NHS Borders Audiology department provide hearing aids free of charge to residents of the Scottish Borders who have been diagnosed with a hearing impairment. Hearing aids are provided on loan and remain the property of NHS Borders.
Our Devices
At present our primary hearing aid supplier is GN Resound. All our hearing aids are digital. This refers to the sound processing technology within the aid rather than the appearance of the aid. NHS Borders do not provide In The Ear style hearing aids unless a patient is physically unable to wear a Behind The Ear device due to structural issues with their Outer Ear / Pinna. The size and shape of our Behind The Ear devices is dependent on the degree of hearing loss we are trying to aid and also the need for controls such as volume or programme buttons. There are two fitting styles: open / slim fit or conventional ear mould. Suitability for each is dependent on factors such as degree of hearing loss and manual dexterity. All our hearing aids are tuned specifically to your hearing levels during your fitting appointment.
What to expect during your appointment
Hearing aid fitting appointments generally last around 60 minutes. Upon arrival into the department you should check in at our reception desk and you will then be asked to take a seat in the waiting area. At your appointment time your audiologist will collect you from the waiting area and guide you to one of our 5 purpose built sound proof testing rooms. All our rooms are wheelchair accessible and you are welcome to bring a friend or family member with you.
Once in the testing room your audiologist will introduce themselves and explain the purpose and structure of the appointment to you. We will spend some time confirming that you still want to proceed with hearing aids and explaining how they are likely to sound and the process of getting used to them. Your audiologist will then ask your permission to examine your ears. We will be looking for wax blockages or signs of infection. If your ears are clear your audiologist will then continue on to fitting the hearing aid.
Your audiologist will use a computer to programme your hearing aids and then conduct some measurements with the hearing aid in your ears to ensure that it is correctly adjusted for your hearing levels. These measurements involve placing a thin flexible tube a short way into your ear canal and using this to record the sound you can hear from a speaker with and without your hearing aids. It is important that your ears are clear of wax in order for us to perform this check. If you require a volume control or extra programmes such as the loop system these can now be added.
Once the hearing aid/s are programmed to your hearing levels your audiologist will thoroughly explain how to get your hearing aid in and out of your ear, turn it on and off and how to clean and maintain it. You will also be provided with written information about how to do this. There will be time for you to practice operating and inserting the hearing aid while you are in the clinic. A follow up appointment will be arranged around 8 - 12 weeks after your hearing aid fitting to see how you are getting on. This may be conducted virtually or face-to-face in the clinic.
FAQs
How often do I need to change my battery?
Batteries need changed every 7 – 10 days depending on the amount of time you wear your hearing aid and what situations you are in. Your hearing aid will play a tune when the batteries need to be replaced. Your audiologist will demonstrate this to you at your fitting appointment.
How often do i need to change my tubes?
Tubes need replaced every 4 – 6 months. If your tubing is discoloured, crimped or brittle these are signs that it needs replaced. If you are confident at changing tubes yourself we can send replacement tubes to your home address. There are videos and documents in the patient leaflets section which guide you through this process. If you are not comfortable changing your tubes yourself this is not a problem. You can attend one of our drop in volunteer retubing clinics (details in the hearing aid repair section) or post your aid into the department for us to retube and send back to you.
My hearing aid sounds tinny and i can hear my own voice
It is normal for hearing aids to sound strange when you first get them fitted. It generally takes 8 – 12 weeks to get used to the sound of a hearing aid and the more your wear it the quicker this happens. Remember that you are getting used to hearing sounds that you may not have been able to hear for some time. It will take time for your brain to get used to these sounds and put meaning back to them.
My hearing aid won’t stay in my ear
It can take a while to master the art of putting your hearing aid in your ear. Your audiologist will ensure that your hearing aid fits your ear correctly when it is programmed and demonstrate how to get it in and out. We also have video guides and patient leaflets in the patient info section which will guide you through the process at home. If you are still struggling please contact the department for a repair appointment and we can check the fitting and instruct you further
If you have had the hearing aid for some time and previously managed fine with getting it in. It may be that the tubing needs replaced. Overtime the tubing can shrink which makes it more difficult to get the hearing aid into your ear correctly.
My hearing aid is whistling
A correctly fitted hearing aid should not whistle (feedback) other than if you are clasping your hand around it. If you are finding your hearing aid is whistling this could be due to several things:
- Earwax blocking your canal
- A poorly fitting ear mould
- The hearing aid mould/dome not being correctly inserted into your ear
- Blocked or worn tubing
Please consult our self help guides and videos in the Hearing Aid Repairs section for how to fix this issue at home. If your hearing aid is still whistling please contact the audiology department for a repair appointment.