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NHS Hearing Aids

(13 Posts)
Floradora9 Tue 09-Nov-21 21:40:42

DH had to buy privately as he could not get a comfortable fit with NHS ones and the private ones have lots of different setting for crowds etc. He can also take phone calls on his and listen to things from his computer via Bluetooth. They were expensive but he sure hears better than he did with the NHS ones . If you are happy with yours just be glad you do not have to fork out for private ones. Boots , by the way , were far superior to Specsavers

Colourfull500 Tue 09-Nov-21 20:58:44

Hi to all

I have new oticon hearing aids this week my left 1 feels more bulky than the right one it just feels bigger silicon ear molds
I find hard to get in i was told to use lube to lubricate the hearing aids but i dont think this is appropriate to use this what else can i use instead.????

Colourfull500.

Alexa Fri 01-May-20 18:23:55

They don't cost much. Ebay or Amazon 'hearing aid batteries'.

Carefully choose the size of battery. For instance i just bought some packs of Duracell hearing aid batteries size 13 for my NHS aids. The pack goes through the letter box which is convenient.

NfkDumpling Fri 01-May-20 13:49:40

I was wondering how to get new batteries as I get mine from a fortnightly hearing aid 'clinic' at a local care home. No access there now. Hopefully they'll be posted or something will be sorted by the time I need them in about five weeks time.

Fennel Fri 01-May-20 11:47:01

I've also been quite pleased with my NHS aids. though of course don't expect them to give you back the acute hearing of your youth.
Another point, getting new batteries during lockdown. I get mine from Specsavers and they're closed but have a phoneline and will post them to you. At least here they will.

Alexa Fri 01-May-20 09:45:58

I have had a NHS hearing aid for many years, and it has always been programmed for me by the audiologist. The rocker switch is only control that I can use, and this is the volume control. It does indeed go beep beep beep if I change the volume. And BTW changing the volume for one ear automatically changes the other ear's hearing aid too.

Did you know CAMTAD is very helpful and accessible within the UK?

Celeste22 Fri 01-May-20 09:40:35

Sorry for the typos!!

Celeste22 Fri 01-May-20 09:40:06

I am a retired school music teacher and me hearing was obviously damaged after nearly 49 years in a "noisy" classroom. The audiologist put a programme on mine, via the little button that seems to take our some of the "tinniness" when I play or listen to music. It does help.
I have nothing but praise for our Scottish NHS audiology service & wonder why people go privately.

Franbern Fri 01-May-20 09:14:17

They can be programmed in several ways. Obviously, most have a volume up and down button. I had to ask, this time, for the Loop to be included - I have found it absolutely wonderful in theatres, cinemas, etc. There are other programmes. If you did not ask for anything in particular, then the button and beeps are probably just for volume,.
I have used NHS hearing aids for about 15 years, they have got smaller and smaller and more and more efficient.
Brilliant service - and all repairs are carried out without charge and also we get batteries supplied free.
I find it incredible that people think they are getting something different when going privately.
When I moved to Somerset, I had to ask my new GP for a new referral down here. She did that, I received a letter within ten days, and had my appointment made for the following week. No wait whatsoever.
Full check up on my hearing at this appointment (Specsavers), just round the corner from where I live. New Aids supplied on the spot. NHS Audiology is absolutely brilliant!!!

NfkDumpling Thu 30-Apr-20 18:23:21

I can't adjust the volume on mine and don't need to, but they do have a little button which goes beep! I understood its for the Loop system used in a lot of village halls etc. It doesn't seem to do anything except cause interference when I stand near anything electrical or put the phone to my ear.

I've only once tried it where there was a Loop system and was unimpressed - then found out afterwards that the system wasn't working!

Davidhs Thu 30-Apr-20 17:20:49

You should have a volume button, each bleep lowers or raises sound level. The programme button can enhance high or low frequency sounds, if it is used.
My NHS aids are from Specsavers and they are very good, although I guess no appointments while I lockdown.

aggie Thu 30-Apr-20 14:52:28

The audiologist programmed mine so that I can quieten the aids when in very noisy places and to switch on to the hearing aid thing MT when it is available
Mine are paid for as the waiting list was too long

DAAP Thu 30-Apr-20 14:47:06

Hi all, I am new to this forum and joined to see what others think of hearing aids. I am 65 years old and been slowly going deaf over a number of years. I finally took the plunge to have a hearing test at the hospital after being nagged by the boss and today took receipt of my NHS hearing aids to fit myself. So far so good, they are small and barely visible, easy to fit, comfortable and at the moment seem to be working well. I am hearing stuff that I haven't heard for years. I have looked at the cost of buying privately and am astounded at the prices, why spend a whole bunch of money on something that is provided free by the NHS and probably works just as well. Can anyone tell me what the program switch is for, it doesn't seem to do anything when pressed apart from give me a short audible bleep. My explanation booklet doesn't indicate any additional programs.