Madib: I believe you are correct... Whoever suggested that "the use of ear defenders with aids is not a valid reason to supply ITE aids as it contravenes the defenders purpose ( whether the aid is on or off ) and regulations surrounding the Noise at work act for your employers." has absolutely no understanding of the Regs (NOT "Act..") nor the reality for the very many hearing aid wearers fortunate enough to be still in work.... Argue with them!

You are correct, the NHS is pulling your chain a bit so they can get out of supplying the ITE devices. That being said, I wear NHS supplied digital over the ear hearing aids and the ear muffs go over them no problem. They are also programmed so I can adjust the volume if I need to. (I turn them down when using my chainsaw) Maybe your husband could discuss how this would work with his audologist.

Madib If you haven't already done so, it might be worth looking at the Government 'Access to Work' scheme at https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/what-youll-get In summary the scheme provides grants to pay for various types of support to help people with disabilities or mental or health conditions to start work, stay in work or even start their own businesses. After my hearing suddenly deteriorated 10 years ago I found that the analogue-type hearing aids provided by the NHS were far from effective. I found it very stressful trying (and often failing) to hear what people were saying during conversations and meetings both at work and outside work. However, after a friend told me about the scheme I applied for help and was promptly referred to a private hearing aid specialist who prescribed high quality digital hearing aids which made a big difference. The scheme paid most of the bill for the aids, my then employer paid a smaller amount and I thought it appropriate to pay the rest on the basis that the aids would greatly benefit me while not at work. If the NHS will no longer provide your husband with ITE (in the ear) hearing aids, it's worth politely challenging the NHS stance and the evidently spurious OS&H grounds cited. The private audiologist next week may be able to offer a second opinion to help with any challenge. I can't offer any advice about the pros and cons of ITE hearing aids because I've only ever worn OTE (over the ear) aids for both ears. Also my experience with wearing my aids under ear muffs (e.g. for using my chain saw and also a vacuum cleaner with a loud and irritatingly screechy motor noise) happens to match that described by CarlT at #4, presumably because the part of each aid which sits behind the ear is relatively small and incorporates a volume control. Hope your husband's situation can be resolved effectively in due course. If so, perhaps you would then be willing to briefly say how as such information might be of use to others dealing with similar situations.