NHS Hearing Aids

[Dazza2024]

What level of Quality are people getting with Free Hearing Aids from the NHS, do they have a price budget in mind & so the public are getting the cheapest and basic hearing aid. I just wondered what choices many people had if any ?.

[Happyrosie]

this will depend on local protocols , there’s no way to find out other than by actually going and seeing an NHS audio and asking. As far as I know.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to Happyrosie]

Good points there, Rosie.

A person to ask this question to might be Sandy, who runs one of our regular tinnitus support groups as she has insight into this topic as a former audiologist and hearing therapist. Similarly, Henri who runs another one of our groups has experience from the private and NHS healthcare sectors.

Henri's group is the end of the month - tinnitus.org.uk/event/onlin... and you've just missed Sandy's monthly group - her next is on June 5th - tinnitus.org.uk/event/onlin...

[daverussell]

I bought my first pair privately from a popular high street audiologist before my tinnitus erupted. I liked the light weight. However they were basic....

A few years ago when my tinnitus erupted, the audiologist suggested upgrading to maskers. I shopped around and decided to go with NHS ones that included maskers. Whilst you can't walk in the service with the NHS was far superior to the private audiologist. I now only wear hearing aids for the masking.

Our needs are different and it's personal choice. Don't dismiss NHS though. The poor reputation unfortunately goes back to the mid 1900.

Try this...

hearingaid.org.uk/hearing-a...

[Marsh3l in reply to daverussell]

Do they work well for you? I have an appointment with nhs audiologist next week in the hope to be issued with hearing aids.

I went yesterday but could have the test due to wax. Build up one one ear.

my hearing in my my right ear has been poor all my life. I am hoping hearing aids help with my pulsating tinnitus. at least the masking will be a big help.

[daverussell in reply to Marsh3l]

Apart from the tubes blocking with wax absolutely fine. I was surprised at the difference how programmed masking really helps. Although, the boosted hearing does help masking too.Hearing aids take a while to get used to. As for the hearing functionality, for me as I have hyperacusis and the trade off was not to wear them. Though I know I should probably try again.

[Bellyboo]

Hi

I tried a weeks worth costing £3500 self charging which were ok but settled for the spec savers which were free and work for me just as good though I have to fit batteries 2 times a week which are supplied free for 2 years.

[RP1944 in reply to Bellyboo]

you got specsavers hearing aids for free? I had to pay quite a lot of money for mine from specsavers, and they play up so aren’t as good as I had hoped.

[Bellyboo in reply to RP1944]

Sorry to hear that…I’ve had no issues in 12 months! I’m looking at moulded ear ones next as I think would be suitable for me personally. I’m 72 so that’s why I got free NHS ones. It’s a minefield out there

[JGBH in reply to Bellyboo]

Hope you don’t mind my asking whether it is the norm for the NHS to issue hearing aids if one is 72 or over? I was not aware of this and is there a choice? Are they any good, modern too? Thank you.

[Kellythecat-74 in reply to RP1944]

I believe the nhs does supply hearing aides via specsavers . Although not in all areas of the country . So you have to check if that is available in your area.

[Tal-r789T]

I have both private and NHS. I have hearing loss in both ears and T. The key differences:

1. My local NHS heavily oversubscribed - so very slow in getting appointments. Audiologist was good

2. NHS issues HA are ancient - I can barely buy spares for them. They are an old Phonak tube model with batteries - functional but old

3. Use Boots Hearing services - pro is I can get appointments fairly quick

4. They are good ranges there and I have a pair of more modern Phonak which are rechargable - I don't use masker app

5. Downside is they cost me money and really Boots are selling me something so I'm on my own

6. Boots do do an annual check up and replace all components as part of the service and a hearing test. Plus if anything breaks it's all warranty covered by local boots shop

I'm not sure if NHS approach is based on budgets/range of hearing loss/or other factors. All I know is mine are old and have fiddly small batteries (and I'm fairly nimble)!

HTH

[Kellythecat-74 in reply to Tal-r789T]

I was seen by the nhs for their hearing aides . I was told if I waited a few more months (think it was about 5), they were getting the bluetooth ones. I chose to wait . They are just as good as the Specsavers ones for £2000, I listen to the radio through them. Only downside is they aren't rechargeable . Tiny batteries , but I can get more free ones from our local community centre.

