Help for Hearing Impairment

Savvy_Sue

that's APPALLING! I know Hear-Hear suggests that an ANNUAL test is necessary if you're wearing aids.

Although it is possible that something on your hearing aid is 'off': have your tubes been changed in the last six months? They deteriorate. In which case having a 'tweek' may help - so you could go for that and agitate for a proper test ...

Alternatively I'd suggest speaking to your GP and explaining that along with the balance problems you think your hearing has deteriorated, and ask if they can make a referral because you NEED a test sooner than five years!

Catmum113

Hi, I was referred to Audiology by my GP and was diagnosed with hearing loss (I also have constant tinnitus) caused by working in a lot of noise, and wear hearing aids. The doctor says I could make a compensation claim. I have decided to do so but don't know how to start and would be grateful if someone could point me towards a reputable company to help me.

Savvy_Sue

If you're in a trade union, start with them for advice. If not, the claim would be against your employer's insurers. If it's the kind of place where this has affected a lot of people, then I'd google your employer's name and deafness and see if anything comes up.

the difficulty may be 'proving' that it is your employer who is 'responsible': if you've job-hopped a lot that will be tricky, or if you're also a rock drummer ... just as examples.

Savvy_Sue

has anyone looked into hearing aids attached to glasses? I've never managed to get a really comfortable earpiece on my NHS hearing aid, and I now have glasses I wear more often than not - well I would if I hadn't lost my main pair ...

I was wondering if they'd be worth trying ... but accept they may not be as good as 'proper' hearing aids.

Hear-Hear

There are good reasons why spectacle aids are abot as rare as hen's teeth:-

Suitable mainly for mild to severe conductive hearing loss, which is relatively uncommon

Can't use glasses without the aids, and can't use aids without the glasses - many people wear glasses only part of the time, or have different specs for reading and distance

Damage or scratches to the frame, or one of the lenses, mean not using both of the aids while the specs/lenses are bing repaired

Expensive repair costs

Arms of specs can feel very bulky (think Eric Sykes)

Frequent trips to the optician for tightening of the arms of the specs

Pressure of contact is uncomfortable for many

Significantly more expensive than hearing aids alone

w06

like many things that are combined (good old tv/dvd combo, washer driers etc) you'd end up with compromise on both glasses and hearing.

And when you lose or break one you break them both

It should be possible to get a good mould fit though, worth asking for a new one to be made to see if that can be improved

Savvy_Sue

w06 wrote: »

It should be possible to get a good mould fit though, worth asking for a new one to be made to see if that can be improved

Believe me, I tried!

Parnell

Widex Unique/Beyond
My mother's audiologist has recommended Widex Unique hearing aids. I've tried to find a comparison between the similarly priced Unique and Beyond aids on Widex's web-site and elsewhere on the net. I know hearing is partially subjective but for an expensive purchase there seem to be few independent reviews. Anyway from Widex's glossy brochures Unique appear to have the edge for sound quality and Beyond seem to be made for iphone connectivity (which my mother doesn't have). Have I got that right?
Then there's the bigger question of why not phonak, etc? The audiologist says she gets good results with widex.
Any thoughts or links to independent reviews welcome

Savvy_Sue

Can't help with the questions about Widex, just popped in to say that I have bitten the bullet and made an appointment at Audiology next week to start the process of getting my missing hearing aid replaced.

Even though it is over three years since they saw me, and even though I am sure my hearing has deteriorated, they cannot START by giving me a hearing test: for that I have to be referred by the audiologist or a medical professional.

I am considering cancelling that appointment and asking my GP to refer me, but fear that if I do that I'll just put it off ...

Decisions, decisions ...

Hear-Hear

Sue - don't even think about cancelling the appointment for replacing your lost hearing aid. Get that part sorted first. Once that's done, you can then instruct your GP to make the audiology referral for re-testing and re-programming. Smother him/her with kindness, and with a reminder that the national guidelines are re-testing etc at least every 3 years (your own CCG may possibly have a shorter cycle, but it won't be longer), and that you are overdue but need an actual referral to activate it all. You may well find that the older aid is upgraded at that time too !