Is this the best hearing aid model for me?

If you are looking at this page then it is likely that an audiologist has suggested that you purchase this particular hearing aid, so is this the best model for you? In general, any audiologist will always recommend to you the model that best suits your needs. Here is a useful checklist to make sure that is the case. Audiologist level of knowledge: The audiologist you have seen will hopefully have a wide knowledge of all available hearing aids, however, some will only be familiar with a small number of brands and therefore may not really be in a position to know which model is the best for you. It is OK to challenge their recommendation and ask them to justify why this particular brand is the one for you. Do research: Read about the hearing aid that was recommended. Does it seem like it will suit your lifestyle? Does it have more or fewer features than you need? Be aware of sales targets: Many high street retailers have specific tie-ins to a particular manufacturer/brand. The hearing aid they have suggested may still be the correct one for you, but do your research so that you know why they might have recommended it. If in doubt, feel free to give us a call. That's what we're here for. In the meantime, read all about our review of the best hearing aids for 2025 here

Do I need one hearing aid or two?

If you have significant hearing loss in both ears, you should be wearing two hearing aids. Here are the audiological reasons why: Localisation: The brain decodes information from both ears and compares and contrasts them. By analysing the minuscule time delays as well as the difference in the loudness of each sound reaching the ears, the person is able to accurately locate a sound source. Simply put, if you have better hearing on one side than the other, you can't accurately tell what direction sounds are coming from. Less amplification is required: A phenomenon known as “binaural summation” means that the hearing aids can be set at a lower and more natural volume setting than if you wore only one hearing aid. Head shadow effect: High frequencies, the part of your hearing that gives clarity and meaning to speech sounds, cannot bend around your head. Only low frequencies can. Therefore if someone is talking on your unaided side you are likely to hear that they are speaking, but be unable to tell what they have said. Noise reduction: The brain has its own built-in noise reduction which is only really effective when it is receiving information from both ears. If only one ear is aided, even with the best hearing aid in the world, it will be difficult for you to hear in background noise as your brain is trying to retain all of the sounds (including background noise) rather than filtering it out. Sound quality: We are designed to hear in stereo. Only hearing from one side sounds a lot less natural to us. Fancy some further reading on this topic? You can read about why two hearing aids are better than one in our article, h earing aids for both ears , here

What are the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids?

For most people, the main benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid is simple convenience. We are used to plugging in our phones and other devices overnight for them to charge up. Here are some other pros and cons: For anybody with poor dexterity or issues with their fingers, having a rechargeable aid makes a huge difference as normal hearing aid batteries are quite small and some people find them fiddly to change. One downside is that if you forget to charge your hearing aid, then it is a problem that can't be instantly fixed. For most a 30-minute charge will get you at least two or three hours of hearing, but if you are the type of person who is likely to forget to plug them in regularly then you're probably better off with standard batteries. Rechargeable aids are also a little bit bigger and are only available in Behind the Ear models. Finally, just like with a mobile phone, the amount of charge you get on day one is not going to be the same as you get a few years down the line. Be sure to ask what the policy is with the manufacturer warranty when it comes to replacing the battery. Looking for more information on rechargeable hearing aids? Read our dedicated page on the topic here

Are behind the ear aids better than in the ear aids?

For most people, the answer is yes. But it's never that simple. The majority of hearing problems affect the high frequencies a lot more than the low ones. Therefore open fitting hearing aids sound a lot more natural and ones that block your ears up can make your own voice sound like you are talking with your head in a bucket. Therefore in-ear aids tend to be less natural. However the true answer is we can't tell until we have had a look in your ears to assess the size of your ear canal, and until we have tested your hearing to see which frequencies are being affected. People with wider ear canals tend to have more flexibility, also there are open fitting modular CIC hearing aids now that do not block your ears. There is also the age old rule to consider, that a hearing aid will not help you if it's sat in the drawer gathering dust. If the only hearing aid you would be happy wearing is one that people can't see, then that's what you should get. Most people can adapt to any type of hearing aid, as long as they know what to expect. Have an honest conversation with your audiologist as to what your needs are.

What are channels, and how many do I need?

Generally speaking, six or more. Unless it's none at all. The number of channels a hearing aid has is often a simplistic way an audiologist will use to explain why one hearing aid is better than another, but channels are complex and it is really not that straightforward. Here are some reasons why: Hearing aids amplify sounds of different frequencies by different amounts. Most people have lost more high frequencies than low and therefore need more amplification in the high frequencies. The range of sounds you hear are split into frequency bands or channels and the hearing aids are set to provide the right amount of hearing at each frequency level. Less than six channels and this cannot be done with much accuracy, so six is the magic number. However, a six channel aid is typically very basic with few other features and is suitable only for hearing a single speaker in a quiet room. The number of channels is not what you should be looking at, it's more the rest of the technology that comes with them. As a final note, different manufacturers have different approaches. One method is not necessarily better than any other. For example, some manufacturers have as many as 64 channels in their top aids. Most tend to have between 17 and 20. One m anufacturer has no channels at all.

