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Hearing aid advice


Old Boggy
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Having just been treated to a show in London, I must admit that very little of the dialogue could be heard, or at least understood, by this deaf old g-I-t.
I do have NHS hearing aids which certainly increase the volume but I just cannot pick up the dialogue clearly enough. This is made worse in company or with any background noise. At home, I confess to having the sub-titles on the television which makes for perfect understanding of the programmes.

I have heard stories of people spending out good money on private hearing aids only to return to using their NHS ones.

Has anyone any experience of Boots hearing aids. Not cheap, but if they can improve my ability to pick up on conversations at family gatherings, in pubs etc, then I feel it may just be worth it. 
I also have problems in houses, or other places where there are no soft furnishing and get some form of echo which further exacerbates the problem

I would say that my hearing loss is medium to severe and so ‘in ear’ aids are out of the question. Not only that, but vanity is no longer an issue, I just need to hear properly and currently feel left out of most conversations.

Any advice, as I’m sure that there are a few people out there will similar issues, caused no doubt, by ignorance of years of shooting without ear defenders, would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

OB

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Old Boggy - could you say that again please !!!

Seriously, I have a similar problem set.  I too use NHS ones but still suffer the same issues that you have described, particularly in hard-wall environments and/or multiple people speaking.  They are far better out in the fresh air !!

I have 2 programs on mine based upon the testing they did (about 3+ years ago), and each program has about 6 different volume settings.  Its a game to find the right settings for the environment !!

I use MSA 75302 over-ear muffs when I'm shooting - just turn the in-ear system down a bit.  This combination is really good, particularly at hearing people talking after a drive etc, but you would look a bit silly in a pub !!

I dont really know what better solutions might be available......

 

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Hello, I have to use sub titles so your not alone OB, have about 30 percent loss in left ear and 10 percent in right , just cannot get on with my NHS aids, so I just put up with not using and I don't socialise much or go anywhere like the cinema or show, my 2 son's understand if I ask to repeat something, as a side note I always had my ears checked about every 2 years at the surgery and maybe a syringe but they stopped doing this in the COVID period and now not doing on the NHS or this surgery? Sorry have go private  for this treatment now , 🤔 there are different types of NHS hearing aids so check out against yours, best wishes 

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I have Oticon ones and have 3 types of tuning for them on my mobile. BUT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< they cost a million quid. They are brilliant and I don't resent buying them. I can now hear what people are saying in a crowded pub and I can here birds singing when I go bird watching.

Skint boy.

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Get your ears looked in by a proficient practitioner before starting any otc treatments, may simply be a cerumen impaction (wax impaction) as hearing loss is the most common symptom of a wax impaction and it is not always accompanied with other symptoms. Most commonly on making a dignoisis of impaction:

Initial treatment of advised over the counter drops to soften the wax, if that fails ear flushing may be beneficial if safe to carry out after risks accounted for. If the flushing of the ear canal is contraindicated, a gp referral to ear nose and throat. If first flushing is not contraindicated but proves unsuccessful, the flush should be repeated again if the practitioner feels it safe to do so. If the symproms of wax impaction still persist a gp referral to ear nose and throat.

Unfortunately as oldypigeon popper points out, ear flushing/syringing is not offered on the NHS anymore and private clinics have now absorbed this service now.  

There are a host of auditory maladies that could acccount for you worsening hearing loss, excluding a impaction should help identifying the cause and getting you the most appropriate treatment. There are always risks with any procedure such as treatment failure and worsening of symptoms  and these should be explained to you before undertaking any procedure.

atb  

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I have been deaf for over 20 years as a result of a couple of minor strokes and totally agree with what has been said. I have learned the skill of smiling and nodding, a bit embarrassing at funerals but hey ho. Having done a lot of research  it seems you need to spend around £6000 to improve on the NHS aids. Rather than rely on subtitles, I have something called a 'loop system'. This is supplied and fitted by the local Council and comes in conjunction with a smoke/fire alarm system. The loop is a wire that is fitted (under carpet edge) around the perimeter of my lounge and goes from, and back to,  a small box which is by the TV. Going to position 3 on my hearing aid (the one that is supposed to be on in banks and some shops) I can hear the TV through my aids. I can actually shut off the volume on the set and still hear it through the aids. Only downside is you can not hear any conversation in the room, just the TV. That is not really a problem. Council come out once a year, check it all out and stick another sticker on it. It is a well kept secret by Councils, obviously due to cost. Check it out. Omitted to say it is entirely free.

Edited by Westley
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My dad, unbeknownst to me, has got himself hearing aids.  They have cost a fortune from a private company and he is shy of saying just how much.  The initial problem is that they use a smartphone app and my dad is not that good with that sort of thing.  Maybe I get him a tablet so everything is bigger,  but it seems to me he is going to abandon these soon as there is just no reliability unless he plays with the phone almost constantly.

  Secondly they are tiny, which may be discreet, but even I have trouble adjusting the volume on such tiny buttons.

  They are rechargeable, and he has let them run down numerous times, even not taking them out at night instead of putting them in their charging box.  This makes them useless next day for a while.

