Will a free hearing test give you the value that you deserve?
What is the difference between us (a paid-for hearing test) and a free hearing test? Things to consider.
We have all seen the adverts offering free hearing tests from companies that dispense hearing aids. Therefore, its completely understandable to wonder why you would need to pay for a hearing test at Tracy James Hearing, when you can get one for free somewhere else on the high street. I hope this article goes someway to explain why - and most importantly, help you to make an informed choice of who to trust with your hearing and ear care needs.
You are more than a set of ears to us
At Tracy James Hearing, the aim of our personalised hearing care service is to look after your hearing with our range of assessment and treatment services. Every hearing test is adapted to your own individual needs. They include ear examination, hearing test and analysis, diagnostics and advice, detailed written reports, specialist tinnitus advice and management and consideration of hearing aids.* We are here to listen and take our time to ensure we get things right for you. We work alongside significant others and health professionals as part of the process and provide appointment times appropriate for the level of detail or care required. We also try to ensure you see the same audiologist over time to ensure consistency and to develop a strong relationship.
In your appointment it’s important to be listened to, so that your main concerns and priorities can be addressed and the appropriate management plan put in place. An audiologist should be able to provide a diagnosis, that is a reason for the cause of your hearing loss (e.g. age-related, noise-damage etc). They should also be able to tell you if your hearing levels are what you’d expect for your age and history. Where possible, Tracy James Hearing will aim to manage both health and hearing alongside each other in our relationship with other health professionals.
Larger companies may not have the flexibility to give you a longer appointment or the experience for deeper consideration of health and personal factors / needs / preferences where required.
“The cost of our hearing tests is deducted from the cost of your hearing aids, should you decide to go ahead with us”
We provide informed choice from the whole market
“We are an independent family-run business and are not commercially advantaged by selling one hearing aid manufacturer over another.”
We believe in providing choice from the whole market, so that we can choose the right fit for your hearing, your needs and choices. We provide a full evaluation of your hearing needs within our hearing tests. We have a person-centred approach; no staff member earns commission
Many companies may use the word independent (it is not a protected title) - but it may be part-owned or fully owned by a hearing aid manufacturer. In such cases, they are likely to offer you a minimal selection of choices or be biased towards their own brand. To complicate things further, there are sister companies or ‘groups’ that operate under different names – but offer the same or similar technology. It can be the case that selling a specific brand will be the focus in financial terms for the hearing company – rather than focusing on your needs.
We are in it for the long-term
We are hearing and ear care specialists who have been supplying and supporting children and adults with hearing aids since 2014. (Tracy and Louise have also both been Audiologists and Friends for over 20 years.) Most of our hearing aids come with a 5-year warranty, and we will support you for the lifetime of your hearing aid - even once the warranty ends.
“If you experience change in your hearing or ear-care needs, we will adjust your hearing aids over time and manage your ear health.”
We hear many stories from clients who have worked with one audiologist who they’ve enjoyed at their previous hearing centre, but then become disappointed when that individual no longer works for the company (and consequently come to us). We have also heard that some people have difficulty getting their hearing aid re-programmed if their hearing changes over time. Do be aware that a standard warranty for most hearing aids are 2 years and there will be extra costs involved if your hearing aid needs repairing after that time.
We believe your aftercare is just as important as the device
Your journey with us doesn’t end with your hearing aid fitting appointment. In fact, your journey with us is just beginning. All hearing aid devices will need repairs or in-house maintenance over time. We encourage 6-monthly clean and checks and we offer free wax removal to our hearing aid clients.
“Our aftercare service is there to ensure that you’re able to get the most out of your hearing and hearing care device over time.”
Every company has a different aftercare policy so before you book a hearing test it is essential to investigate the aftercare (if any) that the company offers. Frequent clean and checks provides ongoing maintenance, quality of hearing and success for the longevity of the aid as well as piece of mind.
We provide high-level expertise and skill
Both Tracy James MSc CAC RHAD and Louise Hart PGDip, RCCP RHAD have over 20 years’ experience as fully trained practicing audiologists. This level of knowledge and experience with both adults and children can be a rarity in the private sector. (They also train other Audiologists in Wax Removal, Otoscopy, Impression Taking, Audiometry & Tympanometry through their sister company TJ Audiology Training) If you have an ongoing medical difficulty with your ears, or hearing, and have been told that hearing aids are not right for you - come and see us, we may be able to find a diagnosis and/or a solution. We can also refer onwards, if necessary, to get you the help you need. We are skilled and experienced and provide hearing services to adults with dementia or learning difficulties. We are complex hearing loss experts who offer a variety of expertise such as Tinnitus Therapy, APD screening, hearing aids, implants and diagnostic hearing assessments for both children and adults.
Will you be seeing a hearing dispenser or an Audiologist? Hearing aid dispensers are trained to focus on testing for the result of selling hearing aids. Audiologists have been educated to look at the holistic approach, not just whether you may need hearing aids but also understanding the source of your hearing impairment, to determine the most effective options for you.
“If you or your loved one has specific health needs or lifestyle considerations, think carefully and consider if the audiologist is sufficiently trained to provide or adapt their services so that yours or their needs are optimally met.”
