Sound Advice

Should I buy hearing aids online?

As the UK’s only entirely remote audiologist, it’s safe to say we’re ahead of the curve – and there are more benefits than you may realise

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Frequently asked questions

  • Can I talk to an audiologist to help me do the test?

    Yes. We will always be available to help via the phone or video link if you need us – don’t worry!

  • Will I have to wait in all day for the Hearing Assessment Box to be delivered and collected?

    No. We use only DPD to deliver and collect the Hearing Assessment Box and hearing aids, and they will contact you on the day to notify you of a one-hour time slot. You can designate a delivery address, whether that’s your home or workplace. You can also rearrange that time slot if needed simply by calling them. We think DPD are the best delivery partner in the UK and their drivers will, of course, observe strict Covid-safe rules, leaving the box on your doorstep and stepping back well away from the door. When they pick up the Hearing Assessment Box they will ask you to leave the box on your doorstep and close the front door, before they collect it.

  • How soon can I have my ears tested?

    We can almost always send out a Hearing Assessment Box within 48 hours.

  • Is it important to get a full audiological examination if I’m worried about my hearing?

    Hearing loss is very common – about 1 in 6 people in the UK suffer from it in some form especially from our 50s onwards. If untreated, hearing loss can sometimes lead to other health problems and often has a major impact on our well-being, so it’s best to treat it as soon as possible. An audiologist will carry out a full hearing test with properly calibrated headphones and also look in your ear with a camera to check for wax or other obstructions.

  • Can I do a full audiological examination in my own home or at work?

    Online Hearing Care offers you the chance to have a full audiological exam in your own home or during your break at work. We will send you a Hearing Assessment Box, which contains a set of properly calibrated headphones, an otoscopy camera and a tablet with a pre-loaded hearing test. Just turn the tablet on and follow the instructions on the screen. You will be asked to take three pictures of your eardrum with the camera and these will be sent automatically to our audiologist, along with the full audiogram test results. Our audiologist will book a time with you to go through the results and help you fit and tune the hearing aids if you need them. You can contact us at any time of course if you’re not sure if you’re doing it right!

  • Are Online Hearing Care audiologists fully qualified?

    Yes all our audiologists are highly trained and experienced. They all have HCPC, BSHAA, BAA and BSA certification. Read more about our team here

  • Is the Hearing Assessment Box fully sterilised?

    Yes we sterilise all the Home Hearing Kits thoroughly before sending it out in a sealed box. It is sterilised to the same standards as a regular audiology clinic.

  • Why is it important to have a full hearing assessment?

    We need accurate results to base your hearing aid fitting on. The screening test is great, but the Hearing Assessment Box measures your hearing far more accurately with a full audiological assessment which therefore means your hearing aids are set up exactly to your specific hearing requirements. The Hearing Assessment Box also includes an ear camera so we can assess the status of your eardrum and ear canal.

    Alternatively, we do also accept if you have a current audiogram (hearing test) within the last six months.

  • Do the hearing aids come with a warranty?

    Phonak hearing aids are extremely reliable but if there are any problems they come with a 3 year warranty which covers everything except accidental damage, wear and tear and loss. You can also buy a further 2 years’ warranty if required, extending the warranty to 5 years in total.

  • Will I get ongoing help with my hearing aids if I have a problem?

    Rest assured we will always be there to help you if needed. We offer 5 consultations per year for three years if you need them – although in our experience once you have got used to the hearing aids you rarely need further help. In addition, we offer 3 free further annual hearing tests after purchase and we will adjust the hearing aids if you have any changes to your hearing over that period.

  • Can I get a full refund if I don’t get on with the hearing aids?

    Yes of course. We know that getting used to new hearing aids can sometimes be difficult and, although we will always try to work with you to ensure that they work as well as possible, occasionally people just can’t get used to them. If you want to return the hearing aids within 60 days of purchase we will give you a full refund.

  • Can hearing aids be tuned and adjusted remotely nowadays?

