Contents of fact sheet:
• How do I tell if I have a hearing loss?
• What should I consider if I’m thinking of going to a hearing aid dispenser?
• How do I choose a private hearing aid dispenser?
• How much will my hearing aids cost?
• How do I decide which are the best hearing aids to buy for me?
• What features should I look out for in hearing aids?
• I have severe hearing loss. Will it be harder to find suitable hearing aids?
• What will happen when I go to a private dispenser?
• What happens next if I decide to buy hearing aids?
• Can I get my money back if I’m not happy?
• How long are my hearing aids guaranteed for?
• What should I check before signing the agreement to buy?
• What do I do if I have a problem with my hearing aids?
• Can I buy hearing aids abroad?
• Where can I get further information?
How do I tell if I have a hearing loss?
Generally it is other people rather than yourself who will notice your hearing loss. They may point out to you that the volume on your television is louder than they would normally have it. It may be that some people seem to mumble, causing yourself to say pardon more than normal. It may be that on a one to one in a quiet environment that you have little to no issues, but when you are listening background noise, it seems that the conversation gets lost or engulfed in the background noise.
If you are not sure whether you have a hearing loss you can either ask request a hearing test from your doctor or contact a private hearing aid dispenser who generally will carry out a hearing test free of charge. There are on line hearing tests you can take but as there are so many variables with on line testing they cannot be used as an accurate assessment. You can take an online hearing test with the R.N.I.D. by visiting their website or by phoning 0845 600 5555.
If the results show a hearing loss is present then it would be advisable for you to have a full hearing assessment by calling Hearing Aids at Trade on 01733 223460. Alternatively you can contact your G.P. who can refer you to hospital. Your doctor will usually refer you to the audiology department or E.N.T.
Digital hearing aids are available free from the N.H.S. although they tend to be quite large or bulky for a lot of people and are also s notometimes worn as often as they should or indeed not worn at all. If this is the case then you can purchase hearing aids privately. There is a cost to this but it is fair to say that you will have a much larger choice of style for much smaller better technology.
What should I look for if buying hearing aids privately?
Always make sure that you are in control of the situation when considering your options. Be aware of newspaper adverts offering free books or information on hearing aids or that offer free amplifiers. Special offers such as 2 for 1 or money back for your old hearing aids sound appealing but generally they are used as a “sprat to catch a mackerel”, bygetting you through the door. Be aware that national high street companies can charge in excess of £7000 for a pair of premium hearing aids.
Some companies will re brand to create their own range of hearing aids, but be aware that they more often do this for their own benefit. In some cases to offer older cheaper technology or so that you cannot compare their products and prices. If you buy branded manufacturers products you need to know exactly what you are buying and so that can compare like for like products.
Another consideration would be that if you buy an own branded product and for whatever reason do not get on with your dispenser, you may find it difficult to find another dispenser with their programming software. The Internet can provide some excellent bargains but again be aware that some companies profess to offer U.K. coverage but may only employ a few dispensers covering 1000’s of miles each week. This will also affect your after sales and servicing which is the most VITAL part of your purchase other than the quality of product you buy.
Always make sure the company offers a “full money back guarantee”,so that if you are not happy with your purchase you won’t lose all of your money. Do remember that hearing aids can never restore your hearing perfectly.
How do I choose a private hearing aid dispenser?
By law, anyone who prescribes and fits hearing aids MUST be registered with the Health Professions Council (H.P.C.). You can call them on 0845 300 4472 or visit their website if you want to check if a hearing aid dispenser is registered or indeed if you have any issues with a company or individual.
The H.P.C. are the new regulatory body superseded from the Hearing Aid Council and they are tasked with making sure that dispensers ethics, skills and training needs are up to date.
A qualified hearing aid dispenser has the letters R.H.A.D. after their name which stands for Registered Hearing Aid Dispenser. They may also have other letters such as MSHAA, FSHAA, or MRSH which are professional organisations and not as important as R.H.A.D.
Also please be aware that many companies or even dispensers are owned or tied to certain manufacturers and therefore do not offer the full range of available manufacturer’s products . Make sure that you get everything in writing and don’t be afraid to tell the dispenser that you want to think about it if you are unsure.
