The price of digital hearing aids can be an important factor when selecting the best solution for you. At Hearing Aid UK we offer low prices on the full range of commercially available digital hearing aids and we publish our prices for all to see. Our prices include all testing, fitting, programming and aftercare for the life of the hearing aids.

Digital Hearing Aids

So why are digital hearing aids so expensive?

When you purchase a digital hearing aid through Hearing Aid UK you are not simply purchasing a consumer product. You are also employing the services of our audiologists for the life of those digital hearing aids at no extra cost.

This is commonly referred to as “aftercare”. Aftercare includes the likes of periodic hearing tests and assessments, reprogramming of the hearing aids, rehabilitation of the client and much more. A digital hearing aid should last about 5 years if taken care of properly and perhaps much longer.

Most of the digital hearing aids listed on our price list are actually “ranges” of hearing aids. This means that they are available in many different shapes and sizes. Contrary to most people’s belief, the physical size and shape of the hearing aid bears no relation to the cost.

The price is determined by the level of technology contained within the hearing instrument. Here is a list of the most commonly used styles of hearing aids in order of size – starting with the smallest first:

IIC: Invisible In the Canal. The smallest hearing aid and is totally invisible.
CIC: Completely In the Canal. Slightly larger than an IIC but usually completely invisible. Very small but can be seen when looking directly into the ear canal.
Half Shell: Occupies half of the outer ear.
Full Shell: Occupies the whole of the outer ear.
RIC: Behind the ear aid with the receiver (speaker) In the Canal. Very small and very cosmetic.
RITE: Receiver In The Ear. Just another name for an RIC.
Mini BTE: Small Behind The Ear aid but the sound is sent to the ear via a small tube.
Standard BTE: Slightly larger than a Mini BTE.
Power BTE: The largest and most powerful hearing aid for severe/profound hearing losses.

Digital Hearing Aid Manufacturers

There are six major hearing aid manufacturers or hearing aid brands - namely Oticon, Widex, ReSound, Phonak, Starkey and Sivantos (Signia). Interestingly, the first three are Danish companies. Each manufacturer has its own unique technology and provides a different client experience. It is therefore in the interest of the client to be able to have access to all products available.

Most audiologists in the UK have affiliations with certain manufacturers or offer a limited price list. Hearing Aid UK is able to choose from all commercially available hearing instruments. When our audiologists recommend a hearing instrument then you can be assured that it has been selected from the widest possible choice.

Which Type of Hearing Aid is Best for Me?

How to choose the right one

So, how do I choose the right hearing aid? The choice of what hearing aid to choose is perhaps not as straightforward as one may think. There's no 'one size fits all' when it comes to choosing them. The usual procedure is that the hearing aid dispenser recommends a particular model and the client ultimately decides whether or not they are prepared to pay “that much money” and frequently a compromise is sought.

The main factors to consider when selecting a hearing aid are:

Cost – What is the client’s budget?
Cosmetics – How important is it for the client that the aid is as discreet as possible?
Lifestyle – What are the needs and expectations of the client?
Usability – Are they able to physically handle the technology? (remote controls etc)
Audiology – What type and level of hearing loss does the client have?

Cost

My advice to any and every prospective hearing aid purchaser is always the same. Always invest in the best technology that you can afford. Only you really know your budget. Sadly, many dispensers are afraid of offering the very best hearing aids to their clients.

This may sound strange but many hearing aid companies charge excessive prices and their dispensers know it. They, therefore, suggest lower technology hearing instruments at a more palatable price.

Cosmetics

There’s little point in buying some hearing aids and then not wearing them because of embarrassment. There are plenty of cosmetic solutions out there so this really shouldn’t be a problem.

Lifestyle

More demanding lifestyles require more clever features. There are many hearing aids that offer wireless connectivity to devices such as the television, telephones, mobile telephones and hands-free car telephones.

Although you may not need these straight away you may wish to consider hearing aids that can perform such functions at a later date. Your aids should last at least 5 years and the accessories are actually quite cheap in comparison to the hearing aids themselves.

Usability

Make sure you are comfortable with handling the batteries, inserting and removing the aids, using the remote controls etc.

Audiology

If you have a severe or profound hearing loss then you may require a more powerful hearing aid. This could substantially reduce the options available to you and rule out the smaller hearing aids. Certain rarer types of hearing loss may indicate other specialist technology such as conductive hearing losses requiring bone conduction hearing instruments.

Which type of hearing aid is best for me? - In summary

Discuss your needs in-depth with the hearing aid audiologist and ask them to make their recommendations to you and to find out what the best hearing aids are on the market. Don’t be afraid to challenge them and ask them to explain their thought process.

Ask them to quote you for the very best hearing aid that would be suitable for you. As a general rule, the very best technology should cost no more than around £1600-£1700 per hearing aid inclusive of a 5 year extended warranty. If they’re asking for more than this write down the aids they have quoted then compare prices on the internet.

How do I choose a hearing aid?

Steps to better hearing today

Contact us free on 0800 567 7621 for a phone consultation with one of our audiologists. Alternatively, you can fill out the form below.
Book a hearing test and have a hearing test with your local audiologist.
Find the right hearing aid for you.
Get to know and wear your hearing aids.
Make any adjustments in your follow-up appointment.
Free aftercare for life.

Discover Digital Hearing Aids