Concierge audiology · London
Private hearing aid fitting - London.
Independent HCPC-registered audiologists, the current premium range from Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Widex, Signia and Starkey, and a proper thirty to sixty day trial period with money back if the aids are not right.
Why go private
- 01
Immediate access
Booked assessment and fitting within days, not the multi-month wait typical of NHS audiology in most trusts.
- 02
Latest premium models
Rechargeable Li-ion, AI-driven noise reduction, Bluetooth streaming to phone and TV, tinnitus masking - the current generation, not one or two behind.
- 03
Choice of brand and longer follow-up
Any of Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Widex, Signia or Starkey, plus typically three to five years of unlimited follow-up.
NHS hearing aids are free and clinically effective but the fitted models are typically one to two generations behind the current private premium range, and follow-up capacity is limited.
The assessment
A full audiological workup, not a sales pitch.
Forty-five to sixty minutes with an HCPC-registered audiologist covering otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, speech-in-noise testing and a lifestyle interview - followed by trial device demonstration.
Brands and technology tiers
Six platforms, three tiers, four styles.
Each manufacturer sells a premium AI tier, a mid-range and a basic level. Style is chosen for ear anatomy, dexterity and cosmetic preference.
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Phonak Lumity
Swiss-engineered, strong speech-in-noise handling, Roger microphone compatibility for group settings.
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Oticon Real
Danish BrainHearing platform, keeps environmental sound intact rather than aggressively muting.
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ReSound OMNIA
Excellent front-facing speech clarity in noise, native iPhone and Android streaming.
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Widex SmartRIC
Natural, high-fidelity sound profile often preferred by musicians and first-time users.
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Signia IX
Split-processing for speech and environment, discreet slim RIC form factors.
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Starkey Genesis
On-board AI, fall detection, health tracking, live language translation via app.
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RIC - receiver-in-canal
The most common style. Small unit behind the ear with a slim wire to a receiver in the canal.
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ITE - in-the-ear
Custom-moulded shell that fills the outer ear. Easy to handle.
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CIC - completely-in-canal
Sits deep in the canal, near invisible. Best for mild to moderate loss.
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BTE - behind-the-ear
Full behind-the-ear unit with tubing. Robust, powerful, suits severe loss.
Features that matter
Which features are worth paying for.
Not every buzzword changes your day. These are the ones patients actually notice.
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Bluetooth streaming
Direct calls, music and TV audio to both ears from iPhone or Android.
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Telecoil
Picks up hearing loops in theatres, stations, places of worship.
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Rechargeable Li-ion
A full day on one charge - no fiddling with size-312 batteries.
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Water resistance IP68
Sweat, rain and splash-resistant across the current premium range.
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Tinnitus masking
Built-in sound therapy programmes for patients with troubling tinnitus.
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Adaptive noise reduction
AI-driven scene classification that switches profile as the environment changes.
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Own-voice processing
Reduces the boomy occlusion effect of hearing your own voice through the aid.
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App control
Adjust volume, programme and directionality discreetly from your phone.
The journey
Assessment, fitting, trial, aftercare.
One audiologist looks after you from first appointment through the trial and every follow-up over the life of the aid.
- 01 Before
You tell us what you notice
Missed words, TV too loud, tinnitus - a short confidential form, plus any recent audiograms.
- 02 Before
We match you to an independent
Within one working day: an HCPC-registered audiologist near you, brand-agnostic where possible.
- 03 On the day
Assessment (45-60 min)
Otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, speech-in-noise, lifestyle interview and trial device demonstration.
- 04 On the day
Recommendation
Loss pattern, style options and two or three specific aids at different price points - never a hard sell.
- 05 On the day
Fitting (about 60 min)
Real-ear measurement to verify prescribed gain in your own canal, custom moulds if needed, app pairing and orientation.
- 06 After
Trial period (30-60 days)
Wear them at home, work, restaurants. Full money-back return if not satisfied.
- 07 After
Aftercare (3-5 years)
Unlimited follow-up: cleaning, tube and dome replacement, remote reprogramming, battery service.
Indicative pricing
What private hearing aids cost in London.