A recommendation from someone else is generally a good way to choose a hearing aid dispenser, but remember that hearing aids that someone else has purchased may not be suitable for your own hearing loss
How much will my hearing aids cost?
Although it may be cheaper to buy a hearing aid abroad in the short term it may prove to be more expensive when you are in need of fine tuning or servicing. Your hearing aid WILL need to be reprogrammed periodically as your hearing deteriorates naturally through time.
Private digital hearing aids can cost between £200 and £3,500 per hearing aid depending on their style and how sophisticated they are. Please be aware that some companies are charging up to £7500 for a pair of hearing aids. Many companies charge extra for the more discreet in the ear (ITE), in-the canal, (ITC) and aids that fit completely in the ear canal (CIC).
Hearing aids normally last five years or more, but you will need to pay again when they need replacing. Hearing aids that fit completely in the ear may not last as long due to greater problems arising due to electrical components being closer to wax and moisture in the ear. With behind-the-ear aids (BTE), you may also have to buy new ear moulds from time to time. Please remember that you will also need to budget for a regular supply of batteries and any hearing aid repairs you may need after the warranty expires. Batteries can cost between £10 and £20 a year for each hearing aid if you wear them all day.
Repairs to the hearing aid can cost between £35 and £100 or more each time. You can ask for an estimate beforehand if you wish. At Hearing Aids At Trade all our prices include all aftercare and servicing. For more information please call 01733 223460.
How do I decide which are the best hearing aids to buy for me?
Hearing aids are available in a range of styles, designs and colours, each product comprising of varying features. Not all hearing aids will be suitable for your hearing loss. and very small hearing aids may not be a good idea for you because of comfort, or quality of required sound you need for your hearing loss.
Your dexterity or hand control should be considered as you may find it hard to manage fitting the hearing aids or changing the hearing aid batteries. Some hearing aids come with remote controls but you must ask beforehand.
The cheapest hearing aids are unlikely to perform as well in difficult listening situations where there is a lot of background noise. However, you may not need all the most advanced features that more expensive hearing aids may have.
What features should I look out for in hearing aids?
With more advanced digital aids, it is possible to more accurately tailor every sound to suit your individual needs. The hearing aid dispenser should be able to fine-tune your hearing aids to give you the best results. Here are some of the features you should be more aware of when choosing your hearing aids.
1. Digital hearing aids divide the sound spectrum into a number of ‘bands’ or ‘channels’and processes them separately in order to increase clarity and comfort of sound by more accurately matching the varying degrees of damage within your hearing loss. The human ear has around 18 over lapping bands so the nearer this number, the greater the clarity you should gain. By having more bands in the hearing aids also allows a greater control over reducing back ground noise, as the hearing aid will more specific in its noise reduction strategy. It is sometimes suggested that the more bands you have, the better your hearing experience will be. However, this really depends on your individual hearing loss and what situations you need to use the hearing aids in.
2. Open Technology is available at different price points depending on the number of channels/technology. Open technology allows sounds that you can hear quite well to pass into the ear and only provides amplification to the damaged sounds of your hearing and by doing so gives a more natural hearing experience. Open technology also eliminates occlusion or that blocked up sensation you hear in your own voice. Open technology is generally more comfortable to wear and carries the sound into the ear via a receiver in the ear or through a micro tubing so thin it can hardly be seen.
Although this technology is the most popular style fitted today, it is not always suitable for everyone. It is also less effective with the use of mobile and telephones than some other hearing aids bu t this can be overcome by using bluetooth hearing aid steamers. If this is the case then it may be advisable to ask for…..
3. Blue tooth technology within hearing aids does not always come as standard but when integrated into hearing aids via a Bluetooth streamer (extra cost applicable), it allows sound to travel wirelessly from a telephone/T.V. directly to the hearing aid without interference from background noise.
4. Directional Microphones are not always fitted to your hearing aids as standard. They work to provide better noise reduction for noisier situations. Directional microphones can also come with different levels of strategy such as multi oradaptive directionality,where there are continuous automatic adjustments being made to give the best hearing in noise at all times. With the latest e2e hearing aids, the four microphones can now work together to provide an even better listening experience when in noise. Hearing aids such as the Phonak Ambra and the Widex Clear are two examples of such technology.
