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Health

Hearing aids

(66 Posts)
watermeadow Mon 12-May-25 18:21:45

I’ve had these (NHS ones) for years and got new ones last year. I don’t wear them often because they’re not much use at all.
Trying to understand my problems, I read that a large proportion of people don’t wear their aids. The most revealing thing I found was that hearing aids cannot replace the hearing you have lost, they can only amplify what hearing you have left.
This is exactly what I had experienced and explains why hearing aids don’t work and are a waste of money.

Katyj Wed 14-May-25 19:07:08

I’ve had my NHS ones a year now. I love that their Bluetooth I listen to so much more now, radio, podcasts etc.The tv is much better but not perfect. I’m still missing some speech which I’m disappointed about, and still have to lip read.
I can still hear my tinnitus, but it’s much better, and all one dull tone now, where as before it was mixed tones and louder.

Grandma600 Wed 14-May-25 19:49:50

Watermelon, go back to your Audiology department and make sure that your hearing aids are set at the right levels for your needs, and that you have the right size tubes for your ears.
I have had mine for almost three years and wouldn't be without them now. I cried the first time the Audiologist switched them on; I could hear birds outside, the clock ticking - and brushing my hair was a revelation!
My phone is Android, so unfortunately not compatible with NHS hearing aids, but I'm sure the link will be possible in the future
No, hearing aids won't restore your lost hearing but they will make life easier by enhancing the hearing you do have left. Keep trying!

Musicgirl Wed 14-May-25 20:04:36

@Grandma600, my phone is android and my NHS aids are compatible with it.

Grandma600 Sat 17-May-25 07:52:57

That's a surprise...they told me that mine (Oticon) only work with Apple. I have tried to prove them wrong but no luck yet 😕
Are yours a different make, perhaps?

Musicgirl Sat 17-May-25 08:40:22

They are Phonak.

Blue54 Sat 17-May-25 09:08:02

Grandma600 mine are Oticon too and I have an Android phone. I dowloaded the app and I can bluetooth to adjust the volume on my hearing aids and use it to find them if misplaced but I can't bluetooth the phone or radio. They told me the same ... that they hope in the future to have it compatable with Android.

NotSpaghetti Sat 17-May-25 09:16:53

Grandma600

That's a surprise...they told me that mine (Oticon) only work with Apple. I have tried to prove them wrong but no luck yet 😕
Are yours a different make, perhaps?

Many Oticon hearing aids are designed to work with Android phones, but the compatibility and functionality can vary depending on the specific Oticon hearing aid model and your Android phone.
There's info on the website.
It may mean you have an incompatible phone/aid duo.
When one is upgraded/changed you could try to get them to be compatible.

Gardenersdelight2 Sat 17-May-25 11:33:06

Oticon hearing aids will connect to some Android phones or you can buy a clip that will connect between the two I've never bothered so can't say how well it works

Grandma600 Sat 17-May-25 15:53:11

Like Blue54, I use the app minimally to adjust the volume levels and see how much battery life I have left, but I wouldn't say either of those functions is essential.
Sorry to original OP Watermelon for going off-topic x

Musicgirl Sat 17-May-25 18:02:07

Well, l find the Bluetooth feature the best part. It comes in useful not only for the basic features but l also use it on my iPad when I am teaching online. It is nice to be able to listen to music or a podcast on my phone on the train and know that I am not disturbing anyone else.

Musicgirl Sat 17-May-25 18:04:30

Oh, and Bluetooth also makes speaking on the phone much easier, too. Otherwise, l can only hear the other person talking when the loudspeaker is on and I don’t always want my conversations broadcast to anyone within earshot, especially when I am in a public space.

sodapop Sun 18-May-25 12:19:03

AuntieE

Hearing aids, dentures, prostetic devices of any kind take gettin used to. If you don't wear them, you will not get used to them.

If they really do no good, get back to the clinic and state your trouble politely.

Or give up and resign yourself to a silent world.

It is entirely up to you, but these are your options.

Thanks for stating the obvious AuntieE. It does help to discuss problems with others in the same boat. I'm due for my first fitting at the end of the month so will be interesting to compare notes with other users.

Cardashian123 Sat 24-May-25 00:35:08

I want to wear my hearing aids which I bought privately and were expensive, but with my oxygen cannula over my ears plus my glasses, it’s all a bit much and very uncomfortable so for now I hardly wear them. Wish I could find a solution…

NotSpaghetti Sat 24-May-25 08:39:18

Would a different sort of aid be more comfortable with the oxygen?
One with a different earpiece?

RedRidingHood Sat 24-May-25 10:30:28

Cardashian. It can get a bit cluttered around the ears. It was tricky when we had to wear face masks (in fact I still do when flying). Mask hooks, hearing aids and specs all get tangled together. I wonder if there's a way to have the oxygen cannula around the back of your head? Maybe held with a hair band or clip?