Hearing Aids Costs

Already a thread with same title.

Oh dear, bound to be I suppose.
So do I (somehow) change the title - if so HOW? Help please.

Can you copy and post it in the other thread? If not, try asking the Gransnet team for advice. Failing that, your answers might already be on the other thread.

A lot of information on the other thread, ExD1938, so I'm sure you'll find your questions answered. Personally, I think I'd try the NHS option, as to buy privately is so expensive and not always successful. Good luck.

Exd1938 the Amazon model looks just any other in the ear hearing aid, quite likely it is larger. At £25, try a pair, generally the in the ear aids are more visible, than behind the ear. Don’t expect miracles with any hearing aid, NHS aids are just as good as private.

Thanks for your help girls - I've found the other one and you're right it contains more than enough information so its more or less answered my queries.
I think I'll try the NHS first, and I might also try the one-size-fits-all Amazon ones to compare.
I contacted my surgery last week and they are referring me but say I may have to wait several months. I haven't seen a nurse in case its just wax - the receptionist told me there was no point.
I have a younger friend who got her appointment in a week - is it true that after you're 80 they don't bother with you any more?

I was over 80 when my family at last persuaded me to get hearing aids.
My GP referred me and I had the choice of hospital or Specsavers for assessment. On NHS.
I went to Specsavers because it's nearest. That was in March 2019.
The aids do help, but only in certain situations, mostly when it's listening to one person. In a crowd I find it very confusing and have to take them out.
On top of that, my left one seems faulty now, much messing about with the tiny rocker button until it comes on.
Plus battery change once a week. Batteries are free.
All in all, good for certain situations, but otherwise not the magic answer to hearing loss in old age.

ps never any time delay in my experience.

I have used NHS hearing aids for nearly 20 years, and during that time they have got smaller and smaller and more efficient. There is no great lump of plastic behind ear. That part is really tiny now and even if you do not much hair to cover it is very inconspicuous. Men use them happily
When I moved house recently to a different area of the country I discovered that it was not possible these days just to transfer my audiology records from one hospital to a different one but I had to get a new referral from my new GP.
Did this end of November, received letter giving me alternative places to attend and chose Specsavers as it was very close/ Must to my astonishment when I phoned them was given an appointment the following week. At this was given a completely new testing of my hearing and then supplied with new (even smaller) aids (I wear them in both ears). Brilliant service - and, of course, if anything goes wrong I do not have to pay for repairs, neither to I have to pay for batteries.
My son-in-law proved unable to wear behind the ear aids dur to psiorisis, and the NHS supplies him with in-ear ones. Just wish the brilliant NHS service we get for audiology was extended to things like eyes and dentistry,.
Never understand why so many people seem to thing that by paying very large sums of money they are getting something better.

"Never understand why so many people seem to thing that by paying very large sums of money they are getting something better."
I agree Franbern.
BTW what I thought was a fault on mine turned out to be because the plug and my ear needed cleaning .

I had a hearing test at Specsavers on Monday and came away with NHS hearing aids. Can't get on with them at all. There is so much rustling and crackling in the background, and the tv and radio sound tinny. I'm going to be in a family situation on Sunday, which is mainly what I wanted them for, but I don't see how I'm going to be able to wear them.

And I was supposed to be given a whole box of batteries and the chap could only rustle up a couple of sheets. So that means a trip back in a few weeks.

ExD1938, insist on seeing your GP.

I was having trouble hearing. My GP took a look and said my ears were blocked with wax.

I used ear drops for a week to soften it and then the practice nurse syringed them. Problem solved!

@Lucywinter, the hearing aids do take some time to get used to. If possible try not to adjust the volume for the first 3 weeks but if you’re really struggling then maybe turn down the volume two notches rather than taking them out. I only ever get given 2 sheets of batteries but can collect from my GP reception.
With regard to NHS at Specsavers, this depends on the area you live. In Leics this isn’t supported but is in other areas.
In ear hearing aids are more visible and less effective than behind the ear aids.
Nothing is as good as natural hearing but I wouldn’t be without mine now - well except for when I’m exercising as the whistling as my arms pass by my ears is annoying.

If you go down the route of paying for the aids you always have to pay for the batteries. I have an NHS aid and it looks just like my friends which cost her £3000! Try the NHS for a while before you commit to spending a lot of money.

Thanks Caramac. I will keep trying. Shame to give up really.

Lucywinter. It does take a good time for your brain to adjust itself to new hearing aids. This even happens when old ones are replaced with new ones.
You need to put the down slightly, and wear your hearing aids for an increasing amount of time each day, so that by the end of a fortnight you should be wearing them most of the day. If you have not had hearing aids previously, it will take about a month for your brain to really to sort itself out with the increased amount of hearing you have.
Do not be impatient, hearing aids these days are absolutely wonderful, nothing is more isolating than not hearing what people are saying to you.
Take it slowly and be positive and you will find that these are real life-changer for you. It is normal for you to be given one pack of batteries for each aid at the time. As each pack contains several batteries, that last a few weeks, it really is no problem to get two new packs when you need them, and with NHS aids, there is no charge for that.

Thank you Franbern. Have taken your advice on board.