Buying mailorder Aids

[Sport73]

Has anyone purchased hearing aids from 'Lloyds Hearing Aids' website?

[EnglishDispenser]

Originally Posted by Sport73

Has anyone purchased hearing aids from 'Lloyds Hearing Aids' website?

The big manufacturers do NOT allow UK dispensers to sell via mail order.

That's why HearingDirect (and my lapsed FreedomHearing) and similar mail order outlets sell 'unusual' brands.

What product are you thinking about buying?

[Cosmo]

Buyer Beware!!!

[prodigyplace]

Originally Posted by EnglishDispenser

The big manufacturers do NOT allow UK dispensers to sell via mail order.

That's why HearingDirect (and my lapsed FreedomHearing) and similar mail order outlets sell 'unusual' brands.

What product are you thinking about buying?

I expect many of those brands are older, less effective technology too. That was my experience with HearSource a year ago when I ordered their aids online. They could not help me without feedback issues.

[ed121]

The old line manufacturers are not stupid. They know that the entire industry, from product design to retail distribution to state law is designed to support the local audiologists/HIS distribution model. This model has worked sucessfully for years providing a generally competant and reasonably profitable structure with a minimum of end user disatisfaction.

The internet sales model (sans local professionals) is frought with peril for the vested interests and could lead to all sorts of commercial problems, not the least is poor customer service and pricing chaos with lowered profits all around.

In essence the hearing aid industry is a business and neads reasonable return on money invested as well as a return on time the fitters have invested in education and the office.

As an very long time user, I have never seen any of my local professionals earning any unreasonable income nor am I aware of any manufacturers making any huge profits. Ed

[Sport73]

Originally Posted by EnglishDispenser

The big manufacturers do NOT allow UK dispensers to sell via mail order.

That's why HearingDirect (and my lapsed FreedomHearing) and similar mail order outlets sell 'unusual' brands.

What product are you thinking about buying?

My interest lies in open fit. They offer Joy Slim V $775, Joy Mini $775, Bliss Mini $995, Bliss Slim-V $995, Siemens life 301 $1350, Siemens life 501 $1525

[Cosmo]

Check with your local professional first. You don't need to spend much more to get a custom/ proper fit device by a trained professional with follow up care.

[cheap hearing aids]

Originally Posted by Sport73

My interest lies in open fit. They offer Joy Slim V $775, Joy Mini $775, Bliss Mini $995, Bliss Slim-V $995, Siemens life 301 $1350, Siemens life 501 $1525

Times they are a changing!

[sundance]

In my humble opinion you cannot purchase something as complex and costly without the services of a properly qualified professional and for this to be truly effective requires face-to-face contact.

Good Audiologists are hard to find and can make all the difference in terms of what value you get out the technology.

You wouldn't want a 17 year old mechanic from Ford dealership to service your Ferrari would you?

[ed121]

I think a lot depends on the type and degree of your loss. Simple SNHF losses ( the majority) only need simple solutions. Complex and severe losses need highly skilled fitting by a professional. IMO Ed