What is the difference between private and NHS hearing aids?

If you prefer you can listen to this article by playing the audio above.

The main difference is that NHS hearing aids are free.

However, there is the worry that you become trapped into using a hearing device that is not the best fit for you.

It’s not that NHS hearing devices are poor quality or inferior. They simply have less choice. They are limited to offering you products from the manufacturers that the government has made a deal with to supply the NHS.

If you go to your own independent audiologist, like us, you have complete choice. We will go above and beyond to ensure that you get the results you want from your hearing aids.

How much are hearing aids

This depends on a few basic features.

  1. Type of Hearing Aid
  2. Features
  3. Technology level
  4. Manufacturer

There are many types of hearing aids, we’ve written about them here. The NHS will generally provide Behind The Ear equipment. We provide the type that best suits your needs, lifestyle, hearing abilities and budget.

Behind the Ear Hearing Aids
BTE or Behind The Ear Hearing Aids

Each type of hearing aid can offer a wide range of features. These can include:

  • Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phones and even TVs
  • A mobile phone app to control volume and other settings
  • Rechargeable
  • Cosmetics

The NHS is limited to contracted suppliers. At Bollington Hearing Centre we do not work with “preferred” suppliers. We use all of the manufacturers so you can always get the best hearing device for you.

Why are hearing aids so expensive?

This depends on what each person thinks of as expensive.

In comparison to free with the NHS, anything else may be thought of as expensive.

When you start to consider your personal choice, your individual requirements such as:

  • How difficult are you finding it to hear?
  • How much is your hearing affecting your life and relationships?
  • What sort of after-care and ongoing service do you want?
  • How quickly do you want to get your hearing aids?
  • Which features do you need?
  • How visible do you want your hearing aids to be?

The value, to you, of these different features and long-term care questions defines whether hearing aids are expensive or not.

Why should I pay for my hearing devices?

Because you want more than you will get from the free aids you will get from the NHS.

Of course, you simply do not have to pay for them at all. It is a case of weighing up the potential life-changing benefits of restoring your hearing back to its best.

In our experience hearing loss can negatively affect your daily life. For example you may find that you are avoiding situations where you have difficulty following conversations, listening to the television or using the telephone. Consequently you start to miss out on these things and can become socially isolated, withdrawn and less involved in your community.

It can be a wonderful experience to get back all of these things that you are currently missing out on.

What can I do if I can’t afford to pay for them

We can also help here. The cost need not be horrific at all.

But you will probably find that hearing aids don’t actually cost as much as you think. As a result you can experience the magic of recovering your hearing.

Then we can offer the option of interest free finance and “can’t afford” becomes “can’t wait to start using them”!

So the question is not, “Do I need a private hearing aid?”, the question is, “Do I want the best hearing I can have?”.

Conclusion: What is the difference between NHS and private hearing aids?

Yes, NHS hearing aids will cost you less, they are provided free. But the NHS solution will also take longer to access and not necessarily provide the best solution for you personally.

But if you prefer to fulfil all of your needs and you want to seize the opportunity to regain your full range of hearing, book an appointment with us now.

Remember you are under no obligation. Come in for a chat, let us test your hearing, for free. Subsequently we can explore all of your options so you can make your best decision.

In short, are you ready to reclaim your full range of hearing?

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