Hearing aids

I have a pair of NHS aids and very happt with them. Ok you can get more discrete ones privatly, but I would try the NHS ones first. I don't find mine as helpful as I had hoped, in some situation they make things worse if there is a lot of background noise. They are great for watching TV etc.

My aged mother has been quite deaf for years now and has only just decided to ask her GP for a referral. I'd looked at Specsavers advert but I think they cost about £6-700 ... each! She could also afford to pay, but it seemed a ridiculous amount.

Anyway, she now has a hospital appointment in a week which we'll take her too, and I think she'll get fitted out the same day. Hopefully she'll get great benefit from hearing aids, as will we when she visits in that the TV won't need to be blasting forth!!!

I'm with Wobblybits, try the NHS kit first before spending that arm and leg!

Thank you, Wobblybits and Thingmajig. It might be best to pursue NHS first, but just hoping someone will have experience of other hearing aids.

I have a very basic hearing aid, had it for years - thinking of getting it replaced on the NHS where it originated. Several friends also have this type, but one friend paid a great deal of money for an up-market hearing aid, and had to carry with him a sort of key pad which he could use to tune in and out any sounds he found difficulty with. Personally, when I spoke to him, I found it a little disconcerting that he had to "tune me in" as it were, but he seemed happy enough, and his wife said it was an improvement with the t.v.

DH has had a good service from Boots Hearing care.
His hearing is still deteriorating, but his new aids have helped considerably. They were not cheap, but are discreet and comfortable for him to wear. They can be re-programmed for further hearing loss.
He finds the regular free check-ups very thorough.
He doesn't have to "tune in" with a key pad.