Adults & seniors

If you are the adult child

You probably noticed something before your parent did: the television getting louder, "what?" more often, missed phone calls, sitting out of the conversation at family gatherings.

You are also the one likely to be researching this, and paying for it. And you are carrying two worries at once:

• Will Dad be cheated — sold an expensive device he does not need, or will not wear?
• Will he actually wear it — because a device he refuses is money wasted.

Those are reasonable worries. This market has earned them.

Here is how we work with that:

• The test comes first, and the recommendation comes from the test.
• If a device is not needed, we say so. If a simpler device is enough, we recommend that.
• You get a written recommendation you can take to any doctor for a second opinion.
• No commission decides the recommendation, and there is no "today only" price.
• You can take your time. It will still be right tomorrow.

And a practical point: the person who wears the device holds an effective veto. If your parent will not wear it, nothing else matters. So bring them in. Involve them in the decision. The best device is the one they will actually use.

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If you are the senior

If someone in your family has suggested this — or you have quietly wondered about it yourself — you are the person whose hearing it actually is, and the decision about what to do is yours.

A few things, plainly:

• You are not being told you are old. Hearing changes with age for most people. Dealing with it is not a decline; it is maintenance, like glasses.
• You may not need a device at all. Sometimes a test finds something explained by earwax, an infection or another cause. We will tell you what we find.
• You can start small. You do not have to solve everything at once. Start with what is genuinely enough for the situations that matter to you.
• Nobody is going to pressure you. The test is the test. What you do with the result is up to you.

"I hear fine; people mumble." We have heard that many times, and we take it seriously. It is also one of the most common things people say before a test. The only way to know is to measure.

What is different for older patients here

• Unhurried appointments. We explain at your pace, in plain language, and we show you the result on screen.
• Aftercare at no charge, with a named person who looks after the devices over the years ``
• No upselling pressure. If you came in for a test, you can leave with just the test result.

Honest price bands for devices

See Hearing aids & honest price bands.

The six most common questions from families

1. "Will he be pushed to buy?" No. The test decides, and we will put a recommendation in writing.
2. "Will it be obvious he's wearing one?" Modern devices are small and discreet. We will show you the options once the test shows what is needed. We won't pretend they are invisible. ``
3. "How long does it take to get used to?" Usually a few weeks, with adjustments. That is what aftercare is for.
4. "What if he won't wear it?" Then we have not solved anything. That is why he should be part of the decision, not just the recipient of it.
5. "Is it expensive?" It varies widely. We give honest bands, not one number.
6. "Is there a payment plan?" Not at present — we do not offer EMI. ``

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Talk to us first, or book the test

• Secondary: Request a callback — often the easiest first step when you are researching for a parent.