Hearing Aid Aftercare in the UK
Information on our aftercare programme
Overview
Hearing aid aftercare includes daily cleaning, battery management, and proper storage. Audiologists play an important role by providing routine check-ups, adjustments, and troubleshooting. They also educate wearers on best practices and address any concerns. Regular follow-ups ensure optimal performance and comfort, enhancing the overall effectiveness of hearing aids in daily life.
Here's something that sets us apart: whilst many providers charge £50-150 per aftercare appointment, or require expensive annual service plans, we include unlimited lifetime aftercare at no extra cost. This isn't a promotional offer or limited-time deal - it's simply how we believe hearing healthcare should work.
So what happens after you have your hearing aid fitted?
When you purchase hearing aids from us, they include a lifetime of aftercare. This means that our hearing aid prices include all testing, fitting, programming, follow-up appointments and ongoing aftercare for the life of the hearing aids. There are no hidden surprises.
Whether you need us in three weeks, three months, or three years - we'll be here, at no additional charge. No appointment fees, no "service contracts" to renew, no charges for home visits if you need them.
This article focuses on the hearing aftercare services we provide, which support you and your level of hearing loss and ensure that you are getting the most out of your hearing aids. We want you to wear your hearing aids confidently for years to come, not worrying about hidden costs every time you need support.
What exactly does lifetime aftercare include?
Our comprehensive aftercare covers everything you need for successful long-term hearing aid use. All of this is included for as long as you own your hearing aids - genuinely for life, not just the warranty period.
- Unlimited adjustment appointments - whether in clinic or at home
- Annual hearing tests to monitor any changes in your hearing
- Regular cleaning and maintenance checks
- Professional earwax removal when needed (using microsuction or irrigation)
- Troubleshooting and repairs (parts and labour covered under warranty)
- Software updates and firmware upgrades for your hearing aids
- Reprogramming if your hearing changes
- Advice on accessories and assistive devices
- Remote video consultations when you need quick support
- Loaner hearing aids if yours need repair
- Battery supply coordination and standing orders
- Education on proper care and maintenance
- Support for family members who help with your hearing care
Follow-up appointments after your hearing aid fitting
Whether we fit your hearing aids in a clinic or in your own home, the way you hear every day is important to us. This is why our follow-up appointments are a great way of checking that you are getting on with your hearing aids. These appointments also allow our audiologists to learn from you about the devices you have to match your listening goals and hearing needs in real life.
Your first follow-up is typically scheduled 2-3 weeks after fitting - this gives you time to experience your hearing aids in real-world situations whilst ensuring we catch any issues early. Don't worry about "bothering" us with questions or concerns - this appointment is specifically for fine-tuning based on your actual experiences.
It is normal to take several weeks to adjust to your new soundscape, and there may be a few hearing aid tweaks needed along the way. We can listen to the feedback of your current listening experiences, and by reading the data from your hearing aids, we can get a bigger picture of how well you are hearing.
If needed, we can adjust the settings accordingly to better fit your hearing goals going forward. Modern hearing aids store detailed data about your listening environments, how often you wear them, and which situations you find challenging.
This objective data, combined with your subjective feedback, helps us make precise adjustments that genuinely improve your daily hearing experience.
Our ongoing care for your hearing aids and hearing healthcare
Your future check-ups are also important to ensure that your hearing performance is maintained and continues to give you the support you need. Your hearing aid review appointments will usually be booked annually or at your audiologist's discretion.
However, if you feel you need to be seen any earlier, then our audiologists will be happy to arrange an appointment at your convenience. Remember, all appointments are free of charge. You don't need a "reason" to book an appointment - if something doesn't feel quite right, that's reason enough. We'd rather see you proactively than have you struggle unnecessarily.
Annual check-ups typically include:
- Comprehensive hearing test to identify any changes
- Physical inspection of your hearing aids for wear and damage
- Thorough cleaning, including the microphone and receiver ports
- Checking and replacing domes, filters, or wax guards as needed
- Reviewing your satisfaction and listening to challenges
- Updating software if manufacturer improvements are available
- Discussing whether your current technology still meets your needs
- Planning for eventual upgrades when the time comes
Think of it rather like an MOT for your hearing aids - regular maintenance prevents bigger problems later and ensures you're always hearing your best.
Servicing appointments for your hearing aids, hearing aid batteries and assistive devices
In between audiology appointments, you might need to book an appointment for adjustments, repairs, hearing aid maintenance, earwax removal, upgrades or general advice. If this is the case, then our audiologists would be happy to see and support you.
Common reasons people book interim appointments:
- "My hearing aids sound muffled" (often just needs professional cleaning)
- "I'm struggling in my weekly bridge club" (we can adjust noise management for that specific environment)
- "My right aid keeps whistling" (usually a quick fix - poor fit, wax buildup, or needs new dome)
- "I'm going on holiday and want to ensure everything's working perfectly" (we call these 'peace of mind' appointments)
- "I dropped my hearing aid and now it rattles" (we'll assess whether it needs repair)
- "My hearing seems worse recently" (we'll test whether your hearing has changed or your aids need adjustment)
None of these appointments cost anything extra - they're all covered under your lifetime aftercare.