[Oysterseeker]

In Warwickshire I went in and am now on waiting list but will be getting some Phonak blue tooth, replaceable battery ones. Some masking can be added I was told. Choice of silver, black or champagne, quite small behind the ear type. Hopefully they will help hearing and tinnitus

[Oysterseeker in reply to Oysterseeker]

That's NHS

[Beesmac]

Hi Dazza2024. I always bought my hearing aids when I had moderate hearing loss. Then 3 1/2 years ago a bout of Labyrinthitis has left me almost totally deaf in my right ear and moderate loss in my left. Then my tinnitus started with a vengeance. The hearing aids I had been wearing were no longer sufficient for my needs. I had seen an ENT consultant who referred me to Audiology at my local hospital. In the meantime I went back to Specsavers and spent a considerable amount on some new aids whilst waiting for my NHS aids. All I will say is that my Specsavers aids remain in my drawer as I find the NHS aids far superior. They have all the latest technology, ie Bluetooth connectivity which enables me to hear phone calls, music etc perfectly. The back up with the Audiology department is superb. That is my experience and I hope you are as fortunate. x

[bantams]

Hi Dazza, I have NHS hearing aids from the Calderdale Royal hospital in West Yorkshire, they are Oticon hearing aids with bluetooth and 2 masking sounds built in. So with them having bluetooth I can download various masking apps on my phone. Also I just have to email them for them to send new batteries, tubes and domes. I have tried private hearing aids on a free trial period costing £1500/£2000 and the only differance being that they are slightly smaller.

[Graham-E in reply to bantams]

I also have the Oticon hearing aids with bluetooth and 1 masking sounds built in.

[MagikalMeeps]

I've just received my NHS ones, and so far they've worked really well for me. They do 'lower' the amount of tinnitus I have, though this may be due to the fact I can actually hear better now! They're pretty comfortable, half the time I forget I'm wearing them. I can make and receive phone calls on them as they Bluetooth to my phone, and even listen to music occasionally (though the quality of that isn't great). My only problem so far is the app that is used to control them, called myPhonak. You can choose the levels for each ear if you wish, and I need to have my left ear set slightly higher than the right one (though I'm getting this adjusted by the audiologist soon). If you receive a text or notification it often resets back down to the default balance, which is a little annoying. I've already reported this to the software company, but I doubt anything will happen. More of a niggle than anything really. And most of the time people don't even realise I'm wearing them, which is quite nice. Apart from that - happy days!

[D-w-L2023]

I've got NHS Phonak, bluetooth HA from Specsavers. I was referred by my doctor so they are free.

They have an app with adjustable programs but I've not found any of the programs particularly different.

Being bluetoothed to my phone means I can take and make calls and have the sound in my ears which helps a lot. Also good for podcasts and the like and not so obvious as a pair of earbuds sticking out. .

In terms of "are they helping my actual hearing?". I don't know.

What I will say though, is that I trialled some £3500 HA from a well know company and the biggest difference was that the expensive ones could be charged overnight and didn't need batteries. Also I hated the sound and they couldn't tone down the high frequency response.

[perlcoder]

My aid (one ear only with masker), was supplied 7 years ago. It is a phonak, behind the ear, battery powered, and it has been excellent. It may not have been state of the art at the time (maybe I don't know), but it did the job very well. The Audiologists who took care of me were excellent. My hearing has deteriorated, my T has grown worse and I am now considering whether to go back to Audiology or a private provider. Waiting times and the HA to be provided are factors. I am sure that there are excellent private providers, but the one person I know who has done so paid £8,000 for her aids, and spends much time / money going back to have them adjusted.

Having just saved £9,000 by waiting a little longer to have my cataract operations on the NHS through an excellent public/private partnership, it would be nice to do the same again re my hearing. I have paid my share of tax over the years.

[Kellythecat-74 in reply to perlcoder]

You could treat yourself to a lovely holiday worth the wait !!

[TinyTin]

My NHS aids are Danalogic Ambio range which come with an app. Lots of adjustability on them for different situations eh: listening to music, TV, outdoors, restaurant and slots to make your own presets. They are very comfortable and you get free batteries when you take your used ones back. The only downside is that they are hard to open to clean but I think some mini pliers may help with that. 😁

[oldanddeaf]

Mine (one only) is a Phonak rechargeable with a custom-moulded ear piece supplied by the NHS after a 4-5 month wait. I have had two 6-week follow up apps with the audiologist to adjust and tweak the settings. It's not brilliant for me, as it just seems to amplify the high frequency ranges (eg birds cheeping, cellophane rustling) and not the midrange (conversation, TV). I have reactive tinnitus in my deaf ear, and hyperacusis. I hope you can sort yours out. Do contact the audiology dept again, and ask for a review. These are rarely right-first-time .

[oldanddeaf in reply to oldanddeaf]

Oops, think l just replied to the wrong post, sorry!

[Hylda2]

I have Oticon NHS hearing aids from tinnitus clinic at local hospital. Told by the audiologist they cost in the region of £2k+.