Hearing aids

[clockworks]

I went pretty much totally deaf in both ears a few weeks ago. I was pretty sure it was caused by a sinus problem, as I was really badly congested at the time.

After a week or so, my hearing hadn't returned, so I tried to see my GP. Best I could get was an appointment to see a nurse. All she was willing to do was check for ear wax - I didn't have any, as I'd tried using ear drops for over a week.
I explained how it was a sudden onset while badly congested, but she wouldn't give me antibiotics.
She got the GP to refer me to an audioligist.

By the time the appointment (with a high street optician/hearing centre) came through, my hearing was pretty much back to normal in my right ear, and my left ear was "popping" like you get in a plane.

My hearing was checked, and pronounced "normal for your age" - 65.
He did suggest that I would benefit from hearing aids though, as the high frequencies were quite limited. They would help with hearing the subtleties of speech, and would also make my work easier - hard to set up clocks if you struggle to hear them tick!

I picked up my NHS hearing aids a few days ago, and they have made a big difference. I don't wear them all the time though, as my hearing is fine for most day to day stuff.
I was pleasantly surprised at how small these things are for "freebies" - Danalogic Ambio 77. There's even a phone app that allows the volume to be changed without using the buttons, and a simple graphic equaliser for changing the response if different settings.

The only thing that's really missing is Bluetooth, which might be useful for watching TV etc.


My question is:

There are some very expensive "private" hearing aids on the market. Are they really worth it over the free NHS ones?
My mum paid over £3k for hers, don't think she even considered the free ones.

[22]

clockworks said:

There are some very expensive "private" hearing aids on the market. Are they really worth it over the free NHS ones?
My mum paid over £3k for hers, don't think she even considered the free ones.

Lots of hearing aid threads about. NHS user here. I wanted to scratch the itch for the same reason (Bluetooth) as you but, having now lost hearing aids more than once - it could get expensive. Especially while masks were a thing - nightmare!

Chap in my audiology dept. does private and NHS and tells me the tech for helping hearing is no different (private users may suggest otherwise), but gadgetry and sometimes size of devices can be different.

Re Sinuses. I think unrelated to my hearing loss, an MRI scan of my head (for something else) showed my sinuses were perma-blocked. I'd always struggled on flights with ear pain, random tooth ache, weeks after a cold for nose to clear (as much as it would). Docs had said to do with teeth, dentists vice versa but now I had an answer!

I had functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) just before Covid (or I'd probably still be waiting). I never knew food could taste so good - or how bad the kids smell

[Nimby]

My Mrs' NHS aids have induction loop mode and she has a bluetooth-to-loop adapter. A bit clunky but it works.

[clockworks]

I'd never had sinus problems as bad before, certainly never bad enough to affect my hearing. Pretty much cleared up now, just my left ear sometimes "pops" when blowing my nose. Maybe once or twice a week now, plus the odd "click" when I swallow hard.

The hearing aids I was given have quite a few accessories available for bluetooth, loops, etc. Not cheap though, couple of hundred quid each.

The whole hearing aid sector seems to be very "murky", much like spectacles were before the advent of transparent pricing from Specsavers and the like.
I've found an old thread on a motorhome forum, and the consensus seems to be that the devices supplied via NHS contracts are actually pretty good these days. Perfectly acceptable performance, just a bit lacking in features. From what I can make out, the ones that I got for nothing are comparable with something costing £1500 to £2000 a pair if bought privately.

[stevemcs]

From my time at a hearing loss charity ... the quality is similar, but its support and fine tuning and being listened to is where private comes into its own.

[beambeam1]

stevemcs said:

From my time at a hearing loss charity ... the quality is similar, but its support and fine tuning and being listened to is where private comes into its own.

That's the bulk of it. Distinct difference in support and service. Myself and four other members of my family (hereditary) have been private for 20+ years now and couldn't go back. The standard of service from the NHS that we are experiencing amongst three infants in our family now (definitely hereditary) is not satisfactory and I've had to especially push back on certain elements or be firm with them on certain matters. However, our local NHS trust doesn't have the greatest reputation in recent years so that probably sways my thinking a bit.

OP, if you are happy with the current hearing aids and noticing a big difference with them then stick with that. As a new user I doubt you will benefit from the intricate details that some fine tuning and dedicated support might get you. Regarding bluetooth features, I don't bother with these as it drains the battery and the sound quality I find can be poor. If you do go private, I would seek an independent operator rather than the high street brands like Specsavers who can be eye-wateringly more expensive.

[Fozziebear]

Ive got NHS hearing aids, went through GP after supersavers hearing test, my hearing loss is from being blown up/gun fire. The audiologist warned me that my tinnitus could go up or down once I started wearing them, obviously it went up in volume just to remind me it hadn't gone. I went back to audiology dept and the rather unsympathetic audiologist (different one) suggested I man up and consider myself lucky I can now hear more than before, id only had a couple of hours sleep due to the louder tints so she didn't appreciate my response.

[jhiker]

It’s not really fair to say you can get the same aids on the NHS as you can get privately. These days top spec behind the ear aids are usually ‘receiver in the ear’ or ‘receiver in canal’ with the receiver connected to the bit behind the ear with very fine wires. As far as I know very few NHS providers will supply this type and will give you the ‘hollow tube’ type. Some say the RIC have a better (more natural) sound and they are a bit more discreet as they can be fitted closer to the head - the ‘tubes’ are more flexible. Also, many top spec aids are rechargeable so you don’t need to faff around with batteries.
I don’t think the NHS will provide rechargeable aids currently.
NHS aids will also lack some of the features on top spec aids such as choice of listening environments, automatic switching, Bluetooth, etc.
Having said that, I am currently using NHS aids. I have a 3 year review later this month when I expect I will be offered a new set but I have considered going private.
Incidentally, I wonder how much a private audiologist pays the supplier for a £2500 set of hearing aids? Yes, I know setup and aftercare is important so that has to be taken into account.

[WinstonWolf]

jhiker said:

It’s not really fair to say you can get the same aids on the NHS as you can get privately. These days top spec behind the ear aids are usually ‘receiver in the ear’ or ‘receiver in canal’ with the receiver connected to the bit behind the ear with very fine wires. As far as I know very few NHS providers will supply this type and will give you the ‘hollow tube’ type. Some say the RIC have a better (more natural) sound and they are a bit more discreet as they can be fitted closer to the head - the ‘tubes’ are more flexible. Also, many top spec aids are rechargeable so you don’t need to faff around with batteries.
I don’t think the NHS will provide rechargeable aids currently.
NHS aids will also lack some of the features on top spec aids such as choice of listening environments, automatic switching, Bluetooth, etc.
Having said that, I am currently using NHS aids. I have a 3 year review later this month when I expect I will be offered a new set but I have considered going private.
Incidentally, I wonder how much a private audiologist pays the supplier for a £2500 set of hearing aids? Yes, I know setup and aftercare is important so that has to be taken into account.

Depends how much amplification you need, I used to need +90dB and that's too much for RiC, you need the behind the ear package to get sufficient volume.

NHS ones do the job they just lack the bells and whistles.