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Wanted: Hearing Aid info


Clair
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[quote user="NickP"]Shhh, keep it down will yer [:D][/quote]

I actually have to check my voice level before I speak, unused as I am to Mr Clair hearing me at "normal" volume! My vocal chords are grateful... [:D]

And he can hear me when I'm not facing him!

And he no longer shouts when he speaks!

It's a bleeding miracle! A bleeding miracle, I tell yah!!

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[quote user="NickP"]

[quote user="Clair"]Today's the day!

Mr Clair got his hearing aids fitted this afternoon!

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

[/quote]

Shhh, keep it down will yer [:D]

[/quote]

Hear hear!  [:D]

That's really excellent news Clair - hope he gets on really well with it.

My husband is attending the ENT clinic next week about some hearing loss, which happened at the same time as he lost his balance last year while in France. It's not the NHS's fault that it's taken so long, or not entirely; it was their fault that the entire clinic was cancelled way back last year, but my husband's on a couple of occasions when we had to cancel as he was ill. He actually thought he should keep the appointment only hours after collapsing, banging his head on a wall and having paramedics out to him. We'll see what comes of it all next week, although I don't think his hearing loss is bad enough to need a hearing aid. It's been very interesting reading all about everyone's experiences/types of hearing aid.

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[quote user="Clair"]

It's a bleeding miracle! A bleeding miracle, I tell yah!!

[/quote]

No, it's merely modern scientific technology.

But technology applied in the right place, at the right time can having amazing effects.

Congratulations for your tenacity and perseverance.

Sue

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  • 2 weeks later...
It's been 2 weeks now and I thought I'd give a short update:

Mr Clair started using his hearing aids with silicone domes whilst his R.I.T.E. (receiver in the ear) pieces were being made.

We had been told there would be a period of adjustment whilst the brain would get used to hearing sounds it hadn't dealt with for many years, but the improvement was immediate, with no discomfort, physical or otherwise.

The hearing aids were used only in their automatic program during the first week, primarily for Mr Clair to get used to the ambient noises in various situations (quiet speech, TV, speech in noisy work environment, music...)

The hearing aids log all the usage data, from the number of hours of use to the hours spent in any environment.

This is a multi-environment learning program, which captures sounds in a direct and fairly narrow field, and it can be tweaked to an unbelievable fine degree by the specialist with software supplied by the hearing aid manufacturer.

The second week, the RITE pieces were fitted (small clear silicone vented receivers made to fit his ear canals - totally invisible). The advantage is that no unwanted external noise can reach the ear canal, compared to the silicone domes he had used the first week. The RITE pieces capture the sounds, filter them and render them according to which program is being used.

A second program (TV/Music) was also added, but that didn't go quite as well.

As I understand it, this program captures sounds much more widely and clearly, Mr Clair's brain did not like this! Too many noises all round, too much volume on the trebles and cutting out too readily.

This was tweaked and resolved yesterday, and Mr Clair was much happier when we left.

In the meantime, Mr Clair found a source of batteries (same as those supplied by the shop) on Ebay for half the price. They arrived yesterday, with an invoice which can be sent to CPAM for a refund.

CPAM allows a maximum of 47.60€ a year for accessories for 2 hearing aids, and Mr Clair paid 48€ for 120 batteries (1 a week for each hearing aid).

As far as the two grants are concerned, I have sent off the relevant paperwork and I tried not to laugh/cry when I was told that in the case of one office, payments are issued once a month only... My letter might just arrive in time for this month's payment date, and if not, we'll just have to wait until 20th April... [blink]

I've had to leave a cheque with the shop for the whole amount as a guarantee, so I hope the money turns up soon!![:-))]

The young guy who does the fitting for Mr Clair is very helpful and he speaks English, too! Despite that, I attend all the appointments to ensure there are no misunderstandings.

We nearly had one of those yesterday when Mr Clair's discomfort was almost dismissed with "it's normal to feel overwhelmed when you hear sounds you haven't heard for years", until I pointed out there had been no such problem the previous week.

And that's the end of the tale so far [:)]

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That all sounds quite wonderful Clair - Mr Clair seems to have become accustomed to it all very quickly. The battery bargain is impressive too. Let's hope that the payment arrives very soon.

My husband was unable to keep his ENT appointment yet again, as he was rushed into hospital while we were in France - I had to phone the UK hospital (once again!) to postpone the appointment. I was offered one at the end of April, so I asked for one just a few days later as we have a committment in France at the end of April.

However, amongst the mail awaiting our return we found a card from Leightons opticians, which also deals with hearing loss and hearing aids these days, offering a no-committment hearing test. He's had two previous checks over the past 5 years after letters arrived from Leightons, but his hearing was OK then. So we attended today and had a very interesting 90 minutes. He was told that it's unlikely he'll have any improvement in his hearing, as the problem is with the nerve, although of course the ENT appointment (if we do finally get there!) will show the definite problem.

