Shocked at Specsavers sales tactics (hearing aids)

[NigellaWannabe1]

I wanted to share this because it’s really upset me. I went to Specsavers recently for a hearing aid check-up. The audiologist was polite and professional, but strongly advised me to buy new private hearing aids for almost £2,000, saying my existing ones were due for replacement.

When I said my NHS audiologist had already ordered some new ones for me and that the wait would be around eight months from the time of the appointment, he said that he wasn't telling the truth as the waiting time in our region was 24 months. He also claimed the NHS would only offer very basic models, not the better brands. Apparently, he had worked as an audiologist for our local hospital and could confirm that.

I phoned our hospital's Audiology Department. They told me my new NHS hearing aids were actually ready for collection, and that the current wait is about six months, not two years. They also said they used the regular big brands for hearing aids (Phonak and so on).

This is not the first time I get this advice from Specsavers and I am simply appalled that customers that need these aids are given misleading information and exploited in this way. Especially when you consider that most hearing aid users are older and on a pension, and £2k is a huge amount of money for most of us anyway.

I think I will make a complaint.

I wonder if this is something happening just at my local Specsavers or more widespread.

I can't stand the upselling my branch does for glasses. I won't go to there again.

Shouldn’t have gone to Specsavers ! 😏

I’ll never go to Specsavers for glasses again- the saleswoman was completely clueless, just focused on upselling and with no idea about how varifocals work. My local independent costs a bit more but you come away with glasses that are exactly right, fit properly and suit you, which is much better economy than a cheap pair you can’t wear.

In my area Specsavers have got the NHS contract for heating aids, can get an NHS appointment with them in a week. Got my phonak hearing aids from them on the NHS.

Specsavers are well known for this. They try and fleece you for as much as they can get

The brands NHS gives are the big brands (well depenss who won the contract). However, NHS does not give the ones with all the cool extras. They tend to be the basic model that fits the diagnosis.

However, thag doesn't matter. Their sales tactics are very unethical. I understand it is a business but I remeber when I first got to assistive aids business, it was made clear that I should never sell anything that is not needed or if client seems unsure, give them facts and don't push

Do you already have hearing aids? If not, why are you wasting an appointment if you are already waiting for NHS aids via the hospital? Even if your local Specsavers has an NHS contract, if you’re being issued them by the hospital then Specsavers won’t provide NHS. The £1995 aids are better than the NHS. There’s no disputing that. Yes, they’re provided by the big brands, but they’re pretty basic.

me too and me neither,
They've never tried to upsell me on the glasses either. Maybe I look poor?

When I phoned the hospital for an audiology review I was told it could be a long wait and they suggested I go to Specsavers. I got an appointment within a week and it was fine and actually more convenient for me. Was given nhs hearing aids which were an upgrade on the ones I was given at the hospital three years previously. I've never experienced any upselling there.

I’ve been delighted with my Specsavers branch for 25 years whilst my brother found his local branch to be “cowboys”. Apparently it’s a franchise system so standards vary greatly and it’s not fair to blame the whole chain on less scrupulous branches.

Specsavers branches are (“proudly”) locally owned, not branches belonging to a national chain. The branch you used is perhaps in financial trouble and has instructed its employee to do everything to make you spend more. Some national chains (in other retail sectors) offer customers good offers in advertising on, say, a washing machine or television set in order to lure costumers in and then try to make them select a better, more expensive product. All in a day’s work, standard practice.

@CaptainMyCaptainIf you’re classed as routine , or non complex then the hospitals tend to advise you to go to Specsavers when you’re due a review. Frees up the hospital waiting lists. But if OP has been told she’s getting them via the hospital then she’ll have a pathway with them. Or her area doesn’t offer NHS via Specsavers.

I can’t understand why you went to Specsavers for a hearing test when you were already expecting hearing aids from the NHS. Surely that was a waste of everyone’s time and money , including your own .

I wanted in ear hearing aids and was quoted 2000 pounds at SPECSAVERS. I wear glasses and normal hearing aids can be sore. I went to Apple and bought AirPods with hearing aid technology and they cost 120 pounds. I just scanned my prescription from the nhs into the app and can now hear much better. They are for mild to moderate hearing loss and they come with the advantage of music and it links to my tv and phone too. No more awkward phone calls and great sound from tv! It’s changed my life for the better.

I had the opposite at Specsavers. I expected to pay for private ones, as I was worried about having them and wanted decent ones. But both the audiologist and the assistant who originally spoke to me, actively dissuaded me, and told me to give the NHS ones a try first. And the free aids turned out to be great for me.

I don't know who your post is intended for but the hospital advised me to go to Specsavers. My original hearing aids were from the hospital now I get seen at Specsavers. There is no duplication.

Glad to hear you could hear. The hearing aids must be working then 😂

Not in my experience. I had a hearing test at Specsavers in March. I then made an appointment with my GP who checked my ears and referred me to the hospital. I didn't have to wait long for an appointment and was able to collect my hearing aids a few weeks later. The whole process was probably less than three months. Specsavers certainly didn't try to force me to buy from them. The audiologist fully understood that I couldn't afford to purchase hearing aids privately.

I phoned my local hospital audiology department and got an appointment really quick, 3 week wait, I had a hearing test last week, my hearing had deteriorated and they offered me the latest Bluetooth streaming aids, I was told that they have to order them and the wait would be a couple of weeks and they’d send me an appointment, I had my appointment sent to me on Wednesday unfortunately I’m not able to make that appointment so I’ve got another one, my appointment is for 3 weeks time!
it sounds like specsavers are after your money!

DH was really pressured into varifocals last time he went and they were going on about him having custom lens fields and all this fancy stuff. He did get basic varifocals in the end and some glasses for intermediate work included for free. Guess what? He rarely wears the varifocals and takes his glasses off for close up work anyway!

most aids can still have the loop put on . I think the loop is on the way out in the next few years as auracast will probably come in, and Bluetooth can do some of the loop functions eg connecting to the tv. But did you specifically ask for the loop to be put on?

Specsavers here are very good - for sight and hearing.
I think they are franchises though.

In some areas Specsavers have a contract to do NHS work which they do alongside their private work. It’s generally for the more straightforward hearing losses. They are supposed to keep the two separate and not try to sell private aids if the patient has been referred to them from their GP for nhs aids.

My Dad has NHS hearing aids through Specsavers and very impressed by them.
I have to say I am another varifocal wearer who was definitely given a hard sell...

I did ask but you need an extra thing to carry about with mine and I know I'll forget it. I already forget my hearing aids for most important occasions, along with my phone, keys, shoes...