WIDEX BUYING GUIDE

LOW PRICES AVAILABLE FROM: Independent Internet Discounters, some family run / independents

· Insist on a free trial (no commitment, no deposit)

· Get a long money back period (60 days or so)

· Make sure you can get all your money back in that period

· You don’t have to go far to get 3 quotes these days. Just use the internet and search for the price on one model only. It is a very good idea to then see two different providers to judge which is more likely to suit you best. Who do you trust? Who did you get on well with?

· Get an agreed program of aftercare visits INCLUDED in the price. Do not accept “aftercare for life” and make enquiries as to how long your dispenser has been working for the Company AND what will happen if they leave.

· Never pay extra for warranties, insurance or aftercare - this should be included in your price. Insure your hearing aids with your home contents insurer. Ask how much component repairs cost (this should range from £49 to £89 with an additional 6 month warranty).

· At March 2010, if you are being offered Widex aids, you need to be very wary about the price being charged. The Passion is generally a strong product line. The Passion 105 model is perfectly adequate for the majority of mild high frequency losses (PRICE YOU SHOULD PAY £695 to £1095 each).

· The MIND 440 CLEARBAND is certainly worth a trial if you are looking for a high end product—but technology can never really fix a difficult hearing loss (the PRICE YOU SHOULD PAY £1600 to £2000 each). FREE TRIAL

· The PASSION 440 for those of you willing to pay for the best overall Widex product (PRICE £1500 to £2000 each)

· The BRAVISSIMO is a good budget aid (in the ear model) still available from Regional Hearing Services (at March 2010). PRICE YOU SHOULD PAY £245 to £400 each

· If you prefer a traditional fitting, produce lots of wax, have ongoing infection or chronic skin conditions on the ear, a multi fit aid will suit you better (Inteo, Aikia). The M series is a very small behind ear option.

· Ask how much consumables cost—that’s DOMES, RECEIVER TUBES, SOUND TUBES, EAR MOULDS, WAX GUARDS, etc (a PASSION receiver tube should cost under £29)

· Never surrender your old hearing aids—THESE SHOULD BE KEPT AS SPARES and your new dispenser should offer to repair them as spares if they are malfunctioning.

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HOW LONG DO HEARING AIDS LAST?

Hearing aids should last about 7 years

but happy clients tend to replace at about 4 1/2 years

In the ear aids will typically break down once a year

Receiver in ear aids will need new receiver units around once a year and new domes on average, every 3 months

During that time. you must keep good contact with your Dispenser. That means every  3 -12 months - based on your confidence and competence level and the nature of your hearing loss.

Please get a hearing test done at least every 2 years