"Hearing Aids"

I have had hearing problems since childhood in the early 1970s, as both eardrums had a tendency to rupture on a fairly regular basis. My ears were syringed by my GP and I underwent hearing tests. At 14, I was told that if they continued to do so, I would have to have a cocheal implant. This never came to pass.

The ruptures did slow down but I suffered tinnitus, ear pain and increasing difficulty in hearing. Police sirens especially cause a lot of pain.

Last year, I decided to have my ears retested as I had noticed a marked degree of hearing loss and received an appointment from an audiologist working at the Hornsey Rise Health Centre, London N8. As a result, I was told that I would require hearing aids for both ears.

I was told I would receive a call within two weeks to arrange a fitting. This call never came so I rang the surgery after six weeks only to discover that the specialist had completely dropped the ball on my case. I was assured that he (sorry, I can't remember his name) would find my notes, order the pieces and get back to me.

That was in late April 2010. I am still without my hearing aids.

(I suffer from agoraphobia, anxiety and severe depression, which is why I haven't been able to follow this up.)