NHS advice
NHS or private?
An honest comparison
How to reach us
01632 960500Sandra answers, and works out what to book.
Mon–Fri09:00 to 17:30
Sat09:00 to 13:00
12 Market Place, Kingsmere WX5 1EP
Getting in
- Level entrance from Market Place, no steps anywhere on the ground floor
- Hearing loop at the desk and in both test rooms; we speak clearly and face you
The NHS gives good hearing aids for nothing, and we say so on the door. Many of our patients keep their NHS aids as a spare pair. What follows is what each route involves, so you can choose with your eyes open. If the NHS is right for you, we say so and write to your GP to get you there.
Hearing tests within a week; wax removal within three days
Free hearing tests this week
Side by side
What each
route involves
Nine things people ask about, the NHS answer and ours. Neither column is wrong; they are different.
- Getting a hearing test
- NHS: see your GP, then a referral; typical wait 6 to 18 weeks depending on area.
- Here: within a week, or at home.
- The test itself
- NHS: about 30 minutes, often without speech-in-noise.
- Here: 60 minutes with video otoscopy and speech-in-noise.
- From test to fitting
- NHS: commonly 4 to 12 more weeks.
- Here: about 9 days.
- Hearing aid style
- NHS: behind-the-ear, occasionally receiver-in-canal, from an approved list.
- Here: any style from any maker, including in-the-ear and rechargeable.
- Technology level
- NHS: a good basic level, close to our Essential.
- Here: four levels up to the best available in noise.
- Real-ear measurement
- NHS: recommended, done in some clinics.
- Here: every fitting.
- Follow-ups and adjustments
- NHS: one follow-up, then a wait for a new appointment.
- Here: as many as you need in 3 months, then 4 years of aftercare, and remote adjustments.
- Batteries and repairs
- NHS: free for life.
- Here: free with Complete care; repairs while you wait.
- Cost
- NHS: nothing.
- Here: £1,495 to £3,795 a pair, or from £56 a month at 0%, with a 60-day refund.
Half keep their NHS aids
Bring the NHS
aids in
Not getting on with your NHS aids? We clean them, check them, show you how to use them, and tell you honestly whether private would help.
Our promise
If our test shows the NHS route would suit you just as well, or your hearing needs a doctor before anyone fits an aid, we tell you plainly and write to your GP the same day. Last year 3.4% of tests were referred on rather than fitted, and half the people who booked the NHS aid check left with their NHS aids and nothing to buy.
kept their NHS aids after our check
Of 230 people who booked the NHS hearing aid check, 120 left with their NHS aids working and nothing to buy.
What the check includes
- Clean, retube and new domes for your NHS aids
- Video otoscopy to check for wax
- A hearing test
- Slow, patient instruction, with a relative if you like
- A written note of what to ask your NHS clinic for
- Honest advice on whether private would add anything
If you go private
The private route,
step by step
From the phone call to four years later, in days. Nothing is decided on the day of the test.
Day 0
You phone Sandra or use the online hearing check. A test is booked within the week, at Market Place or at home.
Within a week: the test
An hour with Alan or Priya. Results on one sheet, explained. If aids would help, you listen to a pair in the room. If not, we say so.
Same day: the choice
Style and level chosen with you, price on the wall. No decision needed on the day; take the sheet home.
About day 9: the fitting
90 minutes. Real-ear measurement, the aids set to your ear, the basics taught slowly, in large print. Your 60 days start.
Weeks 2 and 6
Two follow-ups to bring the aids up to target and fix the rooms on your list. The two-week visit is when most people say 'oh'.
Years 1 to 4
Cleaning whenever you pass, a yearly hearing test and re-tune, loan aids during repairs, the same faces every time.
Free hearing tests this week
Call us.
01632 960500Sandra answers. Ring me if you are not sure. Working out what to book is my job, not yours.
Mon–Fri09:00 to 17:30
Sat09:00 to 13:00
Getting in
12 Market Place, Kingsmere WX5 1EP.
- Level entrance from Market Place, no steps anywhere on the ground floor
- Hearing loop at the desk and in both test rooms; we speak clearly and face you
- Large-print price list and appointment cards; everything we say is also written down for you
The rules on the wall
- Real-ear measurement on every fitting; 91% of pairs kept after the 60-day promise
- The test is free from 50, the prices are on the wall, and nobody here is paid on sales
- Independent since 2009: every maker, four levels, four years of aftercare with the same faces