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Healthy hearing is vital to living a fulfilling life, and even mild hearing loss has been scientifically proven to increase cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and dementia. Hearing loss can make one feel isolated from friends and family and less likely to participate in social activities. It can begin as a minor problem but have severe consequences later on. Although hearing aids can be quite expensive, the cost is well worth improving your quality of life. In the UK, you can expect to pay anywhere from £500 to £5,000, and in this blog, we’ll discuss the different types of hearing aids and what you can expect throughout the entire process.
What’s Included in the Cost of Hearing Aids?
Every ear is different, therefore every hearing device is different. When you see the sticker price of a hearing aid at private clinics, it can seem high. But that price typically includes hearing tests by professional audiologists, the devices themselves, customised fitting, and a trial period for adjustments and maintenance afterwards. This trial period ensures that the hearing aids fit well and the initial programming suits your everyday needs. At Regain Hearing, we include free servicing, testing, and aftercare for life.
When you buy hearing aids over-the-counter or at big box stores, you can usually find deals on a pair for less than £1,000. It’s important to remember that the lower price doesn’t have the bundled benefits of personalised auditory services. You may save up front, but it could cost you frustration and more money later on as you figure out the device yourself. These manufacturers depend on your sale and don’t provide the before and aftercare to have quality hearing restoration.
Customisation and Different Hearing Aids
Hearing aid technology has advanced in recent years. Many new modifications allow for Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone or TV, and some models fit so snugly within the ear canal that they are hardly noticeable. When you think of hearing aids, you may envision a large and unsightly machine attached to your ear. The stigma surrounding hearing aids and ageing prevents many people from seeking the help they need that could drastically improve their quality of life. However, more discreet options like invisible completely in the canal (CIC) models allow you to enjoy full hearing without clunky machinery. Still, they may be on the higher end of the price spectrum.
More common models like the full shell or behind the ear may have longer battery life and more adaptability when controlling day-to-day noises that smaller hearing aids don’t, but are more noticeable outside the ear. These options are typically on the lower end of the price range. The more technologically advanced the hearing aids are, the higher the price.
After you’ve decided on the model, fitting the hearing aid to your ear is essential for your everyday comfort and satisfaction. Depending on the type of hearing aid, taking a physical mould of your ear canal may be necessary for a snug fit. Fitting and customisation also include adapting your hearing aid to the results from the auditory examination. Programming the hearing aid to your specific needs is ongoing and may require adjustments over time, especially after testing them in real-world conditions.
Once we’ve established your needs, your audiologist will work with you to find the best model suited for you and within your budget. Financing plans are available for every budget, and when you trust expert audiologists, you know you are getting the best care to help you hear again.
The Takeaway
This is another way to think about hearing aid prices: If you pay £3,500 upfront for a product with a lifespan of eight years, that’s £438 per year or about £1.20 per day. When you break it down like this, it makes the price tag much more digestible. Hearing aids can be expensive, but they’re well worth the investment to prevent cognitive decline and isolation and help you thoroughly enjoy your life. You can’t put a price on that.