My DH had private hearing aids at a cost of over £1000 each + around £25 per month for batteries. However while he was in hospital one was lost.I discovered that if he had NHS aids a replacement could have been provided, in house, within 24 hours, free of charge, because the NHS would have had a copy of his "prescription". I tried to contact the private supplier but discovered that a) a replacement aid would have to be ordered from Germany which could take a month of more b) I would need to claim on my house insurance for the cost in advance of the order and they might refuse because the aid was lost in the hospital and c) the private audiologist had given up his business and retired as he could not continue to work due to Covid restrictions.
I had already had a free 15 minute hearing test at Boots, when I was told that I needed aids for both ears, although the left ear was worse than the right, invited to book a more thorough test for £55 and given a brochure with a couple of the most expensive aids ticked as the best type for me. Given the experience of my DH, I decided to try the NHS route and asked my GP for a referral to the NHS Audio department.
I received an appointment within a fortnight which lasted nearly an hour, with extensive testing and an opportunity to try various sample aids. The Audiologist concluded and demonstrated to me that, in fact, the right ear was worse than the left! Normally I would have had another appointment to be shown how to insert and clean the aids but due to Covid restrictions, they, and a supply of batteries, spare tubes and cleaning accessories in a neat case, were posted to me and I then had a telephone appointment when the Audiologist talked me through the process. It transpired that one was not working, so I was instructed to return that one by Freepost for checking and sent another, which did work within a couple of days. No problems thereafter.
The batteries are free and can be ordered by phone or collected from various chemists, libraries, etc. on production of my special card. As I wear my hair in an ear covering bob no one notices them and I am delighted that I can now take part in Zoom calls, etc. without difficulty. The NHS service is excellent - I would never consider going private again.
