Hearing aids - Halo Hearing Solutions

BrokenSky

Hi,

Apologies if I'm posting this in the wrong thread.

I am investigating looking into getting hearing aids privately, as I have developed mild/moderate hearing loss. I have an audiologist and had a comprehensive hearing test at an independent store, Halo Hearing Solutions in Berkhamstead. I'm interested in discreet Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) type of hearing aids.

I've been quoted £3,500 to £4,000 for the Widex brand RICs, and I was wondering if this is reasonable considering I think they look to be a professional outfit that will also provide a good aftercare and support service (included in the price), who are fairly local. Has anyone else received hearing aids or support from Halo that can give me their opinion? Are there better alternatives elsewhere?

Spoonie_Turtle

What have the NHS offered you?  NHS aids are generally discreet with the thin tubing nowadays too.

Lorian

..,and don't cost and they supply the batteries.

M25

I try to avoid any company with the name 'solutions' in their title.

Why haven't you considered the NHS? I don't know the process but I assume you'd speak to your GP.

If I were getting a specialist chair and I was eligible to get it from the NHS I'd rather that than go to Argos.

If you have money to burn the now -and later with no guarantee of good aftercare- then go ahead with that shop.

Eldi_Dos

@BrokenSky

A friend who recently got aids,has them linked to their mobile phone which they find very convenient and makes carrying on business a lot less fraught. Check that model you are offered has this function.

basill

I Have recently gone the NHS route, starting point was a free basic hearing check at Specsavers.   They provided a letter for the GP requesting a referral to NHS audiologist.  My NHS hearing test was around 6months wait followed by another couple of months wait for  fitting.   
 An additional appointment for adjustments was around 6-8 weeks wait.  The aids provided are quite modern with bluetooth and app control of the various modes. I think in some areas Specsavers are the provider of NHS aids and  this may be quicker than the hospital audiology service used where I live.
Obviously the NHS is the best value but waiting lists are long.  Ask your GP roughly how long people are waiting before you decide.

sheramber

I have NHS hearing aids and they are basic. No Bluetooth or app control. 

No choice. 

Eldi_Dos

sheramber said:

I have NHS hearing aids and they are basic. No Bluetooth or app control. 

No choice. 

Arrange  appointment and hopefully get a updated version.The friend I referenced went NHS route

Savvy_Sue

Eldi_Dos said:

sheramber said:

I have NHS hearing aids and they are basic. No Bluetooth or app control. 

No choice. 

Arrange  appointment and hopefully get a updated version.The friend I referenced went NHS route

I've only just been given Bluetooth; a friend who got aids over a year ago got that immediately; and DH is jealous because he was told he'd get it 'next year' when he'd be offered an upgrade.

Except he hasn't been recalled, and we're well past 'next year'.

I say he should get in touch, but I know they have a very cavalier approach to re-testing: I tend to push for annual tests (which means I get them every other year because it takes so long to get in touch with them and for them to get back to me) because when they left it three years they were a bit shocked at how much worse my hearing was. It slides up on you without you noticing. 

So if you've had your aids more than a year I'd say it was worth contacting them and asking for a re-test. 

ChrisJJ

I have NHS hearing aids. They're perfectly adequate. I can control them from an app on my phone, they connect via bluetooth. If I'd had an iphone I"d have been able to listen to music/take calls via them as well. The NHS provides free batteries for the aids and if I have a problem I can be seen quite quickly by the audtiologist. I have mild/moderate hearing loss at high frequencies.