Hidden Hearing sales techniques

[237SJ]

When I went into Sainsburys today, there was a company called Hidden Hearing doing free hearing tests in the car park. Recently I had a voucher for a free hearing test from Boots which expired before I remembered about it so I thought I`d put my head in the door and see what was what. I do think my hearing has become a bit damaged due to work but that`s no big deal as most of us at work think the same.
When I started my current job I had the proper hearing test done in the booth with the headphones. I thought it a bit odd when Hidden Hearing said their test would take 3 minutes. The guy had a little instrument which emitted noises which I was supposed to say whether I could hear or not (this, with the door open and all the traffic noise outside). Then he said he was going to play a noise and put the gadget either side of my head to test each side. I noticed that he put it closer to my left ear than my right and hey presto - it wasn`t so loud on the right. This startling result prompted him to refer me to their local shop for a "free" proper, in the booth test. Has anyone had one of these tests from this lot? I would be curious to know how my hearing fares and am smart enough to field a sales pitch when I see one but I just wondered how persistant they are as my politeness might run out after too much hard sell.

[MichaelZZ]

Don't do it!

See this question for more comments :
http://www.theanswerb.../Question1148910.html

[Sqad]

LOL....well, if your hearing was normal despite the ambient sound of traffic etc. then you didn't need further assessment. But....if you hearing was impaired then further assessment would be necessary in a sound proofed booth.

The other bit of "circus" was a masking device.

You are correct however......it was just to get you into the booth.

[237SJ]

Pardon?

[Sqad]

:-).

[guilliebrougues]

My Husband went into Boots for a free Hearing Test. He was treated like a V.I.P whilst the test was being done. However,after the test he was treated to a sales pitch, to cut a long story short, they wanted him to make a decision there and then to sign up for a hearing aid. When he said that he would think about it, he was treated unfairly and was told that although this was a free hearing test, he had wasted their time.

[redman41]

Beethoven was so hard of hearing, he thought he was a painter

[237SJ]

That`s what I was worried about. As said, I would be curious to know what my hearing`s like although there is no way I`m anywhere near needing any kind of aid. They were quite crafty as they take your address and phone number to enter you in a draw for £100 of M&S vouchers. At the end of the test, he suggested I need furter investigation and they would contact me for a test. I waffled a bit about not needing a hearing aid and anyway, I don`t think I would be able to have one in my job. He said they had been`cleared` in the US for use in flying. I asked him what the CAA have to say about that? He didn`t have a ready answer in his pitch for that one. Good job I gave them my mobile number which is turned off a lot of the time. Call me suspicious but I have a sneaky feeling I won`t win the M&S vouchers either.

[Sqad]

237SJ.......well......if there is any doubt about your hearing (and there obviously is or you wouldn't have had a test) then i would advice you to have it tested by an audiologist as there are many types of deafness, many needing treatment not necessarily with a hearing aid.

[237SJ]

Thanks Sqad. I might just do it out of curiosity but I`m not concerned and don`t really want to waste anyone`s time. We`re all like it at work and we all shout due to background noise. I just have to remember not to shout whan I`m down on the ground though!

[cathfromsaron]

think whoever you were you would need the 'better test'!

cath x

[237SJ]

Definitely cath. I`d love to have seen how many stepped out of there without a recommendation of a referral. Not many, I bet.

[VickyHHearing]

Good Morning,

My name is Vicky and I am responding from Hidden Hearing head office. The event you make reference to is part of a national campaign called Hearing Awareness Month, supported by both Hidden Hearing & TV Doctor Dr Hilary Jones.
The goal of Hearing Awareness Month is to provide 20,000 free hearing screenings and Hidden Hearing are travelling around the UK during September, providing the nation with a 3 minute hearing screening, in convenient locations such as the Sainsbury’s car park you mentioned.
The hearing screenings are free, and, anyone who does not pass the screening will be offered on the spot advice on the various routes available to tackle the problem, and will also be invited for a free, no obligation follow up hearing test appointment at their local Hidden Hearing branch. Everyone who visits us during the month will also be given further information and advice on protecting their hearing.
The free hearing screenings are to raise awareness surrounding hearing loss, give appropriate advice on next steps (if required) and no attempt will be made to sell anything at these events.

Kind Regards
Vicky

[gingejbee]

The only place that you will not be pressured into parting with cash for hearing tests and aids is an audiology dept at an NHS hospital.
I have found them excellent.

[Sqad]

Well Billy......I will try and make it simple.

As you get older. you develop a high tone hearing loss called Presbycysis..........this means that although your hearing for noise is fine, the high tone loss affects your perception of vowels and although you can hear people talking, you cannot always understand what they are saying.......in other words......to you they are mumbling.
Poor speech discrimination....no good being able to hear people speak, if you can't understand what they are talking about.

I have rambled on enough for a Q&A forum.