Don’t start to consider private hearing aids yet if you are moving house, going into hospital, getting NHS hearing aids within the next month or distracted in any way… etc… buying hearing aids and getting used to them needs your full attention.
Understand what’s available (makes and models) - do some research. All hearing aids are definately NOT THE SAME! and Levels of aftercare vary tremendously.
Pick one make/ model - you should do this to assist your market research!
PHONE 3 LOCAL dispensers and ask for a price Ask when the follow up visits are done
And the exact conditions of return (your ability to get all or most of your money back)
You should now have 3 LIKE-FOR LIKE quotes
Choose two and book a test
(ASK FOR AN AUDIOGRAM FROM EACH - don’t pay for this if asked)
Do you like the staff? Is the branch easily accessible?
Then, have a go ... but don’t be afraid to quit after allowing for three programming sessions WITHIN A SAFE RETURN PERIOD!
Tuesday 26 August 2008
EASY PERFORMANCE MEASURES to use when buying hearing aids
1. The successful use of hearing aids may be hindered due to your present cognitive skills. Unfortunately, the inability to measure this in any individual makes it very difficult to predict outcomes of hearing aid fittings. As a rough indication, you will probably find results less than satisfactory if you have always been a bit absent minded, if you have always struggled in noisy places, if you’ve had a hearing problem since childhood, if your hearing loss is as a result of operations or if you are experiencing concentration problems, etc
2. How good is your hearing aid Dispenser? Your likely success will improve greatly if this individual is kind and patient, very local to you and prepared to allow you a free choice, etc…so long as you aren’t intending to move house in the near future, it may be better to deal with a local Independent Company.
3. The Number of channels your hearing aids have: This is an easy way to assess hearing aids’ definition capabilities. A one channel aid is not so clever, NHS aids are commonly 4 channel, many private aids will be 8-17 channels, some have as many as 33
4. Directionality: It’s better if your aids have this and that it switches off and on (either automatically or manual by you using a button). Some directional systems may not work well for you... It might be better to have a remote control or switch to turn the directionality off and on as you require it. If you want automatic, make sure you test out the aids thoroughly (say within a full money back period). Non directional and fixed directional aids should generally be avoided. There are no clear descriptive terms shared by all manufacturers, so be aware and ask for the directionality method to be explained to you.
5. Please note that most completely in the canal aids (or CICs) DON’T have many features of that particular model. If you really want this size, make sure you understand exactly what features are really there! Many consumers choose CIC not realising they are buying a lower specification model.
6. Is the hearing aid powerful enough? If your hearing loss is advanced, Make sure within the free trial period that your hearing aids are powerful enough AND that there is lots of spare headroom left over (i.e. they can be turned up without whistling) —this should be tried out at the fitting stage. REMEMBER - YOUR HEARING WILL LIKELY GET A LITTLE WORSE as time goes by. If your new hearing aids need turning down to stop them whistling (or indeed you need to turn them down to stop whistling) or they are just too weak, then give them back before it’s too late.
7. Can you handle the sound of your own voice? Many hearing aids are rejected due to this unpleasant side-effect. Most hearing aid wearers have mild to moderate hearing loss, with the low frequency hearing levels being the least damaged. Unfortunately, this means you may encounter OCCLUSION. Receiver in the ear versions of any hearing aid are proving very successful and popular and you should maybe consider this type first (a small unit over your ear and a thin tube leading into your ear canal).
8. And this leads onto the last consideration: Long term RELIABILITY. CICs are the least reliable, lasting on average about 3 1/2 years, with an average two breakdowns in that period. Behind the ear aids are generally far more reliable, lasting around 6 years, with breakdowns unlikely.
2. How good is your hearing aid Dispenser? Your likely success will improve greatly if this individual is kind and patient, very local to you and prepared to allow you a free choice, etc…so long as you aren’t intending to move house in the near future, it may be better to deal with a local Independent Company.
3. The Number of channels your hearing aids have: This is an easy way to assess hearing aids’ definition capabilities. A one channel aid is not so clever, NHS aids are commonly 4 channel, many private aids will be 8-17 channels, some have as many as 33
4. Directionality: It’s better if your aids have this and that it switches off and on (either automatically or manual by you using a button). Some directional systems may not work well for you... It might be better to have a remote control or switch to turn the directionality off and on as you require it. If you want automatic, make sure you test out the aids thoroughly (say within a full money back period). Non directional and fixed directional aids should generally be avoided. There are no clear descriptive terms shared by all manufacturers, so be aware and ask for the directionality method to be explained to you.
5. Please note that most completely in the canal aids (or CICs) DON’T have many features of that particular model. If you really want this size, make sure you understand exactly what features are really there! Many consumers choose CIC not realising they are buying a lower specification model.
6. Is the hearing aid powerful enough? If your hearing loss is advanced, Make sure within the free trial period that your hearing aids are powerful enough AND that there is lots of spare headroom left over (i.e. they can be turned up without whistling) —this should be tried out at the fitting stage. REMEMBER - YOUR HEARING WILL LIKELY GET A LITTLE WORSE as time goes by. If your new hearing aids need turning down to stop them whistling (or indeed you need to turn them down to stop whistling) or they are just too weak, then give them back before it’s too late.
7. Can you handle the sound of your own voice? Many hearing aids are rejected due to this unpleasant side-effect. Most hearing aid wearers have mild to moderate hearing loss, with the low frequency hearing levels being the least damaged. Unfortunately, this means you may encounter OCCLUSION. Receiver in the ear versions of any hearing aid are proving very successful and popular and you should maybe consider this type first (a small unit over your ear and a thin tube leading into your ear canal).
