Saving Money Buying Hearing Aids

jem16

I had my appointment this morning, although it was a bit of a waste of time. My hearing aid was looked at and the tube was fine. I explained that the hearing aid wasn't helping my hearing and felt I needed the whole thing reviewed.

An ear impression was taken of my right ear and I have to get an appointment for a hearing test - will be in about 6 weeks! At that point I will get a newer aid apparently. I asked about open fit and was told it depended on my hearing loss which I already knew.

Barcode

I guess I don't quite understand why the first port of call isn't the NHS. I too have the Siemens Prisma 2m, and I'm going to get some new ones next week after, oh, four years. They will be just the same as the sorts of things people pay thousands for elsewhere.

I guess I could understand it if the waiting list was huge, maybe. In my case, I went from hearing test to new aid fitting within a month. That's not been unusual in my dealings with the audiology dept. I also get batteries, and they are open should you need repairs.

I'd never pay thousands for hearing aids - seems madness to me.

jim83

Barcode wrote: »

I guess I don't quite understand why the first port of call isn't the NHS.

It is the first port of call


I'd be interested to know what these new aids the NHS are providing are. I was chatting to a sales manager for Siemens Hearing a few weeks ago and he was talking about the NHS potentially providing Siemens Reflex aids in some PCTs.

The Reflex is a rebranded Artis 2 which, while certainly not top-of-the-range (most of the technology in it has been available privately for 4-5 years now), is very capable and a big step up from the aids provided in the past. You're currently looking at £1500+ a pair if dispensed privately I think. Though I'd imagine you'll find pricing restructured as a reaction to this soon enough.

It's actually a remote control compatible aid. I wonder if people could get those from the NHS as well? It would certainly help those with dexterity problems who struggle with current manual controls. Privately, they retail at about £80-120.

It's not exactly the same as privately dispensed hearing aids, though... Audiologically, this is being issued as a one-size-fits-all solution, whereas with a large pool of instruments to choose from, you get something a lot more bespoke privately. Also, these are still behind-the-ear only, whereas most of the time you'd get something custom-made in-the-ear or a small receiver-in-the-canal style from a private dispenser.

Professionally speaking, even if the Reflex is rolled out nationwide and waiting lists are brought down to a couple of weeks, it still does not concern me too much. It does not solve to core problems of physical comfort or cosmetics and the private sector is still at least a generation ahead in terms of technology.

Savvy_Sue

I agree with Barcode, I know too many people whose first port of call ISN'T their local NHS audiology dept (or GP to ask for a referral), they know they're losing their hearing so they get a private test and end up paying a lot for a private hearing aid, because they think it will somehow be better than what's available on the NHS.

And it is true that you get CHOICE if you go private. And that applies not just to the aids you end up with, but when you get your appointments, and how easy it is to get good follow up.

However, I still say people should try NHS first, because for some of us it's perfectly adequate and acceptable. I don't understand why hearing aids are less cosmetically acceptable than glasses, or why some men whose hair doesn't cover their ears are too vain to wear them. But since I remember 'in the ear with a wire hanging down to the receiver and battery pack' styles, behind the ear is a great leap forward! :rotfl:

(I also remember my mum sewing a pocket on the back of my brother's t-shirts so that his hearing aid didn't fall out when he was cycling!)

jem, is your loss just in one ear? Or are they now investigating the other ear? I know jim feels that more people would benefit from having two aids than always get them. And some people struggle to co-ordinate one ear aided and the other 'au naturel', although I've never had a problem with that. Which is just as well because it is just the one ear which has gone! a great relief as I can't use the phone to my 'deaf' ear ...

jem16

jim83 wrote: »

It is the first port of call


I'd be interested to know what these new aids the NHS are providing are. I was chatting to a sales manager for Siemens Hearing a few weeks ago and he was talking about the NHS potentially providing Siemens Reflex aids in some PCTs.

I'll let you know in around 6 weeks.

Also, these are still behind-the-ear only, whereas most of the time you'd get something custom-made in-the-ear or a small receiver-in-the-canal style from a private dispenser.

This is my main reason for looking at the private options. I'd prefer something that's small, discrete and comfortable.

jem16

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I don't understand why hearing aids are less cosmetically acceptable than glasses, or why some men whose hair doesn't cover their ears are too vain to wear them. But since I remember 'in the ear with a wire hanging down to the receiver and battery pack' styles, behind the ear is a great leap forward! :rotfl:

There are many who need glasses who opt for contact lenses rather than actual glasses. Much the same reason as those who would prefer discrete styles of hearing aid.

jem, is your loss just in one ear? Or are they now investigating the other ear?

