Hearing aids

[BobGreen]

Anybody got one ? I've always thought only old people had them but have noticed finding it harder to hear some people talking. Mainly female voices but I do turn up TV up more and find myself saying pardon more
It's probably a legacy of noisy tractors and foragers from my contracting days 20 odd years ago. Perhaps I could sue Mr Claas !

 

[mo!]

Eh?

 

[mo!]

Sorry for the obvious joke, someone was going to make it!.

Whenever I've had anything to do with hearing aids I've been told that the NHS ones are as good or better than the private ones. Go to your GP and ask to be referred.

 

[farmerman]

Could be all the nagging over the years from females that's got to your hearing!! your brain telling you to switch off and the old saying going through one ear and out the other couldn't be truer lol

 

[Dry Rot]

I have NHS ones, but then I'm old! Haven't paid for any so can't compare. I live alone so only use them when with company and I do seem to go through a lot of batteries which are free to me. Not sure if it makes any difference, but I'm in Scotland and prescriptions are free.

Deafness isn't what most people think it is. It's not just a volume issue but (in mine and OP's situation) a tone issue. I avoid one couple who used to be regular visitors because I cannot understand one word the man's wife says, even with deaf aids! It is simply that she speaks in a tone that I can't hear!

 

[bobk]

My hearing isn't great after years on noisy tractors , but it makes little difference as I'm not listening anyway.

 

[laich]

Hi, I got a pair of hearing aids back in November last year. My biggest problem was picking up certain words or tones, even when standing talking to someone. Always had to turn up tv to try and hear it, to the extent that it was so loud that wife could not make out what was being said.
I knew for years that my hearing was poor, but it seemed to be getting worse. Loud music, tractors, having head stuck right in beside running engines, power tools while fixing them are all too blame.
I am in Scotland. My brother in law is also dear after years as a joined. He went to msn and got a pair for free. Up where we are , they just give you one type, that increases the volume. He can hear better, but can still struggle with different tones.
I decided to go private. I got my hearing checked at Specsavers and Boots. They both do audiologist services. Specialists lady did consultation and then said you need this one's, that she happened to have with her, for £2700,that was with four years warranty and free batteries, for the four years.
Boots did consultation and girl there explained what was actually wrong and gave me options . She showed me the available range and explained the differences. They ranged from £700 basic , just amplifying everything, to £3000 a pair , that can be tuned to suit individual needs. Boots give a five years warranty, but you have to buy your own batteries.
I went with Boots, because of longer warranty . Chose a more expensive pair that can be set, because ,I reckoned my hearing will not improve and this should cover any future changes. Also they are small and can't be seen behind my ears. Get free aftercare service for life, to sort out any problems . Have been back about 10 times to get them adjusted to suit me, as you need to get out and use them to get used to them. Never used to be able to understand my 4 year old grandson,first time after getting them, I heard him clearly from 15 feet away and decided they were worth every penny.
I have been told by relations in Midlands, that down there they just refer you to Specsavers. Not sure if this is case or not.
Hope this helps. Any questions, just ask.

 

[RWG Contracts]

Anybody got one ? I've always thought only old people had them but have noticed finding it harder to hear some people talking. Mainly female voices but I do turn up TV up more and find myself saying pardon more
It's probably a legacy of noisy tractors and foragers from my contracting days 20 odd years ago. Perhaps I could sue Mr Claas !

I need to go to get one as well Bob being nearly deaf in one ear since birth, when I was younger the doctors wouldn't give me a hearing aid cause they said my ear will rely on it so they left it hoping it would start working, it hasn't and I can't be bothered going and getting one, luckily I can lip read so as long as I can see the person talking I'm fine

 

[JohnGalway]

Got told years ago I needed two because of tinnitus. I didn't bother as they were ridiculous money and while I DO have hearing issues I don't feel they're bad on that level. Noisy spots like pubs or out in the wind talking away from me you will have to write it down. I have an excellent excuse not to hear certain things now

 

[Dry Rot]

Hi, I got a pair of hearing aids back in November last year. My biggest problem was picking up certain words or tones, even when standing talking to someone. Always had to turn up tv to try and hear it, to the extent that it was so loud that wife could not make out what was being said.
I knew for years that my hearing was poor, but it seemed to be getting worse. Loud music, tractors, having head stuck right in beside running engines, power tools while fixing them are all too blame.
I am in Scotland. My brother in law is also dear after years as a joined. He went to msn and got a pair for free. Up where we are , they just give you one type, that increases the volume. He can hear better, but can still struggle with different tones.
I decided to go private. I got my hearing checked at Specsavers and Boots. They both do audiologist services. Specialists lady did consultation and then said you need this one's, that she happened to have with her, for £2700,that was with four years warranty and free batteries, for the four years.
Boots did consultation and girl there explained what was actually wrong and gave me options . She showed me the available range and explained the differences. They ranged from £700 basic , just amplifying everything, to £3000 a pair , that can be tuned to suit individual needs. Boots give a five years warranty, but you have to buy your own batteries.
I went with Boots, because of longer warranty . Chose a more expensive pair that can be set, because ,I reckoned my hearing will not improve and this should cover any future changes. Also they are small and can't be seen behind my ears. Get free aftercare service for life, to sort out any problems . Have been back about 10 times to get them adjusted to suit me, as you need to get out and use them to get used to them. Never used to be able to understand my 4 year old grandson,first time after getting them, I heard him clearly from 15 feet away and decided they were worth every penny.
I have been told by relations in Midlands, that down there they just refer you to Specsavers. Not sure if this is case or not.
Hope this helps. Any questions, just ask.

I am also in Scotland. Maybe I have been lucky. The NHS deaf aids I have were free and were specially tuned for my hearing. But I am a pensioner and get free prescriptions anyway. The NHS deaf aids do not simply increase the volume but equalize tones at various levels. I edit videos professionally (amongst other things!) and understand how various tones and frequencies can be tweaked for the best results. The NHS audiologists do this on a computer and they are quite rude about their high street competitors who charge the prices mentioned above!

BTW, I also get free eye tests and have used Boots to check the NHS results. Both came to the same conclusions. If in Scotland, I suggest going the NHS route to try them and then compare with the high street results. My guess is there will be no difference, except in the price.