8. And this leads onto the last consideration: Long term RELIABILITY. CICs are the least reliable, lasting on average about 3 1/2 years, with an average two breakdowns in that period. Behind the ear aids are generally far more reliable, lasting around 6 years, with breakdowns unlikely.
Friday 22 August 2008
A Summary of Hearing aid manufacturers in the UK
Basically, there is far less choice than there used to be... 7!
Those left are
WIDEX/PCWERTH,
SIEMENS,
OTICON,
STARKEY,
GN RESOUND and
PHONAK
UNITRON
Any others mentioned tend to be owned by one of the big six (examples are BERNAFON, HANSATON). There are a couple of smaller sized suppliers also (for instance - Puretone and Sonic Innovations, who have just closed their plant in the UK).
Some retailers do rebrand products to disguise their source, but this is not widespread yet
Some consumer magazines and information leaflets imply a greater choice, but this often includes US brands which are not available here. These magazines will commonly be offered through direct advertising by hearing aid companies.
Those left are
WIDEX/PCWERTH,
SIEMENS,
OTICON,
STARKEY,
GN RESOUND and
PHONAK
UNITRON
Any others mentioned tend to be owned by one of the big six (examples are BERNAFON, HANSATON). There are a couple of smaller sized suppliers also (for instance - Puretone and Sonic Innovations, who have just closed their plant in the UK).
Some retailers do rebrand products to disguise their source, but this is not widespread yet
Some consumer magazines and information leaflets imply a greater choice, but this often includes US brands which are not available here. These magazines will commonly be offered through direct advertising by hearing aid companies.
The Hearing Aid Council will cease in March 2010
Regulation of hearing aid dispensers will be carried out by the HPC and the ISA
http://www.hpc-uk.org/
http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/
... that means the hearing aid council rules for Dispensers will alter from around 1st April 2010..
The result of this could mean a lot more private hearing aid dispensers out there and hopefully a potential eroding of unjustifiably high prices!
Be aware also that after April, marketing techniques could also become far more aggressive and pushy and direct phone sales could be legalised....
http://www.hpc-uk.org/
http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/
... that means the hearing aid council rules for Dispensers will alter from around 1st April 2010..
The result of this could mean a lot more private hearing aid dispensers out there and hopefully a potential eroding of unjustifiably high prices!
Be aware also that after April, marketing techniques could also become far more aggressive and pushy and direct phone sales could be legalised....
It is the Government’s intention that the Hearing Aid Council’s responsibility for regulating hearing aid dispensers in the private sector should be transferred to the Health Professions Council.
Following on the Hampton Review, this change will strengthen protection for consumers, reduce costs for the industry and remove barriers between the public and private sectors. The Hearing Aid Council will be the first statutory regulator absorbed by the Health Professions Council, this transfer is currently due to occur by March 2010.
The Hearing Aid Council is a statutory regulator set up by the Hearing Aid Council Act (1968) to register dispensers and their employers working in the private hearing aid sector. It sets the standards of education, training, conduct and performance dispensers must meet to join the register and investigates any alleged breaches of those standards. There are around 1500 hearing aid dispensers on the HAC register.
The Hearing Aid Council
70 St Mary Axe, London, EC3A 8BE
Tel: 020 3102 4030
Fax: 020 3102 4476
Web: www.thehearingaidcouncil.org.uk
What to expect from your Registered Dispenser
... also known as a hearing aid dispenser / audiologist...
Currently there are regulations enforced by the 'hearing aid council'...
In brief,
You must be given written confirmation of all appointments (or the dispenser must record a reason why this was not possible).
You must be told that hearing aids might not help you.
We (dispensers) must act within a high standard of ethical conduct.
You must be told how to use, insert, remove, clean, service and otherwise operate your hearing aid.
A letter must be sent to your GP if certain conditions are noted (ie an amount of earwax that would make it unsafe to take impressions).
A dispenser must not assume the status of a medically qualified person
... must not attempt wax removal.... must not suggest an ability to 'cure'.
The dispenser must always prefix such terms as 'specialist' or 'audiologist' with the words 'hearing aid' - spoken or written.
Your audiograms must be kept on file for 5 years.
All equipment should be used to the correct standards of practice and cleanliness.
For new hearing aid fittings, the dispenser's last test must be less than two months old.
For exact replacements, the last hearing test must be less than 24 months old.
A dispenser must contact you within 6 weeks of a new fitting.
http://www.thehearingaidcouncil.org.uk/
Currently there are regulations enforced by the 'hearing aid council'...
In brief,
You must be given written confirmation of all appointments (or the dispenser must record a reason why this was not possible).
You must be told that hearing aids might not help you.
We (dispensers) must act within a high standard of ethical conduct.
You must be told how to use, insert, remove, clean, service and otherwise operate your hearing aid.
A letter must be sent to your GP if certain conditions are noted (ie an amount of earwax that would make it unsafe to take impressions).
A dispenser must not assume the status of a medically qualified person
... must not attempt wax removal.... must not suggest an ability to 'cure'.
The dispenser must always prefix such terms as 'specialist' or 'audiologist' with the words 'hearing aid' - spoken or written.
Your audiograms must be kept on file for 5 years.
All equipment should be used to the correct standards of practice and cleanliness.
For new hearing aid fittings, the dispenser's last test must be less than two months old.
For exact replacements, the last hearing test must be less than 24 months old.
A dispenser must contact you within 6 weeks of a new fitting.
http://www.thehearingaidcouncil.org.uk/
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