If you don't have rechargeable hearing aids, you will need to change your hearing aid batteries frequently. Our audiologists can ensure that you are supplied with the right type of hearing aid batteries for your hearing aids. They will also ensure that you are never worrying that you'll run out, as most of our audiologists can create standing orders for you each month.
They can contact you when your hearing aid batteries are ready to be collected or post them directly to you. This means that you will never miss out on the power you need - your audiologist will manage this for you. Battery standing orders typically cost £8-12 monthly for most users, delivered directly to your door - one less thing to remember or worry about.
You may also want to enquire about hearing aid assistive devices to enhance your hearing even further. Your audiologist can schedule an appointment to go through all the products available that would benefit your hearing and lifestyle needs, and order accordingly.
Accessories like TV streamers, remote microphones, or phone adapters aren't essential, but they can transform specific situations that matter to you. We'll only recommend what genuinely adds value to your particular lifestyle.
Remote care when you need support fast
Our audiologists also offer a remote care service by video or telephone. This might be just for advice and guidance you need in real-time or to get your hearing aids remotely adjusted. This is done via your mobile and is a convenient service for when you can't get to the clinic, but you need changes to be made fast.
Most remote appointments can be scheduled within 24-48 hours, sometimes even same-day if urgent. There's no charge for remote consultations - they're covered under your lifetime aftercare just like in-person visits.
However, if needed, at-home appointments and other hearing healthcare services can be done in the comfort of your own home for no extra cost if needed.
Our network of over 200 audiologists across the UK means we can usually arrange home visits within your local area. This is particularly valuable if you have mobility issues, transport difficulties, or simply prefer the convenience of care at home.
Need more information about our aftercare?
Hearing aid aftercare is essential for optimal performance and longevity. Regular cleaning prevents earwax buildup, while routine checks ensure proper functionality at home. Wearers should also monitor battery levels and schedule professional maintenance check-ups.
Additionally, we educate our patients about safe handling and storage so they can enhance their hearing experience and ensure consistent sound quality.
New to us? Call us free on 0800 567 7621 to talk to an audiologist who can go through our services, home visits, hearing aids, and aftercare.
Our specialist service includes:
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Other pages you might find useful
FAQs
In general, any audiologist will always recommend to you the hearing aid model that best suits your needs. Here is a useful checklist to make sure that is the case.
- Audiologist's 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 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 them 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, hearing aids for Both Ears, here
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's warranty when it comes to replacing the battery.
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.
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 is 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 manufacturer has no channels at all.
Manufacturer's warranties typically last between 2-5 years, depending on the brand and model, and cover defects in materials and workmanship. This includes repairs for component failures, electronic malfunctions, and manufacturing defects, but excludes damage from misuse, accidents, or normal wear. Most manufacturers also include loss and damage insurance for the first year.
We handle all warranty claims on your behalf, liaising with manufacturers and ensuring you get replacement devices quickly when needed. This comprehensive warranty coverage, combined with our lifetime aftercare, gives you complete peace of mind.
Our hearing tests are completely free, whether at our clinics or in your home. Unlike other providers who charge £30-£100 for home visits, we believe hearing healthcare should be accessible without financial barriers. Our comprehensive assessments include examination by a registered audiologist, audiogram results, and personalised recommendations.
All testing, future adjustments, and ongoing support are included at no extra cost. While NHS tests are also free, typical 6-week waiting periods often lead people to seek immediate private testing. We provide prompt, professional assessments that fit your schedule and budget.
Yes, we offer completely free home visits throughout the UK, and this service is included in our prices with no additional charges. Home visits are particularly valuable for people with mobility issues, busy schedules, or those who simply prefer the comfort and convenience of their own environment.
Our audiologists can conduct full hearing tests, fit hearing aids, and provide ongoing support in your home. This service sets us apart from many providers who either don't offer home visits or charge extra for them.
We can offer prices up to 40% lower than high street retailers because of our business model. As a network of 200+ independent audiologists, we don't have the massive overheads of large retail chains - no expensive high street premises, no sales targets pushing audiologists to sell the most expensive options, and no costly marketing campaigns.
However, we maintain the same buying power as the big chains because we purchase on behalf of our entire nationwide network. This means you get access to the same premium hearing aids with professional service, but at genuinely competitive prices.
We offer a comprehensive 60-day money-back guarantee, which gives you twice the industry standard time to properly assess whether your hearing aids are right for you. This extended period recognises that adjusting to hearing aids takes time, and your brain needs several weeks to adapt to the amplified sounds.
Unlike many providers who offer just 30 days, we believe 60 days gives you the confidence to test your hearing aids in all the situations that matter to you - from quiet conversations at home to busy restaurants and outdoor activities.
Ask the Experts
Get free independent impartial advice from the experts you can trust. We offer nationwide coverage and huge savings on all our hearing aids.
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Redditch
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B97 5QA
Latest Launch
When we refer to a product as 'Latest Launch', we mean it is the latest to be released on the market.
New
When we refer to a product as 'New', we mean that the product is the newest hearing aid model on the market.
When we refer to a product as 'Superseded', we mean that there is a newer range available which replaces and improves on this product.
Older Model
When we refer to a product as an 'Older Model', we mean that it is has been superseded by at least two more recent hearing aid ranges.