NHS Audiology Department or Specsavers?

Elegran

If you have any doubts over whether you will have to pay for hearing aids in Specsavers, or whether you get them there under the NHS, then the answer is simple - when you phone for an appointment you JUST ASK.

If you already get your eyes tested there, you should know already that you choose the frames for the glasses from a wide selection at various prices - from free NHS up to designer frames. From the posts on here, it seems to me that they supply hearing aids under the the same system.

It's not the same system as spectacles. Free hearing tests are available to all but free (NHS) hearing aids are only available in certain health authority areas. Ask for advice at Specsavers or enter your GPs postcode in the link below. I have no choice but NHS and the waiting times in my area are extremely long even for existing users (18 mos- 2 years)
www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/hearing-aids/nhs-hearing-aids

I always attended my local audiology department in my local hospital, and had my NHS hearing aids from them. Then I moved in 2019. Asked if my audiology record could be transferred over to local hospital audiology and was told 'NO'/ Due to all the privatisation, each health authority was now a separate trust. So , had to start again, with referral from my new GP to Audiology.

I was then given an option of attending hospital audiology department, (two miles away from my flat), or Spec Savers (just around the corner - five minutes away on my mobility scooter). Was given an appointment there within a week.

Very suspicious - but excellent treatment and full test took place. I was on tenterhooks, waiting from them to try to sell to me their private aids - but they were never mentioned and I was supplied with NHS ones. Was recalled after two years for further tests, and new aids, etc. Very easy for me to get my (free) batteries as they are so close to , also I can pop in to have tubes changed.

My husband went to Specsavers and they said there was nothing wrong with his hearing I disagreed as living with him was hell he couldn’t hear the most minimum of conversations. He then got referral to audiology and they said he needed two it saved our marriage! 😂 I now need one and going back to the audiologist to see them at the local hospital.

A friend went to the audiology dept and now uses the mobile unit for his updates or any problems. I hadn’t heard of the mobile unit until he mentioned it, he says it is excellent.

NHS appointment for hearing aids are 20 months here, there’s no way I could carry on waiting so I went to Specsavers and paid privately.
I couldn’t be more delighted with my aids.

I am absolutely delighted with my husband's NHS hearing aids. He was referred very quickly to an audiologist who visits all our local surgeries (West Yorkshire). The following up care is brilliant. I order batteries and tubes online or by phone. When he was having hearing problems they called him in, checked his hearing aids and then syringed his ears. . I cannot tell you how happy I was, let alone him.......

I have booked an NHS appointment with my local Specsavers. The wait is only a couple of weeks - quicker than getting a GP appointment! The nearest Audiology service in a NHS Health Centre is quite a long awkward journey so this seemed perfect.

I went into the Specsavers branch to enquire about an NHS appointment. I gave my details and someone from their local office called me to book an appointment a couple of days later.