  I really think a set of wired headphones with AA batteries and a waistband box for control would be much more suitable.  But everything seems to be micro and smartphone operated these days.

 

Just be careful, whatever you decide.

 

RS

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I have used Boots and I bought Phonak hearing aids from them. They cost £1,600 about three years back and I have them serviced free every 12 months.

They are small and I find it easy to adjust the volume but I often have to adjust the volume in social gathering as people raise and lower their voices or turn or drop their head as they talk. These are my third or fourth set as I have been wearing aids for 20 years and though they have got smaller I have the same problems with the latest one I had with the first pair. Don’t let the sales person kid you.

The NHS hearing aids a friend has been given free are as small as mine and just as adjustable and when I need a new pair that is what I will get. I hope this helps.

NOTE. My wife said I started to go deaf the day after we got married. Oh, I replied, the same day you went off sex.

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Wow, I have great respect for giys who live dangerously.

Just starting to lose my hearing. Left ear is gone and right ear spasmodic. Will need to seek help soon I think.  When I put in my electronics on shooting days no problem and I do not have a desire to hide anything so may go that way.

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3 hours ago, Walker570 said:

Wow, I have great respect for giys who live dangerously.

Just starting to lose my hearing. Left ear is gone and right ear spasmodic. Will need to seek help soon I think.  When I put in my electronics on shooting days no problem and I do not have a desire to hide anything so may go that way.

My right ear is next to useless,  apart from holding my Pillas on and I rely on my left ear constantly.  However, like you, I find my CFG electronic ear defenders excellent as both aid and defenders.

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My Dad is 86 and has awful hearing,as far back as I can remember it has been the same but has got progressively worse over time.He bought hearing aids from a private company which cost a fair bit but has gone back to NHS ones as he said they were better.He shot all his life with no hearing protection and blames this on his hearing loss but I know he also suffers from a regular build up of wax and this affects his ability to hear.He has a few friends of similar age with the same problem - all blame shooting. I have to admit that I am a bit too relaxed when it comes to my hearing protection and already would notice it hard to hear if I am somewhere with loud background noise.I got a pair of electronic ear defenders for a birthday a few years ago and try my best to use them but often forget them.I have two sons and have been very strong in forcing them to use ear protection when they shoot so it is already like second nature to them.

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My wife is totally deaf in one ear and 60% in the other. She has for a long time used a private hearing consultant and bought a private aid. She also has NHS digital which she describes as inferior. She has an additional remote microphone that I can wear and connects from a distance away. She has also had an aid that can be programmed to surroundings such as restaurants, listening to music watching tv etc and are changed by remote control. None of this comes cheap 2-2.5k but transforms her life. I cannot comment on Boots but can advise you to find a good audiologist and stick with them. My wife continues to use Oxford Hearing Centre even though we are now in Scotland as their service is second to none.

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43 minutes ago, Walker570 said:

Anyone tried those wiggly ended wax removal instruments ?  Used to be able to get mine blown out every so often at the doctors but they no longer do it.  It means a longish journey into a town and if one of those instruments worked I would certainly get one.

Hi Walker

I would not recommend using anything that inserts into the canal, it is not straight and you have no way of seeing and navigating the structures in there. You risk damaging the outer canal, the drum and middle ear which are very, very delicate and also increasing the risk of infection, hearing loss and balance issues.

For some, using those high street jobs is the starting point for chronic auditory complications and the long road of ENT misery, see it all too often. Take it from someone who looks in ears on a very frequent basis.

Get them looked at before commencing any 'skewering therapy'. :lol:

Hope you get sorted.

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8 hours ago, 7daysinaweek said:

Hi Walker

I would not recommend using anything that inserts into the canal, it is not straight and you have no way of seeing and navigating the structures in there. You risk damaging the outer canal, the drum and middle ear which are very, very delicate and also increasing the risk of infection, hearing loss and balance issues.

For some, using those high street jobs is the starting point for chronic auditory complications and the long road of ENT misery, see it all too often. Take it from someone who looks in ears on a very frequent basis.

Get them looked at before commencing any 'skewering therapy'. 

Hope you get sorted.

Many thanks, yes I have never been one for poking things in my ears.  I used to wince when I would see my grandfather try and clear his out with a match stick.

Appreciate your advice and help.

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21 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

Hello, £80 to get both ears syringed local to me, 

Locally, Specsavers have a hearing clinic.  I went there as the Dr's surgery are now refusing to clear ears (despite examining them and confirming one was badly waxed up).  The lady at Specsavers recommended 2 weeks of an oil based drops product (Earol)and come back again.  No charge as second appointment needed.  The product did release quite a lot of wax.  After 3 weeks (appointment timing stretched interval) I went back - and she said it was MUCH clearer and better - and did remove a small amount with a 'microsuction' machine, but most had moved out naturally.  I thanked her and asked the charge (I understand it was then normally £55 per appointment).  No charge for either appointment as 'she had really not done anything'.

I therefore give a strong recommendation to Specsavers who were both helpful with advice and more than fair about charging.

