Hearing aids – myths and misinformation
If you use hearing aids – or you’re thinking of getting them – you need to be sure that any aids you use are the best aids for your hearing condition. Nowadays, the NHS provides aids free of charge that are broadly similar to those supplied by private audiologists. They may not have the very latest hearing technology and there will inevitably be a waiting list, but they’re worth considering.
If you decide on private hearing aids, be aware that some suppliers only sell one brand of aid, which may not be best for you. Some online suppliers will claim that NHS aids are rubbish and/or tell you that aids costing a few hundred pounds are as good or better than more expensive aids from established suppliers.
It’s important to shop around and get independent, unbiased advice if you can.
RNID near you drop-ins
RNID offer a free, in-person drop-in service for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, who want to get their hearing aids re-tubed or cleaned. Batteries are also dispensed at the Near You drop-in service. It’s available at various locations across Edinburgh and the Lothians on weekdays between 9am and 5pm.Go to Services directory – RNID and enter postcode to find nearest RNID Near You drop in locations.
Hearing Link services
Hearing Link Services is part of the UK charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. They offer emotional and practical support services to help people live well with hearing loss. They include a useful website with information and resources, and online and in-person services which have been developed and delivered by peer support volunteers who have personal experience of hearing loss. Visit www.hearinglink.org for more information.
Based in Edinburgh, Deaf Action offers a digital skills service as well as wellbeing, counselling and befriending services. They have a deaf-led cafe providing hot drinks and snacks. Deaf Action also runs a Deaf Festival in August each year, with a range of shows and workshops for people with hearing loss.
For more information visit deafaction.org.
Deaf Equipment
Our friends at Deaf Action now offer a specialist equipment, advice and practical support service for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, offering a more local and personalised service for those looking for suitable equipment.
Under the name iHear, they supply a wide range of assistive listening and specialist equipment. However, they also offer additional support, including:
- Home and in-house assessments to identify individual needs.
- Equipment demonstrations to help clients explore suitable solutions before purchasing.
- Specialist advice on hearing accessibility and assistive technology.
- Equipment supply and installation, including doorbells, amplified telephones, TV listening systems, personal listening devices and alerting equipment.
- Ongoing aftercare, including setup assistance, troubleshooting and support.
Their aim is to ensure clients not only receive suitable equipment but also feel confident using it in their everyday lives.
Another source of deaf equipment is Connevans Ltd. They sell a wide variety of useful equipment for the hard of hearing – see their guide at www.connevans.info/guide. Their website is: www.deafequipment.co.uk email: info@connevans.com telephone: 01737 247671.
Digital ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions
Deaf Action are also running relaxed, interactive sessions to help people with technology, exploring digital tools and giving practical support with devices, apps and digital tasks.
The sessions are on Tuesdays from 2.00 to 3.30 pm. For example, on 20th October the session will look at Microsoft Office and on 27th October the topic is iPhone, iPad, tablets and apps.
Other Sources of Help
Local authorities in Scotland offer lipreading and British Sign Language classes. It’s worth checking with your local authority to see what’s available.
What happens when you lose your hearing – a personal insight
Click here to listen to a podcast by BBC Sounds Feedback programme on how the poet Paul Farley faced up to the fact that he might need hearing aids.