Help for Hearing Impairment

Hear-Hear

naf123

It can indeed be very difficult to fit mild (above 40dBHL) hearing losses and profound (below 95dBHL) hearing losses. As you say, the vast majority are in between, and usually a lot easier to satisfy.

Sounds like the private audiologist you found is a good ‘un (most of us are !). The advice you given is indeed correct; the Phonak Supero ceased production some years ago. The Phonak Naida is a great advance as a replacement, if it is set up correctly for you and as long as you have the right model. There are 3 models in the range, each with two sub-models. If you were only given the Naida III or Naida V by the NHS, it would be worthwhile asking for the Naida IX. Similarly, is you were only given the SP version, then you need to try the UP sub-model.

If the Naida IX UP isn’t for you, do bear in mind that – since August this year – the NHS Catalogue has widened condsiderably. They can now supply super-power products from the likes of Starkey and Widex now. Some NHS areas will not supply these, even if they are available from the Catalogue. If that’s the case in your area, then I would suggest a trip back to your private audiologist, and ask about Starkey and Widex alternatives there.

Hope this helps in some way.

naf123

Thank you for your lovely educated reply. you sound like you have been very involved in the field of HA technology.

I will mention the widex and starkley option as well the different nadias to the audiologist. The only problem with the NHS is

1. once you walk out of the room - you want to change some settings on the hearing aid - you have to book an fine tune appointment which can take like 3 weeks.
2. The waiting time in the waiting room can be horrendous.
3. you see an different audiologist every time. Annoying explaining everything again
4. You have to take so much time off work to go to all the appointments to fine tune hearing aids
5. The nhs is very limited choice of hearing aids - you probably have to fight to try the widex or starkly hearing aids.

The problem with private is that it probably costs about £6000 for two hearing aids. And you have to pay for batteries, repairs etc.

I do not have six grand burning a hole in my pocket! I wonder how do other deaf people cope with their employers when going on repeated audiology appointments?

GillM

naf123 wrote: »

I do not have six grand burning a hole in my pocket! I wonder how do other deaf people cope with their employers when going on repeated audiology appointments?

I notice you don't mention Access to Work - have you tried them? Doesn't help with the time off work of course, but you may be able to get better aids than from NHS without having to pay full whack? I trialled some private aids via ATW some years ago, if they'd been suitable I'd have paid £800 (because I would be using them away from work as well - if they provide something that is exclusively for work you wouldn't have to pay anything), my employer would make some contribution and ATW pay the rest. Unfortunately the aids were not suitable for me so back to square one, but if they had been it would have been a great deal for me! Of course, free NHS ones would be even better, but as you've found out they won't always provide what would be best for you.

tomitma

GotNoRhythm wrote: »

Hi all,
Just a quick question (I hope!) - who does the cheapest hearing-aid batteries? Is it Boots and their 3 for 2 offers, or can anyone trump that?
Cheers!
GNR
x

Specsavers on-line do the cheapest batteries. I have two CIC and i used to get my batteries from Boots, 4.83 for 6 batteries, Boots ran out a couple of weeks ago, so I went online, and specsavers are the cheapest, I paid £9.90 for 60 batteries, postage and packaging free, dont buy from Specsavers shop as they are nearly 5 pounds for the same batteries.

Savvy_Sue

naf123 wrote: »

The only problem with the NHS is

1. once you walk out of the room - you want to change some settings on the hearing aid - you have to book an fine tune appointment which can take like 3 weeks.
2. The waiting time in the waiting room can be horrendous.
3. you see an different audiologist every time. Annoying explaining everything again
4. You have to take so much time off work to go to all the appointments to fine tune hearing aids

I agree with all of the above, except that we don't have to book an appointment for adjustments, we can just 'turn up and wait'. At least, I think we can: the first time I did this I was told I should have made an appointment but they would do it as they weren't too busy, and more recently when I phoned to check this I was told to turn up ...

naf123 wrote: »

I wonder how do other deaf people cope with their employers when going on repeated audiology appointments?

I'm fortunate that I don't work a 5 day week, so I tend to go on my 'day off'. I'm also fortunate that if used my hearing aid all the time, my employer would support me going and coming in late etc. But the reality is that I have other things to do on my day off, so I struggle on until I find a free one!

BTW, at lipreading tonight we had a new person who got their latest hearing aids 18 months ago, still didn't find the moulds wearable all the time (sounds like they might need hypoallergenic ones), and had no idea how to use the loop system, because no-one at the clinic had explained it to them. They agreed that it depends so much who you get on the day, you feel rushed and fobbed off. Made me glad I go to one of the other hospitals, which sounds slightly better ... at least I worked my way through the choice of ear mould materials!

naf123

GillM wrote: »

I notice you don't mention Access to Work - have you tried them? Doesn't help with the time off work of course, but you may be able to get better aids than from NHS without having to pay full whack? I trialled some private aids via ATW some years ago, if they'd been suitable I'd have paid £800 (because I would be using them away from work as well - if they provide something that is exclusively for work you wouldn't have to pay anything), my employer would make some contribution and ATW pay the rest. Unfortunately the aids were not suitable for me so back to square one, but if they had been it would have been a great deal for me! Of course, free NHS ones would be even better, but as you've found out they won't always provide what would be best for you.

