Hearing Aids

[VoR]

My Dad is deaf as a post in a way that is both highly irritating for us and isolating for him as at family meals etc he can’t hear what we’re talking about so just zones out.

He has an NHS hearing aid but he refuses to use it because apparently it just blanket amplifies everything so the background noise becomes unbearable for him.

For his upcoming birthday I’m thinking of splashing out on a proper noise cancelling hearing aid that he might get along better with.

Was wondering if anyone else with aging parents had experienced this and if so whether they could recommend a brand/model?

 

[Agneeta]

My Dad has hearing loss along with his dementia. He had an NHS one, which was fine but as he kept losing them or breaking them, which became a problem constantly ordering new ones. So they went private, I think they paid at least a grand, which means they're on a subscription service, allowing easy repairs and replacements.

I know that's not your circumstance, but I can confirm the private hearing aids are a major step up. I can find out the brand.

 

[Star]

I work with Audiologists! I can find out for you.

 

[VoR]

Thanks both!

 

[Star]

Ag is correct though, I know the better brands are more into the thousands, but I'll find out more

 

[Joseph]

We went with privately bought aides for my step-dad and he is much happier with them. The kind his insurance would pay for sucked and just left him depressed.

 

[Marina Salty]

I ordered a cheap one online for Mr. Bay's mom back in the day when the communication was getting difficult, to see if it helps and whether she'd be willing to use one in the first place, to our surprise it worked and she liked it, but sadly it outlived her.

 

[Berly]

My tip would be look at the manufacturers first rather than just providers, there are a few that dominate the market. I like Starkey and GN ReSound.

 

[lolly]

Mr L has NHS ones. When he discovered he needed them, he did look into private ones due to thinking the NHS ones would look massive and very indiscreet, but actually they aren't at all. I do remember (and this must be about 5 years ago) that you were looking at into the thousands rather than hundreds for both.

Are you sure that it's not just the fact that the prescription is wrong, if it doesn't work for him? Would private necessarily be better in that respect? Possibly a question for Star or her audiologists.

 

[Indie]

Mrs. Indie went private and they cost about a grand. Not sure on the make.

But one of my best friends got them through the NHS and they were even better than the private ones the Mrs got. It's a crapshoot.