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Hearing aids
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I am becoming increasingly deaf and have just booked an appointment at Boots for a hearing test and presumably then going on to buy hearing aids. Does anyone know what cost is likely to be involved, and whether I'm going to the right place anyway. Thanks in advance for all help!
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grange, it would depend on your own circumstances and age. For example, if you were an OAP you should received a hearing aid free of charge through your local hospital.
To buy one - say privately, they will range in price depending on the style you get, i.e., some that you cannot even see would cost a lot more than an ordinary one.
To buy one - say privately, they will range in price depending on the style you get, i.e., some that you cannot even see would cost a lot more than an ordinary one.
Why on Earth did you go to Boots first? I went to my GP, was referred to the audiology dept. of my local hospital and within two weeks had a smashing new digital aid with a tailor-made ear-mould - all at no cost. They don't have any hidden agenda (like selling you a hearing-aid) and all maintenance and batteries are free. Can't recommend them highly enough. (My aid would have cost £500 privately).
I agree, see your dr.first but depending where you live, the NHS guantee you will be seen within 18weeks just for a test, but I think they are getting the waiting lists down a bit now, and yes you will be given digital aids (eventually) if you need them, regardless of your age.If you want to go private Boots and Specsavers let you try their aids for 60days and 30days respectively, you pay upfront but no problem getting a full refund if you are not happy. I think Boots are extortion pricewise, S/S are much the cheaper option. Do keep away from the firms which will never be off your back - i.e. Hidden Hearing, Scrivens etc they charge around £4000 for a pair of aids.
Of course there is nothing to stop you getting the NHS aids and going private too, (as a back up) everyone is entitled to hearing aids from the NHS if they are needed. Go onto the RIND site and read the forums too, they are very helpful. Good luck, rosy
Of course there is nothing to stop you getting the NHS aids and going private too, (as a back up) everyone is entitled to hearing aids from the NHS if they are needed. Go onto the RIND site and read the forums too, they are very helpful. Good luck, rosy
smurfchops....no there is no way around that, as hearing aids not only amplify the wanted sounds but also the ambient sounds, the surrounding unwanted sounds and hence you can hear, but can´t understand what people are saying, which is useless.
Try and keep out of noisy places and always try to be on a one to one situation and ask people to speak slowly and precisely.
If you have to got to a pub, then switch off your hearing aid.
Try and keep out of noisy places and always try to be on a one to one situation and ask people to speak slowly and precisely.
If you have to got to a pub, then switch off your hearing aid.
Go to your GP first and ask to see a hearing specialist, to identify the cause of hearing loss, generally ears or nerves.
By all means try out the NHS aids to see if they solve your problems.
I suffer hearing loss in both ears (Left ear is classed as deaf and Right ear is classed as profound).
I had problems with the NHS aids a long time ago, but have now bought (1yr ago) aids from Specsavers. They were expensive but the results were good. Mine are in the ear and are not easily seen. Most people do not know I'm wearing it. I only wear one my right ear is so poor we decided to concentrate on the left ear.
You can get the aids configured for your particular hearing loss and mine were also configured to assist in speech. I also work in a noisy environment and it is possible to have more than one profile on the aid.
Ambient noise levels can be difficult but the new digital aids cope quite well at filtering out and reducing excessive levels. Mine works well in pubs and clubs, the only place to give a problem was the Albert Hall listening to a Classical Spectacular. When the audience applauded my hearing aid shut down temporarily in order to protect my hearing!!!
By all means try out the NHS aids to see if they solve your problems.
I suffer hearing loss in both ears (Left ear is classed as deaf and Right ear is classed as profound).
I had problems with the NHS aids a long time ago, but have now bought (1yr ago) aids from Specsavers. They were expensive but the results were good. Mine are in the ear and are not easily seen. Most people do not know I'm wearing it. I only wear one my right ear is so poor we decided to concentrate on the left ear.
You can get the aids configured for your particular hearing loss and mine were also configured to assist in speech. I also work in a noisy environment and it is possible to have more than one profile on the aid.
Ambient noise levels can be difficult but the new digital aids cope quite well at filtering out and reducing excessive levels. Mine works well in pubs and clubs, the only place to give a problem was the Albert Hall listening to a Classical Spectacular. When the audience applauded my hearing aid shut down temporarily in order to protect my hearing!!!
About 45 years ago my wife had german measles which caused her ear drum to become infected ... she went to hospital where they some how, operated on the wrong ear.
Ever since see has worn NHS hearing aids and has always had problems with whistling, condensation and so on.
About 20 years ago I paid £1000 for a tiny private hearing aid ... this was a bad move, because after a couple of years we were informed that this aid could not be adapted to suit a change in hearing. So it was a case of buying a new one ... not likely.!
She then went back to the NHS where she got some new replacements, these were better than her originals, but still not really successful.
About 2 years ago she had a hearing test at the hospital, where they said her aids were a bit dated and offered her some small digital ones.
Ever since then she can hear everything ... so the latest NHS digital aids are pretty good.
One more bit of info ... you may propably find that a lot of GPs are reluctant to send you for a hearing test. The reason being, the fee now comes out of their budget.
Dont go to Boots because they are there to make a sale ... use the NHS you've paid your Tax and NI so get something back.
Ever since see has worn NHS hearing aids and has always had problems with whistling, condensation and so on.
About 20 years ago I paid £1000 for a tiny private hearing aid ... this was a bad move, because after a couple of years we were informed that this aid could not be adapted to suit a change in hearing. So it was a case of buying a new one ... not likely.!
She then went back to the NHS where she got some new replacements, these were better than her originals, but still not really successful.
About 2 years ago she had a hearing test at the hospital, where they said her aids were a bit dated and offered her some small digital ones.
Ever since then she can hear everything ... so the latest NHS digital aids are pretty good.
One more bit of info ... you may propably find that a lot of GPs are reluctant to send you for a hearing test. The reason being, the fee now comes out of their budget.
Dont go to Boots because they are there to make a sale ... use the NHS you've paid your Tax and NI so get something back.
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