Hearing aids - Halo Hearing Solutions (2024)

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BrokenSky Posts: 30 Forumite

17 November 2023 at 11:43AM in Disability money matters

Hi,

Apologies if I'm posting this in the wrong thread.

I am investigating looking into getting hearing aids privately, as I have developed mild/moderate hearing loss. I have an audiologist and had a comprehensive hearing test at an independent store, Halo Hearing Solutions in Berkhamstead. I'm interested in discreetReceiver-in-the-canal (RIC) type of hearing aids.

I've been quoted £3,500 to £4,000 for the Widex brand RICs, and I was wondering if this is reasonable considering I think they look to be a professional outfit that will also provide a good aftercare and support service (included in the price), who are fairly local. Has anyone else received hearing aids or support from Halo that can give me their opinion? Are there better alternatives elsewhere?

Spoonie_Turtle Posts: 9,243 Forumite

17 November 2023 at 4:10PM

What have the NHS offered you? NHS aids are generally discreet with the thin tubing nowadays too.

1
Lorian Posts: 5,898 Forumite

See Also
Hearing Aids - Specsavers Specsavers hearing aids Specsavers Hearing Aids hearing aid insurance..

17 November 2023 at 5:19PM

..,and don't cost and they supply the batteries.

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M25 Posts: 230 Forumite

19 November 2023 at 4:51AM

I try to avoid any company with the name 'solutions' in their title.
Why haven't you considered the NHS? I don't know the process but I assume you'd speak to your GP.
If I were getting a specialist chair and I was eligible to get it from the NHS I'd rather that than go to Argos.
If you have money to burn the now -and later with no guarantee of good aftercare- then go ahead with that shop.
Eldi_Dos Posts: 1,979 Forumite

19 November 2023 at 10:59AM

@BrokenSky
A friend who recently got aids,has them linked to their mobile phone which they find very convenient and makes carrying on business a lot less fraught. Check that model you are offered has this function.
basill Posts: 1,411 Forumite

19 November 2023 at 6:58PM edited 19 November 2023 at 6:58PM
See Also
cost of a replacement hearing aid on NHS

I Have recently gone the NHS route, starting point was a free basic hearing check at Specsavers. They provided a letter for the GP requesting a referral to NHS audiologist. My NHS hearing test was around 6months wait followed by another couple of months wait for fitting.
An additional appointment for adjustments was around 6-8 weeks wait.The aids provided are quite modern with bluetooth and app control of the various modes.I think in some areas Specsavers are the provider of NHS aids and this may be quicker than the hospital audiology service used where I live.
Obviously the NHS is the best value but waiting lists are long. Ask your GP roughly how long people are waiting before you decide.
sheramber Posts: 20,518 Forumite

23 November 2023 at 7:19PM

I have NHS hearing aids and they are basic. No Bluetooth or app control.
No choice.
Eldi_Dos Posts: 1,979 Forumite

23 November 2023 at 9:16PM edited 23 November 2023 at 9:23PM

sheramber said:

I have NHS hearing aids and they are basic. No Bluetooth or app control.
No choice.
Arrange appointment and hopefully get a updated version.The friend I referenced went NHS route
Savvy_Sue Posts: 46,629 Forumite

23 November 2023 at 11:25PM

Eldi_Dos said:

sheramber said:

I have NHS hearing aids and they are basic. No Bluetooth or app control.
No choice.
Arrange appointment and hopefully get a updated version.The friend I referenced went NHS route
I've only just been given Bluetooth; a friend who got aids over a year ago got that immediately; and DH is jealous because he was told he'd get it 'next year' when he'd be offered an upgrade.
Except he hasn't been recalled, and we're well past 'next year'.
I say he should get in touch, but I know they have a very cavalier approach to re-testing: I tend to push for annual tests (which means I get them every other year because it takes so long to get in touch with them and for them to get back to me) because when they left it three years they were a bit shocked at how much worse my hearing was. It slides up on you without you noticing.
So if you've had your aids more than a year I'd say it was worth contacting them and asking for a re-test.

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ChrisJJ Posts: 249 Forumite

26 November 2023 at 3:15PM

I have NHS hearing aids. They're perfectly adequate. I can control them from an app on my phone, they connect via bluetooth. If I'd had an iphone I"d have been able to listen to music/take calls via them as well. The NHS provides free batteries for the aids and if I have a problem I can be seen quite quickly by the audtiologist. I have mild/moderate hearing loss at high frequencies.