Double trouble- help !

Why don’t you use National Health hearing aids?

If you don’t find a problem why would you need one I d only get one if it was being a problem to me or those involved with me
Re cataract surgery how long is a piece of string ?? Different areas different time lengths

I would ask for a referral to the NHS.

hollysteers - I didn’t realise - the young girl gave me the rough estimate, so I expected to pay for it - thanks x

teabagwoman I will

We have men on this site - they might also be able to help you.

The waiting list for your surgery will depend on the hospital that you are referred to as these vary greatly. Naturally, you’ll be treated quicker if you pay to go privately……something I would never do personally. As for hearing aids online………no I wouldn’t entertain them.

kittylester

We have men on this site - they might also be able to help you.

Eh?

I have had NHS Hearing Aids for over 20 years now. They are free and so are the batteries, although I believe they are issuing Aids with rechargeable batteries now. Also, mine are now connected to Blue Tooth, so any calls on my mobile are direct to the hearing aids, that was a game changer for me, can hear calls really well now.

I have never paid anything in those 20 years, and the service has always been fantastic. I believe NHS are now referring people to SpecSavers Audiology, but you do not pay as it is NHS.

You have to visit your Surgery and be referred by your GP for NHS hearing aids.

Why not referred to NHS for hearing issues? As for cataract waiting times, where I am 4 months wait for assessment then another year for removal. When optician diagnosed I just went private could not put up with a 16 month wait.

1. I'd wait until you get your cataracts sorted and see what the prognosis is there first.

2. Get a referral to NHS audiologist. The written results of your Boots test should give details of which hearing frequencies are affected for you to take.

Be aware that this is subject to triage in the NHS ie someone referred with severe hearing loss may get ahead

But I've been through the NHS process and it's very very good re the quality of the audiology tests and sorting out any physical causes of hearing loss

However the waiting list for hearing aids was massive and our local NHS hearing aids (it all depends where you live) are old models in terms of technology and my Boots ones are fab

there has been another thread on hearing aids recently - worth you finding - it may answer many of your queries..

www.gransnet.com/forums/ask_a_gran/1356335-Hearing-aids-from-a-well-known-opticians

My friend has just told me about her new nhs aids which she is delighted with, though still getting used to unexpected noise , it takes a while.
Boots are set up to sell aids, though think they should also offer nhs ones which are very good. Dh is delighted with his nhs blue tooth aids.

A proper hearing test should not be ‘quick’ OP.

Re cataract procedure I had my first procedure three weeks after being referred and my second about four weeks after the first. DH waited two months for his first procedure and is waiting for his second which is three months after the first.

NHS hearing aids are excellent nowadays.I have them,I would never pay privately for them.

I had both cataracts removed last year,I was given a list of hospitals to choose from,they all had the waiting time displayed,I chose to go to Optegra which is Private,but do work for the NHS,I waited about 3 weeks for each eye,such a good experience all round,if you get offered this option,I say take it.

Re hearing aids: my last job was as Chairperson of a national hearing loss agency and I regularly attend international conferences run by the European Federation of Hard Of Hearing People.
I have a professional interest in this field and also give talks and courses on it.

Crazy H, please don't buy hearing aids online.
Whether you go the NHS route or face-to-face in a commercial setting like Boots, the aids should be calibrated exactly to your needs, not just relating to sound levels but also to how you hear background noises of different pitches, context, etc.
Face to face, you will be told to drop in any time to have them 'tweaked' ( ususally for free with any reputable supplier) and your guarantee will be honoured.

Hearing aids nowadays are tiny computers, personally calibrated for you.
An online supplier simply cannot do this accurately.

Incidentally, for all readers, research in various universities in Britain and EU countries is showing a link between failure to address one's hearing loss properly and faster onset of dementia.

Wyllow3

kittylester

We have men on this site - they might also be able to help you.

Eh?

My thoughts exactly, Wyllow

I expect Kitty has inadvertently put her response on the wrong thread. It happens.

Thanks Grannycool for your valuable advice.

Thanks all, for your input

Will welcome more comments based on your experiences.
Thanks

I was just saying that this site is not just for ladies. It's not very encouraging for men to read a question to 'lovely ladies'.

Crazy H, you are very welcome.

You have to visit your Surgery and be referred by your GP for NHS hearing aids.

Not all health authorities offer hearing aids through the NHS, which is most unfair.

Ours does, and I got mine from Scrivens. They just needed to know my NHS number.

I did go to Boots initially but they only offer private hearing aids, presumably that's everywhere if you've been told the same.