Where can I get the hearing aids covered?

Hearing aids are easily lost, misplaced or damaged and typically are one of the most expensive personal possessions an individual can own. We offer hearing aid warranty coverage for £80 per year per aid. Find out more about this service we provide here

How much does the hearing test cost?

All our audiologists use the very latest technology and provide the full range of tests to accurately measure your hearing for free. Find out about what hearing healthcare services we offer all our customers here

Do home visits cost extra?

Hearing Aid UK offers all their customers free home visiting services, even in a care home environment, for no extra cost. Including hearing tests, fittings, maintenance, check-ups and much more in the comfort of your own home and at your convenience. Find out more information about our home visits here

How come you're much cheaper than other places?

Here, at Hearing Aid UK, we are dedicated to offering low hearing aid prices. We achieve this by having no head office and low marketing costs. Our hearing aid prices are amongst the lowest you will find anywhere in the world. Explore our prices, brands, and models here

Amplifon Compare Our Hearing Aid Prices £££

Who is Amplifon?

Plus, information about Amplifon hearing aids UK

Overview | Amplifon hearing aids alternatives | Why choose us instead? | Conclusion

Update 08/02/21: Amplifon have scaled down their UK operations and have pulled out of their 21 shops in Scotland. It is unknown at this time if other stores will be affected. If you are having difficulties contacting your local Amplifon store, call Amplifon head office on 0161 209 7000.

An introduction to Amplifon hearing aids

Amplifon is one of the larger national retailers and operates in 18 countries and is one of our competitors in the industry. Their global head office is in Milan, Italy. In the UK, they are based near Manchester (close to the airport). They have about 100 branches and employ around 60 dispensers.

Amplifon entered the UK market in 2006 with the acquisition of the Ultravox group of companies. Ultravox was previously the largest hearing aid retailer in the UK and owned several retailers: Amplivox Ultratone, Sietech, and Hearing Health.

At the moment, Amplifon is not owned by any manufacturer, and they mainly sell their own brand of "Ampli" aids, which can be made by one of a number of manufacturers, but at the time of writing, were made by Phonak.

Amplifon hearing aids alternatives, reviews, and prices

Other than independent hearing aid dispensers like us, the main Amplifon alternatives are Boots Hearing Care, Specsavers Hearcare, Hidden Hearing, Bloom Hearing, and Scrivens.

Find out the differences between independent retailers and those of the high street, and how hearing aid wearers ranked all hearing aid dispensers in the latest Which? Report - including Amplifon hearing aids here

Want to know more about Amplifon? Amplifon doesn't publish their hearing aid prices online, and you couldn't compare them even if they did, as the technology they sell is rebranded under their own "Ampli" brand to prevent price comparisons. You would have to visit their stores for an assessment to learn their costs.

Why choose us instead of Amplifon?

At Hearing Aid UK, our mission is to make hearing care accessible, affordable, and hassle-free for everyone. We’re a nationwide network of independent, fully qualified audiologists, all registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Unlike many large retailers, we prioritise offering top-quality products and services at prices you won’t find anywhere else.

We understand that choosing a hearing aid is a significant decision, which is why we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee on all our hearing aids, alongside a manufacturer’s warranty. What’s more, we’re with you for the long term, providing complete aftercare, including upgrades, fine-tuning, servicing, and retesting – all included for as long as you need us.

So, why choose us?

Transparent and honest pricing: Unlike many companies that hide their prices or pressure you into buying something you're unsure about, we believe in complete transparency. Our prices are clear from the start, and we encourage you to compare them – we’re confident you'll find them hard to beat.

No hidden charges: We’re committed to providing real value for money. What you see is what you pay – no unexpected fees or hard-sell tactics. If you've received a quote elsewhere, give us a call – we’re often able to offer a better deal.

Free hearing tests and home visits: Whether you prefer visiting one of our local clinics or having a professional audiologist come to you, we offer both options at no extra charge.

Extensive coverage: With over 200 audiologists across the UK, we’re always nearby to offer you the best support and service, wherever you are.

Comprehensive aftercare: All our services, including adjustments, retesting, and fine-tuning, are completely free after your initial purchase. The only things you’ll pay for are the hearing aid and batteries.

What’s the catch?

There isn’t one. By keeping our overheads low – we don’t have a head office or expensive advertising campaigns – we’re able to pass those savings directly to you. Plus, we only offer the latest digital hearing aid technology to ensure you get the very best, whether you’re looking for something advanced or a more budget-friendly option.