Curious about whether modern

hearing aid advances will allow

you to hear better?

I am waiting for an NHS appointment and thought I’d

explore my options...

You may be better to give the NHS aids a fair try first. Wearing hearing aids for the first time is often not as straight-forward as you’d think. So as the NHS aids are free, see how you get on with those first. And give yourself a few months at least to practise / adapt. I have never worn aids before and my hearing loss is fairly recent... Do your research first. If you do decide you want to explore the possibility of private hearing aids, book three consultations. Maybe a large retailer (Boots are the No.1 retailer in the UK), an established small or medium Audiologist (maybe a bit more expensive than elsewhere) and an Internet Audiologist who lists exact models with prices on their website (find out if they have been trading successfully for a long time and check their reviews first).... I want the latest technology Then try the PHONAK AUDEO V90 10, available now, or the RESOUND LiNX 2, the first ‘made for iPhone’ hearing system (cost for a wirelessly communicating premium pair should be around the £3200 mark). The Apple / Android app allows your Apple device to work as a clever remote control and interactive tool. The aids are RIC type and very light and neat. There are a few issues with the app though...probably resolved by updates to come... I love gadgets / Bluetooth connections to my media devices sounds appealing The RESOUND LiNX2, the first ‘made for iPhone’ hearing system is the obvious one if you own an iPad / iPhone. OTHERS to consider: PHONAK AUDEO V 90 10 with the EASYCALL, ComPilot Air II, Remote control app and TV Link (all released in March 2015), OTICON ALTA PRO design RITE with the Streamer 1.2 (Made for iPhone) I want the best The leading top-of-the-range hearing aid right now is the PHONAK AUDEO V90 10. You should try this first. It has a slightly sharp / ‘hi-fi’ sound quality that will suit most wearers. Phonak’s market share in the UK is around 50%. The 48 channel SIEMENS PURE Binax 7 has to be the obvious alternative. if money is no object (circa £17,000 per 5 years), consider the LYRIC 3 I want what I actually need, irrespective of money Then try the PHONAK AUDEO V 50 10. It is less pricey (For 2, you’ll pay from £1990 to £4000) than the higher spec. V90 (Priced from around £3000 to £7000). If you are working to a tight budget, try these: • UNITRON KISS 2 series (5 products, ranging from around £1000+, better than newer North range) • PHONAK V30 • STARKEY Z SERIES Xino i20 / i30 I want to spend as little as possible There are many really good hearing aids out there that are still of exceptionally good quality, technology and specification (think of a iPhone 4 compared to a 6). Phonak’s 2013 Chipset (Spice range) is still offered - the PHONAK DALIA is inexpensive but highly effective in the CIC and ITC shells AND it comes in a high power version too. Boots offer the Spice range when they have a Sale period... They are a trusted company and the prices are relatively attractive compared to the latest chip. We offer the Dalia as a good affordable option.