Help for Hearing Impairment

Savvy_Sue

My experience is that they want to 'upgrade' my NHS hearing aid at the drop of a hat, whether or not I want or need them to!

The latest one is SO fiddly to use: I used to be able to switch it on and off while it was still in the ear (if I'd lost track of what settings I'd adjusted it to, or to quickly check if it was actually working or not). Not a hope with this one, although on my checkup I was told the battery compartment would become slightly less stiff with time. But I also struggle to 'feel' which is the volume control and which is the changing programmes control.

Hear-Hear

cairndog wrote: »

Hear-Hear, since your reply in January I've had another NHS test and one ear is a bit worse than 2yrs ago.

I have a Siemens Octive M+ at present. I dont know what that equates to in the Widex and Siemens models from Specsavers, Boots etc.
Someone suggested trying n Independant supplier, but are they truly independant ? I'm rather sceptical about that.
Can I have your views please.

Siemens Octiv M+ is a made-for-the-NHS aid, so no other Widex or Siemens model to compare like-for-like with. In fact, the Octiv became obsolete about 2 years ago I think, and was replaced at the time by the Siemens Teneo range. However, Specsavers and Boots etc supply only the latest (or in some cases, very recent) technology, so all of their models will have the benefit of significant technological advances.

Independent means not owned by a manufacturer. Specsavers is independent by that definition, but only deals with 3 or 4 manufacturers, so you could argue that they may not be ? Boots Hearing is not independent, but deals with a handful of other manufacturers besides their owner. I'd suggest that even the smallest of audiology 'independent' firms are unlikely to deal with all the manufacturers, but would have good relationships with perhaps 3 or 4 manufacturers.

The upside to all this is that an audiologist will have strong trading relationships with selected manufacturers, a thorough understanding of the products from these manufacturers, and an ability to work with the nuances of the various software programmes to tailor the performance of the hearing aids more accurately to the individual's needs.

Hear-Hear

Phonak produce a massive range of hearing aid styles and technologies. Some of these apply to NHS only, other apply to Private supply only, and others (such as the Lyric) to specific firms that have been fully trained and authorised by Phonak.

The best direction I could give you is to contact the manufacturer at Phonak, Sonova House, Lakeside Drive, Center Park, Warrington WA1 1RX.

Hope this helps.

omya

Hi

I have been diagnosed with Otosclerosis 3 years ago in my left ear, was using NHS hearing aids. Then 3 months ago, my right ear started to show symptoms of Otosclerosis as well, did the hearing test and was given 2 hearing aids yesterday. Still trying to adapt to the new situation, also trying to link/pair the new hearing aids with my Android phone but with no luck.

My hearing aids are Resound Alera, and my phone is OnePlus 6 which is the newest version.

Could anyone advise/help on how to pair the hearing aids with the Android phone?
Thank you in advance.

Hear-Hear

Resound Alera are obsolete hearing aids. Can't remember how long ago they stopped making them, but your audiologist may be able to tell you. The audio should also be able to show you if it is possible to pair your old aids with your android phone, or whether you need something current, like the Resound Linx. You might also need to consider an iPhone, as this is the mobile technology that Resound software works automatically with.

Savvy_Sue

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Forgot to say the audiologist has referred me to ENT in case there is some reason why the loss has got worse. She suspects it is 'just' old age and decrepitude (too polite to say so of course!) / the passage of time but thinks it's worth being sure.

another year, another update ...

Actually that's good news: when I saw ENT last year, the consultant sent me for an MRI scan, and there was nothing untoward there. It also served as my final brain scan following the benign brain tumour I had out in 1995, although I didn't know it at the time! But ENT looked for signs of regrowth, and there were none.

After the scan, the ENT chap said that if I'd like annual hearing tests, he would be happy to schedule them. And sure enough, my invitation to make an appointment arrived, and it wasn't too difficult to convince them to make one for me:

Them: "we usually only test hearing every three years, and you had a test last year."

Me: "yes, I know, but YOU sent the letter out, and the consultant agreed that I should have an annual test."

Them: "oh, OK then ..."

Anyway, it turned out to be a 'quick' test, and my right ear remains stable. The left ear isn't TOO much worse, although it feels it, but "you don't meet the clinical criteria for a full retest, but I think we should do one anyway, and then we can tweak your hearing aid." So just got to wait for that to come through.

Oh, and apparently I have the most up-to-date hearing aid, so even though I still find it very fiddly, I'll have to live with it.