Hearing Aids

Fitfran · 16 January 2015 at 6:45AM

My husband's current hearing aids have gone "as far as they can go" (3 yrs old). His right ear has gone down hill and he needs a new pair. His last pair from Boots cost £1800 (BOGOF) the new ones they suggested are £3600 (third off).
Went to an independant, who deals with several suppliers, only to be pushed towards a top of the range Phonac (same make but 1 up from Boots) at £2800 each but, with 5 year warranty thrown in, "could do for £3999 the pair".
If we have to pay we will find the money as the benefits amazing but wanted to see what other people's experiences were of the hearing aid industry and if this is realistic price.
Thanks for reading
Fitfran, and Fitmalc

brook2jack · 16 January 2015 at 1:00PM

Has your husband tried NHS hearing aids?

When my daughter was first diagnosed with snhl our first thought was to buy her private hearing aids as we wanted the best for her. We were advised to try nhs to start with and see how things went.

We have been very happy with the audiology service and she is due for a new set of hearing aids soon as her present ones are three years old.

They are oticon zests which are paired with each other and have three or four different settings (she is now studying music).

batteries and cordas are free.

Torry_Quine · 16 January 2015 at 6:25PM

I would agree that NHS hearing aids are really good and there is no need to spend large sums of money.

Fitfran · 16 January 2015 at 7:57PM

Thanks for this. He will ring Doc on Monday.

zeedee1 · 16 January 2015 at 10:40PM

My friend works in NHS Audiology, and she said in her department the hearing aids are only 6 months behind the private ones in terms of technology, although usually they only offer Behind The Ear (BTE) ones apparently.