NHS aids are better than you think!

SO YOU think you have a hearing problem — what now? The first thing you need to do is see your family doctor.

Once your GP has ruled out other temporary causes of hearing loss, such as infection, they should refer you to an audiologist at your local hospital — the average wait to be seen is five weeks, according to the latest NHS figures (although research shows 45 per cent of patients seeing their GP for the first time for hearing loss don’t get referred to a specialist on that visit).

You can be referred directly to an audiologist, or your GP may also send you to see an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor first if they suspect something else could be affecting your hearing, for instance, if you also have tinnitus, balance problems or if you are under 40.

An audiologist will run tests to determine if you need hearing aids and also the type that will work best.

Once you’ve seen an audiologist, it can take six to 12 weeks for your hearing aids to be fitted. How long depends on the type you need and whether impressions of your ear need to be taken, and where you live.

Most patients receive their hearing aid within the 18-week NHS target, either through a specialist NHS audiology clinic or an approved High-Street provider such as Boots or SpecSavers.

However, many face long delays receiving hearing aids. It was recently reported that in North Staffordshire, NHS bosses have withdrawn funding altogether for hearing aids for people with mild hearing loss — a move experts fear other health authorities could follow as a way of saving the NHS money.

The vast majority of NHS patients with hearing loss are given digital hearing aids. These rest behind the ear and send sound picked up by a tiny microphone into the ear through either an earmould or a small, soft tip. They are battery-operated and bought in bulk by the NHS.

Other types of battery-operated hearing aids are available on the NHS, but only in a minority of cases for medical reasons as they are more expensive.

‘Historically, the NHS had really bad hearing aids — however, since 2000, it has had access to state-ofthe-art technology, and digital behind-the- ear hearing aids are now standard,’ says Dr Huw Cooper, chair of the British Society of Audiology and a consultant audiological scientist in Birmingham.

‘The process of sound and the quality of hearing they provide is good, and they can be programmed to suit the patients’ needs.’

HOWEVER, there are drawbacks to this type of hearing aid. Sitting behind the ear, they are cumbersome and noticeable; they can also clash with glasses and are not waterproof, according to Peter Sydserff, president of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists.

‘Many patients would rather have something more discreet or invisible, something that is smaller and fits inside the ear, that other people can’t see,’ he adds.

Another problem is that while in some parts of the country, patients with hearing loss in both ears will receive two hearing aids, in others, they will receive only one — and in some, none at all.

Sometimes you are given just one to allow you to get used to it before the second is fitted, though some NHS Trusts now offer only one hearing aid, unless patients specifically request two. Action on Hearing Loss says this is being done to save money, and if you have hearing loss in both ears, you should be offered two aids.

‘Unfortunately, hearing aids are seen as a bit of a Cinderella service and cutting budgets in this area is seen as an easy hit and a way to save the NHS money,’ says Dr Cooper. ‘It is only fair that patients with hearing loss should get help on the NHS and the standard should be two hearing aids if both ears have hearing loss. However, there is variety in the services offered around the country and that is very worrying.’

Fitting services can also vary, with some patients unable to wear their hearing aid because it is uncomfortable. Ideally, you should be offered a face-to-face follow-up appointment, around eight to 12 weeks after your hearing aids have been fitted, for any adjustments.

But Action on Hearing Loss says follow-up appointments aren’t always given. Instead, it is done over the phone — and sometimes not at all.

Replacement batteries for your hearing aids are provided by the NHS for free. You will given a brown book, known as a battery issuing book, which lists where you can collect new batteries from (you must show your brown book to receive the batteries).

While an NHS hearing aid is free, you may be charged for a replacement if you lose it.

If you go privately, there is a huge range of hearing aids available, from those that fit completely inside the ear to ones with wireless technology that sync with smartphones and DAB radios. However, they also vary widely in price, from £495 for two hearing aids to £3,000.

Before buying a hearing aid privately, always make sure the audiologist is a member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and they have the letters RHAD (Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser) after their name.

WHICH? also advises checking the trial period with money-back guarantee, warranty, policy on servicing, maintenance, parts and follow-up appointments, and always recommends looking at more than one brand. ‘ Quality of private care does vary, so patients need to be careful where they go,’ says Dr Cooper.

Given the expense of private hearing aids, make sure they are covered on your insurance. Most companies will add them to your contents insurance.

You are still entitled to NHS hearing aids if you have previously bought one privately.