Why it can pay to go private

ONE in six people in Britain have some form of hearing loss – that’s around 11 million people. By 2031 it’s estimated that around 20 per cent of the population will be affected and over half of those aged over 60 already are.

But getting the right hearing aids can transform the lives of those with hearing loss.

According to the charity Action on Hearing Loss there are currently four million people with hearing loss in the UK who could benefit from wearing hearing aids.

Yet many people find that relying on help from the NHS does not meet their needs.

According to a 2015 report from Action on Hearing Loss, many NHS audiology departments are being forced to cut core services due to shrinking budgets or increased demand.

Indeed one of the biggest benefits of getting hearing aids through a provider like Amplifon, an independent global hearing specialist, could be the chance to obtain suitable hearing aids quickly.

A survey of members by the consumer body Which?, in September 2016, found that 37 per cent of those with hearing aids had decided to buy them privately.

Its report also found that 94 per cent of people who had used private hearing aid providers rated them ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ when it came to time spent getting to be seen for appointments.

There are lots of different hearing aids on offer and technology is advancing all the time improving their look, ease of use and adaptability to whatever the situation the wearer finds themselves in.

The Which? survey found that 77 per cent of members rated the variety of aids from private providers as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.

And when it comes to appearance, comfort and individual suitability, 91 per cent of customers rated their private provider as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. At their 200 centres across the UK, Amplifon offers free hearing tests as well as free trials of appropriate hearing aids.