I suffer from, age related, high frequency loss. I cannot hear, for example a Grasshopper Warbler reeling. NHS provide me with a pair of PHONAK Nathos S+.(Swiss)
These work, and I usually use them for birding. They have a very thin tube which ends in a tiny rubber bell that locates in the ear.
I think it depends on your father's degree of deafness. If the loss graph goes into the severe or profound deafness areas, they (I am told) usually fit an ear mould with a thicker tube.
As well, I had two private tests with Boots Audiology. ( You get lots of free Boot's points just for booking an audiology test). On both occasions they pushed the top of the range Phonak. These cost around £3000 a pair. With free lifetime servicing.
They program a new pair for you and fit them; and you can go off with them for half an hour or so! These latest models have multi programs and
are battery chargable and complete with a tiny charger you drop the aid into. Phonak top models are truly amazing.

-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 31st of January 2018 04:55:50 PM

Hi Eugene,
although I've got absolutely no experience in hearing aids, a little bit of simple advice would be...if you have access to a computer (at home or library?) smartphone, iPhone, etc, just Google search "latest clear hearing aids" and a whole list comes up of some of the latest products available in the field of Audiology.

Some may be expensive, but if it opens up an area of your Dad's life that would normally be inaccessible due to low levels of audibility then it would be worth looking into.
I believe Specsavers also do them and recommend you go in and see them to see which one best suits your needs (not you personally).
Hope this helps mate.
Cheers
Rib

Hi everyone, I am just doing a little research for my father who is now starting to struggle with his current hearing aids (from the nhs) and missing a lot of calls and song, which frustrates him, particularly when hes out with someone like me whos hearing it, as it flags the issue more. Does anyone else have any experience with this and consequently have advice on any other hearing aids which have proven much clearer for birding? I think his tends to send washy and struggles to hear a single bird when there are a few singing or calling. He'd be happy to pay a premium to get the right thing I am sure. Any help or advice is grately appreciated.