Hearing tests

[Bobbie915]

Can anyone tell me why private audiologist do not have the excellent testing equipment that the NHS use?

What is the point of buying expensive aids when the testing is inferior?

Is it possible to obtain a copy of NHS test? Or does anyone know of private audiologist who uses the same equipment as NHS?

[meggiemog]

Hi Bobbie,I had a private test done through Bupa where I went to an NHS hospital as a private patient. The way I did that was to see a private ENT consultant who also worked for the NHS. I would think though if you feel your hearing has deteriorated, then you could contact the audiology department where you have been previously and ask for a review ( I am currently waiting for a review appointment myself) as for previous audiology charts I would think you might have copies on your medical records? But not sure on that as I have only ever got them from private tests - but I know what you mean about the tests not being as thorough. I have found that some audiology NHS departments are better than others as well - I ideally need a department that has equipment to test speech recognition- and there aren't that many! I have had to swap my hearing care to another region just to get the kind of help I need.

[Bobbie915 in reply to meggiemog]

Thank you so much for your interesting reply. Although I have been to NHS for tests, I always end up buying my aids as I use Bluetooth a lot. I think it must be the voice recognition you mention that makes all the difference to the clarity of speech they achieve. It doesn’t matter how much you pay for aids if the settings are not suitable for you. Best wishes

[meggiemog in reply to Bobbie915]

My NHS hearing aids are bi-CROS that use bluetooth technology for me to 'hear' with my bad ear - but I had to go into another county to get the specialist treatment!

[Bobbie915]

That’s interesting. I was told they do wireless but not Bluetooth. Maybe that varies depending where you live. Did you have treatment that was not available in UK?

[alpacagirl in reply to Bobbie915]

The nhs does provide aids using Bluetooth but not directly from the aid - you need to buy a streamer. I have one and I don’t mind wearing it round my neck under my clothes - I wouldn’t be without it for connecting to the TV, iPad and iPhone. My dad has expensive private Bluetooth aids where you tap the aid to answer a call but he has found it a bit hit and miss.

[Bobbie915 in reply to alpacagirl]

Thanks for info. Yes, when I asked I was told not Bluetooth but wireless that you needed to buy a streamer. At that time they did not supply aids with domes only with moulds. That was about 4 years ago so might have changed by now. I will see if the situation has changed.

[alpacagirl in reply to Bobbie915]

The streamer works via Bluetooth so is not reliant on Wi-Fi.

[alpacagirl in reply to alpacagirl]

I use the streamer when running amongst other things to turn my aids into Bluetooth headphones, at the moment I don’t believe you can get the Bluetooth aids from nhs but I am sure it will come in the future😀

[Bobbie915 in reply to alpacagirl]

So now I know what the difference is between Bluetooth and wireless!

[GRboyRiches]

Hi Bobbie, it’s not the equipment it’s the know how, many people rely on the equipment to do the changes, such as auto adjust, rather than getting the client to relay the information after adjustments..the common saying is …Try that and see how it goes, rather than…is that better or worse, Hearing Aid software is the same wherever you go, it’s how you use it.