NHS Digital Hearing Aids
Modern technology at your fingertips. Today’s world is driven by digital technology – at home you watch a digital TV, are entertained by a digital media player or sound system, and you’re likely to have a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or a mix of them.
All NHS hearing aids provided today are digital.1–3 Danalogic hearing aids are also Bluetooth enabled, so they can integrate seamlessly into your digital world.4
Frequently Asked Questions
Are NHS digital hearing aids easy to use?
Yes – after a little practice, your hearing aids will be easy to take in / out and control. Your Audiologist will demonstrate how to use them and provide you with instructions.5 You can also view danalogic how-to videos for help operating your NHS hearing aids.
Although Danalogic digital hearing aids are easy to operate by touch alone. If you prefer, you can also control them with your smartphone.6–8 Using the BeMore app you can adjust sound settings, find misplaced hearing aids, request help from your Audiologist, and much more.8
What do NHS hearing aids look like, are they big?
Just like ears, NHS hearing aids come in all shapes and sizes. Some Danalogic hearing aids are smaller and more discreet, so you can focus on what you’re hearing, rather than worrying about what they look like. The size depends on the level of technology required for your hearing loss. Your Audiologist will select the hearing aid type that’s best for you.1,9
Will an NHS digital hearing aid be personalised to my hearing loss?
Yes – using a computer, your Audiologist will program your hearing aid to suit your hearing loss.1,10
Thanks to digital technology, Danalogic hearing aids are fully customisable, so they can support your exact hearing loss and be ‘tuned’ to your preferences. It’s a similar concept to adjusting the lights in your home; playing with the tone and mood to make the ambience perfect. You can do this with sound, adjusting until it sounds natural and feels right for you.
How can I get a free NHS digital hearing aid?
All hearing aids provided by the NHS are free. The first step to is to see your GP. Your GP will check for treatable conditions that could be affecting your hearing, like an ear infection or excessive ear wax. If your GP thinks you might need a hearing aid, they may refer you to a hearing specialist (Audiologist). Audiologists have the necessary training and equipment to thoroughly assess your hearing and understand your unique needs. If their testing reveals a hearing loss you may be recommended one or two hearing aids. Although you may need to have a second ‘fitting’ appointment for your hearing aid/aids, sometimes they can be fitted straight away.1,9,10,11
How do digital hearing aids work?
Digital hearing aids are electronic devices that support people with hearing loss and/or tinnitus by amplifying sounds they struggle to hear.1,9,12,13
In addition to the battery, there are three key parts inside a hearing aid:
- Microphone – picks up sound and converts it into an electrical signal
- Amplifier – this computerised ‘brain’ takes centre stage as it processes the sound to suit your individual needs. Its complex programming brings all the fine nuances of natural sound to life, and adjusts it to suit you
- Speaker – also known as a ‘receiver’, this converts the electrical signal back into the sound you hear
Do NHS digital hearing aids break easily?
No – although they should be treated with the same care as other personal electronic items, such as mobile phones, to ensure they continue to work correctly.14 Digital hearing aids need to be particularly robust as they spend most of their time in a difficult environment for electronics. Here are some handy tips to help keep your Danalogic NHS hearing aid/s in the best condition possible:15
- Keep them clean and dry – wipe the case with a soft cloth or tissue after use to remove grease or moisture
- Do not use water or solvents to clean them, or immerse them in water or other liquids
- Avoid dropping them on hard surfaces
- Do not leave them in or near direct heat or sunlight, such as in a hot, parked car, as excessive heat can cause damage or deform the casing
- Do not wear them while showering, swimming, in heavy rain or in a moist atmosphere (such as a steam bath or sauna)
- Remove them when applying cosmetics, perfume, aftershave, hairspray, and suntan lotion as these might get into the hearing aid and cause damage
For more information on caring for your hearing aids, take a look at our how to videos.
Can NHS digital hearing aids reduce background noise?
Yes – Danalogic digital hearing aids have in-built background noise reduction programs to enhance your listening experience. Discover all of features of danalogic digital hearing aids.
Do NHS digital hearing aids whistle?
Feedback, or “whistling” is a normal response for a hearing aid that is being covered (for example, if your hand is over your ear). Unfortunately, hearing aids may also whistle if sound leaks out from the hearing aid and is heard by its own microphone. This may be caused by several issues16,17, including:
- Incorrect placement on or into the ear
- Use in an ear that is blocked with wax
- Damaged ear mould or tubing
- Accidental use of the T-loop setting (in an area without a T-loop)
Danalogic hearing aids have in-built feedback reduction programs to drastically reduce the risk of whistling. These digital programs are designed to filter out the unwanted noise whilst preserving similar natural sounds, like alarms beeping, phones ringing and birds chirping.18
Will NHS digital hearing aids reduce my tinnitus?
Probably – hearing aids are not a cure for tinnitus, but they often help to alleviate it. As hearing loss is a common cause of tinnitus, reinstating natural sounds can help to reduce its volume. Sometimes, people with normal hearing suffer with tinnitus. In these cases, hearing aids can also help to reduce tinnitus by subtly amplifying background noise or generating new sounds to distract the brain. In fact, most Audiologists recommend that people with tinnitus should try wearing hearing aids in both ears to see if they provide relief.13
A specialist tinnitus soothing feature called the ‘Sound Generator’ program can be added to Danalogic hearing aids. Danalogic also provide a free tinnitus management smartphone app called Tinnitus Relief to support people with or without hearing aids.19