Friend Going Deaf

The_Old_Bag

oldhand wrote: »

Specsavers (yes really) now do free hearing checks,I know its a very gradual thing to lose your hearing and sometimes it could be as simple as a build up of wax which when removed has an instant improvement on the hearing...

I had mine tested free at Boots - about 18 months ago, don't know if it is still free

DigForVictory

lemontart wrote: »

if possible go with them

This. If he is going deaf & you've been getting cross, it's all publicly & clearly sorted & you have cleared the air.

It's not a load of fun for him either, so company is a major courtesy.

Hear-Hear

The_Old_Bag wrote: »

I had mine tested free at Boots - about 18 months ago, don't know if it is still free

Yep, hearing tests are still free at Boots. They can also supply hearing aids privately, but can no longer supply NHS-funded hearing aids. Hearing tests are free at Specsavers too - they can supply private hearing aids and NHS hearing aids, but the latter only in those specific locations where the local NHS is willing to offer a (fairly limited) choice of 'provider'.

rockingbilly

Hear-Hear wrote: »

Yep, hearing tests are still free at Boots. They can also supply hearing aids privately, but can no longer supply NHS-funded hearing aids. Hearing tests are free at Specsavers too - they can supply private hearing aids and NHS hearing aids, but the latter only in those specific locations where the local NHS is willing to offer a (fairly limited) choice of 'provider'.

Yes you can get these free tests but they are nothing more than an indicator that there may be a problem. You have to have a full test to identify what the exact problem is.
The free one at Boots indicated that I was in the moderate to severe range of deafness. The full test indicated which frequencies and what level was there a problem. I ended up with having to use two hearing aids supplied by the Audio Dept. at the hospital. Ooops just remembered I forgot to include that info on the PIP form and the problems I still have when using them.

Hear-Hear

rockingbilly wrote: »

Yes you can get these free tests but they are nothing more than an indicator that there may be a problem. You have to have a full test to identify what the exact problem is.

Oh dear. Whilst both firms do offer initial tests / screening checks in accordance with client wishes, I don't think Boots or Specsavers would be happy if their audiologists were really only doing free tests that are no more than "indicators". Indeed, the regulatory body (the Health & Care Professions Council) and the clinical body (British Society of Audiologists) would down on both of them like a ton of bricks if hearing aids were being supplied without completing full testing procedures, and identifying what the exact problems are.

rockingbilly

Hear-Hear wrote: »

Oh dear. Whilst both firms do offer initial tests / screening checks in accordance with client wishes, I don't think Boots or Specsavers would be happy if their audiologists were really only doing free tests that are no more than "indicators". Indeed, the regulatory body (the Health & Care Professions Council) and the clinical body (British Society of Audiologists) would down on both of them like a ton of bricks if hearing aids were being supplied without completing full testing procedures, and identifying what the exact problems are.

When I went to Boots for a free test it was only an indicator. The guy then said that I should have a full test which would cost £.
Instead I went to the hospital having been referred by my GP. I had a full test and ended up with two aids.

If you are actually saying that Boots are now doing a full test and then are able to prescribe NHS aids for nothing then that is news to me.

Hear-Hear

I actually said that Boots can no longer supply NHS-funded hearing aids.

After an initial test / screening check, a full test would need to be completed. Without this, it simply wouldn't be possible to programme hearing aids for you. There is no charge for the full test. But then again, no point in putting you through the test procedures if you wish to have NHS aids, because you would only have to go through the whole testing procedure again at the NHS audiology dept.

rockingbilly

Hear-Hear wrote: »

I actually said that Boots can no longer supply NHS-funded hearing aids.

After an initial test / screening check, a full test would need to be completed. Without this, it simply wouldn't be possible to programme hearing aids for you. There is no charge for the full test. But then again, no point in putting you through the test procedures if you wish to have NHS aids, because you would only have to go through the whole testing procedure again at the NHS audiology dept.

Right now I understand. Boots wanted to charge for the full test because they knew that I wanted NHS funded aids. Presumably if I was to go private the full test would have been free.

daviddee

My father is very deaf, has had hearing aids for a long time, the new digital ones really are good and available on the NHS, however, you can also get phones that are designed for the hearing impaired which help immensely.