Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

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Hearing aids

Posted by Sheila on 12/11/2025, 7:00 pm

Having Danalogic GN hearing aids for three years which were dreadful, I was pleased when I was allowed to have them replaced. I chose a clinic which used to be NHS and used Oticon hearing aids. I’d been give one years ago from the NHS and it was very good. I was unhappy to be given Danalogic GN. I was told it’s now the only aids the NHS use for free hearing aids. Has anyone been given them and what did they think . It could be my hearing is the problem. I think I may have to go for private aids.

Re: Hearing aids

Posted by ricky on 13/11/2025, 8:12 am, in reply to "Hearing aids"

I'm using the new Oticon hearing aids Sheila. This is my second pair from the Freeman's. Cannot remember the make of the first ones. These can be connected to an app on your phone to make basic adjustements. I dont wear mine all the time but still have to change batteries often. I find with all the hearing aids I've used they just amplify the sound around you...............of course there supposed to.........but it's difficult make out a conversation in a crowded room like a pub. General chatter, juke box and TV sounds all come through the aids. Talking without all the background sounds there fine.

Re: Hearing aids

Posted by Brian on 13/11/2025, 10:16 am, in reply to "Hearing aids"

Sheila,
My wife has been informed she needs hearing aids, she's going to be opting for non NHS aids as they are more flexible, adjustable and more suited to her condition and the difference between those offered by the NHS are night and day. You're looking at around £3k for the pair but I think the expense is worth it.

Re: Hearing aids

Posted by Sheila on 13/11/2025, 10:44 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids"

Thank you both for your reply, I think I will have to buy some that hopefully will be better.

Re: Hearing aids

Posted by Flora on 13/11/2025, 11:08 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids"

I have these from Boots Hearing. They are definitely worth it. Adjustable and rechargeable too.

Re: Hearing aids

Posted by Norman on 13/11/2025, 12:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids"

Is what they say in this Hearing Aid advert true?
Its certainly worth looking into it?
When you see the size of hearing aids you wonder why they cost a few thousand pounds?????/
Click the Link and have a read.

Link: LINK

Norman. Oracle Certainly to be avoided!!!

Posted by Mac C on 13/11/2025, 12:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids"

Plenty of doubts about this product which should be enough to cause you to AVOID!!

Re: Hearing aids

Posted by Sheila on 13/11/2025, 1:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids"

Flora, do you have the Danalogic GN. My neighbour had the same problem I had, the could never get them correct. He had some fitted privately but said they cost s lot of money . He didn’t say whst the make was. I’m quite prepared to pay and probably go for Oticon

Re: Hearing aids

Posted by ricky on 13/11/2025, 4:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids"

If you can get the Oticon hearing aids for free like I did from the Freeman Hospital, get them and try them without paying 3 grand for the others. I know folk who have got the 3K ones and are constantly adjusting them with an App on their phone. That's not for me though. I can make basic changes to mine with an App but I seldom need to.

Re: Hearing aids

Posted by Norman on 13/11/2025, 6:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids"

Great advice Ricky.
My wife has the free NHS Oticon ones and manages them OK.She says when in a crowd and everyone is talking the background noise affects her hearing when talking to someone.

Hearing aids: For Ricky

Posted by Sheila on 13/11/2025, 7:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids"

Ricky, we are not allowed to go to the hospital. I previously had one Oticon from the John Radcliffe Hospital, but we have to go to a private Opticians for hearing aids. When I asked for Oticon I was told the NHS only do the Danalogic GN. The Oticon I might buy comes with a charger instead of batteries. I’m concerned if it needs replaced.

