HOW DO I GET A HEARING AID
You may ask, "How do I get a hearing aid?"First you must see your doctor who may refer you for a hearing test at a hearing aid clinic or for an appointment with an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) consultant at a local hospital.
The consultant and audiology staff will assess your need for a hearing aid. If you need a hearing aid, you will be offered a suitable National Health Service one. This is provided free, on a loan basis. Or, you could choose to buy your own hearing aid through a registered hearing aid dispenser.
If you decide not to have a hearing aid at that time, you can always ask your doctor to refer you back to the hearing aid clinic at a later date.
Many people find environmental aids helpful, such as television amplifiers, louder phones, flashing light doorbells or communication tactics and lip-reading. Ask at the hearing aid clinic to see the hearing therapist. This help is available whether you have a hearing aid or not.
IN MAKING YOUR CHOICE, REMEMBER THESE THINGS
If you decide to have a hearing aid, you need to bear in mind:- A hearing aid, no matter what type, cannot restore natural hearing, whatever the advertisements say.
- If you have a hearing problem, it is best to see your doctor for medical advice.
- If you have never had a hearing aid, it is recommended that you first see your doctor and have an NHS one, to get used to using it. If you should choose to purchase a private hearing aid at a later date, the experience of using the NHS one will assist you in gaining maximum benefit from your purchase. Also you will have the NHS item in reserve.
- If you choose a private aid, please ensure you go to a registered hearing aid dispenser who is locally based and well established, rather than buying through an advertisement or one-off exhibition. We advise against admitting canvassers who call without an appointment, and ensure that you are not alone if an appointment is arranged. Some registered dispensers may commit themselves to comply with the code of practice of their professional society and members my use the initials MSHAA or FSHAA if they pass the society fellowship examination. It is advisable to look out for these initials after the dispenser's name.