Prices are per aid and include fitting, real-ear measurement and three to five years of aftercare. Independents are typically cheaper than the national chains for the same device.
| Item | Indicative range | Time | Aftercare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial audiology assessment (HCPC-registered) | £95-£175 | 45-60 min | Same visit |
| Basic hearing aid (per aid) | £700-£1,400 | 60 min fitting | 3-5 yr aftercare |
| Mid-range hearing aid (per aid) | £1,400-£2,400 | 60 min fitting | 3-5 yr aftercare |
| Premium AI hearing aid (per aid) | £2,400-£3,800 | 60 min fitting | 3-5 yr aftercare |
| Per pair (typical, both ears) | 1.8x single-aid price | - | - |
| Real-ear measurement + fine-tuning | Included | 30-45 min | At fitting |
A pair of premium aids typically lands between £4,500 and £6,800 fitted. Most patients notice the biggest jump in benefit going from basic to mid-range, with smaller gains at the premium tier.
Safety and standards
What good looks like.
A short list of the things a competent private audiology service does as standard - and one red flag that means an urgent ENT review, not a fitting.
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HCPC-registered clinicians only
Every audiologist in our network is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
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Real-ear measurement is standard
Prescribed gain verified in your own ear canal - not just the manufacturer default.
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A proper trial period
Thirty to sixty days to wear the aids in real life. Full refund if you return within the window.
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Red flag: sudden loss
Sudden hearing loss in one ear is an ENT emergency - urgent GP or A&E, not a hearing aid appointment.
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Wax matters
Impacted wax is checked and cleared first, otherwise aids will not perform.
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Two ears usually beat one
Bilateral fitting gives better speech-in-noise and localisation for most sensorineural losses.
Where to go
Reputable London providers.
Independent audiologists often price the same device below the national chains and can carry every major brand.
- Boots Hearingcare Private
- Amplifon
- HearMedic London
- Aston Hearing
- London Hearing Centre
- City Hearing Aids
- Private ENT and audiology clinics
NHS alternative
Free NHS hearing aids - and their limits.
The NHS remains a genuinely good option for many patients. Understand what you get before you pay privately.
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Free NHS hearing aids
Available via NHS audiology or via Boots Hearingcare on the NHS contract in many regions.
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What you typically get
Behind-the-ear or RIC models such as Oticon Zircon or Phonak Vitus - reliable, one to two generations behind the premium private range.
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Waiting times
Direct-access referral or GP referral, then commonly six to sixteen weeks depending on trust.
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Upgrading
Some regions allow a private top-up: you keep the NHS assessment and pay the difference for a premium aid.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most policies cover diagnostic audiology and any ENT consultation. Routine hearing aid hardware is usually excluded.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about private hearing aids.
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How much does a private hearing aid cost in London?
Roughly £700 to £1,400 per aid for basic, £1,400 to £2,400 for mid-range and £2,400 to £3,800 for premium AI models. A pair typically costs about 1.8x a single aid, and the price almost always includes fitting and three to five years of aftercare.
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Which brand is best - Phonak, Oticon, ReSound, Widex, Signia or Starkey?
None is universally best. Phonak and ReSound edge speech-in-noise, Oticon and Widex sound the most natural, Signia is strong on discretion and Starkey leads on health features. The right choice comes down to your lifestyle, ear shape and how you rate the trial.
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Is there a trial period?
Yes. Independents and reputable chains offer a thirty to sixty day trial with a full money-back refund if the aids are not right. Ask for it in writing before you pay.
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Should I go NHS or private?
NHS aids are free and clinically effective but typically one to two model generations behind, with longer waits and shorter follow-up appointments. Private buys immediate access, the latest technology, brand choice and longer aftercare.
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How long do hearing aids last?
Four to six years is typical before the technology feels dated or the shell wears. Rechargeable batteries usually last the life of the aid.
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Do insurers cover hearing aids?
Most UK private medical insurers exclude routine hearing aids. They may cover the diagnostic audiology and any ENT consultation. Some cash plans and workplace schemes contribute a fixed sum toward the aids themselves.
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Insomnia
Related condition guide.
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Send Enquiry
Tell us your symptoms - we come back within a working day.
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Ready when you are
A private hearing aid fitting, without the sales pitch.
Tell us what you notice - missed words, TV turned up, tinnitus. We come back within a working day with an independent audiologist near you and two or three specific device options at different price points.