I want to share with this forum something that I have written for my blog. I hope I can raise awareness and bring together the people who are currently suffering alone with this issue. I wish to tell you about a silent scandal and hope that by the end of this article, you too will feel at least some of the outrage that currently has me in its grip. This issue may only affect a small minority of people but the suffering, mental anguish and loss of quality of life for these individuals cannot be overlooked. Frustratingly, this problem is completely avoidable if only the NHS would listen to the needs of hearing aid users and continue to allow them a choice. You may have heard of campaigns in recent years to provide digital hearing aids to all those who need them and to shorten waiting times, all very laudable I’m sure you agree. The assumption is that digital is always better and for those who find it so it is indeed good news that digital aids are now freely available. Now here is the bit where I reach for my soapbox. Digital aids are NOT suitable for all people with hearing loss. It’s time to speak out against this brave new world which marches forwards in all it’s technological glory as it tramples in the dust the people who need analogue aids. Can you imagine how it feels for someone who has been enjoying a full life, working, socialising and making music to then be told that the hearing aid that enabled all this is no longer to be provided. Online forums are full of heartbreaking tales of the devastating effects of this forced switch to digital. People who can no longer hear their loved ones the way they used to, parents who can no longer hear their children crying. Others who have had to give up their love of music, either playing or listening to. It’s not surprising that depression can be the result when the NHS take away your “ears” and replace them with a pathetic, unsuitable alternative, while at the same time arrogantly claiming that they know best. No doubt the digital aids are technologically outstanding, but this does not always translate into reality. My husband is happy with his old analogue hearing aid. He works full time and in his spare time he plays guitar and sings in a band. Unfortunately his old aid will not last forever and he has been issued with a new digital hearing aid, the result is horrible. We have known for some time that this day would come and it’s hung over him like a death sentence. He tried digital a few years ago and I’d never seen him so miserable. There was no way he could go to work or play music with it. This new digital is no better but he has been told he must get used to it. He’s trying so hard but to be able to work or go to band practice he puts his old aid in. This is not a long term solution. We have hit a brick wall trying to find out where we could buy another analogue hearing aid if the NHS will not provide one. It seems the whole world is going digital and it appears that many manufacturers are no longer making analogue aids now that health services have cancelled the contracts to purchase them. What can be done? Well we need to raise awareness and support the rights of all the people who are battling alone against their audiology departments. It’s easy for an individual to be told that it’s just them that have a problem and they must accept it and get used to it. Let’s not allow this. It would be great to see as many people as possible join a facebook group to put pressure on the NHS. The group will be open to all people who wish to support the human rights of analogue hearing aid users, as well as the users themselves. We need to show them that they are not alone in this fight. So, I have started a group, please join and please be patient with me as I am a novice with the workings of facebook. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=116042521781196 Here are just a few threads so that you can see for yourself that this is not just one isolated case. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/messageboards/F2322274?thread=7661278 http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/messageboards/F2322274?thread=5443347 http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/messageboards/F2322274?thread=7342594 http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/messageboards/F2322274?thread=3661710

So much heartfelt thanks to all of you. I think we are all on the same page here regarding how we feel about what happened today. The support, advice and genuine good wishes from all of you amazing caggers means the world to Fred and Patma. I wish them all the best for the appeal and hope they manage to get some well earned rest tonight.

I have just received a text from my Patma (my mother) and I'm afraid it is bad news. Fred has lost but there will be an appeal. I'm quite shocked at the moment and don't know the details yet. Patma will update you as soon as possible.

There were 6 guests a minute ago.

Hello caggers, my mother, Patma has phoned to say what happened at the hearing. I'm sure she will give more details and explain it better than I can, as soon as she can get online. Anyway, the hearing lasted 20 minutes, and the outcome is that Fred's amended defence and counter claim have been allowed. The postponement requested by Lyons Davidson has also been allowed. And there will be another applications hearing scheduled to last 2 hours, in order to deal with the remaining applications. Unfortunately, this isn't likely to take place very soon, I imagine not for a month or 2 at least. It's been so lovely to see all the best wishes and support on this thread and I feel the same frustration when things are dragged out for so long, but as long as the final outcome is in Fred's favour that's all that matters. So, fingers crossed. Thanks to you all and mum will be back and able to answer your questions etc, as soon as she can.

Lyons Davidson claim the following in their lovely brochure: "Our success is based on our willingness to invest and our ability to innovate. The result has been a service recognised as outstandingly effective, prompt and cost efficient by our clients."

TLD your inbox is full so you can't receive messages from undercover agents.;-) But all I wanted to say is that I've called mum to get her to hurry up and get back on the forum and put these good people out of the misery of waiting.

LOL, I don't know whether it's seriously funny or strangely disturbing to think of Jean-Claude Van Damme playing my mum. How am I supposed to sleep after that. I might have nightmares.

I think SBK is motorcycle racing.

LOL, I'm not all that highly trained and I think I just broke my cover.

Hi to all the wonderful people on this forum. I expect you've seen me viewing this thread a lot and I haven't said anything because I don't have anything useful to add, but as Patma's daughter and as I know Fred very well I have a personal interest in this case. It certainly is a bit of a roller-coaster and full of twists and turns. The things that have come to light haven't ceased to gob smack me and the whole saga is a bit like peeling an onion. The contributors to this thread have been such good supportive people and I enjoy their humour immensely. I have especially high regard for the tenacious TLD. I'm sure all would agree that to have him onside is the most amazing bonus and you certainly wouldn't want to be on the other team when TLD comes out to bat. It's sixes all the way. Best of luck to Mum and Fred. XXX