In life’s journey, our hearing health will begin to take more of a front seat in importance, with more regular checkups and maintenance needed to keep everything in excellent condition. Unfortunately, hearing loss is becoming a more prevalent issue, affecting 1 in 6 people in the UK today.
The good news, however, is that here in the UK there are both public and private hearing care options via the National Health Service (NHS) and privatised audiologists as a solution. But how do you decide which route to go down, with both sides offering pros and cons? In this blog, we will explore both sides and discuss why you should consider switching to a private hearing care specialist.
Before we explore the main differences between public (NHS) and private hearing care, let’s clarify their definitions. The NHS offers medical treatment provided through public funding via taxes and offered free to every UK citizen. In contrast, private hearing care is a treatment paid for by yourself, whether through medical insurance or directly to the provider themselves, independent of the NHS. These private services encompass both chain providers such as Boots, and private independent audiologists, such as Hearing Therapy. But now let us get into the debate.
Appointment Availability
It is no secret that the NHS, catering to nearly 70 million people free of charge, faces longer wait times. While this is understandable, it can be inconvenient for individuals seeking prompt care. On the other hand, private hearing care can offer much quicker appointments, with greater efficiency, reducing wait times significantly.
Not having to wait months on end for an appointment can make a huge difference in the quality of care you receive, and your ongoing hearing health; rapid access to services is crucial for diagnosing the problem early, receiving treatment quickly, and learning to manage with new sensations.
Personalised Experience
A significant benefit when choosing private hearing care over NHS treatment is the unique, bespoke experience you will receive from your audiologist.
With fewer patients and greater time to spend with each individual, you are guaranteed greater attention to detail with your treatment, more time spent listening to queries and concerns, and a deeper understanding of each individual’s needs and lifestyle. As a result, tailored solutions can be created to suit all your requirements, in turn benefiting your hearing health going forward into the future.
Quality Aftercare
A guarantee offered with private hearing healthcare is a high level of aftercare. After having built a relationship between yourself and your audiologist, it’s more likely this level of trust will continue on into your aftercare.
Consistent, regular support, check-ups, and adjustments can be offered as part of packages such as Next Step Hearing, where quality aftercare is included upon purchase of your new hearing aids. At Hearing Therapy, we offer an in-depth diagnostic test, ear examination, hearing aid fittings, and free aftercare for the first 12 months.
Latest Hearing Aid Technology
Private hearing care providers are often more able to adopt the latest and greatest technology, keeping up to date with the newest hearing aid models and designs. This offers many benefits to you as a customer as you are open to a wider range of hearing devices, catering to various levels of hearing loss.
Secondly, more up to date diagnostic technology allows for more accurate assessments of potential conditions, leading to better treatment and progress moving forward. At Hearing Therapy, we use the latest technology to provide you with the best service, including high-frequency headphones to help in assessing the causes of tinnitus or early detection of a lesion of the vestibulo-auditory nerve.
Hearing Therapy also offers the latest models of the most popular hearing aid brands on the market, including ReSound, Signia, Starkey, Phonak, and Oticon. We offer the highest quality hearing aids, coupled with our expert knowledge, ensuring you leave satisfied and happy with our services.
Pricing
Finally, the biggest question on everyone’s lips when it comes to public vs private is the difference in cost. Now, of course, the NHS is offered as a free service, whereas going private will come with a cost. But what should most be considered, is the level of service you are being provided, and whether you are receiving the highest level of care for your needs.
As mentioned above, using the NHS often comes with long wait times, out of date technology, and a one size fits all approach to treatment and aftercare but offered free of charge. On the other hand, using a private service gives you, overall, a higher quality of care, with added perks and benefits included within a package offer. Although with a price tag, private hearing care gives you value for your money, where you’re getting exactly what you pay for.
The biggest challenge when considering shifting to private hearing care is affordability. With Hearing Therapy, we offer Hearing Aid Finance, a solution to paying for your hearing aids and aftercare, offering two options in Tabeo and GoCardless, helping finance your care over a time period that suits you. To learn more visit Tabeo or GoCardless today.
Making the decision to switch to private hearing care can be daunting, but we hope this blog has offered valuable insight into why making the change can benefit you and your hearing health. We encourage you to take the time to weigh your options and consider whether private hearing care is the right choice for you. Should you or someone you know experience hearing difficulties or have concerns regarding hearing health, exploring the advantages of private hearing care can empower you to take control of your health.
When choosing the right audiologist, thorough research is essential. Look for good reviews, evidence of a reputable history, specialist areas, qualifications, pricing, personal qualities, and hearing aid partnerships.
At Hearing Therapy, we partner with highly rated hearing aid providers and offer exceptional service, and competitive pricing while providing a wide range of services to cater to individual needs. Click here to book an appointment today.