Hearing Aids......NHS Vs private ??

[All uphill]

@Dave7 I would thoroughly recommend SpecSavers and the NHS aids. In my area one simply books an appointment directly with the store, online if you wish. The staff are friendly, helpful and professional. Everything is free. I would be surprised if NHS via Specsavers is post code dependent but I'm sure a quick call to your local store will tell you. I don't think you need to go via your GP, a hospital or other NHS clinic.

As I recall on my first visit, 3 - 4 years ago, I left after the test with my first set of aids.

My aids are run through an app. A couple of images below of what I can do. I find this more than adequate. The TV mode isn't a Bluetooth connection, just a volume type. I'm hoping for a TV connection next time. Currently I can use the aids connected to my car, phone, laptop or tablet. Be aware if you're listening to something via your aids you probably won't hear anything else......like someone speaking to you........trust me on this one 🤣

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My understanding from our local NHS audiology department is that some trusts put the work of assessing and fitting hearing aids to Specsavers during and after COVID, in order to free some capacity

Locally that work has now gone back to the NHS.

 

[Alex321]

I have Phonak NHS hearing aids, they're pretty small and bluetooth to my phone.

There's also an app where I can select various modes for various situations. I don't wear them much as it is only minor hearing loss, but I'm pretty impressed with them. I'm told they cost £90 or so each to replace. They seem to chew through batteries (supplied FOC with the hearing aids).

I have phonak ones as well, but mine were private, and cost £3000 for the pair (with 5 year guarantee). I find them really excellent, make huge difference to my hearing, plus stream calls and other audio from my phone, or computer wor work laptop. THey are rechargeable, not separate batteries, which also makes a difference - I had battery ones (different brand) previously, but those just weren't good enough for the hearing loss in my left ear.

Mine are the Slim L90-R model, what are yours?

 

[JohnCl]

If you are going private then I have one word for you, Costco.

 

[PaulSB]

My understanding from our local NHS audiology department is that some trusts put the work of assessing and fitting hearing aids to Specsavers during and after COVID, in order to free some capacity

Locally that work has now gone back to the NHS.

Quite possibly. My local trust has contracted out a lot of services.

 

[Arjimlad]

I have phonak ones as well, but mine were private, and cost £3000 for the pair (with 5 year guarantee). I find them really excellent, make huge difference to my hearing, plus stream calls and other audio from my phone, or computer wor work laptop. THey are rechargeable, not separate batteries, which also makes a difference - I had battery ones (different brand) previously, but those just weren't good enough for the hearing loss in my left ear.

Mine are the Slim L90-R model, what are yours?

Bolero M70-M ...they also stream calls and audio from my phone.

 

[PK99]

I have Phonak NHS hearing aids, they're pretty small and bluetooth to my phone.

There's also an app where I can select various modes for various situations. I don't wear them much as it is only minor hearing loss, but I'm pretty impressed with them. I'm told they cost £90 or so each to replace. They seem to chew through batteries (supplied FOC with the hearing aids).

Cost is far higher than £90 which the NHS charge to replace if you lise or destroy one....

 

[PK99]

I'm in the process of exploring options.

I've had a "free" NHS aid for a few years.
Complex hearing loss. (Bone - Air gap. Weird ziz zag frequency v loss profile)
Over period loss has increased and profile changed.

After a bit of research I'm heading down the private route.
I need reprogrammable behind the ear aids, because of nature of loss.
NHS Phonak has speaker in main body and tube to ear.

Private option is wire from behind the ear unit to micro in-ear speaker.
Programmability at cheap end has 8-tunable frequency bands. Top end has 20 bands. My complex loss ponts to the top end not available on NHS

I'm lucky and can afford the £3.5k for a pair.

My question:
Does anyone have views/experience of the various private providers.
Boots. Specsavers. Vision express. Vs Independent audiologist.

 

[dicko]

I have NHS hearing aids supplied by Specsavers I am very happy with them.

 

[Emanresu]

My question:
Does anyone have views/experience of the various private providers.
Boots. Specsavers. Vision express. Vs Independent audiologist.

Chose a Phonak model a couple of months ago after seeing both Boots and Specsavers. It was a model in Boots catalogue but not in the Specsavers one. Boots tend to have a sale in January where they offer £500 off and was going to wait until then. I thought I would ask Specsavers if they could source the model and at what price. Answer was they could and it would be £500 less that Boots so I purchased from Specsavers rather than wait for the Boots 'sale'.

