Anyone who has NHS hearing aids can I ask you some questions please?

[Ecruelworld]

I’ve been told I’ve got mild hearing loss by an audiologist at Specsavers. I was told the same thing two years ago at Boots. The lady today said it’s easier to get used to wearing aids if you start when the loss is mild.

I want to try NHS aids and see if I can get on ok with them rather than going straight for private ones which by the look of their leaflet will be £1,350+ for anything half decent.

If you wear NHS aids are you happy with them? Are they easy to adjust in different settings. Do they filter out unwanted background noise at all? If you have had NHS ones but then gone for private ones is there a big difference in quality? I have to get a referral from my GP for Specsavers to prescribe NHS ones so I thought I’d use the waiting time to do a bit of research. TIA

Essentially, not especially

Hi, I stayed lost some hearing over ten years ago. I went down the nhs route and they were g reat. I had eating aids, wire in ear, other stuff behind it.

I was 50 and it did take some getting used to. I often had to walk out of the office to get away from the noise.

If been warned about that, and that aids needed time to get used to.

After some years I was

Interesting you have gone to via the NHS. I went to ENT at the hospital today. With my referral being missed, plus lockdown, and then ears needing syringing (again) I’m now 18 months since first seeing the doctor.

@user1471453601

Hi, I stayed lost some hearing over ten years ago. I went down the nhs route and they were g reat. I had eating aids, wire in ear, other stuff behind it.

I was 50 and it did take some getting used to. I often had to walk out of the office to get away from the noise.

If been warned about that, and that aids needed time to get used to.

After some years I was

“Eating aids”.

Knife and fork?

For those wondering whether to try private aids, a few companies offer a ‘trial’ period. You pay at the fitting, but you get a set time period where you can return them for a refund if you’re not happy with them, or change style/technology level.

Gerard. Thank you so much for all this Info. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain the different options and the advice. I have really fragile, sensitive and easily damaged skin due to a genetic condition so the advice about using a bit of olive oil before putting the earpiece in is good to know. I have a GP phone call on Tuesday about the referral so I feel ive got far more clue about what the options are and what to expect.

I have low frequency hearing loss and struggle with male voices. It reached the point when I was in tears unable to hear adult DS.
I went to boots for a hearing test and they recommended hearing aids for both ears. Much as I fancied Bluetooth rechargeable ones I decided to try NHS first. GP referred me to audiology and I came away with hearing aids.
They are absolutely fine, barely visible and I can hear perfectly well with them.
My only problem, which I had before, is itchy eczema in the ears.
I might try private eventually but for now I'm happy with NHS. Obviously they are free, as is maintenance and batteries.

I’m in a similar boat and have been diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss. I’ve been referred back to the ENT though as given my age I’m not automatically entitled to hearing aids and they want to find out if there is a cause to my hearing loss and tinnitus.

I’m already of the mind to go with the NHS ones first as they are hugely expensive and I want to learn how to to live with them before I decide what I need for my lifestyle and if I can afford anything suitable.