Although it is possible to buy hearing aids for as little as £500, most private shoppers pay more – around £2,700 on average for a pair.
However, not all brands make it easy to find out the competitive price of their hearing aids.
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To help you get the best price, we’ve collected information from our exclusive survey of hearing aid users on how much people paid for their hearing aids.
We’ve also compiled price quotes from the big five hearing aid chains (amplifon, bootshearcare/david ormerod listening centre, hidden listening, scrivens and specsavershearcare) for different levels of hearing aids, based on the latest models, to give you an idea of what you will pay per pair.
average cost of hearing aids
In June 2022, we surveyed 2,192 people to find out how much they paid privately for a pair of hearing aids from large retail chains. average prices are listed below in price order, from lowest to highest:
- specsavers hearing care: 1993 £
- boots: £2,562
- amplifier – £2675
- hidden audience: £3,464
- home and individual use: Optimized for more basic amplification in quieter settings such as home, one-on-one conversations, and on the phone.
- quiet and home conversations: As well as at home and in one-on-one settings, these headphones are optimized for use in some noisy settings, such as small group conversations and meetings with friends. and family.
- home and conversations with some noise: in addition to the above, hearing aids optimized for places with more noise and social interaction, such as outdoor activities, shopping, small meetings, theater and small social gatherings .
- home, away from home and work in noisier environments: In addition to the above, hearing aids optimized for more challenging noisy environments, such as meetings at work, restaurants and larger social gatherings.
- at home, away from home, at work and in socially challenging environments: In addition to the above, these hearing aids are optimized for the widest variety and complexity of listening environments, including large social events , concerts, loud ‘cocktails’, large crowds, and challenging work environments.
- disposable batteries – £3/month (average cost) duration will depend on factors including your level of hearing loss and the technology you are using (for example streaming music via through your help).
- wax traps – £4.50/month these cost around £5 per pack and are also required for refillable aids. how often you need to change them depends on how much wax your ears produce and where the hearing aid sits in your ear. most patients change them weekly to fortnightly, but this really varies, with some people consuming a pack a week and manufacturers recommend changing them at least every two months or so.
- Domes: £3.50/month Domes or soft tips that are placed in the ear (if you have this type of hearing aid instead of ear moulds) may also need replacement.
- drying pods £1/month some of the refillable units have a silica gel pellet that dries the hearing aids overnight; you get two for £5 and each needs to be replaced roughly every two to three months.
- spare cables (receivers) – if broken after warranty ends (£40-£80 for help)
- ear molds: they can get damaged, not fit if you lose weight or discolor
- replacement charging units: for rechargeable aids, these cost between £100 and £400, but retailers may offer cheaper prices.
You can click on each brand to see how customers rated them, or to see the full ranking of the best and worst companies compared, check out our hearing aid vendor reviews.
hearing aid prices compared
Our comparison table below shows the range of prices charged by major retailers for a pair of the latest hearing aids, including brands like Oticon, Phonak, Resound, Signia, Starkey and Widex. you’ll see they can vary by thousands of pounds.
Because getting the right hearing aid for your needs and lifestyle is key, we’ve divided prices by hearing aid level into categories that reflect different lifestyles, for example, someone who is mainly in quiet places and has one to conversations -one, to hearing aids optimized for complex listening environments, such as social gatherings.
all hearing aids now, regardless of level, have wireless technology and can connect to wireless accessories made by that manufacturer, for example a TV streamer.
They will generally also have bluetooth connectivity, unless they are too small. this means you can connect your hearing aids directly to a smartphone, allowing you to control them (for example, volume) through your phone.
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the recorded table reveals how the prices of hearing aids geared towards:
compare.
hearing aid prices for different needs
login to see range of prices charged by retailers, including amps, boots, hidden hearing aids, scrivens, specsavers.
Learn more about what to look for in our guide to hearing aid features explained.
how do nhs hearing aids compare?
the nhs buys the same digital hearing aids that you buy privately from the same manufacturers. They may not be the latest models, but the technology will be up to date and the hearing aids will work just fine.
You’ll likely be offered behind-the-ear (bte) hearing aids and possibly in-the-ear (rite) hearing aids, although the nhs now also buys less conspicuous in-the-ear (ite) hearing aids. see types of hearing aids for more tips on different styles.
they are likely to be mid-range, i.e. equivalent to our category three models, but this will of course depend on your individual needs. it is unlikely that you will be offered aid for category four or five (the most expensive) unless there is a very specialized reason why you need one of these ranges.
beware of hidden extras
When comparing hearing aid prices, you should consider ongoing costs (for parts like batteries and wax guards) as well as upfront costs, as these can differ significantly.
for example, specsavers includes disposable batteries for up to four years, amplifon includes them in select models and scrivens has an essential care plan where you pay £2.50 a month to include batteries and other maintenance items.
Potential additional hearing aid costs to consider include:
Other things you may need include drying kits (a small dehumidifying container with two granules of silica gel) for hearing aids with disposable batteries, cleaning tools, cleaning wipes, and sponges for drying behind-the-ear hearing aids with earmolds. .
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Ask about the extras you’ll need for your specific supports and so you can get an idea of ongoing costs.
More expensive items you might also have to pay for include:
Last but definitely not least, it is important to remember that your hearing aids will need to be replaced after approximately three to five years.
get the best value for your hearing aids
It’s about more than costs, it’s also about customer service. An audiologist who offers excellent follow-up care can be the difference between enjoying a new lease on life and your unused hearing aids sitting in a drawer.
verify that they offer you the most recent range of the manufacturer, but do not assume that you must pay more for it. If you spend most of your time at home, you may not benefit from a high-spec hearing aid with many channels, while if you socialize a lot and work in a variety of settings, this might be just what you need.
1. don’t feel pressured into a home visit
Some companies offer free hearing aid guides and offer to follow up with a home visit. you don’t have to say yes to this; you are still free to shop around.
2. get a full hearing test before you buy
never buy any type of hearing aid without a full hearing test. hearing aids will not be configured based on your hearing loss and needs, presenting a risk of further damaging your hearing.
3. research alternatives
If you’re getting quotes and an audiologist offers you an alternative model to the one they recommended (“it’s just as good and half the price”), check to see if that’s really the case by asking the first audiologist you saw for their opinion.
4. be aware of your options
Please note that some hearing aid companies have ties to certain manufacturers. this can benefit you in terms of price, but it can also limit your options. the nhs only buys from certain manufacturers as well.
5. watch out for upselling
You shouldn’t need to replace your hearing aids after just a year, so be wary of anyone who tells you you have to. technology is not advancing as fast and hearing aids have a life expectancy of three to five years.
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