Choosing A Private Hearing Aid Dispenser

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If you search online for private hearing dispensers, you will probably be bombarded with a host of links and advertorial strap lines, which promise you the best prices and first class service; while the speed and simplicity of searching online are undeniably brilliant, the sheer number of results can make deciding upon a provide difficult and confusing, so here are some tips to help you choose a private hearing aid dispenser:

• Look for recommendations: all audiology providers should be registered and approved by the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (BSHAA), so it is worth checking that dispensers are firstly registered and secondly, approved; you can visit the website to see which providers are recommended by the BSHAA. You can also consult the Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Practitioners for advice.
• Ask around: if you have friends or relatives who have visited clinics or high street providers, it's a good idea to ask them about their experiences and the service they received. If you know of a lot of people who have been very happy with a specific dispenser, this suggests that you will probably receive a good service too.
• Read reviews: online reviews can help you to narrow down your options, but make sure you use a good source of independent reviews, such as Which?
• Do some research: it's worth spending half an hour or so looking at a few websites and finding out about services, types of hearing aid, fees and appointment times offered by different dispensers.

Many private dispensers now offer free hearing tests, but you don't have to buy a hearing aid from the dispenser just because you have a hearing test with them; if you're not happy with the service, you are not obliged to use them again and you may wish to choose a different provider. You can also have NHS hearing tests and still buy a private hearing aid.

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