When I mentioned there was £500 difference to the Specsavers audiologist, he was surprised and made the comment that they (Boots) must have a high markup. Also Boots Hearingcare is not Boots but a joint venture between Boots and Sonova/Phonak. Make that what you will.

https://www.sonova.com/en/sonova-strengthens-partnership-boots-uk

 

[Tenkaykev]

I notice that Apple Earpods now have a hearing aid mode for " mild to moderate hearing loss "
There's an app which tests your hearing and then tailors the pods to your particular hearing response.
Obviously no substitute for a proper hearing assessment but an interesting development.

 

[vickster]

I'm in the process of exploring options.

I've had a "free" NHS aid for a few years.
Complex hearing loss. (Bone - Air gap. Weird ziz zag frequency v loss profile)
Over period loss has increased and profile changed.

After a bit of research I'm heading down the private route.
I need reprogrammable behind the ear aids, because of nature of loss.
NHS Phonak has speaker in main body and tube to ear.

Private option is wire from behind the ear unit to micro in-ear speaker.
Programmability at cheap end has 8-tunable frequency bands. Top end has 20 bands. My complex loss ponts to the top end not available on NHS

I'm lucky and can afford the £3.5k for a pair.

My question:
Does anyone have views/experience of the various private providers.
Boots. Specsavers. Vision express. Vs Independent audiologist.

My mum is happy with the service and product from Banstead Specsavers. £2k
She also had a consultation from Hidden Hearing, they wanted 5-6k for hearing aids, probably tiny fiddly ones with loads of smart tech she'd never use or even understand! So I'd avoid them, not heard great things about Amplifon either

 

[Emanresu]

Re: Specsavers. Don't know if it has been mentioned before but they have a 100 day "return without question" guarantee.

They have a £500 BTE pair with Bluetooth I bought when the last ones broke. I was going to return them when I got the new ones but have kept them as a backup. They were very good especially when paired with RWGPS. Their only fault was that they fell off when taking on and off helmets etc. Boots equivalent were £1000.

 

[alicat]

I'm in the process of exploring options.

I've had a "free" NHS aid for a few years.
Complex hearing loss. (Bone - Air gap. Weird ziz zag frequency v loss profile)
Over period loss has increased and profile changed.

After a bit of research I'm heading down the private route.
I need reprogrammable behind the ear aids, because of nature of loss.
NHS Phonak has speaker in main body and tube to ear.

Private option is wire from behind the ear unit to micro in-ear speaker.
Programmability at cheap end has 8-tunable frequency bands. Top end has 20 bands. My complex loss ponts to the top end not available on NHS

I'm lucky and can afford the £3.5k for a pair.

My question:
Does anyone have views/experience of the various private providers.
Boots. Specsavers. Vision express. Vs Independent audiologist.

I haven't been to Specsavers etc but when I was recently concerned about potential hearing loss, I went to a local independent private provider recommended by my surgery and with very good Google Maps reviews. The hospital-trained audiologist cleaned out some wax, did a thorough test and wrote to my GP saying that I needed antibiotics and a referral to ENT. All for £50. In my opinion, it was money well-spent and I'll definitely go back to her in future.

 

[icowden]

I have an NHS Hearing Aid. No complaints but then again I have nothing to compare it to.
Google is, at the moment, inundated with adverts for the latest 'state of the art' aids @ £80ish.
Tomorrow I am at an optician....they have just messaged me offering a free hearing test.
Just wondering what the CC masses think.

Two perspectives:

My father in law has high hearing loss and tinnitus. He has found his NHS hearing aids to be very good.
My grandma on the other hand was partially deaf and did not get on with the NHS hearing aids at all. She purchased private ones which cost a couple of thousand I think (this was about 10 years ago or so) and was very happy with those.

 

[Dave7]

Two perspectives:

My father in law has high hearing loss and tinnitus. He has found his NHS hearing aids to be very good.
My grandma on the other hand was partially deaf and did not get on with the NHS hearing aids at all. She purchased private ones which cost a couple of thousand I think (this was about 10 years ago or so) and was very happy with those.

I have had my ears syringed and the NHS audiology dept played with this hearing aid but I have a proper NHS test etc Nov 6th.
This one is no longer adequate for my needs
I will see what the NHS come up with.