Hearing aid

[SarahLouise84]

Hi me again do hearing aids help tinnitus I’ve done some one line hearing test all come back poor but can’t book ENT for over a years time would I have to pay for my own hearing aids ? Thanks

[Happyrosie]

As far as paying for hearing aids, that depends on local protocols. If you're in the UK, speak to your doctor's surgery and if they are unhelpful then tell your local Clinical Commissioning Group (get this from the NHS website) by emailing them and telling them your needs.Can hearing aids help? read the post from purenostalgia earlier today, and also the information on this subject within the British Tinnitus Association website.

[doglover1973]

I've bought hearing aids to tide me over until I go to ENT as I have profound loss in one ear. There's no other options with the NHS backlog. Just read Rosie's post. Perhaps I didn't need to .. I find the aids mask my T better in one ear than the other. Hoping Audiology will iron this out when I eventually get there.

[Jig-saw]

Some opticians do free hearing aid tests, I think it depends on age and getting a referral from your doctor, for the hearing aid it may depend if it qualifies under nhs or not.

[purenostalgia]

Sarah, my suggestion is you need them to know how desperate you are. I went to see the doctor and broke down, I said "I cannot put up with this much longer" and could you put on my records that I have told you this. I had a ENT appointment in about 5 weeks.I was in the same position as you, and hearing aids will help. but are not a cure.

[SarahLouise84 in reply to purenostalgia]

Thankyou for replying yes I’m literally at the point of not wanting to carry on I will speak to my gp I’ve been to my gp a few times in the last month broke down in tears telling them life just isn’t worth living anymore I dread every day waking up the noise is unbearable I hope they will see me sooner x

[purenostalgia in reply to SarahLouise84]

Ask him/her to put your comment on your records. It may come in useful later.

[notdodgy]

In my area they have a contract with a chain of opticians/hearing aid shops.I rang and had the appointment arranged by the receptionist.

The initial appointment was with the person from the shop but at the doctor's surgery. Follow ups were at the shop.

I can say they do help.

I have typical age related hearing loss, not bad enough to usually warrant hearing aids.

However they boost the higher frequencies so I can hear voices better over the Tinnitus.

I went back after a year and had them changed for ones which include a white noise generator.

(I use the noise generator in the evening to desensitize the Tinnitus, so it seems quieter at bed time).

I had the impression they would give you more time and a wider range of hearing aids if you pay, but that costs £££s.

[bournville]

I can recommend dealing with audiologist Gladys Akinseye at audiological science in London . She will supply and fit hearing aids from a tinnitus perspective. Cheapest aids are excellent and cost around £1200 including appointments. The provision and service she recently gave my mother who had given up with NHS was wonderful. Initial appointment is free and aids are provided on a no cost trial for several weeks.

[RONf]

My NHS Hearing Aids certainly help as they bring in a wealth of sounds that you cannot hear. They help mitigate the T sounds by enhancing other frequencies and lessening your perceptions of T. Fortunately I have had great support from NHS Audiology. I even have a regular three monthly appointment with a specialist nurse in ENT to check for any wax build up and then provide micro-suction to clear any excess wax to help my natural hearing capability. The provision for these excellent services sadly seems to be a post-code lottery.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

england.nhs.uk/ccgs/ - contains a searchable list of Clinical Commissioning Groups, per Rosie's advice.