Re: Hearing aids: For Ricky

Posted by Sheila on 13/11/2025, 7:45 pm, in reply to " Hearing aids: For Ricky "

I’ve just googled why Oxon/Berks will not supply Oticon. Each NHS Trust decide how their money is used. Our NHS Trust have decided to use Private Opticians and done a deal with GN, supposed world leaders in audio hearing etc. so our trust have got a contract to supply these aids. Specsavers , Boots and other Opticians must be doing well as they are always busy. So these are made especially for NHS trust. I’m not surprised they are dreadful, echo’s and whistles 🙄😀

Re: Hearing aids: For Ricky

Posted by ricky on 13/11/2025, 9:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: For Ricky "

Oh I see Sheila.You dont have much choice. Must admit , I dont get any echo's, whistles, pops etc with these new ones, not like those old fashioned ones you could get on the NHS years ago..

Re: Hearing aids:

Posted by George on 13/11/2025, 10:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: For Ricky "

I have been using free issue NHS hearing aids for about ten year. In that time I have had two makes. German made Siemens and Swiss made Phonak. Both have been excellent in giving me adequate hearing with little or no difference between them. The big bonus came when for the first time in 25 years, I no longer had to suffer the din of tinitus. This applied to both makes. The Siemens aids could be controlled via my phone to alter volume and pitch. When new aids were deemed necessary, I was given the Phonak aids. As I have already explained, there was no noticeable difference. However, the Phonak aids do not allow me to adjust volume or pitch but they do have Blue Tooth which offers other advatages. Both devices fit behind the ear with lifelines which are replaced, free of charge every six months by the NHS. Batteries with the Siemens lasted about a week whilst with Phonak they last 1 -2 days. These are also supplied free upon request. I do not know if the free issue applies only to pensioners. Before I went through the NHS, I did try Boots but found they were a con and the audiolgist just a glorified salesman. The only sales talk with the NHS was - "take them or leave them". Absolutely no pressure. You may have to be recommended by your doctor to the NHS. I was after she learned my previous tests had been performed by specsavers. For those afflicted by tinitus, the makers Siemens and Phonak do not guarantee the success I have had but the technicians say it is a high %.

Re: Hearing aids:

Posted by Sheila on 14/11/2025, 7:16 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: "

Unfortunately, my doctor says we must go down this private route. This is the Oxfordshire NHS Trust, new deal for NHS hearing aids.

Re: Hearing aids:

Posted by Brian on 14/11/2025, 9:38 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: "

Sheila my wife had to do the same route, then once you have the prescription you can be referred to the Freeman, its a bit of a roundabout journey.

Re: Hearing aids:

Posted by George on 14/11/2025, 10:14 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: "

Absolutely best idea Brian. If you are not happy, you can always take up the private route but beware of the sales talk. There is none at the Freeman.

Re: Hearing aids: Hearing tests.

Posted by George on 14/11/2025, 11:03 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: "

Hearing tests are essential in determining the requirements of EACH of your ears. It's not just a case of increasing the volume which is just shouting at you. Hearing tests give the technicians the information for personalised hearing. Base and treble levels are measured. A variety of sounds are checked. Discrete adjustments are made for YOU. My hearing test took over one hour. Then I had to wait about a month whilst the aids were being prepared. You won't get what is really required with "off the peg" devices no matter how much you pay. Just an increase in noise in your ears along with all the squeeks and whistles. I'm no chicken at 88 years. Without my hearing aids I cannot hear much at all - except maddening tinitus. From zero to hero thanks to my FREE hearing aids. Tried, tested and professionally maintained for over ten years giving me a continious high quality of life - and it is free to pensioners - as long as Starmer keeps his thieving hands off.

Hearing aids: for Brian

Posted by Sheila on 15/11/2025, 9:18 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: "

No prescription from the doctors. I asked if I could go to the John Radcliffe as that is where I had my first test and best aid. Now we all have to go down the same route. We get a letter with 3 local opticians and one ex NHS choice. We then have to deal with whoever we choose. I changed to the ex NHS but instead of Oticon that I was given at the hospital, I was given the aids I’d had for the last three years. The Audiologist told me they are especially made for Oxfordshire NHS Trust. They read as being very good , but I’ve spoken now to three people who are not happy.