5.Induction loop or telecoil features are not available in all hearing aids as standard andare designed to improve your hearing in difficult to hear public places such as post offices, theatres, churches, banks etc. Please ask your dispenser if the hearing aids that he or she is recommending is fitted with a loop at point of sale, or whether this would be of benefit to you.
It is also advisable that you ask whether or not the hearing aid automatically analyses and reduces background noise or if it can be reduced manually by pressing a program button. Some hearing aids have NO strategy for reducing background noise and a lack of this facility can bring disappointing results.
Feedback or whistling can vary dependent on the manufacturer and the technology level so it is advisable to ask if the hearing aid has a feedback management system and how good it is for your hearing loss. Wind outside can be very annoying and again some hearing aid systems are better than others at reducing or preventing this.
Some models are easier to operate than others so ask if the buttons can be manipulated easily. Using the telephone can be sometimes impossible with some hearing aids. Ask for a demonstration; in fact insist on it so you can hear the benefits for yourself before you commit to buying.
Assistive devices may also be required to help with some situations where the hearing aids alone cannot provide at he best solution such as the telephone. If you are disappointed don’t accept that this is the best you will hear. Be objective, but be realistic as to your expectations and always seek to hear better and tell your dispenser of any problems you have.
Some dispensers will give better or worse advice and service than others, so be aware of this. If there are any trials or full money back guarantees, these are generally a safer bet as they come with an option of returning he hearing aids at no extra cost. If you are not sure you can call us on 01733 223460 for advice from a reputable R.H.A.D. Above all don’t be pressured into buying expensive hearing aids unless you can try them first.
I have severe hearing loss. Will it be harder to find suitable hearing aids?
No. There are hearing systems especially suited for people with severe and profound hearing losses. The skill and experience of the dispenser in programming the aids is vital to give you the best results. A severe, profound loss is much more difficult to deal with and more realistic expectations on performance should very carefully discussed. As with all hearing aid fittings, it will be necessary to have a follow up visit for fine tuning of the hearing aids.
What will happen when I go to a private dispenser?
It is always advisable that wherever possible for you have someone with you in the form of support. A good dispenser should encourage this so that a familiar voice can be used during a demonstration to assess the benefit your hearing aids are likely to give you and also so that you don’t mishear something. This will also help to put you at ease so that you do not feel pressured into buying without thinking about things first.
The hearing aid dispenser will ask you about the history of your hearing and other related issues such as areas of difficulty if applicable. The hearing aid dispenser will look inside your ears and then test your hearing. Then, if the tests show that hearing aids are likely to help, the dispenser will discuss with you which type will suit you best. Ask if you can pay separately, (although hearing tests generally are free), just for a hearing test if this is all you want at this stage. How you feel about your own hearing is important information for the dispenser as you may have a hearing loss but may not wish to do anything at present.
The range of tests carried out will include an air conduction hearing test. In this test, you listen to tones (beeps) through headphones and tell the dispenser when you can hear them. If this test shows that you have some hearing problems, the dispenser will then carry out a bone conduction hearing test. In this test, you wear a special headband, firmly fitted to the back of the head and the temple of the head that conducts sound through the bones of your skull directly to the hearing organ or cochlear.
The results are then compared with what you heard through the headphones in the air conduction test. They will show whether you have a problem with your eardrum or middle ear. You will be shown your results plotted as an audiogram and if your hearing aid dispenser is a good one they will explain the implications of the hearing loss. This is a graph that shows how well you hear low, mid and high pitched tones.
What happens next if I decide to buy hearing aids?
Firstly any decision on purchasing does not have to be made straight away. As mentioned previously it is advisable if you have a hearing test and hearing aids are advised, then note the make and model so you can compare like for like elsewhere. The dispenser will discuss the appropriate style of hearing aid that will be suitable for your loss and if applicable your dexterity needs. As there are over 300 variations of style, design and technology levels, the dispenser should then try to match a product to your needs. Most people will find a number of benefits from wearing two hearing aids such as:
1. Increased understanding in noisy situations
2. Knowing which direction a sound is coming from
3. Better hearing on both sides.
4. Binaural summation which gives up to an extra 3 decibels when used together
Be wary if they don’t give you any choices, as they may be misleading you. If you do decide to buy hearing aids an impression of your ear may be needed to ensure a perfect fit. The impression is sent to a laboratory for manufacture. The turnaround normally takes 1-2 weeks. Once the hearing aids have been made a further fitting appointment will be made to carry out a first fit. On the first fit the hearing aids will be programmed to fit your loss and it will be explained how to fit, operate and maintain them. As this is carried out in a quiet room you will nearly always require a follow up call to make sure that the hearing aids are performing satisfactorily. Don’t be alarmed in fact be prepared to need further fine tuning of your hearing aids You should relish and be grateful for fine tuning as it is vital to your better hearing.
