Boots Audiology Experience

Audiologists vary in their skills and commitment, just as do dentists, doctors or for that matter roofing contractors! Boots (Exeter UK) was a very positive experience for me, the young audi made careful threshold measurements (though no speech tests) but did not try to bounce me into a purchase as she could tell that my quite old NHS Phonaks were continuing to meet my unsophisticated needs: i.e. no bluetooth wanted, no auto-adaptive stuff, just adequate fidelity to do my day-job. That involves recording - but does not easily rise to a big outlay.
The Phonaks were set up by NHS ten years back, carefully adjusted and matched to one another using a thin tube to check the ear-canal sound, and not over-egged in terms of compensating for high-end loss.
Of course they fall short as do most: not much output below 250 Hz, which in UK is still the lower limit of measurement anyway. For music, and for male voices, that has to change! Probably the latest Widex is pointing the way. Wonder if NHS will have those. Onward to next review…

I know people who haven’t said great things about Boots or Specsavers. Have you tried looking for a smaller independent dispenser near you? You might perhaps get a better, more personal caring experience from them rather than from a “big High Street” chain.

I had a word recognition test when I first saw a high street audiologist some 5 years ago. They had very fancy kit. However when it came to buying the product they were nearly 3 times more than Boots. Like someone wrote earlier, I offered to pay the high street specialist much above the Boots price but they declined my custom.

Wow I wasn’t aware we had a Costco in Glasgow and they have a hearing section. Just checked and they do sell those Kirkland 10s. Must check their service out more. Thanks

Thank you @murjake. Costco may eventually do other aids in the “Paradise” platform? I went to the opposite end of your choice, and picked the largest hearing aid I could get, which has a 675 battery, the Phonak Naida Paradise 90 BTE, which is probably 3 or 4 times larger than the KS10 or indeed the KS9. I use twin walled tubing which helps with feedback, and gives you approximately another 5db of gain, so I am reliably informed. I am quite happy for others to see my aids, as folks are more attentive if they know you’re deaf/hoh. Cheers Kev

I have found Boots a bit hit and miss and your experience will largely depend on the individual audiologist. I have had a WRS test done once there but not since and they don’t do REM.

However, they suit me in that I DIY program my aids but need earmolds (as opposed to domes) so need an audiologist for the correct earmolds.

Pricewise I am OK with what I have been offered for my Paradise P90-312s. A local audiologist who would provide a more personal service (and considerably more experieince too I guess) would cost £2k more. I don’t need that level of service, but admit their experience may help speed up acceptance.

The most important bit for me is getting the earmolds as perfect as possible as I am sure the software can be tweaked once that is done. Poor fitting earmolds produce lousy results.

Yeah @DaveUK, I too believe Boots Hearing Care provide a more than adequate service for what they charge, I am fortunate my AuD is brilliant at her job, I have had these Naida P 90’s BTE for approximately 6 weeks or so now, and they are brilliant aids, only problem I have encountered thus far was an ill fitted mould, but that was replaced. I get approximately 14 days out of my 675 batteries with around 3 hours per day streaming. I too have Noah Link Wireless and Target 7.1, but as yet I have not felt the need to delve into self programming these, unlike me though I have been a self-programmer for around 8 years, but they are set up perfect, they worked straight off the bat, no adjustments whatsoever after the initial set up by my AuD…. Although I may have to start programming again, as my hearing appears to be fluctuating badly as of late, re-test next week should validate this or not? Cochlear Implants may be on the agenda again? Cheers Kev