Hearing Aids?

unknown_786

Ran a quick search but couldn't find anything..apologies if this has been done before...but I am after a good, SMALL hearing aid for my father....Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Unknown

jpe20

Hi there,
I've worn hearing aids for years myself and never paid a penny for them. Get your dad down to the local NHS hospital Audiology Department for an audiological review (hearing test) ... Probably need a GP referal first. I have always had good services and reliable hearing aids from the NHS. They often buy their hearing aids from the same companies as the private hearing aid shops. They will give your dad the hearing aids he "needs" for his hearing loss and you won't be ripped off by a hearing aid salesperson at a private shop. The NHS do now do digital aids and the "small" in the ear ones as well.

This is a money saving site after all and you get them free on the NHS. Also you may be doing your dad a favour by giving him the hearing aid for his loss rather than a random one that looks like it will help off the internet or mail order. Also better for the long term as his hearing changes as the NHS will give him what he needs as his hearing changes.

It may take 2-4 months for an appointment but if you telephone the receptionist and explain the situation at the hospital they may see your father early.

As for cheap hearing aids you can buy then I cannot advise you. Mine cost the NHS about 200quid each and they are made by Phonac a swiss hearing aid company and I have a serious loss. They are also giving me a new set of digitals early next year.

So don't knock the NHS they can give you a good service and it's free!! Though remember do not expect results overnight.

Hope this helps

Jules

Barcode

Depends on the type of hearing loss your father has - if by small, you mean in the ear, then I assume your father has a mild to moderate hearing loss. In that case, I know Boots does some where you pay monthly and throw them away after three months. They are quite pricey though.

I'd get your father to go to the nearest NHS audiology department. I have a profound sensori-neural hearing loss and have been wearing digital aids for years. The ones I currently have are fairly unobtrusive, and would cost about 5000 pounds if I went private! I was on a waiting list, but got huffy and said I needed to be able to hear my lectures. So if your father has a job or something which absolutely demands a reasonable level of hearing, then make that clear.

I know it might not be 'fair' to 'jump the que', but in my experience, you have to be pushy to get anywhere. The getting into the system is the hard bit, but once you're actually seen to - most audiologists are really helpful IMO. My department also gives me free batteries, and I can just turn up if one of my hearing aids do not work.

Also ask for some back-up aids. I've some spare analogue ones lying around which will do in a pinch. The official line is they are not supposed to, but most departments will give you what you ask for.

Personally, I think it's a waste of time going private. All that differs is the speed in which you'll receive your aids. Not really worth it for several thousand pounds!

Savvy_Sue

I agree that a good place to start is audiology, although the wait is probably longer at the moment than it was until recently because they are rolling out digital hearing aids for everyone AFAIK. I also know that in my area they have a Young People's Waiting List which is shorter than the 'other list', and is for those who are still working!

krisskross

My husband got his digital aids in September...think we are in a "quick" area. I phoned just to have his old ones fixed in July and by September he had had more hearing tests and went from analogue to digital :-)
He says the new ones are heaps better and he can actually hear the TV now, although he still uses headphones as he has to concentrate so hard without them.
I have a better life as well as now I KNOW he can hear me so no excuses for not washing up,putting the new light bulb in etc
Try to access the NHS, we looked at private once and the costs are astronomic.......my husband was quoted over £1000 and that was just for one aid, he wears two.