Hearing Aids - how goes it?

[ian in lancs]

I'm 58 and my hearing seems to be getting dull. I can't clearly hear conversation in crowded spaces and need the TV up a notch or two and with some programmes the conversation is muffled although the music is fine. Adverts are OK - sadly! Seems it might be time to get tested. What Im interested in is user experience re hearing aids ...

Do they just amplify everything - background noise too? Are pubs and restaurants tolerable?
How clear are they? Is there white noise?
Is the volume set or adjustable?
What about phones?
How easy are they to adjust to?
Any advice on which devices are better?

How do colleagues react? Do they change how much they communicate? Do they exclude?

How do strangers react? New business contacts? Do they look down or assume stupidity?

Respectful thanks!

Edited by ian in lancs on Saturday 14th October 18:14

[ian in lancs]

Thanks for your replies. I will mention next time i'm at the quacks. Im told a referral to the hospital audiology unit begins the process.

[ian in lancs]

loafer123 said:

I think you should check out your eyesight too.

You posted this in General Gassing.

?

[ian in lancs]

loafer123 said:

ian in lancs said:

loafer123 said:

I think you should check out your eyesight too.

You posted this in General Gassing.

?

General Gassing is for chatting about cars.

You probably want The Lounge.

I'm sure the mods will move it if it's that much of a problem

[ian in lancs]

and at a whim reduced considerably my chance of responses! Most posts there have very low response rates and I doubt many have 'Health' in their favourites.

Not sure of the appropriateness of having such a folder - most people would want a broad response to a health issue; as i do.

thanks for pedantic interference - please return it back

[ian in lancs]

bomb said:

I have hearing aids and have used them for about 10 years. In direct response to your questions ......

Do they just amplify everything - background noise too? Are pubs and restaurants tolerable? - If I am in an area with background noise, I simply cannot filter out the conversation around me, and hence this is exactly where I need my aids the most. Huge improvement in my hearing when I wear them in these circumstances.


How clear are they? Is there white noise? - They are 'tuned' to my ears and specific frequencies and hence amplify the noise I cannot hear ( higher pitches). No issues with white noise.

Is the volume set or adjustable? - They are adjustable for volume, and different settings for general or directional hearing.

What about phones? - I dont need to use them when using the phone, but you can use them, with a 'phone setting'.


How easy are they to adjust to? - Very simple. Small adjusters are on the back of the aid.

Any advice on which devices are better? - My first ones were from 'Specsavers' and cost a fortune ! When they needed replacing I went to the NHGS ( on advice from a friend), and my own findings were that they were MUCH better than the Specsavers ones. I got excellent service at the hospital clinic too.

How do colleagues react? Do they change how much they communicate? Do they exclude? - Noone cares ! They fully accepted me having to use them whilst at work ( meetings etc).

How do strangers react? New business contacts? Do they look down or assume stupidity? - Again, nobody cares or mentions them. No negative comments ..................(well I couldn't hear any !!)

I tend to use them when we go out socially, or, if I'm somewhere with backgound noises, or at some type of meetings etc.

I was a bit nervous when I first got them, but now I dont care what people think, and I am sure nobody cares if you wear them.

I'd recommend you get them if you are struggling to hear. Its no big deal.

thanks very much

[ian in lancs]

thanks

[ian in lancs]

thanks everyone - much appreciated!

I didn't say in my OP is that my Mother lost her hearing at 18. We've never got to to the bottom of why but it was Southend in 1943... Fast forward to the 60's and some of my earliest memories are visiting my Mother in hospital for a Stapedectomy which was at the time pioneering surgery. She had five attempts in all, one fixing her hearing for 3 months; the cruelest twist of fate. That malarky left her worse off and with middle ear surgical damage and profound hearing loss. My childhood was peppered with hospital visits, hearing issues and enormous NHS box hearing aids!

On the plus side I was taught to lip read and Mom, my sister and I can converse that way.

Anyway, the above is why I want to solicit contemporary experiences and proceed informed and with caution.

So thanks for all the constructive and honest responses

Edited by ian in lancs on Sunday 15th October 18:36

[ian in lancs]

GP seen and referral to Audiology made - I see them in December.

[ian in lancs]

Audiology confirmed hearing damage so hearing aids ordered. I found it quite sobering to finally get to the point of needing two aids. Reflective walk back to the car.

Fitment 20 Dec - just in time for Chrimbo family gatherings! Baptism by fire!

[ian in lancs]

Today was the fitting day (clever tech). Really nice Audiology team at RPH in Preston

Things that are 'too' loud ...

My voice
My breathing
scratching my head
X3 Indicators
Tyre noise
Nylon coat
Man talking 2m away...
Boots shop assistant
jangling keys in the front door lock
Water tap
Microwave platter

Happy though! Just need to get used to them.

[ian in lancs]

Additional thing that is 'too' loud

wrapping paper...

[ian in lancs]

It’s been a learning curve. I don’t like the wind and road noise in the car. I do like that I can hear in a crowd. The tv is easy to hear now and the wife is grateful for the volume drop. That’s the biggest difference - being able to hea the dialogue on the tv. I am using bass domes with two holes and found my voice muffled. Like a cold. I tried open cones - a little better but very trebly and sounded like they were on the verge of feedback all the time and gave me a headache! I’ve persevered with the bass domes. Batteries last 9 days or so.

At work it had only helped with hearing a very quiet team member. It was very interesting that two people came up to me and said they have hearing loss and were afraid to get hearing aids and seeing me helped them. All good so far. A new world opening up!

[ian in lancs]

TheJimi said:

22 said:

Had an appointment today (full test) with Specsavers. Said I needed an aid in each ear. My hearing is bad enough that I don't mind throwing some pennies to improve but, having indulged in some additional research (searching PH), maybe I should get down the NHS.

Chap today said I'd have to be referred to hospital (rather than NHS thru specsavers) as I'm too young(!) for their funding in this area, but there was an element of a restricted choice/style/capability of the NHS offering.

I really hate having to thump this tub, but “private” hearing aids are NOT inherently better than NHS hearing aids.  You can easily get, say, a Phonak, via the NHS, and equally, get the exact same hearing aid from a private supplier.  Does that mean the privately sourced aid is going sound better than the NHS one?

There only real difference going private makes is that you tend to have access wider range of aids on the market, as opposed to a narrower range on the NHS, for obvious reasons – and even at that, the range will differ between NHS trusts depending on contracts.  Most private clinics will still be only be able to offer you aids from certain manufacturers, unless you get a completely independent audiologist who is happy and able to procure anything you want.

Hearing is exceedingly fickle, and hearing aids are like cars in that they all do the same basic thing.  However, like cars, they all do it differently, some subtly, others not so much. 

You could very easily take a “money no object” approach and buy the very latest, most expensive hearing aid on the market, and it could still sound sh*t to your ears.  So going private does not in any way guarantee that you are going to walk away with hearing aids that work perfectly for you.

My advice, as always, is to exhaust NHS options first, then if no dice, go private.

Also, getting a really good audiologist is every bit as crucial to the whole thing as the hearing aid itself.

Hear, Hear!

I have plenty of private choices locally (retirement area) but went NHS - couldn't be faulted. Even though I have private health insurance and my BiL is an ENT Consultant who said pretty much as above.

[ian in lancs]

good luck!

[ian in lancs]

Me too great device and no complaints about my nhs clinic either

[ian in lancs]

The brain will adjust to the background noise. As for whistling/feedback that’s caused by either a badly fitted ear mould or basket with holes in. Talk to the audiologist. Might take a bit of trial and error.