Hearing Aids
 

I am posting here as many military of my age were subject to noise with no protection. Many of us now suffer from noise induced hearing loss. If you were 'lucky' you might have got a payment from the Veterans Agency.

This though is about NHS hearing aids.

I had NHS aids for 17 years with big plugs and moderate improvement in hearing. In August I had a problem but found the NHS Trust had contracted out to SpecSavers. As my aid was u/s I was entitled to replacement ahead of the normal 5 year cycle.

The new ones, still Siemens, are slightly smaller BTE and can have 4 different programs and about 10 click volume range.

Instead of the big plug they have small buds that sit well inside the ear.

The improved sound is amazing and my ears no longer produce loads of wax.

That is the good news. However not all NHS Trusts have contracted out.

I was not referred to Spec Savers, I just rang up and got an appointment. Just ask them if they do NHS aids in your area.

Pardon? Speak up old boy.

"Repeat please"......

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Good to here PN, I notice some loss in my right ear, when lying in bed with my head and left ear on the pillow. The alarm is a dull beep without the high pitch part of the note, rolling onto the other side I hear the full high pitch note.

NL, they won't work lying in bed :)

Without them our grandfather clock is a muffled thump. With them it is a clear resonating tone. Well worth having a hearing test.

Those with perfect hearing might get a shock. Mrs PN has the TV volume too high :), it used to be too loud. Another benefit, with the plugs in and batteries out it is blissfully quiet. I can't hear the MiL or WIWs.

Have a look at Hearing Direct (for those whose Health Authorities opted out - like Doncaster).

They're less than half the High Street price.

I picked up some Siemens BTE from Specsavers in UK a few years ago, excellent service and product. Almost half the Australian rrp of $A9,900 which justified the mucking around for appointments in the middle of a holiday!

And yet I still pass my ATPL Medical.....

My wife is a nurse in the local hospital ENT department. The hospital still has it's own audiology dept. The latest hearing aids are supplied free of charge and servicing, tubes and replacement batteries are supplied for the life of the hearing aids. She is always saying me 'Don't let any of your friends spend lots of money on hearing aids, the NHS free ones are just as good.'��

I clearly did not make it clear, our NHS Trust has contracted out to SpecSavers. The service remains completely free. Also one of my buds was painful, slightly too large. Walked into SpecSavers and had a new bud fitted in moments. No appointment and it was not my regular SS.

Don't, I can't agree that all NHS are as good; they aren't. In February I had new NHS moulds fitted. I had an appointment to have moulds taken, a fortnight later I had them fitted. They are large plugs, my ears heat and produce wax. They were 'ok'.

In contrast the SS buds were fitted there and then, they go right into the ear and are near invisible. As they seal better and are deeper the clarity is much better. Only if the NHS uses buds and the very thin tube could they equal these.

Having spent a few years in close proximity to Javelins and Lightnings before the days of ear defenders, my high tone deafness became bad enough about 12 years ago to get a NHS hearing aid, ear mould type. It was uncomfortable and didn't give much help. Moving on 8 years (and NHS areas) I gave the audiology people another go, and was measured and given a pair of Phonak type with in ear buds. Brilliant, I can hear what my friends are saying about me. I agree, don't pay a fortune for hearing aids, the NHS ones can be as good as you get.

Hmmm ... I guess I should start exploring this subject. My left ear is pretty ineffective, as I have high-tone deafness resulting from decades of shooting that started before ear-defenders bacame fashionable. I've been told that the car has a 'beep' when the indicators are in use, but despite sticking my head down around the dashboard (when stationary, of course) I absolutely cannot hear a bloody thing. Sibilants are an issue in conversation, too.

No NHS here, of course, but I'm half-tempted to try doing something about it ... once I've finished with MRI scans and assorted other appointments.

Those buds are exactly what you will get at our local NHS, my wife actually uses them. However there are people who think you cannot get them on the NHS, you can and without the purchase price and ongoing service and battery costs. Check first before spending.

Don't it is clear that different trusts have different arrangements. To reiterate, Lincolnshire uses SpecSavers and these are free.

In contrast North East Lincolnshire do not use SpecSavers and will not issue my mother in law with two. They do not have buds.

So after flying 30 years in a MR 1 and 2 i am way beyond 50% high tone DEAF, i even wear bluetooth head phone when watching the TV, I was deafening the missus setting the volume.
Living in the states, its going to cost me around $8000 for a pair of tuneable bud aids.
Any suggestions as to how i could get some on the NHS.

I think most of us have become high tone deaf to a greater or lesser degree due to years of military flying, or as ground crew who were equally exposed to a high decibel count. In my case it was helicopters and it seemed to me that the Gazelle was probably the worst culprit.

Gradual hearing loss (WIWOL) necessitated hearing aids. Being overseas two units were bought privately; however on the return to the U.K. several years later, a GP referred NHS assessment replaced both units with the latest Phonak external / tube system at no cost. These are far better than the private units and well supported by the NHS, free batteries, etc.
Ms P now has similar systems, however with differing requirements there is no agreeable level of TV volume.
NHS recommended seeking advice from the charity ‘Deaf Direct’ (Hereford / Worcester area).
Their advice has been magnificent, recommending and testing a solution covering independent TV volume (for an old type of TV), telephone, PC, iPad.
This involved purchase of a remote mic and amplifier unit, loop system, with independent volume and tone control (discount via DD), and free NHS activation of the loop control function in the aids - weekly drop in, maintenance and repair service as required.
Suggest contact GP - NHS, choose a system with loop option and adjustable volume if offered (no need to activate these immediately). For specialist options, discuss with DD or similar; or even start with them re NHS.

Doncaster opted out and it's not free.

Hearing aids do not assist high tone deafness, that is permanent damage in the inner ear, they do however amplify the stuff you can still hear.

Hearing Direct HD500s are very good, but are not free. If you have a free service, then use it, beats the hell out of a grand outlay.

BM, my hearing flat lines above mid tones but is at a borderline level for the next loss level. The aids enable me to hear Bird song (noisy buffers) and changes muffled sound to crisp notes.

1771, I would guess no chance. Maybe contact the RBL though I expect age may be against you - MR2 out of service 47 years ago and AEW 27 years.

The wearing of hearing aids entitles you to apply for a Disabled Railcard, allowing you and a companion to reduced rate rail fares and reduced fares for the Railcard holder only, when using an Oyster Card