Hearing and hearing aids
Discussion
There doesn’t seem to be much info on the forum regarding hearing aids.
My hearing at 65 is deteriorating in both ears, but one is worse than the other. I’m not particularly vain, but because I’m bald, would rather have ‘in ear’ – or is this a bad idea? The other reason for in ear is that I do a fairly hands on job and play sports and want the least hassle possible.
I had a test a couple of years ago but didn’t particularly like the tester or the company’s hard sell approach. My hearing has got worse since then so I have to do something.
I have had a quick look at the different manufacturers and of course they are all selling the best product!
The big boys are very expensive (£2500ish upwards.) Is it worth looking at unnamed aids as a quick search brings up loads of hearing aids for a tenth of the price – or am I correct thinking they will be fairly poor in all respects?
Anything else I should consider?
My hearing at 65 is deteriorating in both ears, but one is worse than the other. I’m not particularly vain, but because I’m bald, would rather have ‘in ear’ – or is this a bad idea? The other reason for in ear is that I do a fairly hands on job and play sports and want the least hassle possible.
I had a test a couple of years ago but didn’t particularly like the tester or the company’s hard sell approach. My hearing has got worse since then so I have to do something.
I have had a quick look at the different manufacturers and of course they are all selling the best product!
The big boys are very expensive (£2500ish upwards.) Is it worth looking at unnamed aids as a quick search brings up loads of hearing aids for a tenth of the price – or am I correct thinking they will be fairly poor in all respects?
Anything else I should consider?
Try Boots, I got mine from there. No hard sell (indeed I had a hearing test a few years ago that showed a loss but was told it wasn’t worth doing anything about) and the only thing you pay for is the actual hearing aids. £1500 should get you a decent set. I believe the choice between in-ear and external is often more about whether you can still hear to a reasonable extent or not. Either way, it’s worth making an appointment for the test & then deciding if you want to go further or not.
Vsix and Vtec said:
Talk to your GP. My partner has a pair of Oticon hearing aids through the NHS. They're fairly discreet, have the T loop function and can be tweaked via an app on her phone.
Thank you, It may be worth a call to my Doctors.If I’m lucky I will get a 10 mins phone slot in two to three weeks and then the doctor will probably refer me – but if I get a consultation within a year I would be surprised. I also understand the NHS prescribe the older technology and no in ear aids.
Try a local independent rather than the big chains: https://www.aihhp.org/find-a-member/
There are different types of "in ear" hearing aids. Depending on the extent of your hearing loss you may have to go with Receiver in Canal (RIC)/Behind The Ear (RIC) model.
Avoid the cheap no-name models and "hearing glasses" sold in newspaper ads.
https://www.hearingtracker.com/
Aim to get a model that supports Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast. If you're an Apple user, also look for Made for iPhone (MFi).
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/106341
The Android equivalent is ASHA.
The key thing when you get aids is that you need to wear them all the time. They're not like reading glasses that you can just put on when needed. Your brain needs to adapt to the new sound.
If you really struggle to understand speech, there are also captioning apps that can be used on your phone.
There are different types of "in ear" hearing aids. Depending on the extent of your hearing loss you may have to go with Receiver in Canal (RIC)/Behind The Ear (RIC) model.
Avoid the cheap no-name models and "hearing glasses" sold in newspaper ads.
https://www.hearingtracker.com/
Aim to get a model that supports Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast. If you're an Apple user, also look for Made for iPhone (MFi).
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/106341
The Android equivalent is ASHA.
The key thing when you get aids is that you need to wear them all the time. They're not like reading glasses that you can just put on when needed. Your brain needs to adapt to the new sound.
If you really struggle to understand speech, there are also captioning apps that can be used on your phone.
I had an hearing test last week due to having issues with hearing the TV and noisy places and events and lastly on the phone
Went to Specsavers and I have moderate hearing loss but require hearing aids
having these fittind on the 29th of October
https://www.resound.com/en-gb/hearing-aids/resound...
I am 57 and bald but not concerned about getting them fitted and hope they help me with my everyday life
I will keep this thread updated
Went to Specsavers and I have moderate hearing loss but require hearing aids
having these fittind on the 29th of October
https://www.resound.com/en-gb/hearing-aids/resound...
I am 57 and bald but not concerned about getting them fitted and hope they help me with my everyday life
I will keep this thread updated
I'm positive my wife needs hearing aids, she misses so much speech wise and always has the TV loud, or in the last 6-12 months has resorted to having subtitles on the screen to help. If that's not showing an issue, I don't know what would??
BUT, she absolutely refuses to go and get it checked out, probably because she knows they'll tell her she needs HA's, and she's so against having some. Vanity maybe? I have no idea.
I've tried telling her that you'll barely see them these days, and her hair partially covers her ears anyway. It's very odd and I struggle to even mention it these days as she's so tetchy about it.
BUT, she absolutely refuses to go and get it checked out, probably because she knows they'll tell her she needs HA's, and she's so against having some. Vanity maybe? I have no idea.
I've tried telling her that you'll barely see them these days, and her hair partially covers her ears anyway. It's very odd and I struggle to even mention it these days as she's so tetchy about it.
I bought a pair of in-ear ones (Signia) a couple of years ago as I thought they might help my tinnitus.
They were similar (but not the same) as these:
https://www.pockethearing.com/signia-silk-x#!/Sign...
As above, you need to wear them permanently (which I didn't do) and I've stopped wearing them... but I probably will start again at some point. They cannot be seen at all and are controlled by an iPhone app.