The hearing test I had at Specsavers shows that my loss is exactly the same in both ears. I asked the NHS this morning about two aids and was told that if my hearing test showed I needed two aids then I would be offered two but that a lot of people don't want two. I was also told that my last hearing test with the NHS must have shown that I needed only one. As it was almost 4 years ago I can't remember although I am not aware of my hearing being worse than it was then.

I know jim feels that more people would benefit from having two aids than always get them.

I believe my mum has been given two aids but she doesn't use the 2nd one as she doesn't like both ears being blocked up and says that she still can't hear any better. At times she won't even wear one! I have tried to find out why she doesn't hear even with the aids and what kind of hearing loss she actually has but I never get a clear answer. I told her to ask about open fit on her last visit and apparently she is to get them on her next appointment. She thinks she has trouble with low frequency sounds too.

ostarjohn

Hi everyone. I went to my audiology dept at the PCT today, for a simple re-tubing on my Prisma 2M. When I got there, the audiologist advised me that the left aid (I am lucky to have got both) was slightly damaged. This was news to me, but then she went on to inform me that they were now issuing the Reflex M models. As I had two aids, I would have to have both done! This was done, all within ten minutes, programmed, and tested. Fantastic! 12 channels, in each ear, plus wireless e2e (you can adjust the volume or change the program on either aid, and it automatically adjusts the other aid). I was not sure how beneficial all this would be, but after just one day I can say that this is truly a superior aid which is much more appropriate and easy to use. Hearing is better, more clear, and easier to adjust to different ambient sounds levels (changing to the loud noise cancelling program). all this for free on the NHS too.

The volume controls is different too. Instead of having a scale of 1 to 4, the wheel (known as VC) scrolls continuously, ie. no end stop. Once you have reached either end of the volume scale, the aid beeps three times to advise you that you have turned it down or up to the least/most possible. I was not sure how I would take to this adjustment, but believe me, after just a few hours, I was hooked on it!

If anyone else has any experiences of these aids, please let me know. I am on cloud nine right now.

john

jem16

ostarjohn wrote: »

Hi everyone. I went to my audiology dept at the PCT today, for a simple re-tubing on my Prisma 2M. When I got there, the audiologist advised me that the left aid (I am lucky to have got both) was slightly damaged. This was news to me, but then she went on to inform me that they were now issuing the Reflex M models.

Thanks. I will see if this is what I'm given when I get my hearing test.

My interest in going privately is the small receiver in the ear aids. I don't particularly like the ear mould as it makes me feel very blocked up. I know that my low frequency loss makes the normal open fit BTE aids unlikely (although apparently may be possible). I also like the fact that the receiver in the ear aids are very small.

I am going to get quotes from a few private dispensers. I know what Specsavers would charge and I have an appointment with my local Hearing Company frim (Clements & Osborne) next Saturday. I have also tried to get an appointment with Amplivox Hearing Centre but all I got so far was an answering machine. I will also try David Ormerod.

My real curiosity is that some will say the technology is more advanced within the private sector and I certainly like the sound of the receiver in the ear models whcih I know I will not get from the NHS. If I don't try the private aids I will always wonder if they are really better or not so I think I'm prepared to give it a go.

Savvy_Sue

jem16 wrote: »

If I don't try the private aids I will always wonder if they are really better or not so I think I'm prepared to give it a go.

a very sensible approach. And I have every sympathy with the feeling that the full ear mould blocks your ears up! My earlier comments relate to people who have headed down the private route without finding out what IS available on the NHS, and have then purchased something remarkably similar to what I'm wearing for free.

And you are struggling, and not feeling that you're benefiting from the NHS aid you have. I do hope that going private gets you what you NEED.

jem16

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

a very sensible approach. And I have every sympathy with the feeling that the full ear mould blocks your ears up! My earlier comments relate to people who have headed down the private route without finding out what IS available on the NHS, and have then purchased something remarkably similar to what I'm wearing for free.

I admit this is my worry. I will still go with the NHS and get another test and a new aid or aids. Hopefully I can get the open fit style.

And you are struggling, and not feeling that you're benefiting from the NHS aid you have. I do hope that going private gets you what you NEED.

Thanks - I would like to trial them. Hopefully if I really feel no extra benefit I will be able to get my money back as the guarantee states. How good this guarantee is remains to be seen.