Hearing aid prices: how much do hearing aids cost?

Although it's possible to buy hearing aids for as little as £500, most people who buy privately pay more – about £2,700 on average for a pair. 

Not all brands make it easy to find out how competitively priced their hearing aids are, though. 

To help you get the best price, we've pulled together insights from our unique hearing aid user survey on how much people paid for their hearing aids. 

We've also gathered pricing quotes from the five big hearing aid chains – Amplifon, Boots Hearcare/David Ormerod Hearing Centre, Hidden Hearing, Scrivens and Specsavers Hearcare – for different levels of hearing aids, based on the latest models, to give you an idea of what you’ll pay per pair.

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Average cost of hearing aids

In June 2022, we surveyed 2,192 people to find out how much they paid privately for a pair of hearing aids at the big high street chains. The average prices are listed below in price order, from low to high: 

• Specsavers Audiology - £1,993
• Boots - £2,562
• Amplifon - £2,675
• Hidden Hearing - £3,464

But price isn't everything. It's really important to ensure you get good aftercare so that your hearing aids are adjusted well for you. See how each company is rated by customers in our independent guide to to the best and worst hearing aid providers.

Hearing aid prices compared

We've compared the prices the biggest retailers charge for a pair of the latest hearing aids and found they can vary by thousands of pounds.

We’ve split the prices by level of hearing aid into categories that reflect different lifestyles – for example, if you're mainly in quiet places and having one-to-one conversations, or if you need aids optimised for complex-listening environments, such as restaurants and parties.

This is just to give an idea of the difference between hearing aids and does not mean that someone who has a quieter lifestyle shouldn't get high-end hearing aids if that's what they and their audiologist think will suit them best. 

Difficulty hearing can lead to social isolation, and social contact is really important for staying healthy in later life, so it's worth getting the best fit for you.

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Pricing information last checked: July 2023

The price range given is for hearing aids with disposable batteries. Expect to pay slightly more - maybe £100 to £200 more - if you buy a pair of rechargeable hearing aids. 

Some retailers have their own brand, such as Specsavers Advance. These sometimes have identical technology to branded models. For example, Amplifon only sells own-brand models but its hearing aids are identical to some branded aids.

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How do NHS hearing aids compare?

The NHS buys the same hearing aids you buy privately from exactly the same manufacturers. It's probable that they won't be the very latest models, but the technology will be up to date and the hearing aids will work well.

You're likely to be offered behind-the-ear (BTE) and possibly receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) aids, although the NHS does now buy less visible in-the-ear (ITE) ones too - see hearing aid types for more advice on the different styles.

It's likely that they would be mid-range, ie equivalent to our category-three models, but this will of course depend on your individual needs. It's unlikely you'd be offered aids for category four or five (the most expensive) unless there was a very specialist reason why you needed one from these ranges.

What's included in the price you pay for hearing aids?

The price of your hearing aids is bundled together with other costs which may include after-care, maintenance and parts, etc. This makes it harder to compare costs between providers. 

All the companies we asked include the initial consultation, hearing test and fitting of hearing aids. We've pulled together the other key information to consider so you can see what's included when you buy from different retailers.

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Does the hearing aid brand I buy matter?

Hearing aid manufacturers tend to produce ranges of models with broadly similar capabilities. In other words, if one manufacturer brings out a hearing aid with certain features, the others will likely follow suit.

The key to getting the right hearing aids is to focus on getting a good audiologist who can advise you well on what you need, rather than focusing on which brand you want.

Be aware that different providers typically only sell specific brands. See our guide to the best and worst hearing aid providers for the list of who sells what.

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Cost of hearing aid spare and replacement parts

When you're comparing hearing aid prices, you need to consider the ongoing costs (of parts such as batteries and wax guards) as well as the upfront ones, as these can differ considerably. 

For example, Specsavers includes disposable batteries for up to four years, Amplifon includes them for up to three years on selected models, and Scrivens has an Essential Care plan free to customers for the first two years, which includes batteries and other maintenance items. 

Potential extra hearing aid costs to consider include: 

• Disposable batteries - £3 / month (average cost) How long these last will depend on factors including your level of hearing loss and the technology you're using (eg streaming music through your aids). 
• Wax traps - £4.50 / month These cost around £5 a pack and are also needed for rechargeable aids. How often you have to change them depends on how much wax your ears produce and where the hearing aid sits in the ear. Most patients change them between weekly and fortnightly, but this really varies, with some people getting through a pack a week, and manufacturers recommending they're changed at least every two months or so. 
• Domes - £3.50 / month The domes or soft tips that sit in your ear (if you have this type of hearing aid rather than ear moulds) may also need replacing. 
• Drying capsules £1 / month Some of the rechargeable units have a silica gel pellet that dries out the hearing aids overnight - you get two for £5 and each one needs replacing roughly every two to three months.

