In response to recent media coverage suggesting that the NHS lags behind the private sector in hearing aid technology, a reader has highlighted that the health service provides modern, smartphone-compatible devices as standard.
Rob Voakes of Bradford wrote to clarify that the NHS routinely issues 'hi-tech' hearing aids that connect directly to smartphones, contrary to the impression left by an article about deaf poet Raymond Antrobus. Voakes noted that while the very latest models may only be available privately, the upgrades are often minimal, similar to smartphone iterations.
Voakes, who received replacement hearing aids in January, praised their excellent sound quality and ability to stream radio and podcasts. He concluded that the NHS provides a 'not bad service' for hearing aid users.
