Hearing Aids

[dilligaf]

My elderly mother has hearing difficulties. 10 years ago she was fitted wit ha NHS aid . Since then her hearing has deterioated to such extent the aid is not sufficient to pick up normal conversation.
The NHS will provide a new anolog aid or we can go private and buy a digital aid for �2500 to �3000.
My wife spotted in one of the magazines, given free with national papers, a "Micro-sized hearing amplifier" for �19.99 which states "will amplify the quietest of sounds from near or far"

Personally I am very scepticle about this device and would appreciate comments from anyone who has tried it.

Thank you.

[jno]

NHS does digital hearing aids now, though not the most sophisticated

[PhilBy]

Forget the 19.99 one they are no good. Spec savers of all places have a 'Buy one get one free' offer on at the moment for didgital hearing aids, prices starting from around �500.

[shaneystar2]

My brother and sister in law are both profoundly deaf. They had always had NHS hearing aids and a couple of years ago heard about the digital hearing aids and enquired about them and were also astounded at the price.My brother then asked for them when they went to the hospital for their regular hearing tests.They said they couldn't have them so he complained and wrote to the local NHS trust and hey presto they both now have digital hearing aids on the NHS ,to which ,I hasten to add, they have worked and contributed to.
If your mother is elderly she is entitled to get better service from the NHS and not have to pay through the nose for a private hearing aid.My brother and his wife are in their early seventies now.
Make a fuss !!

Don't fall for these ads in the papers. Her hearing should be tested properly at the hospital in the audiology department. Otherwise by using something that is not fitted correctly she could damage her hearing even more.

[Ironbridge]

The 'micro-sized hearing amplifier for �19.99 is not a hearing-aid but a clever marketing ploy. If you order one, the company selling them has all your details, and knows someone at that address has a hearing problem.

They will then persevere with selling you a digital 'top-of-the-range' hearing aid for an arm and a leg, knowing that if they try hard enough you will give in and buy.

You will save your mother an awful lot of hassle, particularly if she is a pensioner, if you call the Audiology Department of your local NHS hospital. The NHS from time to time offer free digital hearing-aids, and if they are not free, then you can make a nominal contribution.

Like any other piece of electronic gadgetry, the hearing-aids go wrong, and the battery runs down. Your hospital will service your aid free of charge and supply batteries free, too. Which is more than you would get from the company selling hearing-aids for 20 quid!

I have a digital hearing-aid in each ear supplied by the NHS, there is a surgery held three times a week for repairs, etc., and batteries are supplied two months use at a time.

Best of luck

[tubeway]

I am a private sector hearing aid audiologist. Digital hearing aids start at a LOT less than �2500.

Some companies hearing aids look half price until you realise that they charge for services like reprogramming that many companies offer for free.

Be careful of any of these cheao hearing device adverts.

The 19.99 thing is just an amplifier - your mother probably (cant tell without testing her) has a reduced dynamic range and needs a more sophisticated listening device.

The only people who can prescribe hearing aids in the UK are the NHS and Hearing Aid Council (government body) registered hearing aid dispensers. If it is from any other source - it may not be what your mother needs.

Private sector hearing aid dispensers have to act in an ethical manner (by law) and will inform your mother of the options open to them.

The NHS does a good job considering their limited resources - but there is a need for the private sector too.

The company that I work for give these devices away free if people are unsure if they need amplification or not (and they are suitable for the clients hearing loss). People who charge for them do not tend to be hearing aid companies - so I do not think that there is too much chance of ending up on someones data base.

Most hospitals offer digital aids now - but there is usually a long wait.

A private company will test the hearing properly in your own home

[jno]

Ironbridge I love the idea of hearing aids for an arm and a leg...

[tubeway]

Give me your address - I am sure I can find you some....