He tried a pair of hearing aids set at 80%

of what he would need, and found he could hear much more clearly. We were told that a suitable pair of hearing aids for him would cost between £1,300 and £4,500, and she recommended a middle range upwards for his needs; but she also mentioned several times that a pair at around £1300 would give a good level of improvement if that was the amount we would feel most comfortable with. A pair at that price wouldn't last as long as they could only be programmed over a more limited, but fairly good range. We were also told that a pair of aids that were more technically advanced should last betweeen 5 - 10 years, depending on how well they were looked after, cleaned, serviced etc. The figures quoted included all servicing, check ups at 6-monthly intervals plus however many visits for help were included, just as for specs with them.

We didn't feel any pressure to buy from Leightons, and she kept referring to the NHS appointment to come; she also said that our local hospital could supply more technically advanced aids than those in the other two cities she practices in. So now we wait to find out more from the ENT clinic, but feel a lot more prepared following today's appointment. Thanks also to all who have contributed to this thread - some very helpful info on here; it's amazing what a range of interesting topics pop up!

EDIT - I seem to have developed martian-speak after this post and another recent post. It was also between the last paragraph and the previous one, but lots of backspace pressing got rid of that. I can't get rid of the second lot though. This post was typed straight through, whereas the previous post with gobbledegook was cut and pasted. Any suggestions?

Martian-speak edited by a Mod! [:D]

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It does indeed sound like a miracle that I have not 'lived'. ie I opened this thread and started to read it and 'he' asked when would be a good time to invite some old friends of his for a meal. 'Are they retired' I asked, looking at him...............'ARE THEY ITALIAN' he grumped 'NO they are not, what are you going on about'.

So for all they have helped a lot, miracles we have not had. Via the NHS he gets free batteries. AND this summer he is due for another test and a new hearing aid, so maybe we'll have a miracle too, I live in hope.

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[quote user="gardengirl "]... We were told that a suitable pair of hearing aids for him would cost between £1,300 and £4,500, and she recommended a middle range upwards for his needs; but she also mentioned several times that a pair at around £1300 would give a good level of improvement if that was the amount we would feel most comfortable with. A pair at that price wouldn't last as long as they could only be programmed over a more limited, but fairly good range. We were also told that a pair of aids that were more technically advanced should last betweeen 5 - 10 years, depending on how well they were looked after, cleaned, serviced etc. The figures quoted included all servicing, check ups at 6-monthly intervals plus however many visits for help were included, just as for specs with them.[/quote]

This sounds all very good, and the after-care is very similar to the one the French fitters are obligated to offer.

The after-care for Mr Clair extends to 5 years, which is the estimated life-time of the hearing aids he is wearing (according to the manufacturer!)

I'm confident they will last longer, with care and attention...

Cost-wise, this compares with the upper-range pieces offered here.

I have seen the ones Mr Clair is wearing offered for £1800 (± 2050€) each on the UK websites I have visited, whereas they "only" cost 1500€ (± £1300).

This is such an important decision to make and, after the last few weeks, I totally endorse what was suggested by Alan Zoff at the very beginning of the thread, which is "Find a trustworthy consultant".

If you have found that person, you're half-way there already.

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GG our GP gave my husband a choice, either go to the hospital or the audio service at Spec Savers. Either option meant a free hearing aid and free batteries, and that he made the choice. I was pleased that it was free.

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Yes, Clair, I think we have a trustworthy consultant; 3 of

us have used the company for specs for about 35 years, so my husband would feel confident in using them

for hearing aids. We'll be going through NHS channels to see what they say and

what they can offer. Only if my husband isn't happy with that will we move on

to private aids. My sister-in-law still isn't happy about her NHS aids after

quite a time no, but of course it doesn't mean that my husband will also have a

problem, and in any case her hospital is across the county boundary.

Idun, we loved your story about your husband mis-hearing what you said!

Thanks to the mod who got rid of the martian-speak in my

previous post. Is there something I can do to prevent it happening?

Edited for martian-speak   [:)]

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  • 1 year later...
This has been quite an adventure![:-))]

How strange it feels to read this again from the first page a year later... [blink]

LAst month, a year after Mr Clair was first fitted, one hearing-aid stopped working properly and the problem was resolved very quickly.

By my calculations, and accounting for the grants and CPAM + mutuelle refunds, we ended up paying 70€ for the hearing aids (quoted at 3000€) and around 5€ for the batteries.

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Duly noted Clair, thanks. My wife's hearing aid will be due for renewal soon. We have a new consultant in Angouleme and my wife feels very confident with him. He says that he can prescribe, supply and fit the BAHA type that she uses. As pointed out above there is a finite life for these things, normally 3 years for my wife's type, but we've passed that now and it's still OK. They cost £3000 each in UK and the manufacturer has only relatively recently been supplying them in France. Of course on the NHS they are free, but we can't take advantage of that. It caters for a particular type of hearing loss and requires an operation initially, so it's not the normal solution.

I'll report back on here when we eventually go for the replacement.

 

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  • 3 years later...
Please can some of you kindly people help? Have now had confirmed 45% hearing loss in both ears. Technician today tried very hard to "convince" me that I should only go to her, but the cost is horrendous, principally because we do not have mutuelle. It seems that no-one on the site has mentioned this option, meaning that the cost to us would be some 3200 euros.

