Specsavers Hearing Aids

Reb55

Hi
Hear- Hear would be interested to get your view on my situation.
My mother is 95 she is good for her age but suffers from very bad hearing. She has 2 NHS aids but this is just not working as wax gets in the tube constantly. Thinking about going privately with Specsavers would digital aids work better for her do you think?
Thank you

Hear-Hear

Reb55

If your mother already has NHS aids and they were supplied to her after 2003/2004, then they will already be digital aids.

However, each NHS area generally issues one make/model of aid (which can be programmed to the individual's hearing loss). If choosing aids privately, she needs to think specifically about what she wants hearing aids to do for her; which features and benefits at each technology level are important to her and which are unimportant. There's a wide choice of technology levels available, ranging from basic through to the very best available. Not point in paying for features that she does not want or need.

Once that critical issue has been decided, she can look at whatever type of fitting style she wishes - subject to her choice being suitable for her hearing loss and her hearing needs.

All hearing aids are prone to wax ingress to some extent, and from what you say, she probably needs some good advice on routine hearing aid maintenance, plus guidance on wax management. She would do well to see at least two or three alternative suppliers, to enable her to judge who she feels is giving her the best advice and guidance.

Glad

Reb55 wrote: »

Hi
Hear- Hear would be interested to get your view on my situation.
My mother is 95 she is good for her age but suffers from very bad hearing. She has 2 NHS aids but this is just not working as wax gets in the tube constantly. Thinking about going privately with Specsavers would digital aids work better for her do you think?
Thank you

why do you think wax wouldn't get into the tube of a private aid?

haveiwon

Whenever I've gone to Specsavers for spare parts they have run out of stock. They promise to put them in the post but this never happens I have to go back to the store. Today I went for hearing test and the hearing software was not working this had happened before and the machine being used was old. No backup machine so all today's appointments had to leave and come back another day. Today is 28th June, the earliest I can get another appointment is 16th July. As for NHS versus non NHS hearing aids I would opt for NHS aid every time. If you don't get on with them then buy privately.

Ilona

Reb55 wrote: »

She has 2 NHS aids but this is just not working as wax gets in the tube constantly.

You are supposed to get NHS hearing aids re tubed every six months, as they get clogged up with wax and condensation. The little beads of condensation gather and form a barrier which blocks all sound coming in. If that happens take it out and give it a shake to dislodge it. My tube needs changing now, I keep putting it off as I don't like having to sit and wait in a queue. My hearing aid is whistling at me, I must go and get it done.

Ilona

Hear-Hear

Acquire a simple Earmould Puffer from somewhere like Connevans, or even from Ebay, for around £4.00. Gets rid of debris and condensation simply and effectively.

jillelennon

Avoid! My mum paid £1700 nearly 4 years ago and never got the hearing aids to work satisfactorily or comfortably in that time. They were very hesitant in offering the refund which was advertised and kept making her come back to get them adjusted - with no improvement. She became quite 'down' as she felt out of family conversations, hearing only snatches of chat. In desperation went and got NHS hearing aids 3 weeks ago - FANTASTIC and comfortable - and was seen quickly. Keep your money and go NHS!

Ilona

Ilona wrote: »

You are supposed to get NHS hearing aids re tubed every six months, as they get clogged up with wax and condensation. The little beads of condensation gather and form a barrier which blocks all sound coming in. If that happens take it out and give it a shake to dislodge it. My tube needs changing now, I keep putting it off as I don't like having to sit and wait in a queue. My hearing aid is whistling at me, I must go and get it done.

Ilona

I went and got it checked, and they gave me a new model hearing aid. Fantastic, much better, and quick service.

ilona

pollypenny

I must try agsi, Ilona.

Mine is simply too big. My friend has one which is slimmer, so I've take photographs to show the difference.

Kess

Does the NHS now do the in-ear types? The NHS aid I got 5+ years ago was the behind-ear type.