deaf nhs specsavers
Discussion
Aging relative has at best intermittent hearing. some words are ok some words he'll never get.
He has a nhs hearing aid tucked behind the ear with a custom tube in the ear.
Its pointless holding a conversation as he thinks hes understood what youve said but really hes made a best guess. In a crowded room he might as well be on another planet.
Specsavers are doing £500 aid . Is this going to be any better?
Excluding head transplant are there any other options?
thanks
He has a nhs hearing aid tucked behind the ear with a custom tube in the ear.
Its pointless holding a conversation as he thinks hes understood what youve said but really hes made a best guess. In a crowded room he might as well be on another planet.
Specsavers are doing £500 aid . Is this going to be any better?
Excluding head transplant are there any other options?
thanks
I`v been wearing hearing aids for over 30 years and tried all types.Started with analogue NHS,then went private,and now back to Digital NHS. GOOD! private aids cost over £2000 each!!so those specsaver ones can not be top tailor made behind the ear ones? I expect they are those in the ear "plugs",a wast of time.Also NHS digital behind the ear aids have a "T" switch to be used with loop systems in public places.You can also buy home loop systems,I have one on my TV.The other thing to consider is the ear molds.These have to be made to fit the patient`s ear and normally renewed every year. I have wasted thousands on private aids.The service I get at my local hospital is excellent,regular ear molds made,any repairs,and its all FREE!.
Remember though,a hearing aid will not transform hearing if the patient has lost certain levels of sound.Its like a piano with missing strings,the sound has gone. No matter how good an aid is the patient will have problems,particularly with background noise.My advice is to go to your local hospital for a check up and hearing test,they will then prescribe the most suitable aids for him.Then,he must get used to them,and learn to live with them,as its difficult.
Remember though,a hearing aid will not transform hearing if the patient has lost certain levels of sound.Its like a piano with missing strings,the sound has gone. No matter how good an aid is the patient will have problems,particularly with background noise.My advice is to go to your local hospital for a check up and hearing test,they will then prescribe the most suitable aids for him.Then,he must get used to them,and learn to live with them,as its difficult.
Mum has profound hearing loss and she bought private ones in the 80's. Absolute rip off and I'm sure they still are. Once they stopped working the firm only wanted to seel her new ones, despite being less than 12 months old.
She now has NHS Digital ones which are much better. She struggles with the background noise but that's due to amount of amplification she needs.
If they break they get replaced. New ear moulds, no problem. Updated hearing test, fire away. Much better service and all free at point of use.
Don't go private it will cost loads and you get much better free service from the NHS.
She now has NHS Digital ones which are much better. She struggles with the background noise but that's due to amount of amplification she needs.
If they break they get replaced. New ear moulds, no problem. Updated hearing test, fire away. Much better service and all free at point of use.
Don't go private it will cost loads and you get much better free service from the NHS.
Z4monster said:
struggles with the background noise....
If they break they get replaced. New ear moulds, no problem. Updated hearing test....
updated hearing test...??If they break they get replaced. New ear moulds, no problem. Updated hearing test....
Apparantly you get on the list but any new customers take priority, so you never get to a retest.
Does it vary by area?
Old Merc said:
.Also NHS digital behind the ear aids have a "T" switch to be used with loop systems in public places.You can also buy home loop systems,I have one on my TV.
I'd really appreciate it if you would let me have any specific recommendations for TV loop systems. Can't be doing with a neck loop but didn't even realise they existed domestically until I read your post.
Yes I assume it probably does vary by health authority, as most things seem to do.
She's had various aids over the last 70 years and with the Digital aids they actually put a little microphone into your ear canal along with the mould and aid. The system then listens for responses and tunes them to your ears. (Or something like that anyway.)
She does have quite profound loss so needs the maximum amplification she can get. That means no discrete in ear sets. She has the behind the ear ones. She lost her hearing due to rubella at the age of 14 or so. It destroyed her ear canal and drum, which she had rebuilt in the 60's (1st ear) and then 70's(Other side) (Stapedectomy)
She's had various aids over the last 70 years and with the Digital aids they actually put a little microphone into your ear canal along with the mould and aid. The system then listens for responses and tunes them to your ears. (Or something like that anyway.)
She does have quite profound loss so needs the maximum amplification she can get. That means no discrete in ear sets. She has the behind the ear ones. She lost her hearing due to rubella at the age of 14 or so. It destroyed her ear canal and drum, which she had rebuilt in the 60's (1st ear) and then 70's(Other side) (Stapedectomy)
Agrilla said:
I'd really appreciate it if you would let me have any specific recommendations for TV loop systems.
Can't be doing with a neck loop but didn't even realise they existed domestically until I read your post.
Go to www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk and you will find domestic loop systems in the online shop,you can also phone for more advice.Almost all items you can get the VAT refunded.Can't be doing with a neck loop but didn't even realise they existed domestically until I read your post.
Mine is a small unit that plugs into the TV via a scart lead,then run a thin wire to a pad clipped to an arm chair or sofa.Click my aids to "T" and the TV sound is in my head,perfect I do not miss a thing.Also my wife and anyone else in the room can have the TV volume turned down (or even off) as the loop system is totally separate to the TV speakers.There are all sorts of "add ons",whole room loop with microphones for guests,door bell alert,etc etc.
