Help for Hearing Impairment

Richie-from-the-Boro

Guardsman wrote: »

Nadolig Llawen pawb.. Merry Christmas everybody.

Lilywhite says 'Nollaig Shona Duit' cheers Taff .. .. and you mucker !

Hear-Hear

The UK map has now been published, showing the geographical areas where you and your GP will have free choice as to where you can obtain NHS-funded hearing aids. In all respects, the supply model doesn't change:-

- You will get two hearing aids if you need two of them
- You will be supplied with free batteries
- You will be able to access your aftercare needs
- You will have an annual review
- You will have a full review and hearing aid upgrades, every 3 years

The major change involves where you go to be tested, have impressions taken, and have the hearing aids fitted. From 01 April 2012, as long as you live in the designated areas, you and your GP will be able to choose whether you go to your local hospital's audiology department, or whether you go your local private practice on the high street. In either case, the NHS will fund the costs to the private supplier in exactly the same way as it will fund the costs to the local hospital, if that's the route you choose.

To see if you live in the areas going live from 01 April 2012, click on http://www.supply2health.nhs.uk/AQPResourceCentre/AQPMap/AQPMap.aspx
, scroll down to see the UK map, and then click on the "Adult Hearing" button to the right hand side of the map.

Great news for those in the North (excl. Yorkshire), the North West, West Midlands, Chilterns, South Coast (excl Kent, Dorset), and the West Country.

Guardsman

Any idea how the system will be implemented in Wales ?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Guardsman wrote: »

Any idea how the system will be implemented in Wales ?

Can't find a single reference other than the 8 areas we know about, all in England. Why the other three are not included yet I've no idea. I've looked at Hansard but apart from 19 Oct 2011 : Column 1036W there is no mention. Looks like during the post pilot roll-out half of England and all of Scotland Ireland & Wales are not in the AQP programme for this time.

"""how the system will be implemented in Wales & Scotland""" that I imagine will almost certainly the same mode-operandi as the English aged 55 or over national generic model, as for costs etc that's down to their respective individual Assembly / Parliament.

Ambre_Solaire

Hi

Looking for advice Please excuse my ignorance if I do not use the correct terminology. My husband was issued with an NHS hearing aid over 5 years ago, the one with an ear mould. Over the years he has been back to the hospital for adjustments which never seem to make any difference. Hence he has stopped wearing it as the sound is so false and he cannot increase the volume.

Is it possible for him to get an updated aid ? He has never been offered one from the audiology dept during his numerous visits for "tweeks"

Can anyone advise how he should request this before he is dismissed by the audiology dept as not needing a replacement ?

Hear-Hear

Ambre Solaire,

It is indeed possible for your husband to obtain a replacement / upgraded heaing aid. In fact, if he has bilateral hearing loss (as in 95%+ of cases) he can obtain a hearing aid for each ear. Most hearing aids have life expectancy of 4 or 5 years, so he is evidently overdue. Furthermore, the latest publication from the Dept of Health demands that:-

- re-testing of hearing and re-programming of hearing aids is required annually
- review and upgrade should take place every third year

This is required in certain areas of England (see post #773 above) from 01 April 2012, and all areas of England from April 2013. Most areas are adapting the guidance early, as part of their requests to qualify as "providers" of adult hearing aids. Every NHS area will have to do this if they wish to continue to supply NHS-funded hearing aids from 2012 / 2013, dependent on area.

Ambre_Solaire

Hear Hear

Many thanks for the info/advice.

He is due to visit the audiology dept again shortly, armed with the information you gave, he will be in a better position to "fight from his corner"

The last time I spoke to the dept on his behalf, I was told that an aid may only be replaced after a hearing test, requested by the ENT Doctor.

Kind regards

Savvy_Sue

One thing I think it's fair to say is that after so long of NOT hearing things, they are likely to sound 'wrong'. I don't wear mine all the time, but I do use it whenever there's an induction loop, and although my loss is mild it's quite a shock to 'hear' as much as I then do in my left ear.

Also Hear-Hear mentioned that if he has a loss in both ears, he really should have an aid for each, unless (as in my mother's case) there's so little left in one that it would serve no useful purpose. That would also make a difference to how things sound.

zaksmum

I got a new Phonak Cassia today and the audiologist said he would block the vents on it for me (which I didn't ask for) so now I'm getting the sound of my own breathing and a feeling like you get on a plane when your ears need to pop.

Back tomorrow to get him to sort it out.

Bryen

Hi I've like some help. I've had high frequency deafness for a long time but coped. 3 years ago I got an oticon spirit 3 from nhs in my left ear. (both ears have similar profile which "falls off a cliff" about 1.5khz). It was always too loud and audiology said get used to it. Also when I needed it in a pub, restaurant or meeting I found I had several voices shouting in my head at once. Consequently I've only used it sporadically.
I've had a private quote for two widex fusions at £3300 - may be a fair price but a lot of money. So I called nhs audiology, got an appointment the same week and they have given me a oticon spirit zest. It seems much clearer, but odd noises are still loud (i.e my wife chopping veg for tea.) In 4 weeks I go back and can ask for a volume control to be set up and push for a similar aid for my right ear.

I'd welcome any advice, but specifically are two aids better than one and in what ways?
Would the private aids be better than nhs or are there better nhs aids I could push for if this one doesn't settle down?
And is there a site that I can get data sheets to compare aids. I can't design a car but I can learn something from the specifications on a manufacturers web-site. Most hearing aid sites appear very bland by contrast. Thank you.