Re: Hearing aids: for Brian

Posted by Brian on 15/11/2025, 11:15 pm, in reply to " Hearing aids: for Brian"

It seems there's so much variation trust to trust, Laraine's went to our optician as they do the tests, she did her tests and he let her try a couple of models to compare to the NHS models, the GP has referred her but because of the results of her hearing tests he thinks the private route will be the way to go. I hope you get sorted soon. I know this sounds awful but I remember when we didn't have a choice they did one type and everyone went away happy, the more choice the more problems we seem to have.

Re: Hearing aids: for Brian

Posted by Sheila on 16/11/2025, 10:07 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: for Brian"

You might be right Brian. I’m also aware my hearing has deteriorated a lot since I got my first hearing aid at the hospital. I only need one as my hearing was good in my left ear, now both ears are poor. The joys of old age😳

Re: Hearing aids: for Brian

Posted by Brian on 16/11/2025, 3:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: for Brian"

Laraine had an eardrum graft about 15 years ago but her hearing hadn't been good for a few years so she bit the bullet and went for her hearing test, she didn't realise how much her hearing had declined til she had the test and tried the hearing aids. With me its my eye, I have 2 holes in the macular area of the right eye, I see the surgeon a next week to talk me through the surgical options so at the moment I'm working on one headlight.

Re: Hearing aids: for Brian

Posted by Sheila on 17/11/2025, 7:51 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: for Brian"

Brian, sorry to hear about your eye problem. Hopefully your surgeon will have a solution and get a good result. My thoughts , eyes are more important than hearing.

Re: Hearing aids: for Brian

Posted by Brian on 17/11/2025, 8:19 am, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: for Brian"

Tgank you for your kind thoughts, very much appreciated, I have already been told its unlikely the sight will be the same even after the operation so it a case of wait and see (excuse the pun). My left eye is good so its not the end of the world but my depth of sight is different and tiredness has a huge effect. The right eye is a mix of blurs and dead areas with some undulating vision.

Eye operations - Brian

Posted by George on 17/11/2025, 2:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids: for Brian"

Good luck Brian. I have just had an eye operation the kind of which is very common. 5 weeks ago I had a cataract removed and lens replacement inserted. Ten years ago I had a similar op. on my other eye. In no way did these ops compare with what you will have but I have confidence you are in good hands. The skill of these surgeons is amazing. Keep us informed please.

Re: Eye operations - Brian

Posted by Brian on 17/11/2025, 9:06 pm, in reply to "Eye operations - Brian"

Thanks George, I have been told recovery is between 4-6 weeks so if the eye is stable I'm going to ask for the surgery in the new year, the surgery is unlikely to restore my sight to what it was in that eyebut as long as it isn't worse I can live with that.
So I'm doing as much as I can at the allotment for the new year, we've planted a fair bit of winter veg, onions, shallots and garlic are in, and took
delivery of a couple of ton of manure on Friday gone. I'll be restricted during recovery so will keep busy now and prepare as much as I can.

Re: Hearing aids

Posted by Flora on 14/11/2025, 5:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids"

Sheila my hearing aids from Boots are Phonak.

Re: Hearing aids -Outsourcing

Posted by Mac C on 14/11/2025, 2:21 pm, in reply to "Hearing aids"

Many NHS regions have outsourced to Specsavers....free to you but paid for by the NHS. I have been using the service for some years now and am very happy. I have "Stretta" aids controlled by a "Sigma" app.

Fully Private aids are quite expensive. Are they better? I know not!

PS. Anyway my local, in-house, hearing aid specialist often accuses me of not hearing HER and I have to confess that maybe SHE is correct

Mac C dilemma reversed

Posted by George on 14/11/2025, 4:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Hearing aids -Outsourcing"

Whilst my hearing has been made subject to AI, my voice has remained naturally loud and clear. However, my lovely wife frequently appears not to hear me. As some knowing person once said "There's none so deaf as those who don't want to listen"