You will be amazed at the thousands of gadgets and equipment available.Get advice before you buy.
Also I`m glad to see other posters agreeing with me on NHS verses private aids.The last quote I had private was £3500 per ear!!!People really do think that if you pay its better,nonsense. The Royal Berkshire in Reading called me at work and said can you come down today to try our new digital aids,£7000 worth supplied,fitted and maintained,free of charge by really nice people.They connect my aids to a computer and adjust them to suite my needs using the graph which is stored there from my hearing test.(something tech` like that??)
Edited by Old Merc on Tuesday 18th December 10:33
saaby93 said:
https://clickhearing.com/shop/phonak-lyric-single-...
£1500 per year?
Think they charge £100 a month.£1500 per year?
I know people who have them and they are superb.
The guy I know only wears one as his hearing loss was not too severe.
It all comes down to the type of loss you have I think.
Old Merc said:
They connect my aids to a computer and adjust them to suite my needs using the graph which is stored there from my hearing test.(something tech` like that??)
Youve reminded me of a news item where you could connect your own hearing aid to your own computer. Its to avoid the problem of setting up the aid in a nice clean uncluttered testing room, going home and finding the setup is unsuitable there ( something tech like that 
) TROOPER88 said:
Think they charge £100 a month.
I know people who have them and they are superb.
The guy I know only wears one as his hearing loss was not too severe.
It all comes down to the type of loss you have I think.
I`ll just repeat.There is absolutely no point in paying anything for aids when the NHS supplies them FREE! They will be the type best suited to the patients needs after a hearing test carried out by experts.Also an aid without a "T" switch is a waste of time,all in the ear types do not have this facility.All cinemas,theaters,etc must have a loop system by law,and it really does help you.(If they work correctly!!and that is an issue for aid users) I know people who have them and they are superb.
The guy I know only wears one as his hearing loss was not too severe.
It all comes down to the type of loss you have I think.
saaby93 said:
ouve reminded me of a news item where you could connect your own hearing aid to your own computer. Its to avoid the problem of setting up the aid in a nice clean uncluttered testing room, going home and finding the setup is unsuitable there ( something tech like that )
My FIL just got some and they came to the house to set them up. ) Old Merc said:
I`ll just repeat.There is absolutely no point in paying anything for aids when the NHS supplies them FREE! They will be the type best suited to the patients needs after a hearing test carried out by experts.
There must be a reason why people go private though?My FIL struggled with NHS hearing aids for years before going private and he seems very pleased with his new ones. Although he can easily afford the few £K they cost, he's not the kind of person who would pay if he didn't have to.
Maybe the NHS provision varies by area?
Old Merc said:
I`ll just repeat.There is absolutely no point in paying anything for aids when the NHS supplies them FREE! They will be the type best suited to the patients needs after a hearing test carried out by experts.Also an aid without a "T" switch is a waste of time,all in the ear types do not have this facility.All cinemas,theaters,etc must have a loop system by law,and it really does help you.(If they work correctly!!and that is an issue for aid users)
Speed is one reason to go private.Waiting lists for deaf people were previously up to 3 years in my parents' area, which led them to go private for my dad's first digital aid.
Things have improved, but they had to really push to get the best and most appropriate aids for my dad.
Old Merc said:
I`ll just repeat.There is absolutely no point in paying anything for aids when the NHS supplies them FREE! They will be the type best suited to the patients needs after a hearing test carried out by experts.Also an aid without a "T" switch is a waste of time,all in the ear types do not have this facility.All cinemas,theaters,etc must have a loop system by law,and it really does help you.(If they work correctly!!and that is an issue for aid users)
The NHS do not and will not prescribe the Lyric. Very few places in the UK do.The new lyric is so small it fits right next to the ear drum meaning the sound quality is superb.
This is interesting? The replies above make me realise I`m fortunate to have The Royal Berks in Reading.They prescribe the best digital aids on demand,no waiting at all?? They have a drop in center that provides emediate attention for aid repairs,adjustments and new ear molds are made and posted to me in a week!
As for these small in the ear aids,they are only helpful to patients with mild hearing loss.The typical behind the ear aid with "T" facility are for those with a severe hearing loss,it all depends on the patients needs.
One in six of the UK`s population has a hearing problem,and its getting worse.Just look around,everyone with some sort of gadget stuck in their ear playing music,talking on the phone etc etc.The kids spend time in bars and disco`s where the music blows your brains out so they spend the evening shouting at each other.If they were factories the health & safety bods would close them down?? Everywhere you go is noise!we are creating a generation of deaf people.
My hearing problem I think was caused by my time as a "Roady" with a rock band in the 60`s?? so I have myself to blame.
As for these small in the ear aids,they are only helpful to patients with mild hearing loss.The typical behind the ear aid with "T" facility are for those with a severe hearing loss,it all depends on the patients needs.
One in six of the UK`s population has a hearing problem,and its getting worse.Just look around,everyone with some sort of gadget stuck in their ear playing music,talking on the phone etc etc.The kids spend time in bars and disco`s where the music blows your brains out so they spend the evening shouting at each other.If they were factories the health & safety bods would close them down?? Everywhere you go is noise!we are creating a generation of deaf people.
My hearing problem I think was caused by my time as a "Roady" with a rock band in the 60`s?? so I have myself to blame.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff