Hearing Aid FAQs
Hearing aids are constantly changing thanks
to modern technology and the internet has
now made it much easier to find the right
quality hearing aid at the right price.
We supply every hearing aid made by each of
the the leading manufacturers including
Oticon, Phonak, Siemens, Widex, GN Resound,
Starkey and Unitron and the latest digital
hearing aids including the Oticon Epoq,
Phonak Exelia, Widex Passion / Inteo,
Resound Azure & the Unitron Yuu, and also
now supplying Bluetooth hearing aids and
colour screen remote controls bringing
hearing aids into the modern digital era.
There are
several ways to buy a hearing aids, but by far
the best quality hearing aids and the lowest
prices are to be found via the internet. The
reason? Simply because online
hearing aid retailers do not have
large overheads tied up in expensive premises,
staffing and media advertising.
'Crystal
Hearing UK' are independent
RHAD's (Registered
Hearing Aid Dispensers) covering the entire UK
and we operate strictly within the guidelines as
laid down by the
hearing aid council code
of conduct. For this reason you can be assured
we offer professional service and supply only
top quality discount hearing aids with the most
up to date technology.
The very
top of the range hearing aids from national
retailers are typically around £5000-6000 a
pair. All our hearing aids are the latest
technology offered by each manufacturer and
come with complete aftercare, but our prices
are up to 50% cheaper at around £3000 a
pair, so why would you want to pay more for
the same product? We also have a
large selection of hearing aids
starting from only £300 for binaural hearing
aids. We also offer a
30 day full money back guarantee.
Some of the
national high street retailers where you could
be paying over the odds include; Amplifon (also
known as Amplivox
Ultratone and Sietech), Hidden
Hearing, Ormerods (at Boots Chemists and now
also incorporating Advanced Hearing), KIND
(formerly Prestige Hearing), Regional Hearing and The Hearing
Company (formerly Scrivens). These companies
have a long standing in the hearing aid industry
and many are very expensive compared to us.
Local independent companies in your area retail
from branches and shops by independent
dispensers and rely on local reputation and
local advertising. Many of them are very
reputable but they still incur very expensive
overheads and thus premium digital hearing aids
often retail at about £4500 per pair.
Hearing aid manufacturers supply a range of aids to suit differing budgets and requirements. In simple terms, the more a hearing aid costs the greater its ability to deal with speech clarity in the presence of background noise. Top end hearing aids also have a range of additional features such as Bluetooth compatibility and binaural synchronisation. It is our desire to fit the best aids available to everyone where possible.
Continuing design, development and manufacturing costs of custom made products sets very high prices for us as suppliers to purchase from the manufacturers.
Hearing aid are built to last 7 years on average - that's approximately 180,000 hours of usage!
Hearing aids can only be sold by professionally qualified 'Registered Hearing Aid Dispensers' and is very time consuming requiring hearing testing, hearing aid fitting and follow ups. Most clients also like the reassurance of free ongoing aftercare, and this can add up to many hours of time.
Manufacturers and retailers incur many very expensive hidden overheads due to strict regulations set up by bodies such as the Hearing Aid Council.
Some companies are simply too greedy and have
shareholders to keep happy!
We only supply the very latest technology hearing aids.
We offer the lowest prices available with inclusive aftercare service.
We are committed to each clients individual needs.
We are professional and punctual
No. You are not buying a hearing aid
'online' and we cover the entire UK. The internet merely gives you access to see our service and prices before we see you in person. All dispensers are registered with the Hearing Aid Council and must work in accordance with the Code of Conduct as set out by them. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action.
Yes. Prices shown are inclusive of ongoing aftercare.
Because the manufacturers give us a full refund
on all hearing aids. Refunds are in full and are
no quibble. Most other firms will deduct a percentage of the cost (normally 10%) once you
have been fitted with your new hearing aids and you should check this with each company. We offer a full refund unless otherwise agreed with the client before purchase as some small parts, such as micro-tubing, cannot be refunded once it has been used. We will inform you in advance of any such cases
(this is never more than £70).
There is no reason why you
cannot choose this option. However recent independent surveys have shown that waiting times for first time patients across the UK have risen for the 3rd year to an average of between 45 and 48 weeks before patients actually receive their hearing aids. On receiving them clients are then often let down to find the NHS only offer one type of relatively basic level digital hearing aid and which will definitely be a traditional behind-the-ear aid. Also many patients only receive one hearing aid, even though audiometric tests show they would benefit from wearing
two hearing aids. A long wait to find out all
this!
We can choose from any of the
nine different hearing aid manufacturers and
have their complete range of the latest models
to choose from. The leading suppliers of hearing
aids include Phonak, Siemens,
Widex, Unitron, Oticon, Bernafon,
Starkey and GN Resound.
Private hearing aids have
superior noise reduction and cosmetic
appearance. We will
travel to you for all appointments including
aftercare saving on your travel cost and time.
We can fit hearing aids within
a week of contact, sometimes on first
appointment. Features available on private digital hearing aids that are
not available on NHS aids:
- Rechargeable hearing aids
- Ear to ear wireless communication
- Improved localisation of sounds from around
and above
- Superior directionality (surround sound)
- Sound smoothing (i.e. for impulse noises such
as cutlery & doors slamming)
- Seamless environment detection and automatic
program switching
- More frequency channels (up to 20)
- Bluetooth compatibility (for iPods, mobile telephones and
TV's)
- Advanced data logging for rehabilitation needs
- Remote control (now in colour screen and) -
Pocket versions and watches
- Advanced Feedback cancellation
- Echo detection/cancellation for buildings like churches
- FM Solutions for advanced hearing aid
solutions in meetings and schools
- Voice recognition (prevents own voice problems)
- Miniature In-The-Ear hearing aids
- Open-fit hearing aids (RIC's and RITE's)
- Slim multi-colour BTE designs
Siemens / Phonak / Oticon / Unitron / Widex
/ GN Resound / Starkey / Bernafon / Puretone
/ Sonic Innovations / Rayovac
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