I've had a hearing test today and have been told I have significant hearing loss in both ears and need to be fitted for hearing aids. I'm only 35. The Dr said there was no obvious reason for it, so said it is congenital.
He's referring me to an NHS hearing aid person, but I'm also wondering about paying for one. Will see what the NHS can offer and what I can afford!
Ali
Hi Ali
I've got a hearing problem but ENT said it's not bad enough for me to have a hearing aid. The reason for my hearing loss was caused by premature old age hearing loss the hospital said, I was only in early 30's !!! After all these years I do manage to cope most days but I can not use the telephone with my right ear .......... can't hear a thing
My father got his hearing aid's from the NHS and he's really impressed with them, so see what they can offer first before paying out.
Good luck
Cis
definetly check out what you an get on the NHS first before committing to anything privately. It varies from area to area, but I now qualify for digital aids which are maintained by the NHS and supplied with batteries as well.
Private hearing aids can be expensive and you have all the maintenance etc to cover yourself as well.
HTH
FBx
Get the NHS hearing aid. Don't pay for one privately. They are expensive and no better than the NHS ones.
When you do get yours wear them only for short times in quiet places to begin and gradually increase the time and noise levels. I say this because you are not always told this when you get your hearing aid fitted. Your brain will need to learn to filter out unwanted sounds again. Don't expect too much to begin, it takes time. Years, in many cases.
Also, remember they are simply aids to hearing. It will not be like putting on spectacles and everything is in focus. Hearing aids cannot help you hear frequencies you have lost and I have to say the sound quality is not always that good, even with digital hearing aids, in spite of what the hearing aid person will tell you.
I have an NHS digital aid. I have no hearing atall in my left ear and only a few low frequencies in my right ear so the sounds I do hear aren't much use, but can be helpful when lip reading. I do notice the difference if I am not wearing it. Thank goodness for subtitles!
Hope this helps.
Maggie xx