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'd like to bet Specsavers contract with the NHS doesn't allow them to pressure NHS patients into buying.
My NHS aids are phonak bluetooth and I am delighted with them.
I would complain, not sure who to? Specsavers, audiology and trading standards!

As others have said, I think it very much depends on the branch. I recently switched to Specsavers as they had some frames I liked. Requested ultra-thin as that’s what I’ve always had and the lady said that with my prescription I didn’t need to go ultra, just thin would be sufficient and I wouldn’t notice the difference, saving me money on my new glasses.
A few weeks later, went for a free audio test to the same branch. Confirmed that I had hearing loss and the lady did say that they sold hearing aids but suggested I see my GP to request a NHS review first. Specsavers do not have the NHS contract in my area. Definitely no hard sell, was impressed and confident that the hearing test was accurate rather than diagnosing something purely to sell me something. NHS referral via GP and was seen within a month. Hearing loss the same as diagnosed by Specsavers. Still waiting for the hearing aid fitting appointment (told wait would be around 4 months) but know I’ll be getting Opticon so I’ll see how I get on with them and if they’re comfy with my glasses.

I have Signia bilateral aids through Specsavers as they have my local NHS contract. They have been utterly amazing, even upgrading my old, none Bluetooth aids a month before they were allowed to as I was struggling to do my job (I have to make sensitive calls and not having audio through my phone was making life very difficult.). Not all branches are the same. I’d complain.

They're all in a panic because they know Apple and the tech companies will own this market in the next 2-3 years and superb aids will be available for £100-£400. Good!

I have AirPod Pro 2 which have a hearing aid function, and for me, whilst they’re ok if I’m nipping into town and want to listen to music and quickly switch to speak to a cashier, they’re ok, but for my hearing loss, which is quite severe, they don’t work especially well. Particularly in noisy environments. I couldn’t yet replace my hearing aids with them.

I can see Apple eventually cornering this market though.

Ha! No we’re not.

And no, I don’t hard sell private aids. We can talk about private options to NHS patients. We are required to advise them of the available options. Some people are happy to pay for better, others cannot or do not want to. If they want NHS aids then great, we will happily provide them and the aftercare. We have hundreds and hundreds of very happy NHS patients on our books.

I'm not surprised, I've not had great experiences with Specsavers and I'm not going back. With their audiologist, she told me I needed two hearing aids, and that I had to see my GP to fill in a form to approve it. He refused, saying they do this regularly and he disagreed. I was tested again separately, and was told I don't need them.
The last time I bought a pair of glasses, I picked one I liked. There aren't many I can choose from, as I have a narrow bridge, so I know what number I'm looking for on the arm. But the sales assistant kept trying to steer me to unsuitable ones. I just wanted the ones I'd picked. They said they could find others to save me money, but I didn't care, I just wanted those. In the end I said if they didn't stop I'm walking out, so they sold me the ones I wanted (which fit perfectly).

As someone else has said, they are franchises.

I love my local Specsavers, for vision. Less impressed with audiology - I came away unaware that there was an NHS option, and their earwax microsuction was more expensive than my local chemist plus also my chemist told me my ears were absolutely fine while specsavers told me I had impacted earwax which must be removed before audiology testing …

You will get a rump of franchisees who are decent and honest.

A few who are clearly on the make.

And the balance who are somewhere inbetween.

I vad no problem with specsavers.
Got NHS hearing aids from them. Wasnt pushed to buy anytving more expensive.

Hi everyone, sorry I haven’t been much in touch. Thank you for your replies. I’ve decided to put in a complaint, especially after my 18-year-old son went in for an eye test yesterday, his prescription changed by .25, and he was told he needed new glasses. I see that kind of advice as unethical. Yes, they’re a business and need to make money but this is misleading people.

My son in law (43) lost 98% of his hearing overnight due to a sudden onset medical condition, he has NHS hearing aids and things they are great.

Hate Specsavers - sneaky , money grabbing tactics imho.