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Most people get their hearing aids from the NHS. But with a growing number of hearing aid specialists on our high streets, should you choose to pay privately?
The key question is whether there is a significant difference. And does a more recent third option – you go to a private retailer but the NHS pays through 'Any Qualified Provider (AQP)' – offer an opportunity you should take up?
To find out, we surveyed Which? members and other adults who have recently got a hearing aid via the NHS or got hearing aids from a private provider. We grilled them on how things had gone from start to finish, and asked them to rate their experience.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our results in the table below, and also see which high street hearing aid providers are best and worst and how much hearing aids cost. If you're not already a member, you can get instant access by joining Which? today.
NHS hearing aids vs privately bought hearing aids | Private | Private (paid for by NHS - AQP) | NHS (hospital or clinic) |
---|---|---|---|
Waiting times | |||
Testing environment | |||
Staff | |||
Thorough testing | |||
Product range | |||
Hearing aid appearance | |||
Hearing aid comfort |
To discover the best and worst private hearing aid retailers, with customer service ratings for Amplifon, Boots, Hidden Hearing, Specsavers Hearcare, Scrivens and independent stores, see private hearing aid providers.
If you're considering paying privately, ask yourself these key questions:
To understand more about the pros and cons of each option, explore our guides to NHS hearing aids and privately bought hearing aids.