WWYD, incur new debt? (Hearing aid.)

[73kittycat73]

Hi, Hopefully this won't be to long, I'll try my best!
Lately my hearing has been getting bad (Mumbling on the tv, having to ask people to repeat themselves a lot, straining hard to understand accents.) and I have a free at home hearing test booked for this Tuesday. If I need a hearing aid I will have to pay for it. They start at nine hundred and ninety five pounds and you can spread the cost over 1-2 years.

I need an at home test as I am virtually housebound with agoraphobia. If I went via NHS I would have to go to the hospital, at least twice. This I can't do.

The thing is, years ago I got into a bit of debt, mainly on a credit card. Once I paid it all off I vowed never to get credit again. It actually gives me anxiety to think about getting credit. However, the only way I could afford a hearing aid is through credit. Is this one of those times I have to put my big girl pants on and accept this (Adults do debt, be it on mortgage, a car, etc.) or does it sound like a bad idea? Any advice would be gratefully received.

Hi everyone. Thank you all so much for your kind advice. I have decided I will have the free hearing test on Tuesday, but I will 'phone the Drs' and get a telephone appointment to discuss further. Thank you all again for your help and advice.
Thank you for the offer keepforgettingmyusername . I will keep that in mind and see how things turn out.

Hi everyone, thought I'd just pop on and do an update.
I had the free hearing test. He said I have mild hearing loss in both ears and would need an aid in both ears costing 1800-2000 pounds. I did get in contact with my DR, was given an telephone appointment for last Friday. Took a bit of convincing but in the end requested a home visit for me.
Well, they came today. I only actually need one aid for the right ear, and I have it now! So thank you all once again, I really appreciate it!

Glad you’re sorted, your experiment sounds similar to my mums. She had a “free” test with a private company who said she needed 2 very expensive hearing aids, she followed up with the NHS who said she had mild loss in one ear.

It's not right that they can get away with it @TwoBlueFish is it? Still, I'm glad your mum got her hearing aid sorted. Tried mine for the recommended 3 hours today. Had the TV on much lower and it still felt loud! lol Apparently I was talking very quietly too, to me it sounded like I was shouting!

Welcome to the one hearing aid club

Glad to hear you got it sorted!

< whispers > Thank you @Chouetted.

I wouldn't necessarily believe you were trying to be missold two hearing aids when you only need one. It's more common to have a loss in both ears. There are a number of NHS trusts that will now only issue one hearing aid due to budget cuts or won't issue them for mild losses. So they don't always act in the patient's best interest either.

Having said that if you strongly believe you were trying to be sold two when you only need one then I would encourage you to report them. Private sector audiologists earn sales commission and are targeted to sell X amount a month, and unfortunately there are occasionally the odd unscrupulous people who will do anything for the money, but they need to be reported. I would start by contacting the head office of the company that came to see you and if you are not satisfied then report to BSHAA

www.bshaa.com/Complain