Hearing Aids Costs

Yes, I’m sure it will vary area by area, NotSpaghetti. The local opticians don’t have the latest equipment, I expect because it’s expensive, whereas Specsavers does. We also go to a very small branch of Specsavers and the same three people have worked there all the time we’ve gone there. I always think they must enjoy their jobs!

They were endlessly patient with me when I wanted to try contact lenses, and made all sorts of suggestions. In the end, I just couldn’t get on with the lenses but it wasn’t for want of trying on their part and they didn’t charge a penny for it.

Oh well that’s great news SueDonim - I am only repeating what I learned from my consultant. Certainly in my town I haven’t seen the same person twice at Specsavers.

The issue was with having the same person reading their own notes and comparing their own scans/images etc. If you are getting that kind of service at Specsaver prices you are certainly doing better than I was!

Now I’m with an independent I have the same equipment/tests as Specsavers and have also had several free repairs/adjustments. It must depend where you live. For me, I have definitely got continuity now. But it is more expensive.

The great advantage of my Specsavers aids is that they are rechargeable - I can’t be fiddling about withbatteries, and DH has so many appointments with the NHS that I wanted to avoid that for myself. I use mine when in company and find them excellent. They cost about £1400 last year.

@chelseababy I didn’t know about the discounted rail card, thank you for that information ?

Notspaghetti, I beg to differ about chains v independent opticians. We used to see independent opticians but after some misdiagnosed conditions started to go to a chain. They have had many of the same staff for years and seem much more up to date in the latest developments and are also far more willing to make changes and repairs glasses FOC.

A few years back I was convinced that I was losing my hearing. After seeing the GP I was sent to the practice nurse to have my ears syringed (they were blocked with wax).

When I left the health centre, I couldn't believe how loud the traffic and people were!

Can I just add that there are dozens of types (and many makes) of hearing aids. If I needed to buy some privately I'd go to somewhere that sold several brands as apparently each suits slightly different types of hearing loss.

Regarding Specsavers for eye tests, I was advised by a consultant that it is worth the extra costs of going to an independent optician and see one of the partners in the practice. He said to always see the same person so by seeing a partner they are unlikely to move on. He advised against the chains specifically because staff move about very quickly.

I would definitely recommend you follow the NHS route first. You will be seen in ENT and if you need a hearing aid you will be passed to Audiology. There is no charge for the aid or batteries.
It’s possible you may not need a hearing aid - maybe it’s something physical that can be sorted by a small operation. Spec savers and others will just sell you a hearing aid and they are very expensive. You will have to buy all your batteries.
Go to your GP and get a referral. Trust me, I’ve had a lifetime of all this. Good luck.

Mr C has behind the ear NHS aids via the audiology department, it’s made life better for us both. They are poppit aids so the part going into the ear is tiny and the tubes narrower. He gets excellent service from a twice weekly drop in clinic, just turns up for adjustments, tubes, batteries any concerns. Batteries are also available from the GP receptionist. So I agree, try the NHS first either at audiology or Specsavers, what do you have to lose?

I think it all depends on the extent and type of your hearing loss. My hearing loss is severe. I had NHS aids which were OK but never as good as I would have liked. I relocated to North America and one day lost an aid so had to buy privately. I had very extensive hearing tests and was given Swedish aids with bang up to date technology. Wow. They are fantastic. Such a difference and I don't need to lip read any more. I wear them all day every day. There was a range of prices to choose from. I agree with others and see how you go with NHS jobs initially.

Typo! GP

I have NHS hearing aids from Specsavers. They are unobtrusive and they have a selection to match hair colour. Batteries are free from Specsavers and they repair and replace tubing and provide tubing cleaning rods

I have had hearing tests via a hospital audiology department as well as Specsavers and for any doubters amongst you I can vouch that the Specsavers testing was more thorough

You can return to them and have the volume changed for background noise, but yes they will always take somegetting used to.

Incidentally I also get my glasses from them now and it was their testing that saw an immediate telephone call to my GO and an o ward referral to Moorfields for specialist care

I am not employed by Specsavers I am merely a happy consumer and I do have a disabled railcard

Really Chelsea? A disabled rail card? Bonus!!

Thank you for those comprehensive results. It seems that its 100% in favour of trying NHS first.
Knew I could count on Gransnetters.

I have behind the ear NHS ones from Specsavers. I’m on my second set with them and have very pleased with the service. The audiology tests and equipment are just the same as at the hospital audiology Dept. A bonus for me is that I can just call in to the shop when I’m in town if I need more batteries or any of the tubes etc.m replacing.

I was told that buying my own aids would start from around £5k but that the technology would be more advanced and I’d get more control over noise filtering but as I only wear the aids when I need to be sure I can hear what’s going on I’m very happy with the NHS ones.

I have very short hair shaped around my ears and silver grey NHS hearing aids. As I thought they’d show I decided to treat my aids in the same way as specs and make them more of a fashion statement. I jazzed them up with tiny flowers painted on with nail varnish. But, no one notices them! All that trouble for nothing!

Also, I met a lady on holiday who remarked on mine being the same as hers and moaning about the cost. She’d just bought hers privately bought for £2,000 as she thought the NHS ones would be two big. Measuring them side by side there was less than a millimetre difference in length. Not enough to be worth spending £2,000.

My mother spent £3000 on some, couldn't get used to them, then lost them when shopping. Her home insurance didn't cover them (should have been specified separately).

She bought some more for £2500, but rarely used them as she found them uncomfortable.

When in hospital, she got free NHS ones and was delighted with them. There was a local service for cleaning, new batteries and adjustment, all free of charge.

She felt bad about wasting so much money - so I'd say try the NHS ones first.

Thanks for all the advice,

My GP referred me and then I had the option of hospital or Specsavers, both on NHS. As an aside don't forget a hearing aid entitles you to a disabled rail card with discount for self and companion even at peak times.

I have NHS hearing aids and they’re fine to wear. The audiologist told me that you’ll never get such a comprehensive test going to the high street as they just can’t afford the equipment. I wore mine all the time when I first had them but it sent me a bit bonkers as my brain struggled to process all the sound. Now I wear them when I need them.

My Dh has just got aids from Specsavers. We didn’t even bother try the NHS route as we knew it would be so longwinded.

He has the behind the ear ones and they’ve made such a difference to my quality of life as well as his!

The audiologist explained that the in-ear aids cut out all outside sound and he felt that it’s better to rely on your own hearing as much as possible, (use it or lose it, basically) until the hearing loss becomes too great.

Thank you for your concern Xander.

lucywinter Knowing the financial problems with NHS if Gp suggested going to audiology clinic for tests to see what is going on I would follow GPs advice they do not suggest referral for the sake of it!

I went to Specsavers first and then to my GP. I told him what the audiologist at Specsavers had found out and he made an immediate referral to an NHS audiology clinic held at my GP surgery. The appointment was quite quick (2-3 weeks) for a hearing test then about 3 weeks for an appointment to collect hearing aids and be given all the necessary information. I get free batteries from my surgery. Not all surgeries offer this so some people have to go to their local hospital.

My DH needs hearing aids I’m sure! So do you get a referral from your GP, then go to Specsavers for your NHS hearing aids, or do you go to a hospital clinic? DH is vain about the look of them, I am happy to pay but not if he can get ones that are just as good from the NHS.