Which Report? Best hearing aid providers for 2024: Why it matters where you buy your hearing aid from

The 2024 Which Report for the Best Hearing Aid Providers

 In the UK

Overview    |    Local independent retailer results    |    Why it matters where you buy your hearing aid from    |    Key takeaways    |    Conclusion

Overview

Choosing the right hearing aids is a complex process with so many factors to consider.  Should you buy your hearing aids privately or go through the NHS service? 

How much should you be paying for them, and what providers have the best service?  What better way to find out than through Which? Report's statistics?

To obtain these results, they surveyed over 1,572 of their customers to give consumers a better idea of the best hearing aid providers out there. 

Digital hearing aid users were asked about their experiences with different retailers, with questions about which outlets offer the best hearing tests, the greatest choice of products, and who offers the best value for money.

Please note that Which? only allows us to show the details of ourselves, the "independent local providers".  To see the ranking of our competitors, such as Boots, Specsavers, Amplifon, Hidden Hearing, and Scrivens, you would need to subscribe to Which?.  

Local independent retailers, like us, come first again

As with the last three Which Report publications before this one, local independent audiologists come top.  This survey shows that independent retailers like us are rated the highest by hearing aid consumers, coming in at 86%.

Because we are the largest network of such independent audiologists, Which? has permitted us to write this article about their report, and they classify us as such.

However, it should be noted that other independent audiologists who are not part of our network are also considered equally highly.

Our network consists of over 200 independent audiologists. We have over 200 clinic locations, as well as offering a full home visit service.

Which Report 2024 ratings for independents

• Rated as excellent with 5 stars in most categories.
• Rated as "4 stars" for staff professionalism and customer service, hearing aid suitability, and value for money.
• Worth noting that the average price through an independent retailer was £3217.74, which is more in line with the very most expensive pair we sell. This is because some independent retailers who are not connected to us charge exorbitant prices. 

What hearing aids do we sell?

Hearing Aid UK supplies hearing aids from every single one of the manufacturers, without bias. We have no ties to any brands.  Value for money is more than just getting a bargain; it's all about the whole package and the aftercare you receive that brings value to the client. 

Choosing the Right Hearing Aid Provider

Why it matters where you buy your hearing aid from

Finding an audiologist you can trust and getting the right aftercare is crucial

Finding the right hearing aid provider is one of the most important parts of the hearing aid process.  In fact, many hearing care professionals would argue it's actually more important than which specific hearing aid model you choose - and there's good reason for this.

There are a handful of really good manufacturers in the industry, so the difference between a good and bad hearing aid is usually down to the service, fit, and aftercare from your audiologist rather than the device itself.  

A brilliant hearing aid fitted poorly or programmed incorrectly simply won't work as it should, whilst a mid-range device optimally fitted and properly maintained can deliver excellent results.

Discovering an audiologist you can trust will ultimately result in the best hearing aid for you, your lifestyle, and your hearing loss.  Without the right professional hearing aid provider offering optimum aftercare, you could end up with the wrong device that you won’t wear.  

Research from the University of Manchester shows that approximately 20% of hearing aid owners in the UK don't use their aids at all, with the quality of interaction with healthcare professionals being the largest predictor of hearing aid benefit - even more than the degree of hearing loss itself.

Hearing aid retailers and providers differ in their service and aftercare, with independents coming out on top.  At Hearing Aid UK, we know how important aftercare is and recognise that it plays an integral role in hearing healthcare. 

Because of this, we always build strong and trusting relationships with our patients.  We also know that treating all hearing loss in the same way will not work.  

Everyone's hearing loss is unique - it's not just about the degree of loss but how it affects your daily life, the environments you find yourself in, and what matters most to you in terms of sound quality and comfort.

Key takeaways and what to look for in a hearing aid provider:

• Comprehensive aftercare packages that don't charge extra for adjustments
• Time spent understanding your lifestyle and listening needs
• Access to multiple manufacturers and models, not just one brand
• Ongoing support throughout the life of your hearing aids
• Clear, transparent pricing with no hidden costs

Conclusion

The 2024 Which? Report makes it rather clear that where you buy your hearing aids matters just as much as which aids you buy. Independent local retailers consistently outperform the larger chains because they focus on building genuine relationships with their customers rather than simply shifting products.

If you're considering hearing aids, the evidence suggests you'd be wise to start with an independent local audiologist. Successful hearing aid use isn't just about the technology in your ears - it's about having someone in your corner who takes the time to get the fitting right and will still be there to help you down the line.

Want to know more about us?

To discover more about us, watch the video about what we offer to our customers, our hearing aid prices, and more below. 

If you would like any more information about the above article, high street retailers, or the difference between them and the service we provide, call us free for an informal chat on 0800 567 7621