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Private, NHS or On-line hearing aids

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fourormore Thu 19-Sept-19 17:27:40

I have recently had a 'free' hearing test and have been told I will need hearing aids. This was a free test in a well known High St shop.
I haven't had the final assessment yet but the price list shows that even level one aids will cost me over £1000.
I may be being cynical but no doubt I will be above level one hmm and prices of the the levels above rise by a couple hundred pounds per level.

I am aware that my hearing is a bit down but I am certainly not anywhere near deaf - most of the time I hear fine but on odd occasions I can hear the voice but am unable to distinguish the words. I don't need the TV blaring or anything like that.

Does anyone have experience of buying basic hearing aids 'on line'? Browsing this afternoon I have seen some at half the price of 'shop' ones.

Our NHS is so overstretched and with long waiting lists etc. but would the NHS route be best?
Any suggestions or experiences GNetters have had would be much appreciated.

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jeanie99 Mon 30-Sept-19 20:22:05

My husband has two NHS hearing aids but wondered if the private aids would give him sharper hearing.
He went to Boots and was able to try the aids for 6 weeks on a return contract if not satisfied.
Having found that the private ones at a cost of over £3000 were no better than the NHS ones he took them back for a full refund.

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ayse Mon 30-Sept-19 20:51:08

My DH loathed his aids and still doesn’t always use them. He finds the excess noise such as the birds singing really loud. If you persevere with them your brain will gradually screen out all those extra sounds.

He still finds large groups of people talking rather difficult and still won’t wear them continually. I always know when he’s not wearing them because the TV can be very loud and I have to repeat myself continually. If he is wearing them, he ells me I’m shouting?

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