NHS Hearing Aids vs Private Hearing Aids

Published 25 February 2021  | Updated 07 December 2022  | 10 mins read

A pair of hearing aids Oticon Opn in a charging doc on a bedside table.

If you think you’ve noticed a change in your hearing, it is vital to have it checked as soon as possible.

The private healthcare system should not be seen as a replacement to the NHS, but a complementary service that works alongside the public health system.

If you decide to opt for private hearing care, at The Hearing Care Partnership we offer industry-leading hearing services and technology. In order to find the right hearing solution for you, we like to get to know you, your preferences, your lifestyle and truly understand the things that are most important to you. Furthermore, if you later decide that you’d prefer to use the NHS, we can provide you with your up-to-date prescription.

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What are the differences between NHS hearing care and private hearing care with us at THCP?

When deciding which type of hearing healthcare to opt for, whether it be private or NHS hearing care, there are a number of factors which could influence your decision. Everyone is different, and what may be suitable for you may not be right for somebody else. What’s most important is that you seek the right hearing care solution as soon as possible, so you can live life to the full.

Waiting times for NHS hearing services compared to private hearing services at the The Hearing Care Partnership

Waiting times may be a factor you take into consideration when deciding whether to take the NHS or private hearing care route, and whilst the NHS are working hard to reduce waiting times for both referrals and appointments, you could still wait around six weeks or longer for your hearing test and aftercare appointments.

At The Hearing Care Partnership, it will be reassuring to know that you can see one of our Audiologists quickly. You can book directly over the telephone or online for an appointment at a time and practice that suits you. You’ll talk to a member of our Dedicated Patient Support team, who will offer you an appointment usually within one week.

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Not only is the wait time for your appointment short, our local Audiologists have extended 90 minute consultations, meaning they can spend more time with you and get to know your specific needs. You are able to book follow-up appointments quickly and easily with the same Audiologist each time, so if you purchase a hearing aid, they can make sure it is fine-tuned, which is a process that should happen over a period of weeks. We also offer virtual consultations if you would rather stay at home and connect with your Audiologist online.

The cost of NHS hearing care compared to The Hearing Care Partnership

The factor that most people consider when deciding which hearing care provider to opt for is the cost of the treatment. NHS hearing care is completely free including follow-up appointments and aftercare, however the number of services and solutions are limited.

At The Hearing Care Partnership, your Full Hearing Assessment is FREE, which includes a comprehensive evaluation of your hearing and speech and an in-depth discussion regarding your specific and personal hearing and lifestyle requirements.

We also provide FREE follow-up appointments and unlimited aftercare, allowing you to rest in the knowledge that you’ll be looked after every step of the way. Alongside our advanced diagnostic hearing assessment, we provide FREE Tinnitus Consultations and home visit appointments at no extra cost. At The Hearing Care Partnership you will always be offered the highest quality individual patient care across all of our services.

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NHS Hearing Aids vs Private Hearing Aids from The Hearing Care Partnership.

Following your initial appointment at an NHS hospital or with your private Audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership, you may require hearing aids to support your hearing. At this point, you can still make the switch between NHS and private hearing care, so it’s important to continue exploring both options to find the best route for you.

Waiting times for NHS hearing aids vs private hearing aids from The Hearing Care Partnership

Whilst the NHS are reducing their waiting times, you may still wait up to 12 weeks for your NHS hearing aids to be fitted. Once they have been fitted, they must be checked to ensure they’re well adjusted, which may take several months and the sooner you have your hearing aids fitted, the sooner you can start living life to the full.

If you do require hearing aids following your Full Hearing Assessment at The Hearing Care Partnership, your Audiologist can usually fit them within two weeks, or depending on the style, sometimes even the same day. This is followed up within 24 hours and again within a week to find out how you are getting on with your new hearing aids. As part of your hearing aid purchase, we offer aftercare at any time. We recommend that your ears and hearing aids are checked every six months to keep your hearing healthy and your hearing aids fine-tuned. We also check your ears for wax during this time, which will be removed free of charge if they become congested. This prevents wax build up from affecting your hearing and the performance of your hearing aids. We also offer regular cleaning, monitoring and adjustments to ensure that you are getting the clearest and most natural sound.

NHS hearing aid technology compared to The Hearing Care Partnership hearing aid technology

The NHS does have a good range of hearing aids, and although they do provide basic hearing amplification, there are significant limitations in the technology and styles on offer. This can compromise on clarity, speech understanding and consequently your psychological health if you’re still left struggling to follow conversations.