Can I get my money back if I’m not happy?
Make sure that you get at least a 28-day trial period with a FULL money-back guarantee so that you can return the hearing aids if you aren’t happy with them. It is common knowledge that dispensers are aware and should adhere to the fact that some people just do not get on with their hearing aids. If the dispenser isn’t prepared to offer this or suggests a guarantee for repair only, instead of giving you the option of a refund, go somewhere else!! You may be asked to pay for purpose made hearing moulds which is only fair. Some companies charge a 10-12.5% cancellation fee so check the small print for this and also their returns policy.
How long are my hearing aids guaranteed for?
You should have to pay for any repairs after the guarantee on the hearing aids runs out. The cost of these repairs can mount up. Guarantee (‘warranty’) periods are often two years but can range between one and five years and should ALWAYS be offered as an option. Any servicing or fine tuning carried out by a dispenser is normally free but don’t assume this as recently a national company sent out letters to their clients informing them that charges are to be applied at £30 per visit. You can usually insure your hearing aids against loss or accidental damage through your household insurance, but please check this with your household insurance company first and don’t assume you are covered.
What should I check before signing the agreement to buy?
Firstly before you agree anything make sure that what you are buying is affordable. Try to decide on an agreed budget beforehand and stick to it. Make sure what extra running costs there will be such as hearing aid batteries and filters and how much they are. If you need attention, what level of service do they offer such as call out times and frequency. Make sure before you sign that you understand the terms of agreement as they are not standardised throughout the industry.
What do I do if I have a problem with my hearing aids?
Most people are generally happy with the hearing aids they buy and with the service they get from their private hearing aid dispenser, but some people do run into difficulties because:
- The hearing aids sound tinny or metallic
- Speech is not as clear as you would wish
- The hearing aids don’t seem to make any difference
- Whistling occurs when talking or eating
- The hearing aids are dead
- They are not comfortable or hurt
- You were pressured into buying and now don’t want them
If you do have any problem at all with your hearing aids you have bought, the first thing you should do is contact or make an appointment with your dispenser as soon as possible. You need to make sure that the service is prompt as any delays may affect your money back guarantee and returns policy.
If you feel that the hearing aids and or service you have had is well below your expectations and you have given the company enough opportunity to put things right, you can contact the ‘Fitness to practice’ department at the HPC on 02078 409802. Always wherever possible put things in writing and keep copies of all correspondence. The HPC can decide whether the dispenser has acted within their guidelines and can suspend them from duty and in extreme cases strike them from the register so they cannot practice again. In the unlikely event that you are still not happy you can also contact your local citizen’s advice bureau.
Can I buy hearing aids abroad?
You may have read or heard about cheaper hearing aids for sale abroad, particularly in Germany and Denmark. It is advisable to think very carefully about this as although the hearing aids may initially be cheaper, you are not guaranteed to receive a good level of aftercare when problems occur. If you buy your hearing aids abroad, you may find reluctance from hearing aid dispensers in this country to assist and if so they will probably charge.
Where can I get further information?
If you have any concerns about your hearing or issues you have with your balance, dizzy spells, and noises in your head, you should always seek medical advice from your GP or audiologist.
For more information you can also contact;
Health Professions Council
Park House, 184 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4BU
Telephone (8am to 6pm) 020 7582 0866 Fax 020 7820 9684
Visit www.hpcheck.org or phone 0845 3004 472 to find out if your hearing aid dispenser is registered.
Fitness to practice department:
Phone: 0800 328 4218 Fax: 020 7582 4874 ftp@hpc-uk.org
Further information from RNID
The RNID Information Line offers a wide range of information on many aspects of deafness and hearing loss. You can also contact the RNID if you would like information in Braille, on audiotape or large print.
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