Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Has anyone bought one? Are they worth the money? I had a free hearing test at Specsavers today and was recommended to go for the mid-price one (which is over £1,000 ). I have had significant hearing loss in one ear for decades but I don't find it too debilitating, just annoying in certain situations, so can't decide if it's worth spending such a large amount for something not too serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Hubby was in same situation last year, ended up spending more for very discreet ones. Can honestly say that for him it was a waste of money but he didn't persevere to get used to them so they sit in a drawer unused. Maybe if you really feel your hearing is deteriorating and you think you would use them it would be ok. His hearing just wasn't bad enough for him to keep using them and only had the test as it was an offer with an eye test. Good luck whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Can you not get a hearing aid through the NHS? They do now offer smaller discreet hearing aids, not just the big, old fashioned type. You would also get free batteries, servicing, re-adjustment/checks etc which you wouldn't get with a privately purchased hearing aid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Sounds pricy I have had quite a lot to do with hearing aids recently as have been to the clinic with an elderly relative to get her tested. She was hoping for the smaller type of aid but apparently that is given if your hearing loss is due to damage to the ear rather than in her case deterioration over time. The test was very sophisticated and the fine tuning via computer quite impressive. She mentioned to the audiologist about a friend who has I believe a specsaver one. The friend got the fright of her life when wearing it one day as it suddenly announced that the battery level was low Although the audiologist was very professional when discussing this aid I got the definite feeling that you are better to go NHS. I know there would be a waiting time but as I said I was really impressed. She gets free batteries and check ups etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I am exactly the same ,hearing loss for decades in right ear.I got NHS one,to me it was quite prominent but well hidden by my hairstyle.I heard things I had never heard before like the car indicator noise, I didn't know it clicked as well as flashing light.I found aid uncomfortable and got a fancy one with settings for TV ,conversation etc.It was quite good but I mislaid the remote adjustor and it has sat in drawer for ages!My sis needed two aids got NHS one and on return to clinic said they hurt her ears and she couldn't wear them,she then got tiny wee in the ears ones on NHS with free batteries,repairs etc,so I think that is the route I would go down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 I did get an NHS one about 15-20 years ago but it was really ugly and bulky and made my ear feel really sweaty . The sound was also really wierd. I did contemplate getting new batteries for it and trying it out again but haven't yet. I had a hearing test on the NHS last year but the hearing loss hadn't really got any worse. I could get an operation (they think it might be due to otosclerosis) but the slight risk of losing my hearing completely put me off. I might ask if it's possible to upgrade the hearing aid I already have . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 My Grandad who had severe hearing loss, always did much better with the NHS ones than with expensive private ones. He was always fiddling with them searching for the Holy Grail of perfect hearing, which I am not sure he ever had. My dad has NHS ones but doesn't use them all the time because he gets irritated by the way that they also amplify background noises. As far as I can tell this is a difficult issue with heating aids, my Grandad used to moan that all they do is turn everything up and you still can't distinguish conversation from background. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 She mentioned to the audiologist about a friend who has I believe a specsaver one. The friend got the fright of her life when wearing it one day as it suddenly announced that the battery level was low . I am sorry I giggled at that. I also have hearing loss - will need an aid eventually. At present i struggle in pubs etc where theres lots of noise (not cos I'm squiffy). I syringe a lot of ears in my job and the elderly never seek to amaze me how they get these huge looking aids in their ears (and dont always) - poss thats why I'm holding off having them. I will say if you or any of the family esp older members appear to have hearing loss - adv them to be checked for wax build up. I love ear syringing - I showed one elderly man the contents of his lugs and he said " eeerg take it away" others take it home to show the missus - yes really - pretty gross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Start with NHS ones and see how you go, no point in spending lots of dosh if you don't have to. Also worth checking out reviews of Specsavers hearing aids on t'internet - some of them make interesting reading. My dad has recently gone to a private clinic after many years, but only because his hearing is so bad that the NHS aids just don't cut it any more. He was very happy with them, just couldn't hear. We've also discovered a really good company called Connevans who specialise in products for the heard of hearing, as it's hard to get things like vibrating alarm clocks on the high street. Let us know how you get on with whatever you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 I did get an NHS one about 15-20 years ago but it was really ugly and bulky and made my ear feel really sweaty . The sound was also really wierd. I might ask if it's possible to upgrade the hearing aid I already have . I would ditch the original one (it is nearly antique ) and give the NHS another go. It had been 8 years since my relative's first hearing test. In 2006 she was given an aid with a control to choose which setting she was to use it in. She hardly used it as it was more trouble than it was worth. Following a recent hearing test she has now been given two hearing aids (due to hearing deterioration) but they were able, using the computer, to adjust it so that she does not need to change anything at all as it is much more sophisticated. Also she originally felt the aid uncomfortable but these ones seem great. So it is worth seeing what is on offer now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 Phil's mum has NHS hearing aids, and has had numerous 'tweakings' at the clinic; I understand that they work very well now that she has got used to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 Thanks for that. I'm def going to get myself referred again - I found the letter from the consultant who said I should get in touch with my GP if I ever decided to get a new hearing aid. I'd forgotten that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