    Yes, most hearing aids nowadays can be adjusted and tuned remotely. To adjust your Phonak hearing aids we ask you to download the My Phonak app available free on the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store for Android phones or the Windows Phone App Store. The hearing aids connect via Bluetooth to your smart phone and when you’ve given permission to the audiologist they can tune the hearing aids remotely for you.

  • Why do Online Hearing Care only sell Phonak hearing aids?

    In our experience Phonak offer by far the best hearing technology at the moment. They invest very heavily in hearing research and lead the field in producing the world’s best hearing aids. Customers who choose Phonak hearing aids report overwhelmingly positive outcomes for their hearing. We have chosen to sell their award winning Audéo Paradise range: these are quite simply the best of the best.

  • Do I need a smartphone or tablet to get these hearing aids?

    In order for us to set the hearing aids up you will need to download the ‘myphonak’ (available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store) app on your smart phone or tablet. Don’t worry if you do not own a smart phone or tablet, you can always ask a friend or relative to borrow theirs just for the hearing aid fitting appointment. Once set up, you can request a call or video chat with your Online Hearing Care audiologist any time via the app. For users who struggle with technology we can set the hearing aids to fully automatic mode on the app, meaning they will adapt automatically to their surroundings and circumstances

  • Can I buy just one hearing aid?

    Most people find that two hearing aids give a much better overall hearing experience but for people with pronounced unilateral hearing loss we are happy to provide just one. Single Phonak Audeo Paradise hearing aids still come with a charging case, as well as the standard 3 year warranty, 60 day money back guarantee, audiologist support and annual follow up tests.

  • Do you offer a money-back guarantee?

    All hearing aids come with a full 60 day money-back guarantee. If for any reason you are unhappy with your purchase, we will refund you the full amount. We only accept returned products if returned in their original packaging and in new condition. All items must be returned, including the hearing aids, charging unit and any other accessories. We will return the money back into the account you paid with them for.

  • My hearing aid isn't showing any lights and has stopped working.

    In this instance you will have to reboot your hearing aids.

    Use this technique if your hearing aid is in an error state. This will not remove or delete any program or settings.

    1. Press the lower part of the button for at least 15 seconds. It does not matter if the hearing aid is switched on or off before you start pressing the button. There is no light or acoustic notification at the end of the 15 seconds.

    2. Place the hearing aid in the power-connected charger and wait until the indicator light blinks green. This can take up to 30 seconds. The hearing aid is now ready to use.

  • Can I buy these hearing aids if I don’t live in the UK?

    We do not ship abroad currently and only offer postage within the UK.

    If you are moving overseas, you can still buy hearing aids from us as the hearing aids will work abroad as normal. Just ensure that you have access to the ‘myphonak’ app found in the App store and Google Play store which confirms you can connect with us for video calls and fine-tuning sessions.

  • How do I change the filter for Phonak Audeo Paradise.

    Your hearing aid is equipped with an earwax protection to protect the speaker from earwax damage. Please check the earwax protector regularly and exchange it if it looks dirty or if the hearing aid volume or sound quality is reduced. The earwax protection should be replaced every four to eight weeks.

    Firstly, remove the earpiece (dome) from the speaker. Remove the dome from the speaker by holding the speaker in one hand and the dome in the other. Gently pull off the dome to remove and clean the speaker with a lint-free cloth.

    Changing the filter:

    1. Gently rotate the CeruShield Disk in the direction indicated by the arrows until a free opening appears under the bin icon.

    2. To remove a used earwax protector carefully insert the speaker into the free opening (under bin icon) until it clicks. After the click you will see the used earwax protector in the opening below the bin icon.

    3. To insert a new earwax protector carefully insert the speaker into the opening where the new earwax protector is visible (opposite the bin icon) until it clicks. After the click you will see the opening below is empty and the new earwax protector is now inside the speaker.

    Then attach the dome onto the speaker.

    See attached video that demonstrates this clearly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrPmpnfaqio

  • Do you supply CROS hearing aids?

    We do not supply CROS hearing aids. We fit hearing aids entirely remotely, via the myPhonak app on your smart device. The CROS aid is not compatible with the app and therefore it cannot be fitted remotely.

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