NHS hearing aids

[Soontobe60]

I had my hearing tested today at Specsavers, and have hearing loss in both ears. The person doing the assessment said I qualify for NHS hearing aids. He said they didn't have any available to show me, but did show me some they have available privately.
Does anyone have an NHS hearing aid, and would they recommend Specsavers??

This is timely because I've literally just returned from Specsavers where I learned that I have "mild" hearing loss, mainly in my right ear - I've lost some of the middle and lower range frequencies, hence I struggle to hear soft-voiced people and most dialogue on the TV!

I also have a perforation in my right eardrum that seems old and has never healed - apparently that hasn't contributed to hearing loss though.

They said I qualify for prescribed NHS hearing aids, I said I'd have a think about it and he didn't try to push me. I suppose I'm thinking - I'm 51 and the hearing loss is mild, will they make that much of a difference? Shall I just wait until the loss is more significant?

Obviously I can't ask them that, I'd have a private brochure in my face in a flash...

@JiraffDeSaki I accepted mine at 49 because of the links to dementia . I have moderate hearing loss and dementia in my family so I'm not prepared to take the risk . I'm amazed how used to them I've got although they make me feel old I'm blessed with a lot of hair so no one really sees them !

@boredybored Whaaaaat??? I didn't know that, thanks for the poster. Blimey, my dear old mum started using hearing aids in her 60s and got Alzheimer's at 79, died at 82. Stacks of dementia in our family.

I think I might call them tomorrow...!

I have private ones as the NHS in my area were not doing digital/Bluetooth ones when I purchased them. I have oticon ones and love them, I did pay for the best model at the time, purchased via local independent opticians. I love the fact they are rechargeable (no batteries) and they are under a 5 year guarantee so any problems I’ve been able to get them fixed really quickly.

I will look into the NHS again once the guarantee is up on these and see what they are offering.

Thanks to the person who mentioned about the freedom pass I may qualify and had no idea.

If you have a disabled railcard you can also get a 1/3 off all London travel - you just need to register an Oyster card and pop to a station or shop to get the railcard details added to the card.

Had no idea re Disabled railcard and Freedom pass (although don't live in London) . Is there anything else?

My local London borough does free gym and swim anytime at all its leisure centres for those who wear hearing aids. Though my friend in the next borough doesn’t get this nor family members who also wear hearing aids in other parts of the country.

@JiraffDeSaki yeah .! The audiologist is explained it to me that although I think I can hear my brain is over processing all the time and that the links are there . I'm not risking it . I've got used to them quickly

@boredybored Thats interesting because now I'm conscious of it, I watched some TV earlier and noticed that I'm "filling in" dialogue when I didn't quite catch it - as long as I can watch their mouth/face. There are lots of things I can hear that DH can't, he mishears me constantly so I've always maintained he's the one with a hearing problem - but he also can't believe how loud I need the TV (and I don't admit I still can't hear it).

Part of me still thinks that it's mild, everyone aged 50 and over has some degree of hearing loss (surely!) and there's no need for hearing aids at this stage - I'm overreacting.

But the link with dementia makes me want to rush back down there and get in the queue. And the earlier you start the easier it is to adapt and all that...

Have you thought of having subtitles on.