They are very good at amplifying the opening of crisp packets (very noisy) and hearing birdsong for the first time in years too.
I would recommend them.
They were similar (but not the same) as these:
https://www.pockethearing.com/signia-silk-x#!/Sign...
As above, you need to wear them permanently (which I didn't do) and I've stopped wearing them... but I probably will start again at some point. They cannot be seen at all and are controlled by an iPhone app.
They are very good at amplifying the opening of crisp packets (very noisy) and hearing birdsong for the first time in years too.
I would recommend them.
The most expensive own brand specsavers are £2000, iphone compatible, discreet and have an app which is very good.
I’m not sure about the long-term battery life, but the chap mentioned that they would be serviced and the battery replaced after three or four years. Hopefully, I get at least six to eight years out of them.
They were also offering zero percent finance when i purchased.
I’m not sure about the long-term battery life, but the chap mentioned that they would be serviced and the battery replaced after three or four years. Hopefully, I get at least six to eight years out of them.
They were also offering zero percent finance when i purchased.
nordboy said:
I'm positive my wife needs hearing aids, she misses so much speech wise and always has the TV loud, or in the last 6-12 months has resorted to having subtitles on the screen to help. If that's not showing an issue, I don't know what would??
BUT, she absolutely refuses to go and get it checked out, probably because she knows they'll tell her she needs HA's, and she's so against having some. Vanity maybe? I have no idea.
I've tried telling her that you'll barely see them these days, and her hair partially covers her ears anyway. It's very odd and I struggle to even mention it these days as she's so tetchy about it.
Not happy reading, but this might change her mindBUT, she absolutely refuses to go and get it checked out, probably because she knows they'll tell her she needs HA's, and she's so against having some. Vanity maybe? I have no idea.
I've tried telling her that you'll barely see them these days, and her hair partially covers her ears anyway. It's very odd and I struggle to even mention it these days as she's so tetchy about it.
https://zoe.com/learn/hearing-loss-with-marcelo-ri...
Riley Blue said:
Millions of us have defective eyesight and happily wear very obvious spectacles. Why is it not the same with hearing and hearing aids?
It's the question I asked my wife after going through the above quoted article which shocked her, but probably was soon forgotten about. I said that she had no issues wearing glasses for corrected eyesight, so why does she feel differently about wearing hearing aids. Guess what....she had absolutely no answer!!Bet she still won't go get her hearing checked though. Many of these....
nordboy said:
Riley Blue said:
Millions of us have defective eyesight and happily wear very obvious spectacles. Why is it not the same with hearing and hearing aids?
It's the question I asked my wife after going through the above quoted article which shocked her, but probably was soon forgotten about. I said that she had no issues wearing glasses for corrected eyesight, so why does she feel differently about wearing hearing aids. Guess what....she had absolutely no answer!!Bet she still won't go get her hearing checked though. Many of these....
For balance, on the plus side for not wearing them though; you get really good at faking hearing people and looking knowingly as they talk (having no idea what the conversation is about). You also get much enjoyment as your brain fills in the non-heard parts of speech with amusing alternative dialogue
FlyVintage said:
nordboy said:
Riley Blue said:
Millions of us have defective eyesight and happily wear very obvious spectacles. Why is it not the same with hearing and hearing aids?
It's the question I asked my wife after going through the above quoted article which shocked her, but probably was soon forgotten about. I said that she had no issues wearing glasses for corrected eyesight, so why does she feel differently about wearing hearing aids. Guess what....she had absolutely no answer!!Bet she still won't go get her hearing checked though. Many of these....
For balance, on the plus side for not wearing them though; you get really good at faking hearing people and looking knowingly as they talk (having no idea what the conversation is about). You also get much enjoyment as your brain fills in the non-heard parts of speech with amusing alternative dialogue
I've got a test booked at specsavers next month. I struggle to hear conversations in restaurants, birdsong, movie dialog. Basically high-frequency hearing is screwed due to too many loud gigs and shotgun use in my youth.
I got a pair of Oticon behind-ear aids on NHS about 6-7 years back but have never got on with them. Just couldn't get a good fit in the ear canal. I'm aware that somethig modern isn't likely to be cheap!
I got a pair of Oticon behind-ear aids on NHS about 6-7 years back but have never got on with them. Just couldn't get a good fit in the ear canal. I'm aware that somethig modern isn't likely to be cheap!
silentbrown said:
I got a pair of Oticon behind-ear aids on NHS about 6-7 years back but have never got on with them. Just couldn't get a good fit in the ear canal. I'm aware that somethig modern isn't likely to be cheap!
I've got a similar pair of Oticon hearing aids. The biggest issue I have is that they interfere with the arms of my (prescription) glasses/sunglasses and my hat, which I always wear to keep my pate warm. Need to grow bigger ears!!
Kim
silentbrown said:
I got a pair of Oticon behind-ear aids on NHS about 6-7 years back but have never got on with them. Just couldn't get a good fit in the ear canal. I'm aware that somethig modern isn't likely to be cheap!
Expect anything up to about £4.5k for a pair depending on your requirements and preferences; though a single isn’t half the price (if you’re lucky enough to only need one). There are some advantages over and above pure hearing improvement though; connectivity with your phone allows you to take calls through your hearing aids; connect with your tv for late night silent viewing with the rest of the family undisturbed in bed; listening to those self-guided things whilst on a museum tour; listening to music whilst out walking…… anyway, you get the idea - basically, anything you can connect with Bluetooth you can utilise your hearing aids for.
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