I'm in a similar position to others above. SWMBO has been "mumbling" for years now, the TV gets quiet and loud, NOT at regular intervals, and it's been difficult to make out some words during normal conversations.
Because I'm not a UK resident I cannot advise about the NHS v private (it's all "private" in Switzerland) and I can't talk about UK prices either (though I must say I was surprised at some of the, IME of here, high private prices quoted above).
BUT I hope the following general observations will help others - I've had my present hearing aids (both ears) for about 18 months now:
1. The little "pod" hangs over the ear. It's silver in my case, but due to my ear's shape and the fact that I wear glasses, you'd have to come VERY close to me before you could see anything "clipped" onto my ears (in fact they don't "clip", they hang by gravity plus the stiffness of the tiny transparent plastic tube connected to the in-ear pieces);
2. The in-ear pieces are moulded (specially, to fit my own ear canals) from transparent "slightly soft but stiff" plastic material. They are VERY comfortable - e.g. you should NOT get the electronics wet, and more than once I have stepped into the shower and ALMOST turned the water on, forgetting I was still wearing them!;
3. The TV is still a bit of a nuisance (the ads ALWAYS seem to get louder than the programme - still) but as I listen more to radio (music and speech) this isn't really a problem for me;
4. Music and speech are MUCH improved - even SWMBO has stopped mumbling!;
5. I'm a member of a choir, and firstly, no one has mentioned the fact that I'm now wearing hearing aids (with those transparent ear pieces and the almost completely hidden silver electronics pod they really are virtually invisible). Secondly I hear "everything" now, which when you consider that we practice in a rather echoing school hall, is quite an achievement;
6. For me the only downside was getting used to them in the first place - that took me about a couple of weeks. And initially, I had some problems with hearing too much "sssssssssssssssssss" in some speech. That was no problem, the deal with the audiologist here includes in the price a "service contract". The the whole caboosh is checked by them: initially after a week; then a month; then every quarter afterwards. You go into a "silent booth" with all sorts of gear and they can test and adjust the "sssssssssssssss ing" quickly and easily. Took 2 goes to get it right - i.e. a month after first wearing them;
7. I do wear headsets for listening and for the phone sometimes (via PC), and also wear ear defenders for noisy jobs in the shop. NO problems at all.
In short, though I admit I was both "shy" and embarrassed, when I finally bit the bullet I was sad that I hadn't done it much earlier. (The audiologist told me that hearing loss due to age - I'm 77 - does not usually happen suddenly, it's normally a gradual deterioration. By the time you start to notice it yourself, it's usually PAST time to bite the bullet).
Sorry I can't talk about UK pricing, appointments, NHS, etc. But other than that I'd say go for it. None outside your own really close circle will even notice it.
HTH
