Hi all,
I've been wearing hearing aids for 20 years. Have had private as well as NHS models. I find they've all worked pretty much the same, amplifying sound, but I still can't hear what people say. There must be technology out there that mixes sound to enhance the spoken word, but I'm clueless where to look and what kind of aid to go for.
Does anyone have any recommendations as to what type or make of aid would help me in this regard?
Hi Andie, I understand completely what you mean. Over the past 10 years I have also tried both private and NHS. Unfortunately, our trust doesn't supply aids with RIC and I just hate the moulds they use. I bought ReSound aids about 12 months ago. The thing I love mostly about them, is, that with the Bluetooth connection on iPad, I can hear every word on TV and Skype. I have to say that I am almost as deaf as a post now and conversations are ok with only one person talking - not so good if someone else is talking in the background. Personally, I think a good audiologist is the key factor. Doesn't matter how good the aids if they are not fine tuned to suit your hearing. If you are lucky enough to live near Great Yarmouth, there is an audiologist who writes on this forum and he certainly appears to know his job. If you are interested in ReSound, you will only find them available from an independent audiologist, as far as I know.
Good luck to you, it's a mine field out there. If you look back at my posts you will find comments from that very helpful audiologist I mentioned. Bobbie.
Bobbie, that is most useful, Thank you. Unfortunately I'm on the other side of the country to GY otherwise I might be making my way there with haste.
The technology you describe with your new ReSound aids sounds impressive, but I would gladly exchange that for the ability to hear what people are saying. I will look back on your posts and see what I can find.
Many thanks for your help
Andie
Yes, I'm also on the other side of the country to GY. If I can find his contact details again, I will let you know. He just might know of someone in your area. At the time I was already dealing with an audiologist so didn't get to ask him if he knew of anyone near me. Bobbie
Hi, this just popped up, I’m the guy from GY, yes I would truly recommend GN Resound, the newer Aids are rechargeable Quattro, 30% more processing power.... there is the Oticon Opn1s another option, both quality Aids with excellent Speech In Noise ratios, the best thing is try them and see what you like, if they do the job, brilliant, hope it helps.
Just to say that you can use NHS aids with a streamer to hear TV, landline, mobile, iPad etc. You need to ask the audiologist for the right kind of aid. My local authority uses Oticon aids (I think I needed Oticon spirit zest c) - I had to buy the streamer myself but didn’t have to pay VAT. Although not cheap to buy a bundle including a box for TV and Landline it has revolutionised my everyday life and I can now understand speech on TV and phone. The streamer was still cheaper than buying private aids - which I just can’t afford. I do still have trouble with conversation even in a quiet room though!
Yes, the NHS audiologist did tell me you could use a streamer with the Phonic aids they supplied me with. Before the hearing test, when I took out my RIC aids, she said, we don't don't supply that kind of fitting. I know that for those with severe hearing loss, moulds are often recommended but regardless of hearing loss our trust only did moulds. I was happy with the sound and if hadn't been for the fitting, I probably would have stuck with them.
My Trust does supply aids with tubes and domes but they don’t necessarily suit people with severe or worse hearing loss. I think it depends on the pattern of your loss.
Thank you for your advice. Streamer technology sounds great, but I'm resigned to using subtitles - after 30 years I don't even know I'm reading them!. It's person-to-person speech that I need help with. I'm finding it so difficult at work to hear colleagues and clients that it's making life very stressful. Oticon is a make that others have mentioned, certainly one that I might now consider.
Many thanks Andie.
Thanks Andie, it was my family who were fed up with subtitles!! I sympathise with your difficulty with speech - I have the same problem - if you find aids that make this better let me know!
Hearing aid for both ears or one?
new here 
Well that's not what I would have expected
Unsure on deafness