As a (slack) wearer of hearing aids over the past decade or so I can also
endorse the views expressed by Ember and Fran.
I have digital aids through my Access to Work funding and I do use them
more than I ever used analogue, because they work! I only use them with
radio aids and loop systems (if the system is powerful enough) and still
prefer to rely on interpreters for large meetings where hearing would be a
complete nightmare.
The reason I am telling you all this? It is important to have support you
are comnfortable with and can use in different situations, and is up to
date. I never use my digital aids socially, because my social groups
include people who know how best to communicate with me. I might use them
at the theatre but would probably prefer a signed performance.
I have to 'hear' at work and this is where I use them, I have to be able to
concentrate as well, I can only do this if the hearing enhancement system
allows me to, ananlogue hearing aids make concentration very difficult and
exhausting it makes me perform at less than my potential.
We were promised digital aids by the government two or three years
ago 'everyone who needs them will get digital aids' unfortunately we fell
into the postcode lottery which is the NHS and the bureaucracy which says
it will fund only the 'bog standard' which don't suit people with
complicated hearing loss like mine for example.
Having said all of the above I would sum up : I think it can be appropriate
to request digital aids in some circunmstances and a specialist assessor
should know what those are, I believe the DfES might need more information
about digital aids. I would probably not recommend a 'spare' at £1,500 each
it would eat up a lot of the allowance and the audiologist responsible for
providing the aid should be able to provide a 'back up'.
I hope that helps, I'd be willing to talk to anyone either on or off list
who wanted to know more about digital aids and how they could be
appropriately funded throught he DSA - in my opinion.
Chris
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