Help for Hearing Impairment

naf123

Hear-Hear wrote: »

Hello JournalGirl,

The Phonak Supero was a very good aid in its time, but the (relatively new) Phonak Naida is a really super aid, available free of charge on the NHS. Fully digital and fully programmable. :j

Be aware, however, that not all NHS trusts use Phonak as a first choice. For example, your local NHS may prefer to use Siemens products. If a Naida is wanted, and it is not offered to you, all you need to do is to tell the audiologist that it is "on contract" - that is the national 'bible' which lists what types of aids can and cannot be supplied nationally by any NHS location.

On a separate note, anyone who still has an older NHS analogue aid is fully entitled to a replacement digital aid through the NHS at no cost. And, if you need aids for both ears, you should/will be offered aids for both ears.

Hope this helps.

Got a new phonak naida last week to replace my supero.

Went running back to audiology department. Couldnt stand the new naida!! One to one converstation is absolutely great - it picks up every sound but the background noise was awful...that feeling of a heavy head cold!!!

they told me it was a common problem with naida and recommened the oticon 4th generation hearing aid...will be going back in 6 weeks time for a fitting.

black_paw

good luck with new aids

howardtom4y

Its a hard thing to admit that you are past your sell by date but I have been that way for a number of years now. I was told that it was too much unprotected telephone sex lines when I was younger apparently that leads to hearing aids lol.
Have had a pair of private phontaks for several years now and just considering upgrading to the latest technology that will allow bluetooth connectivity to mobile phones, landline phones and ipods etc. They also connect to each other to give better sound quality etc. We will see.:huh::huh::huh:
Any way best way I found to wake up on time is when you go to bed think about the time you want to get up and then knock yourself gently on the head with the time you want to wake up eg if its 7am knock yourself 7 times. I kow its weird but it works every time for me even when I have to get up early for meetings etc.:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Savvy_Sue

howardtom4y wrote: »

Its a hard thing to admit that you are past your sell by date but I have been that way for a number of years now.

Speak for yourself - my other problem is that my arms are shrinking so I need glasses to compensate for that. :rotfl:

howardtom4y wrote: »

I was told that it was too much unprotected telephone sex lines when I was younger apparently that leads to hearing aids lol.

:rotfl: DEFINITELY speak for yourself! :rotfl:

rachelandgromit

Well, this thread popped up again, didn't realise I was still subscribed to it! My hearing aids are in my drawer and many a time did I try to use them, but it is no use, I just couldn't get use to them. The top hate is the moulds which, especially in warm weather, just make your ears hot and sweaty:o , the headaches from too many sounds and just my pure stubborness. I could go on but I hate them. I haven't told anyone at work so am still lip reading in groups or having people repeat themselves. I wish I could just go through a day and hear what people have said properly or not have to focus on people's faces to guess what they have said or try and lipread and then people (family mainly) getting frustrated with me, and not hearing what people have said on the phone, that is really hard. . .

For now though, hearing aids are not for me and as it's not a progressive loss, I''m just going to carry on with things. I must take them back to Leighton Hospital though as I suppose if I am not using them, someone should get them instead of them going to waste. I admire the people on here who have succeeded and got use to them.

Rachel

howardtom4y

Keep trying, I have to say my hearing loss was progressive and when I did eventualy decide to do something about it I could not believe what i was missing.. For months afterwards if I was walking the dog I would smile at all sounds of the birds singing and all the other sounds I had forgotten about. If you can rustle up the money it may be worth while considering going private. Mine are an older generation digital type, but I can change the programme to block out background noise or I can adjust the volume.

I do agree that the ear pieces can take some getting used to and I have suffered with itchy ears for a while now. I mentioned this to my hearing aid supplier and they gave me an ear lotion which is fantastic. Stopped the itching immediately and I now use it a couple of times a week and no more itching. The ear pieces seem much more comfortable. :T:T:T:T:T

Errata

Rachel, you could make an appointment with audiology to discuss the difficulties you're having. They may be able to make moulds which will suit you much better. As far as the 'noise' is concerned, try wearing your aids for only an hour a day and build the time up, also try turning the volume down to where it feels comfortable. It may be that you actually need different aids altogether, or perhaps some days you suffer from hyper-acuity.
I really think a discussion with an audiologist could be helpful. But the bottom line is, whilst you can manage without them - you will.

Hear-Hear

howardtom4y wrote: just considering upgrading to the latest technology that will allow bluetooth connectivity to mobile phones, landline phones and ipods etc. They also connect to each other to give better sound quality etc.

The bluetooth technology now available from Phonak and other manufacturers is amazing. Having the TV streamed via Bluetooth into your aids, being able to walk into the kitchen to pop the kettle on and still not miss a word on the TV, all wonderful. Your hearing aids can even switch over automatically to the phone when it rings, without you even having to get up and pick up th receiver ! There's no harm in you trying this technology out. Your audio will give you at least 30 days free trial.

One thing to be aware of though is that older generation bluetooth can stream sound at a slightly slower speed. Not a problem with the phone, music, or radio, but can be difficult with TV if it puts the picture out of synch. Make sure you try the newer generation bluetooth where there is no discernible sound delay for TV (which is why you need to try it out for a month or so).


howardtom4y wrote: ear pieces seem much more comfortable

Oh so true. There have been massive leaps in manufacturing technology even in the last two/three years. The choice of combination materials and styles availalbe to you now is really quite breathtaking. Ask you audio for advice, but certainly look at materials like Digimold and other 'breathing' flexible silicones.

Discogod

Bluetooth Aids? I really can't wait for this to hit the NHS (in 15 years time no doubt :P)

Any idea when they'll be in NHS? Obviously would then need to get bluetooth doorbell/tv etc.

mrs.maverick

I have a Resound Metrix which cost rather a lot of money, and it's good, but it has one odd quirk. When it gets hot e.g. sitting out in the sun (not so much this year!) the aid cuts out. Basically it overheats.I then have to leave it on a cool surface for 5 mins to cool down. I have taken it back to the audiologists I bought it from, and they say it's from 'moisture in the tube' which is nonsense.
Does anyone else have the same problem?