I was interested to read Rachel Dixon’s article on hearing aids (‘Any embarrassment is in your head!’: How hearing aids boost your health and happiness, 13 November) as I am someone who, like those mentioned, put off getting a test for a long time and “forgets” to wear them every day. But why do the pictures accompanying the article all show naked ears but no aids? When I went for my hearing test, I was offered a choice of many colours to blend with hair and skin tones, so slim and discreet that they are virtually invisible.
Despite my prejudices and denials that I am not yet ready to be old enough to wear hearing aids, I have been forced to admit that they are amazing even though, with Bluetooth connectivity, a “ping” directly into my brain to signal an incoming WhatsApp message when I am upstairs and my phone is downstairs is a bit unnerving. But I am getting there.
Judy Bavin
Urmston, Greater Manchester
• A friend of mine has been aware that her hearing is failing (family and friends yelling at her was a hint), so in October last year she asked her doctor to refer her to an NHS hearing clinic. I took her to her first appointment in July this year – a wait of nine months. She was told, as expected, that hearing aids were required, which would be ready in September.
Having heard nothing, she telephoned the clinic this week, to be told that her “fitting” appointment will, in fact, not happen for a further nine months. So by the time she gets them, the wait will have been almost two years.
She’s not embarrassed or ashamed to wear hearing aids – she’d love to get the chance.
Lillian Adams
Hereford
• Many people are put off not by embarrassment but by the price of hearing aids. I purchased a pair of aids four years ago from Boots and had very little change from £3,000. I dread to think how much they are now.
John Deards
Warminster, Wiltshire
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