In praise of hearing aids

[PeteXXX]

I was about to start a thread re hearing aids but found this one...

I went to the audiology department at Northampton Hospital in mid May to get my hearing checked as my off-side ear wasn't working properly @ 30%. Nearside was OK but, on checking, it was only running @ 70%

Anyway, echoing the comment by @Drago the audiologist was great!

Typically, I was away when my fitting appointment came through so I had to wait another week or so.
I am now the proud owner of a pair of the NHS's finest Phonaks.

They even have an App to run them.. 👍

First impressions are that they're unobtrusive and I don't really notice that I'm wearing them.
Hearing is vastly better albeit with a bit of wind noise similar to a mobile phone conversation on a windy day but I'm sure I'll get used to it (?)

I'll have to see how they are when cycling. Maybe I'll have to pop them out.

Not earbud quality but I can play music through them & they can auto connect for phone calls via Bluetooth.

Still learning at the moment who can hear what. I get a call and start talking but people think I'm the village idiot talking to myself as my phone is in my pocket. All i do is tap the top of the aid & start talking.

Another bonus is the slight White Noise from them seeming to help my tinnitus.

 

[Drago]

They're good up there, aren't they? If Mrs D has problems with hers I drop them off in an envelope and they phone me a couple of days later to collect them. I always drop off a small box of Roses when I collect them as a thankyou because they really are brilliant.

 

[PeteXXX]

As an addendum, my appointment with ENT was estimated to be 22 weeks from initial checks to see if there's any underlying issues. I'm still waiting for any updates for as & when.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I was about to start a thread re hearing aids but found this one...

I went to the audiology department at Northampton Hospital in mid May to get my hearing checked as my off-side ear wasn't working properly @ 30%. Nearside was OK but, on checking, it was only running @ 70%

Anyway, echoing the comment by @Drago the audiologist was great!

Typically, I was away when my fitting appointment came through so I had to wait another week or so.
I am now the proud owner of a pair of the NHS's finest Phonaks.

View attachment 783050

View attachment 783051

View attachment 783052

They even have an App to run them.. 👍

First impressions are that they're unobtrusive and I don't really notice that I'm wearing them.
Hearing is vastly better albeit with a bit of wind noise similar to a mobile phone conversation on a windy day but I'm sure I'll get used to it (?)

I'll have to see how they are when cycling. Maybe I'll have to pop them out.

Not earbud quality but I can play music through them & they can auto connect for phone calls via Bluetooth.

Still learning at the moment who can hear what. I get a call and start talking but people think I'm the village idiot talking to myself as my phone is in my pocket. All i do is tap the top of the aid & start talking.

Another bonus is the slight White Noise from them seeming to help my tinnitus.

You don;t look like the village idiot
you look like cool happening dude that is down with the kids

they all do it



which is b****y confusing when you pass then on a path and just as you pass they say something with zero signs that they are connected to otehr people in the ether!!!

 

[PeteXXX]

You don;t look like the village idiot
you look like cool happening dude that is down with the kids

they all do it



which is b****y confusing when you pass then on a path and just as you pass they say something with zero signs that they are connected to otehr people in the ether!!!

I'm slightly disappointed that a 10yr old friend of my grandson has purple hearing aids!
Apparently, as I'm a grown-up, allegedly, I can't have them ☹️

 

[PaulSB]

@PeteXXX my experience, and that of my buddies, is cycling doesn't work. It's like sitting in a wind tunnel.

 

[PeteXXX]

@PeteXXX my experience, and that of my buddies, is cycling doesn't work. It's like sitting in a wind tunnel.

That's probably true but I'm out for a few miles tomorrow so will know for sure!

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

@PeteXXX my experience, and that of my buddies, is cycling doesn't work. It's like sitting in a wind tunnel.

Well we all know there is always a head wind

 

[Alex321]

I was about to start a thread re hearing aids but found this one...

I went to the audiology department at Northampton Hospital in mid May to get my hearing checked as my off-side ear wasn't working properly @ 30%. Nearside was OK but, on checking, it was only running @ 70%

Anyway, echoing the comment by @Drago the audiologist was great!

Typically, I was away when my fitting appointment came through so I had to wait another week or so.
I am now the proud owner of a pair of the NHS's finest Phonaks.

View attachment 783050

View attachment 783051

View attachment 783052

They even have an App to run them.. 👍

First impressions are that they're unobtrusive and I don't really notice that I'm wearing them.
Hearing is vastly better albeit with a bit of wind noise similar to a mobile phone conversation on a windy day but I'm sure I'll get used to it (?)

I have similar Phonak ones, and yes they are great. You really don't notice them when they are in, and neither does anybody else. And as you say, they make a big differecne to hearing, plus the bluetooth means I can be in team meeting (on Microsoft teams) without needing additional headphones/microphone.

I'll have to see how they are when cycling. Maybe I'll have to pop them out.

I take mine out for cycling, not because of wind noise, but because they get crackly if I sweat a lot. They are supposed to be moisture resistant but not waterproof.

Not earbud quality but I can play music through them & they can auto connect for phone calls via Bluetooth.

Still learning at the moment who can hear what. I get a call and start talking but people think I'm the village idiot talking to myself as my phone is in my pocket. All i do is tap the top of the aid & start talking.

Another bonus is the slight White Noise from them seeming to help my tinnitus.

 

[PeteXXX]

I have no comparison with any other make of hearing aids but I'm more than happy with these.. 👍

 

[Zanelad]

I get my NHS ones 4 weeks time. I've been outflanked by my wife and boss working together to get my hearing tested. Never fight two women with a common cause . I'm quite looking forward to getting them if I'm honest. What's the sound quality like when listening to music?

 

[PeteXXX]

I get my NHS ones 4 weeks time. I've been outflanked by my wife and boss working together to get my hearing tested. Never fight two women with a common cause . I'm quite looking forward to getting them if I'm honest. What's the sound quality like when listening to music?

The NHS ones are OK. Not top quality but acceptable for when out on a walk or doing stuff.

 

[PeteXXX]

Rookie error last Thursday.. As I was going swimming in the morning then onwards to visit my daughter I decided to put my things, including my hearing aids, in the car (just in case I dived into the pool whilst wearing them! 😋)
Sat in the house, granddaughter rang me for a chat but I couldn't hear her as my phone was connecting via my hearing aids & I couldn't see how to disconnect them before she got fed up and rang off 😂