Lau2046

Wow....just got back from the audiologist and learned that I was misquoted; the $2100 per aid was for the Widex 220; for the Widex 440 Fusion, which I just bought today, it was $6,150.00. I've got to say, I find that no matter what model you get, there's always some discomfort in getting hearing aids....in my case, financial.

Deafness

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

ambrosia

I got surprised by the $500 in fitting fees yesterday

lindtoholic

This certainly gained more responses than I expected, but thank you so much! Firstly, regarding the new hearing aid situation, some time ago I did try and get new ones but they said they wouldn't do so unless they broke. I spoke to some of the other patients and it seems this place seemed intent on only providing replacement ones if there was serious damage, so sadly that never happened for me. But in going to a new department, I'm thinking not only will I be able to access a different model of HA, but perhaps get something better suited to me. Since, as you say, it does seem to depend on the branch you get the HAs from, so hopefully it would work in my favour.

In response to the ITEs vs BTEs, thank you so much for that. I agree about them being uncomfortable sometimes haha, and that they're dependable, but I'm still frustrated with them to a degree. I think it might be that I need a new type to be honest, perhaps they aren't functioning as well as they should be now - but that's exactly why I need the new audiologist option as getting to/from the other audiologist department from where I am at university is very difficult, and made even more awkward by the fact that getting appointments with them is extremely difficult too! So - this should definitely be the right step for me. I guess I'll see what they say re. ITEs, but I'll definitely bear those comments in mind!

Ouch re. pricing too :/ I'm quite glad I haven't had to pay anything so far, but that's purely down to the NHS. Still, I don't think I would be happy buying HAs, even if they're fully reputable. I say this because at least with the way it works in the UK, I know the NHS are selling me what's suitable, and not what would earn them the money - I don't know if anyone here has gone into a private HA retailer, but I've always gotten the impression that they're just willing to say "yes, that's totally suitable for you" regardless of the facts. Then again, definitely would be different for you guys in the States for having to pay for them, but that's just the impression I get from the ones over in the UK

Lau2046

lindtoholic - Get the best brand they'll offer and get what you're most comfortable wearing, and if it's not coming out of your wallet, get the ITE. It sounds like it'd be a good match for you given what you're looking for comfort wise. A good set of hearing aids is life changing. Believe me, I'm feeling the pain in my wallet, but bitch as I may, they'll be worth every cent. Good luck and have a great summer....

NaidaUP

I will be VERY surprised if they give you ITE hearing aids. They require more maintance as they break so much more and in over 20 years of having aids, never seem anyone with them if they have normal looking ears.

I would say you have an 0.01% of getting some ITE aids without going private.

__________________

djchur

Agreed! I've only seen them on a few people in forty years of wearing aids and they were all bought privately.

djchur

I think you'll find this is the case in virtually all NHS audiology departments. I've had aids for over forty years and have attended various places over the years and found it's the same everywhere.

Many years ago, when only analogue aids were available, I had to keep the same HA for almost twenty years because the blasted thing just wouldn't break down. Because my hearing hadn't changed they still considered it to be appropriate. I think that we are fortunate today to have such good HAs available on the NHS, with features such as DAI and directional microphones etc., even if they are not always what we would choose for ourselves.

lindtoholic

Thanks guys I'll see what they can offer, but I'll definitely be aiming for the better ones where possible.

I'm glad (in a sense) to hear I'm not the only one who has had trouble getting new HAs. It's a pain in the neck to sort out but I'm hoping that this does work out. :/

NaidaUP

If you are going to a new audiology department, you are highly likely to come away with new aids.

Which means in turn you will get better aids as the technology has got a lot better in the last few years and nhs are not keeping the better bits out of the aids now.

__________________

lindtoholic

Yep, my thinking exactly. I'm quite excited actually, I'm hoping to get some which will be much better haha.

NaidaUP

Do you have an appointment yet?

__________________

lindtoholic

Sadly not - not received a phone call at least, and my appointment to be referred was on Monday. I've been told it could take up to 2-3 weeks depending on how busy they are, and how the post service is running too (it could either be via post or phone).

NaidaUP

If your appointment to be referred was only Monday and you've been told if will be 2-3 weeks. That's good. My friend is in Surrey and it took 4 months to be transferred. she didn't like her old audiology department.

__________________

lindtoholic

Yeah - it could even be that long really, it depends on the number of patients. But the doctor said he would try and get it done ASAP so that it can be sorted out before the new academic year begins.

deafdyke

hear better? WTF does that mean? Most ites don't provide enough power.

NaidaUP

Yea means they put you through as a urgent case. Fingers crossed you are fitted before September.

__________________

djchur

As you are at university have you tried applying for Disabled Students Allowance. The assessment was quite straightforward when I applied a few years ago and I was provided with some really useful equipment. If you haven't already applied it might be worth a try.

lindtoholic

Yeah, I have that already sorted. I'm going to be getting a dictaphone at some point this year since it would help to be able to record the lectures for my last year and replay them over when I'm in my room. This year I was covered by the lectures mostly being what was on the powerpoint (or if deviations were made, my friends provided me with back up) but next year is where it's likely to be more advanced and going beyond what's on the slides. So, I figure I'll get that sorted. Aside from that, I wasn't really given access to any other equipment that would be of use for me - they did provide me with a reimbursement for my laptop though as I use it for notetaking in my lectures.

djchur

That's good, I had dictaphone and found it really helpful.

lindtoholic

That's good to hear in that case I'll definitely make a point of getting one!