Specsavers Hearing Aids (2024)

marrowgirl Posts: 738 Forumite

15 April 2014 at 5:50PM

Hi Kess,

This is about 3 years old now but when I worked for a hearing aid company the aids bought by Specsavers were the same as we sold elsewhere. However my experience with the company themselves was less than stellar. I found the fitting of the aids to be poor which can make a big difference to the comfort and the sound quality . However this can vary from store to store - maybe you can get a recommendation or advice from your local hospital?

"I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants." A. Whitney Brown

15 April 2014 at 8:56PM

Hi marrowgirl,

Thanks for the response. The audiologist at my Specsavers appeared competent, although she was a bit cagey when I phoned earlier today to query the background of their hearing aids. She claimed they were the latest technology and manufactured by firms like Phonak but admitted they were rebranded and said they used different software and "had a different chip" to the manufacturers' standard hearing aids.

I'm not sure what to make of it! Perhaps I'm worrying about nothing.

Hear-Hear Posts: 325 Forumite

15 April 2014 at 11:20PM

Kess,

It's been really interesting what Specsavers have been doing. It seems that, rather than re-branding hearing aids which they did in the early days with the likes of Siemens and Starkey, they have now become licensed or registered (not sure which is the correct terminology in this case) as the manufacturer of hearing aids. However, they then contract out the actual making of their products to other manufacturers, whilst concentrating on the supply to consumers. This is quite common in many businesses.

I understand they use Phonak, Siemens, Starkey, and Bernafon. These manufacturers make the products to Specsavers specification, so the products will be unique to Specsavers. One thing Specsavers insists on is a 4-year warranty, and to get on to the Specsavers supply list is a big deal for all manufacurers. But the audiologist should be able to show you the comparative advantages and disadvantages versus the equivalents that can be had elsewhere.

As marrow girl suggests, it's the audiologist's skills and experience that make or break it in the end. It would be wise the seek a second opinion, and compare how you feel you were treated in each case.

16 April 2014 at 11:55AM

Hear-Hear,

Thanks for the input. It's interesting to hear that the products are custom-made to Specsavers specification, and with the manufacturers' support. One competitor claimed that Specsavers were simply bulk-buying hearing aids and rebranding them and that the manufacturers didn't like them doing that!

I've got an appointment with the Specsavers audiologist on Saturday so I'll try to get more information from her then.

constantworrier Posts: 377 Forumite

16 April 2014 at 2:26PM

Kess wrote: »

See Also

cost of a replacement hearing aid on NHS

Hear-Hear,

Thanks for the input. It's interesting to hear that the products are custom-made to Specsavers specification, and with the manufacturers' support. One competitor claimed that Specsavers were simply bulk-buying hearing aids and rebranding them and that the manufacturers didn't like them doing that!

I've got an appointment with the Specsavers audiologist on Saturday so I'll try to get more information from her then.

Please keep us updated. My partner can't decide between Boots or Specsavers. Thanks Kess.

Hear-Hear Posts: 325 Forumite

16 April 2014 at 7:42PM edited 16 April 2014 at 7:45PM

This comes up quite frequently in audiology circles (and in business generally). It's called "competitor trashing". Smaller businesses raise doubts in customers' minds by saying things that may or not have foundation. The question to ask the 'competitor' is, what evidence they have to support that statement. The same happens on forums such as MSE all the time - we ask posters to quote the source, and then often find it's actually an 'opinion' rather than a 'fact'.

So here's what really happens. The major audio firms like Specsavers, Boots, Amplifon, Hidden Hearing, etc, all agree their annual plans with their various manufacturers. This will include a contract to supply so many units over a 12-month period, in return for massive reductions in cost of product. The NHS do the same, by telling the manufacurers - with evidence to support - that they will purchase approx 1,000,000 units per year. Manufacturers quoting acceptable standards and the most competitive prices get placed in 'The Catalogue'. That's why the NHS can buy pretty good aids at around £100 per unit. Not even Specsavers or Boots can get that sort of price !

The big firms would not accept 'secondary' products. It would destroy their business overnight if they did.

Good luck with your appointment on Saturday. Ask all the questions you can, and make a judgement about how you feel about his/her expertise and professionalism. It would do no harm to seek at least one alternative, a second opinion in you like. I don't remember ever spending £1000 or more on anything, without considering at least one alternative !

Hear-Hear Posts: 325 Forumite

16 April 2014 at 7:49PM

constantworrier wrote: »

My partner can't decide between Boots or Specsavers.

Try both ! Make your own judgements on the products offered by each firm, the price (of course), and importantly on how experienced and professional the audiologist is. The long-term nature of the relationship with the audio is key to success IMO.

16 April 2014 at 8:55PM

The thing that puzzles me with your explanation is - if all audio firms are in the same boat with annual plans, manufacturers agreements etc. - why Specsavers opt to re-brand their aids. Surely this raises doubts in people's minds about the quality and nature of the products.

It would also be interesting to know what the wholesale prices are of hearing aids. I assume there is a huge profit margin. Any idea?

Hear-Hear Posts: 325 Forumite

16 April 2014 at 10:22PM

It's not re-branding. It's part of normal business in that a retail firm (B2C) engages a manufacturing(B2B) firm to make products for them. Happens in plenty of businesses. Indeed, in the audiology world, Specsavers isn't alone. In the UK, Hidden Hearing supply a variety of products in their own name, but they don't actually make the products. They use Oticon, who make them to specifications agreed between the two firms, at a price agreed between the firms, on the basis that a certain volume of each product will be ordered over a defined period.

No-one pays the manufacturers 'list' price. Each firm, big or small, will have negotiated a price specific to that business, with their preferred suppliers. Again, this is normal trade practice with any retailers buying products in volume from any supplier.

[Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie

17 April 2014 at 6:09AM