Tiny Hearing Aid. Do You Have One?

[Tilly2]

I am having a hearing test done shortly and would like to change from my NHS hearing aids (which I never wear) to new fandangled tiny ones, which fit inside the ear.

Anyone have this type of aid?

[Tilly2]

Did you actually buy the hearing aid Riptide?

Andres, I know I will need some kind of batteries for them. I shall check out how fiddly they are when I try them.

[riptide]

No, I said I would let them know. To be honest, I was surprised to be told I needed hearing aids as I can hear perfectly in my everyday life. I think it is my tinnitus that effects me most and that is one of the reasons I went to seek some advice. I have to go back to have some wax removed and will have a further chat with them.. I think you will find Boots are good. I have to say though i was very impressed with the hearing aids she showed me and they were extremely comfortable.

[Tilly2]

Thank you Riptide.

[jennyjoan]

morning Tilly - I have been using aids all my life from aged 3. Over the years I used the NHS which were all ugly things and then as I started work I bought a few private which at the time were a fortune. Some years ago I bought a private one and was wearing it for a little while when somebody told me that the NHS had brought digital ones in. I then went back and got the NHS ones and FOR me I couldn't go back to the private ones as this suits my hearing loss.

Remember if you are quite deaf - the inner ear ones don't suit as they are not "strong" enough. In order to get good sound from the aid you will have to resort to the the behind the ear ones. You do need a hearing test and for me it is the NHS all the way. I bought a hearing aid from Specsavers and it was hopeless and the way the test was conducted was hopeless compared to the test from NHS.

As I say the inner ear won't do you if your hearing loss is bad. Good luck Tilly

[Tilly2]

Oh, thank you JJ. That is really useful advice.

[SparklyKid]

I have an NHS hearing aid. Brilliant.
My elderly neighbour paid over £1,000 for private ones, no good, went back to NHS.

Some private ones have a little bubble at the end of the tube, he managed to get it lodged inside his ear, had to take him to walk in clinic to get it out.

[SlackAlice]

I am classed as 'profound' hearing loss in right ear and slight hearing loss in left ear. All due to nerve damage suffered whilst 11yrs to 12 yrs old. Tried out NHS hearing aids (old type (analoque)) and couldn't get on with them.
Abandoned them and went for an 'in the canal' aid from Specsavers for the left ear only, the one they offered for the right ear was big and bulky (behind the ear)and being a bit vain (!) I didn't have it although cost had a bearing as well.
Just recently I decided to get a replacement(s) and decided to try NHS again. My GP just laughed when I asked for a NHS hearing assessment appointment and said the waiting list was about 2yrs.
So I went along to both Boots and Specsavers and went through the tests with them.
Was shown various recommendations by both companies. In the end I moved away from 'in the canal' to behind the ear type. These do not have removable batteries, being rechargeable and have the benefit of 'bluetooth' to connect to my smartphone, pc and laptop.
They do not look too obtrusive and a lot of people do not realise I am wearing them. I am also a very good lipreader which helps as well.
Be guided by who ever is assessing your hearing but just take some of their claims with a 'pinch of salt'.

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/hearing-aids/brands/advance

These are mine because my hearing loss is very high and in the ear type just not suitable unless I was paying an absolute fortune.

You probably wouldn't need ones like mine. All I'm saying is be guided by the advice given and not what looks the best. I've been wearing them now for about 3 months and now kick myself constantly for not getting them sooner.

Don't forget you can still remove them when your OHs giving you grief!

[rosyposy]

Just to say atm Boots will let you try any of their hearing aids for 60days and if you’re not satisfied they will refund the whole cost!! Seems a very good deal to me

[Khandro]

Amplifon hearing aids are terrific, mine are behind the ear, but very small, I have two, but only wear them one at a time, alternating them, & they are easy to adjust in situ.

I keep my hair long enough to mostly obscure them, women should have no problem with that.

I noticed in the late photos of the Duke of Edinburgh that he was wearing an Amplifon aid, which says a lot.

I have an inner ear one as well, but it isn't really as good.

[Tilly2]

Excellent advice from Alice, Khandro, Rosy and Sparkly. Thank you all. I wish I could give you all a BA.

[jennyjoan]

sob sob - see my best answer was replaced. arrrr