If you’re experiencing hearing difficulties, you may be putting off being fitted with hearing aids for a range of reasons – one of which is likely to be the perceived costs involved. Fear that hearing aids will be expensive is a common reason Australians put off seeking a solution for their hearing loss.
Many people find it difficult to know what price they should be paying for their hearing aids and comparing products can be difficult as not many hearing aid providers publish prices online or have them readily available in store. If you’re on a fixed income, you’ll want to ensure you’re receiving the best value for money – a value consideration when Choice has reported that some providers charge up to $15,000 for a pair of top-end hearing devices.
But those stumbling blocks could be history if you talked to Specsavers Audiology.
Specsavers Audiology is the hearing care arm of optical market-leader Specsavers. Specsavers has a great reputation for offering high-quality expertise and exceptional value for money and its qualified audiology professionals are no different when it comes to hearing aids and hearing health. In fact, if you already go to Specsavers for your glasses (and if you’re over 40), you will receive a free hearing screening when you next go for an eye check.
The Specsavers Audiology difference is noticeable even before you’re recommended hearing aids.
According to Senior Audiologist Kathryn Launchbury, who joined Specsavers Audiology in 2017 because of its commitment to customer care, Specsavers’ priority is making sure you get what you need – not what someone wants to sell you to earn a commission.
In an interview with Starts at 60, Launchbury mentions that customers start their journey to better hearing through a free 15-minute hearing check. You only start paying if the hearing check determines that you’d benefit from a 60-minute full diagnostic hearing assessment, which costs only $49. If you’re eligible for the government’s Hearing Services Program (HSP), the assessment will come at no cost to you.
“If hearing loss is detected in the hearing check, it’s important to complete a full assessment to understand the cause, and where in the ear the hearing is being affected, as this will determine the most appropriate action going forward,” Launchbury explains.
“We want to be absolutely sure that hearing aids are what’s needed – if there’s a medical problem causing the hearing loss, then we want to see that investigated and treated by the appropriate medical professional.”
Only when it’s confirmed that hearing aids truly are the solution for your hearing loss will you be shown different technology options and styles to consider. The audiology professional will also ask lots of questions to get a good understanding of the moments in your life you want to be hearing better so they can recommend the best technology option to suit your needs. And, only once you’re comfortable and ready will hearing aids be ordered for you.
You can view Specsavers Audiology’s range and prices online or pick up a brochure with this information in-store to guide any independent research you may wish to do.
If you’ve bought hearing aids elsewhere before, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that Specsavers Audiology makes its prices available to the public; it’s quite different to some hearing aid providers, who don’t offer much, if any, information on costs until you’re at the point of purchase. But Specsavers Audiology offers everyday low prices, so there’s no need to be coy about the price tag.
In addition to supplying branded products from Signia and Phonak, Specsavers Audiology has its own Advance brand. The Standard Advance hearing aid models start from $1,495 for a pair (they’re fully subsidised if you’re eligible for the HSP), and the range covers all technology levels, so you can buy a premium pair from just $3,495 – that’s a very long way from the $15,000-plus that can be charged for a top-tier pair of hearing aids!
All Specsavers Audiology purchases (regardless of whether you buy a premium model or the standard hearing aids) include free aftercare for 12 months which includes maintenance checks and adjustments made whenever you need and free batteries for 12 months.
Specsavers Audiology also offers a four-year warranty and a 90-day satisfaction period – both longer than the industry standard.
Plus, if you are a HSP customer you’ll also get all appointments and repairs to your hearing aids at no cost to you, and you won’t need to pay an annual maintenance fee.
Best of all, you will never be charged more for a discreet style of hearing aid, so you can be confident you’re able to choose the devices that best suit you without being concerned about paying too much.
“I know many people feel concerned about the look of a hearing aid and feel self-conscious about it. We want all our customers to feel confident wearing their hearing aids therefore we don’t charge extra for more discreet styles,” Launchbury says.
With expert care available and full transparency on pricing, the reasons you may have procrastinated on addressing your hearing loss don’t need to be a concern anymore. So why not visit one of Specsavers Audiology’s 160-plus stores and get your free hearing screening – there’s nothing stopping you now!
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.