It is an exciting time for hearing aid technology and design, offering many brilliant options and more accessibility than ever before. And as an independent hearing care provider, at THCP we thoroughly research and carefully select who we partner with.

Your hearing aid will come from an extensive range of market-leading hearing devices, all of which use technology to open your world of sound, naturally and automatically. Our wide range of hearing aid styles and fittings allow our professional Hearing Aid Dispensers to work with you, to choose what best suits you and your lifestyle, including Invisible In The Canal (IIC) Hearing Aids, In The Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids, and many more.

Our hearing aids automatically adjust, keeping all sounds comfortable and audible, and allow for a huge reduction in listening and mental effort. This means you can wear them all day without having to adjust them. If you like to have more control over your hearing aids, they can be set up with the flexibility to allow you to adjust the volume and settings in different situations.

They also connect to your smartphone through an accompanying app, allowing you to monitor usage, adjust settings, and even stream music and phone calls directly to your hearing aids. The better the technology your hearing aids have, the easier it will be for your brain to receive clearer and fuller information, with less background and environmental noise. This enables your brain to hear with less effort, even in more challenging and noisy situations. The advanced technology that we provide supports your brain better and enables you to enjoy conversations with loved ones for longer, without becoming tired.

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How much do private hearing aids cost? Let’s compare the price of NHS hearing aids to The Hearing Care Partnership hearing aids

Hearing aids provided by the NHS are free to fit, wear and care for. However, if the hearing aid you are provided with is lost or broken, you may have to pay for the cost of replacement or repair. Therefore, if they are not covered by your home or contents insurance, it may be wise to take out a separate insurance policy for your hearing aids.

At The Hearing Care Partnership, the price of our hearing aids vary depending on the make, model and style that are suited to your personal needs. We offer a choice of three brilliant Hearing Aid Packages, which include free aftercare, batteries, warranty and Ear Wax Removal. We understand that hearing aids can be a big investment, which is why our Hear Now. Pay Later. 10 and 36 month payment plans allow you to spread the cost of your hearing aids, leaving you free to concentrate on what really matters: getting the most from your new hearing aids.

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Why you should choose private hearing care and hearing aids from The Hearing Care Partnership

Although the NHS is an accessible option due to the lack of costs involved, the care you will receive from The Hearing Care Partnership is second to none.

As an accredited partner of the Ida Institute, world leaders in patient-centred care, we’re proud to provide the highest levels of care and personal service so you can make the most of your hearing.

All hearing services from The Hearing Care Partnership are carried out by our fully qualified and registered Audiologists, who will really get to know you, your hearing and lifestyle as they will stay with you from your initial consultation throughout your hearing journey. From the moment you book your appointment, you’ll receive a perfectly personal service, offering the latest hearing technology alongside rigorous care and clinical excellence to ensure you are hearing clearly and comfortably throughout your life. This can all be done from your local THCP practice.

A summary of the key benefits to accessing private audiology at The Hearing Care Partnership

  • You can book directly with the practice, allowing you to have an appointment in as little as a week
  • Virtual Appointments are available with your Audiologist
  • We offer a FREE Full Hearing Assessment and thorough discussion regarding your hearing needs as standard
  • FREE Tinnitus Consultations
  • FREE follow-up appointments, video consultations and aftercare are arranged within one week of your hearing aid fitting, for a time that suits you
  • Ear Wax Removal – FREE after purchasing a hearing aid from us
  • You will see the same Audiologist at each appointment
  • FREE Home Visit appointments are available
  • We’ll work with you to choose the best hearing aid, from an extensive range of industry-leading styles
  • We have access to the latest technology, allowing for a huge reduction in listening effort and cognitive drain, reducing fatigue and increasing wellbeing
  • Hearing aids can be fitted within two weeks of your Full Hearing Assessment (and can sometimes be fitted on the same day)
  • Our Hearing Packages include FREE batteries, filters and Ear Wax Removal
  • Payment Plans allow you to spread the cost
  • Your hearing will be monitored every six months to ensure you are getting the best individual service possible
  • Hearing aids will be cleaned, adjusted and maintained on an ongoing basis

Whether you decide to go with NHS or private hearing care, what is most important is finding the right hearing solution for your unique hearing needs – to help you live life to the full.
To book an appointment with The Hearing Care Partnership or for more information, call our Dedicated Patient Support team on 0800 52 00 546 or make an appointment online to begin your hearing journey.

(1) Bridget Shield, 2017, Hearing Loss – Numbers and Costs EVALUATION OF THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC COSTS OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT A report for Hear-It AISBL