Hearing Aid prices help

sally0101

Hello

My grandma has had a digital hearing aid for about 10 years and it has recently broken beyond repair.

She has had 2 digital ones from the NHS (she only usually wears the one but has tried the 2 from the NHS) and she said she simply cannot hear with them as well as the last one. She said she cant even hear the tick of the clock on the wall. She also said that the NHS ones fill her whole ear in size and she finds them uncomfortable. She said it is painful.

We are wanting to get her a better one but was hoping people could advise on the cheapest one to get that would work. Poor woman is nearly 94 and has very limited sight so her hearing is precious and I want to help her as much as I can by getting the best acurate information.

Many thanks in advance. I appreciate all your help.

ariba10

My experience is that the NH ones are as good as anything you would buy privately.

If she is not happy with them I would go back to them.

Down this end of the world they are very obliging.

Savvy_Sue

it may be worth looking at this thread - any posts by Hear Hear will help you get the best from NHS services. it may mean repeated trips, and it may mean someone going with her and advocating for her.

there are also tips about private aids.

Hear-Hear

There's no one-size-fits-all in hearing aids, I'm afraid. So much depends on the hearing that your grandma has left, and the extent of her particular listening needs.

Certainly, go back to the NHS forthwith, and see what they can now offer. If it's a choice of technologies that you need, or a more cosmetic and easier-to-handle solution, that you want, or if it's simply that you want a much quicker solution with easy access for aftercare, then there's nothing to stop you going private at the same time. One is not a bar to the other.

Have a look in the business section of your local phone book, and choose two hearing aid suppliers to approach. Make sure they a bricks-and-mortar presence that is local to you, and do not expect to pay for initial testing and advice. If you, or grandma, feel pressured in any way, or if she simply doesn't feel comfortable with the audiologist, then walk away from that one.

Be positive. There are some very very good folks out there, who really do help to change people's lives. (Feel free to post any experiences, positive or otherwise!)