jackteet

Hi, I purchased a pair of Bernafon hearing aids in the uk several years ago. My hearing has deteriorated to mid to severe so I went to a very well known hearing aid specialists in fuengirola. I was told that I need more powerful hearing aids at a cost of €3500.
I think that is expensive and wonder whether there are cheaper aids which are just as powerful. The guy didnt seem interested in discussing cheaper makes. I would welcome reco of hearing aid suppliers in the Fuengy area. thanks

agree_to_disagree

My mum has had a few. Started at about 3k euro and but now she has a pair that fit discretely inside the ear. Cost five k euros!

jackteet

Hi, thanks for coming back so quickly. clearly I am out of touch with prices here in spain. Might even be worth a cheap return easyjet to the uk and getting fixed up at specsavers. Thanks again.

agree_to_disagree

Even with the euro / sterling exchange rate I still found it a lot cheaper to buy many things in the UK, even with postage on top!

However, thanks to Brexit that has all now gone to pot!!! I would not even consider buying anything by mail order from the UK. It is to be avoided at the moment for even modest purchases!

Just checked and modern hearing are no longer simply minute linear amplifiers, they now appear to have new features like digital feedback reduction, wireless and Bluetooth connectivity etc etc etc.

I will start by learning about all the functionality modern hearing aids have. Sales people are always keep to do this with the hope that they can secure a sale.

I am assuming you are based here in Spain from what you have said so the best thing you can do is do some legwork here in Spain and also get prices from a few places for a few different models.

Remotely, via the internet you should be able to do some price benchmarking of what is available in the UK.

Identify the features that modern hearing aids can offer you that are important to you and that couple with a bit of research on prices from various vendors in both the UK and Spain and you will be sorted.

Also to be considered are follow-up service and warranty. If you buy it from the UK and live in Spain you can´t simply chop your ear off and put it in a jiffy bag along with the hearing aid and ask them to recalibrate it... You will need to remain attached to your ear, board a flight, accompanied by the said hearing aid! Since my mum got her latest hearing aid she has been back a few times to get the gain adjusted. Also she found that the left side was a bit large and causing her discomfort and they are now remoulding that one, so it is a bit smaller.

Good luck in your quest!

jackteet

Hi, Thanks for the most helpful info and ideas. Specsavers do some top models at around £1800. I am looking into buying online as most audiologists here will programme a hearing aid for about €200 to €400 which still works out cheap even adding the cost of the hearing aid. Thanks again.

mikelincs

I used GAES when I was in Spain, good service, very friendly and a very reasonable price.

jonboy

Perhaps get an on-line, monthly "Which?" magazine subscription and do your research (UK end) then cancel subscription at your convenience. You will have info relevant to what you need, assuming Spain does not have the equivalent version of Which?

jackteet

Hi Mikelincs, many thanks I shall have a look on google

jackteet

Hi Jonboy, what a great idea, Certainly worth one months subs. thanks. I have got as far as looking at Costco which sells hearing aids at very low prices. Cheap membership fee and free hearing test. Thanks again.

Retired in Euskadi

Jan & Feb 2021 Which magazine has articles/reviews about hearing aids.

bfg69bug

wow.. are they not avaliable on the health service? I always remember my nan getting one in the 2000´s from the hospital ?

spainrico

There are Specsavers shops in Spain.

agree_to_disagree

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing...ring-aid-range

I see the Specsavers website has an easy to understand table which details the features of each model and of course the cost..

If you do buy in the UK be careful about being it back to Spain in its nice new box.

If the Spanish customs see that they are likely to get quite excited as they might think some duty is due on your latest purchase.

spainrico

You will have info relevant to what you need, assuming Spain does not have the equivalent version of Which?

The nearest equivalent is the OCU

https://www.ocu.org/

mikelincs

Yes, in the UK, but not in Spain. In Spain I got mine from GAES, and once back in the UK from the NHS. In Spain I paid €1500 for both ears