Now I REALLY feel old:-(

[nigelb]

Thanks for all the good wishes chaps but it is not certain I need the eye operation. The doctor is going to follow up at the end of June to see if it has become any worse. Last visit it had not changed otherwise he would have recommended surgery right away so fingers crossed. Apparently it is a very delicate operation and I would rather not have that experience but may have to anyway. If I do have it, the doctor indicated I would have to be a couch potato for four weeks after - no, driving, no lifting, no exercising, no anything else your thinking about! For me that is far worse than the actual operation!

Dave, I am glad your hearing is renewed! Does music sound any better now? Just curious because men especially loose high frequency hearing ability as they age.

Nigel²

[DaveB]

Rgr that Nige

Not sure about music yet. I did have Radio2 on a couple of times in the old 'Sprinter' today but that's not the best test. I'll give it a shot tomorrow (err.. in the morning.. it's already tomorrow!) and see how many folk I can annoy
ATB
DaveB

[airboatr]

Dave
It has to be post 2am .. lights out!

[Nigel H-J]

Hi Dave, I have serious hearing problems (High Frequency) and when working the NHS hearing aid that I had (analogue type) was of no use whatsoever and made my job harder in hearing the radios as it picked up all the other noises in the room as well. Cutting a long story short my employers and disability officer helped me with a purchase of a digital one but I found out later that I had been mis-prescribed. My job at that time was under review although no-one actually said that but I knew management were looking at my hearing problems so I was forced to shell out £4000 of my own money for a digital pair. They worked extremely well and my job was no longer under threat (so to speak). I took voluntary redundancy due to other health issues that I have but a few weeks ago the worst case scenario took place. I was doing a bit of DIY but having it put my head into a small gap when both hearing aids popped out of my ear (in the ear types) and unfortunately their working life then ceased!!

They are insured but one of them was damaged badly to the point of being useless as when they fell out I then accidentally stepped on one of them as I got my head out from the gap it was in!! I did not realise it had fallen near my big foot!!!

I do not think that the insurance will help as in the past I have had to send them back for repair a number of times when they have fallen out from my ears, once when a wasp buzzed my ear and I tried to whack it, missed, but the hearing aid shot out as I caught the side of my ear!!

Anyway, I have seen the doctor and now awaiting an appointment with the hospital and hopefully I will once again join the land of the hearing.

Regards
Nigel.

[Airspeed]

Good luck with that, Nigel.

[DaveB]

Hi Nige

The units the NHS are kicking out (and have been dishing out for some time) are digital so I wouldn't worry about them being any less effective than those sourced privately.

I've no intention (yet) of trying to get one for my left ear as even with a perforated drum, it still works in varying degrees. I've lost a lot of high freq sound through it but by having a hearing aid in the right ear.. I have a fair balance. The right ear picks up the high frequencies and the left compensates with the low's.. lost to some degree in the right by the fact the hearing aid is there! I guess I'm lucky.. if I can use that word.. that my hearing loss was due perforated drums rather than the workings inside being damaged and my hearing through the left ear is as good with the perforation as the right ear with the perforation fixed. It may work out that if I had the left ear fixed.. I would still hear better through it than I do the right (sans hearing aid) but I don't want to take that chance.

Good luck getting your replacements from the NHS. I can't see any reason why they can't sort you out.. just that it will undoubtedly take longer than if you were to go private again
ATB
Dave

[Nigel H-J]

Hi Mike, many thanks for your support. Dave, many thanks also. Could not reply earlier as the library was shut on Monday!!

My High Frequency hearing loss is quite bad, I think a lot of it was caused when in the RAF through aircraft noise (Vulcans especially). I also suffer badly from tinnitus (ringing in the ears) which can be a problem at times. Anyway, an appointment came over the week-end and I go to the hospital 21st April, only saw my doctor last Tuesday so cannot complain about the service so far regardless of what is said about the NHS politically!!

I would imagine that it could take around six weeks fro the hearing aid if a decision is given in my favour, cannot see why not really.

When I had the private hearing aids I had to pay for the batteries and the filters, battery life was around 1 - 2 weeks costing £3.60 for a pack of six then around £4.99 for wax filters.

Will keep you posted.

Regards
Nigel.

[DaveB]

Hi Nige

I was told up to 6 weeks from the date of the last test though this might be shortened if I chose another place for issue and fitting (the test was conducted at the Manor in Walsall). The nurse said that if I chose to go to the Health Centre at Brownhills, these were often dealt with faster but we'd have to book this through the clerk at the Manor. So.. the wife spent 45mins on the phone the following morning (Wed) and the result was an appointment the following Wednesday at Brownhills HC

7 days on.. I'm chuffed to bits with how it works and how much better I can hear although I'm still resentful of having to wear the bloody thing in the first place It's giving no indication that the battery is low though to be honest.. I don't know how this will manifest itself. Does it beep a warning or will I simply go deaf in the right ear again?

For new ear-pieces.. I think I'll have to go to one of the walk-in clinics but for batteries, I'm told I can just turn up at the Manor's reception desk with my book and old batteries and they'll give me replacements there and then. Sounds a bit too easy but that's what the nurse said. We shall see
ATB
DaveB

[Filonian]

It's giving no indication that the battery is low though to be honest.. I don't know how this will manifest itself. Does it beep a warning or will I simply go deaf in the right ear again?


DaveB

Dave, mine gives a single "beep" every few minutes as a warning of low battery power - then after several of these it goes mental with rapid fire "beeps" and dies.

Regarding the new batteries, I just ask at the pharmacy at my doctors and they supply them for best Yorkshire price - nowt.


Graham

[DaveB]

Cheers Graham
ATB
DaveB