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AIBU?

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Original poster

Been told I need hearing aids but I am confused about referal

38 replies

ML5 · 15/05/2025 19:47

Hi everyone
Went to get a hearing test yesterday and was told by Audiologist at Specsavers that I need hearing aids in both ears 😔. Audiologist then explained to me to contact my Drs as I’m eligible on NHS for hearing aids and for them to do a E Referral back to them for me to get my appointment and free hearing aids. All well and good I contacted my Drs and explained to them the situation and they are just now awaiting the paperwork from my Audiologist. But here’s the confusion part - The store today said that I have to pay £200 for Drs to receive my paperwork (audiologist was not in today) but the audiologist didn’t say this and neither did the Drs. Audiologist is going to phone me tomorrow morning. Should I mention to her that Drs are awaiting paperwork or not?
Thanks everyone hope I’ve made it clear

OP posts:
Original poster
ML5 · 15/05/2025 20:04

SparklyBrickViper · 15/05/2025 20:00

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/hearing-aids/nhs-hearing-aids#:~:text=Specsavers%20is%20accredited%20by%2030%20Integrated%20Care,including%20the%20fitting%20of%20NHS%20hearing%20aids.&text=The%20service%20is%20fully%20funded%20by%20the,by%20our%20fully%20trained%20and%20experienced%20audiologists.

Check if you’re in the right area for Specsavers to be undertaking assessments On behalf of the NHS.

Yes I am in right area I have looked this up already and Audiologist confirmed this as well

OP posts:
BakelikeBertha · 15/05/2025 20:02

Oops! Not sure how I added the quote, but the post is the same OP

Shatteredallthetimelately · 15/05/2025 20:02

I'd imagine that's classed as extra services, therefore payment would be required.

BakelikeBertha · 15/05/2025 20:01

lnks · 15/05/2025 19:51

Is it for specsavers to send paperwork to your GP? I believe that as they are providing audiology services privately rather than on the NHS you probably would need to pay for the paperwork to be processed

I just Google why Specsaver might charge you £200 OP, and this is what came up"

Specsavers is likely asking for £200 to cover the cost of an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan and the associated report and referral to your GP, which is a service they offer but is not typically covered by the NHS. This scan provides a more detailed look at your eye health than a standard eye test and can be helpful in identifying potential issues that may require further investigation.

Ishouldstopgoogling · 15/05/2025 20:01

Bypass specsavers and ask your GP to do a nhs referral. You will then get seen at the nhs hearing dept and they will test you and provide you with hearing aid. You will then get a nhs audiologist booklet which entitles you to free hearing aid batteries when you need them. If you get the hearing aids from specsavers you will have to purchase batteries from them

Edited due to spelling errors due to fat fingers!

Original poster
ML5 · 15/05/2025 20:00

Drs did say the whole referal takes about a week.

OP posts:
MounjaroMounjaro · 15/05/2025 19:59

You shouldn't have to pay anything.

SpecSavers told me to go to my GP first and arrange for them to tell SS I needed an appointment. I did that and then got free hearing aids from SS. I didn't see an audiologist until they got the letter from my GP, though. I was firmly told to contact my GP first.

Original poster
ML5 · 15/05/2025 19:56

allamberedover · 15/05/2025 19:53

You don't have to pay for NHS heating aids.

Yes I know that but it’s about the paperwork. Audiologist & my Drs didn’t mention a paperwork payment of £200 the Opticians at the store told me today (Audiologist was not in today)

OP posts:
allamberedover · 15/05/2025 19:53

You don't have to pay for NHS heating aids.

Original poster
ML5 · 15/05/2025 19:53

It’s all being done on the NHS and audiologist at Specsavers told me I pay nothing as I’m on the NHS and Drs do the referal and give me appointment. Just confused because Drs didn’t say I pay they said they waiting paperwork.

OP posts:
lnks · 15/05/2025 19:51

Is it for specsavers to send paperwork to your GP? I believe that as they are providing audiology services privately rather than on the NHS you probably would need to pay for the paperwork to be processed

Original poster
ML5 · 15/05/2025 19:48

Also I thought you don’t pay on the NHS for anything

OP posts:
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