Why should someone get hearing aids?

When your hearing changes, this can impact your quality of life. It’s perfectly natural for hearing to change so, if you think yours has, you’re not alone, and hearing aids may be able to help.

What do hearing aids do?

Discreet, smart and designed to let you just get on with life, hearing aids are there to give a boost to your hearing. They can make conversations easier by enhancing speech and reducing background noise. Many allow you to stream phone calls or music directly into the hearing aids.

Getting your new hearing aids

Your hearing expert will recommend the hearing aids that are best for your hearing profile and your budget. They’ll also arrange a time for you to have them fitted. Your fitting appointment takes around 45 minutes. Your hearing expert will check the health of your ears and show you how to wear and use your hearing aids.

What happens in the first few weeks?

Suddenly being able to hear well again can be a bit overwhelming. That’s because hearing change often happens gradually and your brain adapts accordingly. When you're fitted with your hearing aids you get an instant benefit, but you'll need time to adjust.

Your hearing expert will talk you through ways of getting used to your hearing aids by wearing them more and more each day – this allows your brain to retrain itself to hear sounds at a louder level. If your hearing aid fits in the ear, you’ll also need to adapt to this new feeling.

Your hearing expert will book an appointment for two weeks after your fitting, which will either be by phone or face-to-face, to check how you’re getting on and to see if you require any further adjustments.

How long does it take to adjust?

It can take up to 12 weeks to fully adjust to your hearing aids. During this time your brain will retrain itself to acknowledge sounds around you at a louder level. The aim is to wear hearing aids as often as possible to give you the best chance of adjusting.

What happens if my hearing aids don’t feel right?

If your hearing aids don’t feel right just get in touch with your store.

Our hearing aid package comes with free aftercare – we’ll be there for you whenever you need our help. All our hearing aids also come with a four-year warranty, and a 100 day money back guarantee from the date of your fitting.

Are there any reasons why hearing aids may be unsuitable for me?

From a technological standpoint, the range of styles offered by Specsavers ensures that there is nothing that would make hearing aids unsuitable for you.

However, it’s important to be in the right mindset before proceeding with hearing aids. From worrying about what people might think to your own fear of what wearing a hearing might mean for your lifestyle, it’s important to discuss any negative thoughts with your audiologist.

Wearing hearing aids with glasses 

Many people successfully wear hearing aids and glasses together.

If you're having difficulty sitting your hearing aid behind your ear, pop into your local store so we can check the fitting again. A simple adjustment is often all that’s required.

Contact your local store for more information.

Hearing aid top tips

Follow these tips to get the most from your new hearing aids:

  • Keep your hearing aids away from water, damp and direct sunlight.
  • Always make sure you store your hearing aids in their case overnight or when you're not using them.
  • Keep ear wax at bay by cleaning your hearing aids regularly, following the advice given by your hearing expert.
  • If you recharge your hearing aids, check your power pack is plugged in correctly, switched on, and that your hearing aids are sitting correctly.
  • Your hearing aids will have a coloured tab printed on them to show which ear they are for - red for your right ear and blue for your left ear.
  • If your hearing aid uses batteries and not rechargeable batteries, you will need to change them regularly. Most hearing aids will beep when batteries are running low.

Common questions about hearing aids

What kinds of hearing aids do Specsavers produce and provide?

We provide lots of different options and styles of hearing aids to suit all hearing profiles.

These include custom-made options to fit the patient’s ear, rechargeable aids that remove the need to change batteries, and aids that provide a direct connection from mobile phones that allow users to stream phone calls and audio.

What kinds of technologies do Specsavers hearing aids use?

Our hearing aids use the latest technology, including lithium-ion batteries.

In addition, we work with world-leading hearing aid manufacturers. This ensures we have the latest features and the fastest processing available.

How much do hearing aids cost and how much does it cost to maintain them?

The price you pay for a pair of hearing aids depends on the level of technology. Ours start from £495 for a pair.

At Specsavers, we provide four years’ worth of batteries (for non-rechargeable options) as well as a four-year warranty with our hearing aids.

There may also be additional costs of wax filters, which prevent wax from going into the devices, which start at £7.95 a pack. It’s recommended these are changed every three months.

How long do hearing aids last?

Hearing aids generally have a lifespan of at least four years. However, if you take care of them they can last longer than this.

We recommend that you think about updating your hearing aids every four years. This is to make sure that your hearing aids provide the biggest boost possible for your hearing.

Are new hearing aids always better than old ones?

Getting new hearing aids will be dependent on your lifestyle needs, the change in your hearing and your budget.

Whenever you get new hearing aids, they'll always feel better than your previous pair. However, like a new pair of shoes, you'll need to take some time to adjust and adapt to them.

Would I benefit from a hearing aid when I have a heavy cold?

It's common for people to report a change in their hearing when they have a heavy cold.

It's thought to be the result of mucus blocking the tube that connects your middle ear space to the back of your throat.

We therefore experience a sensation of 'dullness' in our hearing. It's not normally recommended that hearing aids be used in this situation as over-the-counter decongestants are more effective.

However, if you have any concerns at all over long-lasting damage to your hearing please make sure you speak to your GP.

Find out more about hearing aids

Remember that our hearcare professionals are always happy to help. If you need advice, just ask. They may be able to adjust your hearing aids to give you better results. For more information about hearing aid options, head over to our hearing aid learning resource. You can also book an appointment with your local Specsavers audiologist, who will be able to take you through the steps further.