Specsavers Hearing Test

[Jennykenny]

Two months after being told by Boots that I need a hearing aid in one ear, I'm still waiting on an appointment at the NHS department closest to me.
Has anyone used the Specsavers hearing test/hearing aid offer? And would you recommend it?

[Sqad]

No, I havent, but the Specsavers Hearing test will be an accurate basic hearing test (audiogram)

Now whether one needs a hearing aid and which type is quite another matter, one which an audiologist or DR is better qualified to answer.

[corylus]

Simple answer, get your GP to refer you to your local NHS Audiology Clinic.

[Sqad]

corylus.....she has got one......

[MichaelZZ]

No, I definitely would NOT recommend them!
When my hearing started to deteriorate I was referred to the local NHS audiology dept and less than a couple of months later I was provided with a pair of hearing aids. That was nearly 6 years ago ad since that time I have had no problems at all. The hearing aids were upgraded 2 years ago and the new ones are even better than the originals.
On the other hand, my sil decided to go to what she called a Hearing Aid Specialist , which turned out to be Specsavers. They sold her 2 hearing aids for £900 each and she immediately discarded one of these because it hurt her ear. She now only has on hearing aid which is very fiddly to put in and the only help she has had from Specsavers was that they turned off the "T" setting and offered to sell her a "better" hearing aid.
My advice would be, go to your NHS place and get some free hearing aids. If you get on OK with these then you can then think about getting some slightly less obtrusive hearing aids from some profit making outfit like S'savers. Or, you can do as I did and stick with the NHS with their advantages like free batteries, free tubes and free repairs - and I can hear!

[gingejbee]

It's not clear if the OP is referring to purely private aids from Specsavers, or their joint venture with the NHS....which works well.


http://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/hearing-aids/nhs-hearing-aids

[corylus]

I realise that but instead of waiting for Boots just use the GP for referral and then accept the free testing, free advice and free aids with free back up when needed rather than paying for 'a hearing aid offer'

[Jennykenny]

Thanks to all. Will hang on and wait for the NHS to come through.

[marval]

I got my from audiology at the hospital, via my doctor. Well worth the wait, I can hear well and all for free.

[Cathyhuns]

In my area, Specsavers hold the NHS contract for age related hearing loss under the new NHS commissioning regime. You can therefore be offered an free NHS appointment at Specsavers. You can get appointments almost immediately, rather than waiting at least 6 months for the hospital in my area, and at any Specsavers with an audiology department, so at a time and place usually more convenient to you.

I have NHS hearing aids from Specsavers, they are exactly the same as you get elsewhere on NHS and you get free batteries, tubes and repairs etc just the same.

I'd check with your Doctor as to whether your area is included in the Specsavers scheme or check here http://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/hearing-aids/nhs-hearing-aids