Amplifon vs Boots Hearingcare - Which one is better? How does the service compare?

Boots Hearingcare vs Amplifon Hearing Aids

What are the differences between hearing aid retailers Amplifon and Boots Hearingcare?

Researching hearing aid providers in the UK - Boots vs Amplifon, who's better?

When it comes to finding a reliable hearing aid provider in the UK, taking the time to do thorough research is important, not to mention beneficial. But, where do you begin?  Start by consulting trusted sources, such as professional comparison sites and genuine customer reviews, to identify providers with a proven reputation, such as the Which Report?

It’s important to consider key factors like the provider’s expertise, qualifications, and experience in the field. Look for those offering a wide range of hearing aid brands and models, ensuring you can find a solution that will best suit your needs. Also, investigate the quality of their customer service, like aftercare support.

By doing your research, you’ll be able to make a well-informed decision and choose a reputable hearing aid provider. In this article, we’ll compare two hearing aid retailers in the UK, Boots and Amplifon, to help provide some clarity and hopefully assist you in your decision-making process.

What are the disadvantages and advantages of both Boots hearing aids and Amplifon hearing aids?

These are two hearing aid chains in the UK.  Boots you have probably already heard of, and Amplifon, still quite a popular hearing aid provider but not as big a name on the high street.  We thought it might be beneficial, from a consumer point of view, to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both Boots Hearingcare and Amplifon.

From experience, quite a few of our customers usually ask how Boots Hearingcare compares to Specsavers, rather than Amplifon.  However, we think the comparison with Amplifon would still be a useful insight to those researching hearing aids - especially for the first time. 

The main thing is you have recognised and acknowledged your hearing loss and the need to hear better again – and that is the biggest hurdle to overcome.  

Boots vs Amplifon Hearing Aids

Who is Boots Hearingcare?

Boots hearing aids

If you were to ask people on the high street who they think of when it comes to buying hearing aids, the majority would probably say Boots. They’re a well-known name, often top of mind when people think about health, eye care, and hearing care. 

And it's no surprise really – with over 400 stores, a strong marketing presence, and a dominant position in the audiology market, it’s hard to miss them.

But who actually owns Boots Hearingcare? Well, the hearing aids sold in Boots stores come from the David Ormerod Hearing Centres franchise, which is owned by the Sonova Group. Sonova is the company behind popular audiology brands like Phonak and Unitron. In 2013, Boots Hearingcare purchased a 49% minority stake in David Ormerod Hearing.

So why does this matter? The key point here is that with this minority stake, the service you receive at Boots Hearingcare could be influenced by their ties to these specific brands. Therefore, there’s a good chance you’ll leave with a hearing aid from either Phonak or Unitron.

These brands offer excellent hearing solutions, but it's worth noting that they’re just two of many top manufacturers in the industry, all of which bring great technical innovation, style, and design to the table. We believe this could limit the options available to consumers when it comes to finding the best hearing aid for their needs.

What are the advantages of Boots Hearingcare?

• Boots ranks as the second-highest-rated audiologist on the high street, just behind independent providers, according to consumer reviews.

• Customers regularly praise Boots staff for being professional, knowledgeable, and caring. The company is also known for providing clear, accurate information to consumers and offering a solid follow-up service, including check-ups and future appointments.

• In terms of pricing, Boots Hearingcare offers a standard rate for the services and products they provide.

• With over 400 stores across the UK, Boots Hearingcare has a strong high-street presence, making them easily accessible and convenient for most people.

What are the disadvantages of Boots Hearingcare?

• Boots Hearingcare does not offer a home visiting service, which can be an important option for those who rely on it to receive their hearing healthcare.
• They are also known for being one of the higher-ranking companies in terms of pressure selling. Many consumers have reported feeling pushed into making a hearing aid purchase during their visits to a Boots Hearingcare store.

However, this issue is not unique to Boots. Many large chains with strong ties to major manufacturers, high operational costs, and ambitious sales targets often experience similar pressures, leading to sales tactics that can feel more forceful.

• Boots Hearingcare occasionally promotes discounts on certain hearing aids. Since hearing aid manufacturers typically release new models every few years, it’s likely that Boots is clearing out older stock in preparation for new launches featuring more advanced technology.

Always be sure to confirm that the model being offered isn’t due to be replaced by a newer, more advanced version.

Other useful Boots Hearingcare articles:

• Do Boots offer home visits?
• An insight into Boots Hearingcare AudioNova hearing aids
• Which Report for hearing aid providers
• Boots vs Specsavers
• Information on Boots hearing aids

Amlifon Hearing Aids Versus Boots Hearing Aids

Who is Amplifon?

Amplifon hearing aids

Although Ampifon is an Italian company, it has established a strong presence in the UK and operates in 18 countries worldwide. Their headquarters is based in Milan, with a UK office located in Manchester. 

Currently, Ampifon runs around 200 centres across the UK and employs approximately 100 dispensers. Like Hidden Hearing, they offer a home visiting service, though it's important to note that this service isn't available in all areas of the UK.

Ampifon entered the UK hearing aid market in 2006 through its acquisition of Ultravox, which owns brands like Amplivox, Ultratone, Sietech, and Hearing Health. While they don’t have ties to any specific hearing aid manufacturer, they’ve built a strong working relationship with Resound over the years.

As a result, most of the hearing aids they sell are from Resound. To put things into perspective, around 11% of their customers opt for Widex, while approximately 19% choose Phonak hearing aids.

What are the advantages of Amplifon?

• In the last Which? Report, they were considered ‘good’ with keeping to appointment times, facilities offered, staff, and service in general.
• They have a huge number of centres nationwide and globally, therefore, there will be a store conveniently nearby.

What are the disadvantages of Amplifon?

• In the latest Which? Report, that they didn’t score well in hearing aid options offered to customers as well as their clarity in pricing and model information.
• Another low score in the same report was the pressure they were putting on their customers to make a purchase.  We feel that they potentially have quite a biased approach to which hearing aid manufacturers they talk about and promote, such as Resound.
• Their home visiting service is quite limited and heavily dependent on which area you live in.

Other useful information when researching hearing aids:

• Best hearing aids 
• Hearing aid types
• Hearing aid brands
• Hearing aid prices
• Bluetooth hearing aids
• Rechargeable hearing aids
• AI hearing aids

What should you really be paying for your hearing aids?

We believe that you shouldn’t be overpaying for your hearing aids. While they are an important investment, the price should be fair, and transparent, and include essential benefits like aftercare, warranty, and more – with no hidden costs.

Price is one of the biggest misconceptions about hearing aids, with many people assuming they’re just too expensive. In reality, the cost depends on factors like the nature of your hearing loss, your budget, your lifestyle, and whether features like technology and connectivity are a priority for you.

For example, when we assess your hearing, review the results, and consider your unique needs, we may find that you don’t need high-spec or feature-heavy devices. If that’s the case, we’ll recommend hearing aids that suit you best. 

The hearing aids you choose may not be the most expensive models, but they will be the right ones for you – designed to help you hear better, stay connected, and truly thrive. When you find the right solution, it’s life-changing.

Please note that the above information comes from the published Which? Report and therefore a reliable source.

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