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I am fairly new to hearing aids, only had them 6 months, and I have moderate to severe hearing loss. (Long story, but my hearing loss is an odd one, as my ear drums are fine, it's just my ear canals have closed up).  Although my first hearing aids, I have the Oticon Engage from the NHS, they are the ear plug ones, rather than the little wire that goes into the ear.  They have changed my life, I've also bought a remote bluetooth box you can buy for them, this allows me to connect to any bluetooth device like a computer/TV.  They already seamlessly connect to my iPhone which is great for answering calls etc.  

I have three settings on them, 'normal', 'speech in noise', and 'remote mic' (Which I can either use my phone or the little box as a remote mic).  They work well, but would agree it can be hard to hear in a noisy setting.  Sometimes I struggle to hear the TV, but switch to the 'speech in noise' setting and I can then hear the people speaking.

The only gripe I'd have is the weekly change of batteries, I wish they'd do a rechargeable version.

Do you have different listening settings?  I'd advise to go back and see whether you can get them updated, they might need a re-tune or something.  For me Hampshire Hospitals have been brilliant with advice and said that they could set up more listening modes if I ever needed it.

All the best

Hayden

 

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Many thanks for all the replies, advice and experience with varying devices.

Whilst I have an appointment with Boots shortly , I also have one with a recommended audiologist and hearing aid supplier in order to keep my options open. Boots maintain that they operate a full refund of any money paid if not completely satisfied within a 60 day period. This I find quite reassuring but I will ensure that if I go down this route, I will make my requirements and expectations of their product perfectly clear before committing.

The other highly recommended audiologist carries out ear wax removal for £60 which is refundable if hearing aids are purchased through them. No doubt that this cost is built in, in the instance, or maybe that’s just the cynic coming out in me.
I will advise of my decision and the outcome and hopefully change to my life in due course, but thanks again for those who have shared their experiences.

OB

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I had the old NHS one where you pressed a button it picked up noise foreward press the button it picked up noise behind you i thought that was great , Got the new NHS one just put it in your ear place the bit behind your ear and it picks up everything , I hate it i hardly hear anything so dont use it Fast foreward a year got called in for its service she plugged it into her computor and siad do you use it my comptures no registering anything i said its **** hers words persevere  with it 

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I can’t help I’m afraid, but hope you get sorted. I just wanted to point out that hearing aids won’t help in echoing sparsely furnished rooms. Our shoot dinner is held in such a place and as soon as we’ve eaten we move back downstairs as the acoustics when everyone is talking make it annoyingly difficult to hear what others are saying. Unless we’re all deaf of course! 
On a lighter note, OH’s Dad wears hearing aids but they don’t appear to help too much. 
She and her Dad were stringing some fairy lights over one of the apple trees last Christmas, when OH spotted a mask lying in the grass. ‘There’s a mask there Dad.’ 
He looked at her and said, ‘A mouse?’ 
‘A mask Dad, a mask.’ 
‘Oh’ says he. 
‘Id better pick it up’ says OH. 
‘Oh’ says he. ‘It’s dead then?’ 😂

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Why are most going and paying through the nose for private services.  I suffered from tinnitus and went to quack.  Then sent for sound testing at hospital in Ashford.  I was given aids, batteries ect.  These have been changed to multi sound level and three different backgrounds.  The aids are about the size of a cashew nut and fit behind the ears. The sound goes through micro pipe into soft ear plugs.  they don't really notice and I  don't care anyway.  The tinnitus doesn't exist now and I can hear most things except what she says. New replacement batteries are ordered online by e-mail and shipped out free from Canterbury.  Why pay for stuff when you have contributed for when everyone freeloader draws the benifit for everything. The NHS stuff is good.  You can either hear or you can't .

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On 07/04/2022 at 20:58, gmm243 said:

My Dad is 86 and has awful hearing,as far back as I can remember it has been the same but has got progressively worse over time.He bought hearing aids from a private company which cost a fair bit but has gone back to NHS ones as he said they were better.He shot all his life with no hearing protection and blames this on his hearing loss but I know he also suffers from a regular build up of wax and this affects his ability to hear.He has a few friends of similar age with the same problem - all blame shooting. I have to admit that I am a bit too relaxed when it comes to my hearing protection and already would notice it hard to hear if I am somewhere with loud background noise.I got a pair of electronic ear defenders for a birthday a few years ago and try my best to use them but often forget them.I have two sons and have been very strong in forcing them to use ear protection when they shoot so it is already like second nature to them.

This I can relate to. Father got to close to a bomb and eventually went stone deaf. Initially he had a NHS aid - a receiver in the breast pocket a couple of batteries in other pockets and an earpiece. All that was used were the batteries to power the torch when we went night bass fishing. Forward 70 years and after not too much success with the anlogue version, I'm now good with the NHS digital (too many small fast jets and the damage done before they really knew what was happening). I too went down the private road with a small aid and the in ear (wire fed) piece. Non too clever as I also have the wax problem which the earpiece compacted making things worse as said we now need to pay for the remedy. NHS is good.

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