Hearing Aid Reviews
Best Hearing Aid For 2021
The Best instrument for an individual involves the consideration of a large number of variables, and different brands specialise in different patient requirements. Unlike High Street hearing centres, we offer independent advice to make sure you receive a recommendation that suits your specific requirements.
Free Independent Advice
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Tel - 020 8059 9645
Hearing Aid Prices & Product Guide
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Consumer Advice - 85% of Hearing Clinics Give Biased Advice
Did you know that the vast majority of hearing aid centres are owned or tied-in with a manufacturer?
This leads to entirely biased advice. How can this be allowed? Hearing aids are an important healthcare device, so this could even be considered unethical !?
Why are they biased?
All the Uk's High Street hearing aid chains are now either owned or tied-in to a hearing aid manufacturer. So when patients attend these centres, they are only recommended hearing aids that are manufactured by their owners.
To illustrate, I will use another example from another consumer product. If I were buying a car and I wanted advice on the best car for my needs, would I ask a Ford showroom what the best car is for me? I think the likelihood would be that the salesperson would recommend Ford, even if they knew that there was a better model on the market for the buyers needs.
There are 8 reputable global manufacturers represented in the UK. A truly independent hearing clinic should be able to supply from the whole range, according to what is best for the patient and their unique requirements. Each manufacturer produces niche and unique features in their models, so it is very important that the clinician is able to consider all of these features before advising on the best model.
Below, I have listed the manufacturer ownership of hearing aid centres most commonly seen in the UK today:
Boots Hearingcare - Owned by Phonak (and sister company Unitron)
Hidden Hearing - Owned by Oticon
Bloom Hearing - Owned by Widex
Specsavers - Tie-ins with Signia/Sivantos and one or two other brands at any one time.
Amplifon - Tied-in to one or two brands at any one time.
Independent Hearing Centres - NOT tied in to any manufacturer
Here at Audiological Science, we have maintained our independence from manufacturers since opening in 1998 and it has always been a firm principle of ours. See all the manufacturers we represent here
Price Considerations
Some may expect that prices are lower from providers that are owned by a manufacturer. This is simply not true. Our prices are lower than Boots, Specsavers, Amplifon, Bloom and Hidden Hearing . Additionally, we check the prices of other chains and independents to make sure our prices are lower than any other firms in the market. For 23 years, we have been well known for our price promise on all models. See our price list here
Service Considerations
Whilst the High Street chains mentioned above are all required to provide a minimum standard of aftercare, none of them will provide a service with the features we do. See our Platinum service plan here
In our view, and according to published evidence, these service features are actually crucial in ensuring the optimal performance in a hearing aid system. Patients are well advised to consider the features of our Platinum service to get the most from their hearing aids, and thereby enhanced quality of life.
Which? Report
In the independent 'Which? 2020 Hearing Aid Report on Hearing Aid Providers', Independent hearing centres came out with a Consumer Score of 86% - higher than all the high street providers mentioned above. Furthermore, independents came out on top for EVERY category in the survey - the categories were as follows :
Staff
Thorough Testing
Product Range
Hearing Aid Appearance
Hearing Aid Suitability
Aftercare
Price
Call Us Today - London's Leading Independent Hearing Clinics Tel - 020 8059 9645
Best Hearing Aid For You? Consider These Requirements
Speech Clarity
Performance in Background Noise
Performance in Background Noise
Need the hearing aid with the best clarity? Clarity is always a big priority when considering models. Some hearing aids provide excellent clarity for existing users of hearing aids, but for new users the sound may be too sharp and even seem distorted. Some hearing aids will suit new users better. Clarity can also be better with a brand / technology that you are used to.
Performance in Background Noise
Performance in Background Noise
Performance in Background Noise
Some hearing aids have proven to be more successful with speech-in-background noise. Some hearing aids automatically reduce background noise for you, but others may rely on your interaction with the controls and remote control Apps. Some hearing aids have specialist devices that work with the hearing aids to further improve performance in background noise.
Features For TV and Music
Performance in Background Noise
Features For TV and Music
We spend a few hours a day watching TV, on average. So hearing aid performance with TV is important.
Some manufacturers have focused more on performance with TV performance than others. Whilst most hearing aids are not great with music, some hearing aids have specialist features for Music. and perform well for those who have this requirement.
Size
Connectivity
Connectivity
Would I wear a hearing aid if it was visible to others, or do I need an invisible hearing aid? We specialise in invisible hearing aids. Some manufacturers claim to have invisible models but in reality they are not as small and as discreet as others. Read more about invisible
Connectivity
Connectivity
Connectivity
Do I want to connect my hearing aids to Phones, TVs, Laptops, Tablets etc? This would enhance performance, but do I have a need for this? Would I value an App to remote control my hearing aids? Read more about Connectivity
Lifestyle
Connectivity
Lifestyle
Do I really need a premium hearing aid system to help me in noisy environments, or do I only find myself mainly in smaller groups & quieter settings? Do I need features to help me in meetings, outdoors or Places of worship? Which models suit your lifestyle?
Rechargeable
Home Visits / Remote Service
Home Visits / Remote Service
Would rechargeable hearing aids be an important feature to me? Some rechargeables are more reliable than others and some provide longer charge with less charging time. Read more about rechargeables.
Home Visits / Remote Service
Home Visits / Remote Service
Home Visits / Remote Service
Do I need a home visiting service? Would I benefit from hearing aids that are have better features for Remote-Care / remote fine-tuning etc? Some manufacturers are a little behind on this concept. Ask us more about this.
Price
Home Visits / Remote Service
Price
What is my budget for hearing aids? If I do not need certain features then how could I save by choosing a system that fits my needs? See our Full Price List. Our prices are the lowest in the UK.
Service package
Professional Advice
Independent Advice
A premium hearing aid is only as good as the professional services that back it up. Am I getting these services? See our Platinum Service Plan
Independent Advice
Professional Advice
Independent Advice
The High St hearing centres will offer you their 'Best Hearing Aid' but their advice is bias because they are owned by, or tied into a manufacturer. We are 100% independent of these ties. We put the patient first.
Professional Advice
Professional Advice
Professional Advice
Make sure you receive advice from experienced, highly qualified audiologists. A premium hearing aid is only as good as its set-up. Our audiologists are qualified to Dr of Audiology' level and we have almost 70 years of combined experience !