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

[ML5]

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

At my Specsavers I’m always being told the wrong information by someone on reception

Do not pay this £200

it is free on the NHS unless you’re getting super fancy ones you do not need

No that isn't right same happened to me. Went to Specsavers they confirmed hearing loss and told me GP should have sent form over when they told me to come. They told GP the result and I also contacted GP to chase referral, they sent form to Specsavers. Went back for another appointment with Specsavers and got the hearing aids. No charge.

You can make an application under GDPR for your hearing test results from Specsavers and take them to GP if necessary. Doesn't cost £200, normally free although some organisations charge £10 for larger amounts of paperwork.

Just get the GP referral sorted out first take it from there

For anyone reading this

Visit GP first who will refer you for a hearing test

I think it could possibly be misunderstanding from Optician at Specsavers as if Drs wanted payment of £200 they would have said and also Audiologist would have told me as well.

My thoughts exactly.

Do not pay.

Go to GP and be referred.
Tell soecsavers that’s the referral in and do they want to test you again and you’ll make an appointment or would they like to use the test from the other day and prescribe accordingly.

job done.

There is a slight issue of postcode lottery with NHS hearing aids, sadly. However - you absolutely should not be paying a penny either for the aids or in future for batteries etc.

The quality of the aids you are fitted with, and whether they are rechargeable etc or come with Bluetooth, will depend very much on your local health trust. But don’t pay anything at all upfront. You may not be able to avoid Specsavers but I have only ever been seen in an NHS clinic or more recently my local big hospital audiology dept.

Hearing aids will be Digital Behind the Ear ones which are available on NHS

As I said further up thread, from what the OP has told us, it sounds like she had her hearing test, but then someone from the Optician side of things told her that she'd have to pay £200 for the report to be sent. From what I read online, Specsavers DO charge £200 for a special test on the EYES to be sent to the GP, so it sounds to me like the person from the OPTICIAN side of things, doesn't know enough about the HEARING side of things, and I think that if the OP calls again, she will find it is all a mistake, because it says on the Specsavers website, that EVERYTHING to do with HEARING is free.

Just to clarify, spoke to Audiologist at Specsavers and they have sent over my hearing test results to Drs (NO CHARGE)
Drs have received it and the Drs Receptionist said about a week for referral and Drs will contact me to sort out appointment at Specsavers.

I'm glad to hear it, so clearly the £200 charge WAS a mistake then.

Mine have Bluetooth connection too so I can answer calls and listen to music but sadly use batteries. Will ask next time I go regarding rechargeable hearing aids

This is good news