with my hearing.

It's called "Cocktail Party deafness"

see
Background Noise Problem, Cocktail Party Syndrome, Hearing Loss

also alcohol inhibits hearing frequencies below 1KHz
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content...2-6815-7-4.pdf

In my case, listening to VERY loud music in my late teens probably damaged my hearing

[Freamon]

top tip - don't have the free hearing test at spec savers.

They will say you are going progressively deaf and need their £495/ear hearing aids. If they do, just book appointment with your GP and get a referral.

Do they tell you this in a really really quiet voice?

[Doggy Styles]

Check your blood pressure - can sometimes cause tinnitus.

Doctor did that, said it was OK.

[Doggy Styles]

sheesh some people the cheek

Sorry, I'm not one of the CUK in-crowd, so I'm not always sure.