Have been looking at Hearing Direct and heard good things about them and their service. But what happens if the aids do not fit? What about putting on spectacles whilst aids are in place?

Has anyone ever sent them back from France to Hearing Direct?

Please help........have a head like a football after today's high frequency testing, then total bombardment by technician's tactics, and subsequently reading various pros and cons on various websites. Realise only we can make this decision, but having no mutuelle makes a huge difference. Profound thanks in advance to those willing to assist.

Sheila

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OH got hers in the UK and they too cost several arms and legs. There was no real substantive saving over purchasing in France, but she thought the tests were less stressful.

Anyway to the one question I can answer - absolutely no problem wearing glasses with the aids in place. You are more likely to lose one pulling a jumper off over your head - something to watch, but not a major problem.
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Don't get too hung up on not having a mutuelle - they often contribute very little to hearing aids or dentures!

Both cost an arm and a leg regardless.  My Dad told the chap who wanted him to buy a hearing aid that 3,200 euros when one is 93 is "not value for money"...  However he does not have 45% hearing loss - just find crowds difficult and he was told that the hearing aids would not help that anyway!

Good luck whatever you decide

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Hereford wrote : Don't get too hung up on not having a mutuelle - they often contribute very little to hearing aids or dentures! Both cost an arm and a leg regardless.

Absolutely the truth; I can only agree. OH's two hearing aids have improved matters but at an enormous cost.

Sue
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Hi - Only just picked up this thread and whilst my situation is not as acute as some forum members I thought my experience may be helpful. Read up on Que Choisir and following the advice therein to obtain more than one estimate went firstly to Audition Mutualiste locally and then to Audika. The latter carried out no further testing before presenting me with an estimate for the same apparatus which was 50% higher!! Needing one for each ear I decided to have one aid last year and the second one this year, thereby maximising the contributions from our health mutualist - 479€ in any Jan/Dec year. The net result being that I have been reimbursed by CPAM and the health insurer 600€ for each hearing aid leaving me to pay net 54% of the total cost for both, which doesn't seem too bad after reading of the experience of others. They are guaranteed for five years with ongoing resetting/cleaning etc.

Like many I was astounded at the cost when the need arose (being in total ignorance hitherto), hence Que Choisir and the benefit of health insurance.

U A Gallois
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  • 3 weeks later...
a bit late I know but I had the estimate for my new aids today.This is for Phonak Audeo B70.For both ears total price without deductions 2990.00€.Deductions secu 199.42€ each ear Mutual pays 479.74€ each ear which leaves around 1631.95€ to pay,plus the deduction impots which is about 50% of 1631.95€ not sure of the exact %,it may have changed since my last set of aids,so say 800€ ,may be more may be less,which leaves 831.95€ total eventual outlay.The impots will be on the return for next year.Included is 4 year guarantee for breakdown,loss theft and breakage it also includes tuning as often as necessary. Not as expensive as you think and bear in mind that the pair that I have now, 6 years old ,cost 3300€ and have much less tuning possibilities.I wouldn't waste my time going to the Uk to buy them.Having someone on the doorstep to look after them /me is by far more important.I have 60% hearing loss and the difference is enormous.
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Hi - can you point me in the right direction, please, for the impots deduction? I am familiar with the declaration for adaptations at home, but not aware of allowance for hearing aids. As an aside, my CPAM re-imbursement was 60% of 199.71,(119.83), mutuelle paid the difference of 79.88€ plus 400€, leaving me to pay 690€ for each one (total gross cost for each Elya Muse i1600 mRIC being1290€ including 5 year guarantee and regular controls/cleaning). I agree that having someone locally to carry out regular "controls" is invaluable.

UaG
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 Here is the relevent information of what you need and where you put it on the impots form.

This paragraph comes from LHumanite newspaper the link to the full article is

http://www.humanite.fr/audioprotheses-quel-prix-et-quelle-prise-en-charge-632939

.Dated the

3 Mars 2017 so up to date

Du côté des impôts

Faute d’obtenir une aide ci-dessus ou d’être reconnu(e) handicapé(e), il est possible pour les salariés et les non salariés actifs de déclarer comme frais professionnel la part du prix de l’appareillage non pris à charge par l’assurance maladie et la mutuelle. Pour cela il faut faire une déclaration de frais professionnels réels sur la déclaration des revenus (case prévue à cet effet) et joindre un certificat médical (du médecin traitant ou du travail) attestant que le port des appareils auditifs est nécessaire pour le travail + une copie de la facture d'achat de l'appareil. Attention ça ne marche pas si vous avez par ailleurs des aides de la MDPH ou de l'Agefiph.

Par ailleurs, toutes les personnes malentendantes, titulaires d’une carte d’invalidité au taux de 80%, bénéficient d’une demi-part supplémentaire de quotient familial. Il suffit de cocher la case prévue à cet effet en première page de la déclaration des revenus et de joindre une copie recto-verso de la carte d’invalidité.
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