I did ask AtW but they told me they dont generally pay for hearing aids 'cos you can get them on the NHS. But they did say if the NHS cannot provide a good one you have to get it in writing from them.

Maybe will try that option ...

thanks guys!

GillM

naf123 wrote: »

I did ask AtW but they told me they dont generally pay for hearing aids 'cos you can get them on the NHS. But they did say if the NHS cannot provide a good one you have to get it in writing from them.

Maybe will try that option ...

thanks guys!

Perhaps it varies round the country - it's about 4-5 years ago when I applied, and there was no problem at all getting a hearing aid. I hope you are able to sort something out.

Hear-Hear

naf123 wrote: Thank you for your lovely educated reply.
Flattery will get you absolutely everywhere !

naf123 wrote: The problem with private is that it probably costs about £6000 for two hearing aids. ......... I do not have six grand burning a hole in my pocket!
Wherever did you got those figures from ? Under no circumstances should you even THINK about paying that sort of money. Basic (entry-level) programmable hearing aids with 2 to 5 channels start from £250.00 or so. Standard aids (6 to 12 channels), similar to the technology levels found in the current NHS models should be around £650.00. Top-of-the-range hearing aids, (16 channels+) with all the latest features should cost no more than £1,000.00. Double those figures if you need two, but £6,000.00 for a pair is WAY over the top. By the way, it doesn't matter whether you have Behind-The-Ear, Open-Ear, or All-In-The-Ear. There is no cost difference for alternative styles. It's the technology level that influences the cost.

naf123 wrote: And you have to pay for batteries, repairs etc.
Most of the High Street outlets now include 4 or 5 years batteries and 4 or 5 years repair warranties automatically. If you do have to buy your batteries, because your current supplier didn't include them free, then (as tomitma says) Specsacvers online seems to be the cheapest at £9.90 for a box of 60 batteries (10 packs x 6 batteries). No charge for postage and packing seems amazing, but true according to tehir website. In their shops, the same would cost you £19.95.

GillM wrote: I notice you don't mention Access to Work
Access To Work no longer pays towards the cost of hearing aids, since the NHS switched entirely to digital some years ago. With very very few exceptions, it's pretty well impossible to get an NHS Head of Audiology to put in writing that the aids they can provide are not good enough for any person's individual needs. The NHS can supply from a truly massive range of hearing aids now, since the new Catalogue came out in August. Access To Work will only fund 'other assistive listening devices', such as Bluetooth Accessory packs, pagers, vibrating alerts, etc. It's probably worth asking about Hearing Aids, but don't hold your hopes high at all.

naf123

Hear-Hear wrote: »

naf123 wrote: The problem with private is that it probably costs about £6000 for two hearing aids. ......... I do not have six grand burning a hole in my pocket!
Wherever did you got those figures from ? Under no circumstances should you even THINK about paying that sort of money. Basic (entry-level) programmable hearing aids with 2 to 5 channels start from £250.00 or so. Standard aids (6 to 12 channels), similar to the technology levels found in the current NHS models should be around £650.00. Top-of-the-range hearing aids, (16 channels+) with all the latest features should cost no more than £1,000.00. Double those figures if you need two, but £6,000.00 for a pair is WAY over the top. By the way, it doesn't matter whether you have Behind-The-Ear, Open-Ear, or All-In-The-Ear. There is no cost difference for alternative styles. It's the technology level that influences the cost.

.

Can you recommend what private audiologist clinic is particulary good for profoundly deaf people? The prices you mention sounds good - i think I can be prepared to pay £2000. I really want someone with high expertise and experience. I live in London. thanks!

GillM

Hear-Hear wrote: »

GillM wrote: I notice you don't mention Access to Work
Access To Work no longer pays towards the cost of hearing aids, since the NHS switched entirely to digital some years ago. With very very few exceptions, it's pretty well impossible to get an NHS Head of Audiology to put in writing that the aids they can provide are not good enough for any person's individual needs. The NHS can supply from a truly massive range of hearing aids now, since the new Catalogue came out in August. Access To Work will only fund 'other assistive listening devices', such as Bluetooth Accessory packs, pagers, vibrating alerts, etc. It's probably worth asking about Hearing Aids, but don't hold your hopes high at all.

Thanks for this, I wasn't aware they'd stopped. Doesn't affect me as I'm retired now, but at least I'll know not to recommend it to others!