Other things you may need include drying kits (a small dehumidifying pot with two silica gel pellets) for hearing aids with disposable batteries, cleaning tools, cleaning wipes, and puffers to dry out behind-the-ear hearing aids with ear moulds. 

Ask about the extras you'll need for your specific aids and so you can get an idea of ongoing costs. 

More expensive items you might also need to pay for include: 

• Replacement wires (receivers) - if they break after the warranty runs out (£40-£80 per aid) 
• Ear moulds - they may perish, not fit if you lose weight, or discolour 
• Replacement charging units - for rechargeable aids, cost £100 to £400 but retailers may well offer cheaper prices.

Last but definitely not least, it's important to remember that your hearing aids will need replacing after roughly three to five years.

Hearing aid insurance

Although you can buy bespoke hearing aids insurance from your provider, hearing aids are usually included under your home contents and personal possessions cover (the latter covers them when you're away from your home). 

To be on the safe side, you should double check when buying the cover, as in a few cases you may need to specify them: this means individually adding them to the policy. 

Another thing worth checking is if the policy has 'matching sets' cover. This means that if part of a pair or set (e.g. hearing aids) is lost or damaged and a matching replacement can't be obtained, the insurer will replace both.

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What to check when buying hearing aids

There is a huge variation in hearing aid prices, so it’s worth getting several quotes before you buy. But keep in mind that aftercare and extras matter too, so don't just go on price:

1. Check what's included

Make sure you ask exactly what’s included, so you know what you’re comparing when shopping around.

2. Follow-up appointments

Ask who follow-up appointments will be with and how often they'll take place. How do you get hold of the audiologist if there is a problem and how quickly should you expect a problem to be rectified?

3. Ongoing costs

Ask about servicing, maintenance and parts (such as batteries and wax-traps) – has the audiologist explained what is required and indicated the ongoing costs? Will there be a cost for follow-up?

4. Check you're being offered the latest models

Do check that you're being offered the manufacturer's latest range, but don't assume you need to pay more for it. It's all about your needs: if you're mostly at home, you may not benefit from a top-spec hearing aid with many channels, whereas if you socialise a lot and work in a range of environments, this might be exactly what you need.

5. Extra features

Review the pros and cons of different hearing aid types, and whether hearing aid features such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bluetooth, remote control, Telecoil, additional programs and volume control are worth the extra you’ll be paying.

6. Fees and charges

Check the details of any trial period and money-back guarantee (this should be a minimum of 28 days, but could be as many as 60 days). Are you charged a cancellation fee (which could be as high as 12.5%) if you return the aids within the trial period?

7. Understand your warranty

Is there a warranty period and, if so, what does it cover? For example, replacing a lost aid or repairing it, and replacing non-functioning ones?

8. Ask about finance

If you’re taking out a finance agreement, are you clear about the details and annual percentage rate (APR) charged?

9. Scrutinise your contract

Read the written agreement before paying anything, and ensure the terms and conditions are clearly explained to you.

10.Raise any concerns

Make sure you know how to make a complaint if you're not satisfied with the service you receive. 

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Getting the best value hearing aids

This is about more than just the costs – it's about customer service as well. An audiologist who offers you great follow-up care may be the difference between you enjoying a new lease of life and your hearing aids sitting unused in a drawer.

Do check that you're being offered the manufacturer's latest range, but don't assume you need to pay more for it. If you're mostly at home, you may not benefit from a top-spec hearing aid with many channels, whereas if you socialise a lot and work in a range of environments, this might be just what you need.

1. Don't feel pressured into a home visit

Some companies offer free guides on hearing aids and offer to follow up with a home visit. You don't have to say yes to this; you're still free to shop around.

2. Have a full hearing test before you buy

Never buy any type of hearing aid without a full hearing test. The hearing aids will not be set based on your hearing loss and needs, which presents a risk of further damaging your hearing.

3. Do your research on alternatives

If you’re getting quotes and an audiologist offers you an alternative model to the one you’ve been recommended ('it’s just as good and half the price'), check this is really the case by asking the first audiologist you saw for their opinion.

4. Be aware of your options

Bear in mind that some hearing companies have tie-ins with certain manufacturers. This may benefit you in terms of price, but may also limit your choices. The NHS only buys from certain manufacturers, too.

5. Watch out for upselling

You shouldn’t need to replace hearing aids after only a year, so be wary of anyone telling you you should. The technology does not move that quickly and there is a three- to five-year life expectancy on hearing aids.

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