Help for Hearing Impairment

Savvy_Sue

rachelandgromit wrote: »

Long story short, but my hearing has got slightly worse again, however I am now sitting here with Oticon Spirit Zest Open Fit Hearing Aids in my ears hearing myself type (early days yet, only had them at 2pm

It's better than the full mould ones as my ears feel less restricted. I just have a couple of questions people may be able to help me out on.

Firstly, if I raise my hands, say as if to brush my hair I get loud whistling in my ears (ouch), and it really doesn't like it if I push my hair behind my ears (I do this alot as I have long hair and wear it down mostly), not to mention putting my sunglasses on. Is this normal?

the aids need adjustment! Not uncommon at this stage, and I wouldn't wait too long to go back, because the whistling with 'everyday' movement is an indication that it's not quite right yet!

But sunglasses? You need sunglasses atm? Where are you, we're all coming over to get out of the rain. :rotfl:

rachelandgromit

Ah, I'll pop back to Audiology tomorrow and ask for some adjustments. It was lovely today here in Cheshire but in a week I'm off to Peru for 3 weeks, Inca trail here I come.

Savvy_Sue

rachelandgromit wrote: »

Ah, I'll pop back to Audiology tomorrow and ask for some adjustments. It was lovely today here in Cheshire but in a week I'm off to Peru for 3 weeks, Inca trail here I come.

Might be worth asking if you can leave the sound proof box and go for a quick walk, flicking your hair as you go ... :rotfl:

rachelandgromit

Haha, it was a bit of a rush at the hospital today so I expected some problems, my fault really as I had to go back to work. There is a bit of crackling in the left aid too, like when the radio is fuzzy. Nearly reversed into a post when I got in my car after having the hearing aids fitted and my radio blared out, no wonder people give me funny looks at traffic lights at 630am when I have Kings of Leon blasting out, never realised it was that loud! Oops ....

Going bed, have a banging head!

constantworrier

I noticed that in our Specsavers you can get nhs hearing aids now. But I wonder if my boyfriend who already has them from the Hospital will be allowed to go there for the check ups and adjustments. Thankyou.

Hear-Hear

'Fraid not.

Specsavers ( and any other private firm which is supplying NHS-funded hearing aids ) are paid by your local CCG/PCT for a 3-year "pathway" which includes the testing, supply, fitting, batteries, adjustments as needed, and annual re-tests. If you and your GP have chosen Specsavers to provide this 3-year pathway, then you cannot then choose to go somewhere else for your aftercare. Similarly, if you and your GP have chosen your local hospital for the pathway, you cannot then opt to go elsewhere.

At the end of each 3 year period, your supplier must discharge you back to your GP. At that point, you and the GP can decide who and where to have new hearing aids supplied under a new 3 year pathway. Your GP then pays Specsavers, your local hospital, or whichever other qualified provider is available to you in your area, for your next 3 year pathway, ie. new hearing aids, batteries, annual retesting, etc, etc. All this at no cost to you, but you cannot expect Specsavers to provide service if your GP has paid the hospital for the pathway, nor can you expect the hospital to provide the service if your GP had paid Specsavers.

constantworrier

Hear-Hear wrote: »

'Fraid not.

Specsavers ( and any other private firm which is supplying NHS-funded hearing aids ) are paid by your local CCG/PCT for a 3-year "pathway" which includes the testing, supply, fitting, batteries, adjustments as needed, and annual re-tests. If you and your GP have chosen Specsavers to provide this 3-year pathway, then you cannot then choose to go somewhere else for your aftercare. Similarly, if you and your GP have chosen your local hospital for the pathway, you cannot then opt to go elsewhere.

At the end of each 3 year period, your supplier must discharge you back to your GP. At that point, you and the GP can decide who and where to have new hearing aids supplied under a new 3 year pathway. Your GP then pays Specsavers, your local hospital, or whichever other qualified provider is available to you in your area, for your next 3 year pathway, ie. new hearing aids, batteries, annual retesting, etc, etc. All this at no cost to you, but you cannot expect Specsavers to provide service if your GP has paid the hospital for the pathway, nor can you expect the hospital to provide the service if your GP had paid Specsavers.

Many thanks Hear-Hear

Savvy_Sue

Hear-Hear wrote: »

All this at no cost to you, but you cannot expect Specsavers to provide service if your GP has paid the hospital for the pathway, nor can you expect the hospital to provide the service if your GP had paid Specsavers.

Ah well, that saves me half a phone call next week: I need new open fit moulds / tubes and wondered if I could drift into Specsavers and ask for them. So now I just need to ask the Audiology clinic when they're open ... although I could also check where in the 'pathway' I am!

moneypenny2k

I never realised that I could apply for a London wide free travel pass, it was only after meeting another HI person that I found out. My council told me that I needed a hearing loss of at least 70Db which I have, took about a week once I had a copy of my audiogram. It's saved me a fortune. I thought I'd mention it in case somebody else may benefit.

I'm not sure what the position is outside of the London boroughs but I can use mine countrywide for bus travel after 9.30 am

Guardsman

I have recently started using a effervescent denture cleanser to clean my ear moulds and pipes.
Not sure if it does them any good but it sure does give them a good cleaning.