Is this the best hearing aid model for me?

If you are looking at this page then it is likely that an audiologist has suggested that you purchase this particular hearing aid, so is this the best model for you? In general, any audiologist will always recommend to you the model that best suits your needs. Here is a useful checklist to make sure that is the case. Audiologist level of knowledge: The audiologist you have seen will hopefully have a wide knowledge of all available hearing aids, however, some will only be familiar with a small number of brands and therefore may not really be in a position to know which model is the best for you. It is OK to challenge their recommendation and ask them to justify why this particular brand is the one for you. Do research: Read about the hearing aid that was recommended. Does it seem like it will suit your lifestyle? Does it have more or fewer features than you need? Be aware of sales targets: Many high street retailers have specific tie-ins to a particular manufacturer/brand. The hearing aid they have suggested may still be the correct one for you, but do your research so that you know why they might have recommended it. If in doubt, feel free to give us a call. That's what we're here for. In the meantime, read all about our review of the best hearing aids for 2025 here

Do I need one hearing aid or two?

If you have significant hearing loss in both ears, you should be wearing two hearing aids. Here are the audiological reasons why: Localisation: The brain decodes information from both ears and compares and contrasts them. By analysing the minuscule time delays as well as the difference in the loudness of each sound reaching the ears, the person is able to accurately locate a sound source. Simply put, if you have better hearing on one side than the other, you can't accurately tell what direction sounds are coming from. Less amplification is required: A phenomenon known as “binaural summation” means that the hearing aids can be set at a lower and more natural volume setting than if you wore only one hearing aid. Head shadow effect: High frequencies, the part of your hearing that gives clarity and meaning to speech sounds, cannot bend around your head. Only low frequencies can. Therefore if someone is talking on your unaided side you are likely to hear that they are speaking, but be unable to tell what they have said. Noise reduction: The brain has its own built-in noise reduction which is only really effective when it is receiving information from both ears. If only one ear is aided, even with the best hearing aid in the world, it will be difficult for you to hear in background noise as your brain is trying to retain all of the sounds (including background noise) rather than filtering it out. Sound quality: We are designed to hear in stereo. Only hearing from one side sounds a lot less natural to us. Fancy some further reading on this topic? You can read about why two hearing aids are better than one in our article, h earing aids for both ears , here

What are the benefits of rechargeable hearing aids?

For most people, the main benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid is simple convenience. We are used to plugging in our phones and other devices overnight for them to charge up. Here are some other pros and cons: For anybody with poor dexterity or issues with their fingers, having a rechargeable aid makes a huge difference as normal hearing aid batteries are quite small and some people find them fiddly to change. One downside is that if you forget to charge your hearing aid, then it is a problem that can't be instantly fixed. For most a 30-minute charge will get you at least two or three hours of hearing, but if you are the type of person who is likely to forget to plug them in regularly then you're probably better off with standard batteries. Rechargeable aids are also a little bit bigger and are only available in Behind the Ear models. Finally, just like with a mobile phone, the amount of charge you get on day one is not going to be the same as you get a few years down the line. Be sure to ask what the policy is with the manufacturer warranty when it comes to replacing the battery. Looking for more information on rechargeable hearing aids? Read our dedicated page on the topic here

Are behind the ear aids better than in the ear aids?

For most people, the answer is yes. But it's never that simple. The majority of hearing problems affect the high frequencies a lot more than the low ones. Therefore open fitting hearing aids sound a lot more natural and ones that block your ears up can make your own voice sound like you are talking with your head in a bucket. Therefore in-ear aids tend to be less natural. However the true answer is we can't tell until we have had a look in your ears to assess the size of your ear canal, and until we have tested your hearing to see which frequencies are being affected. People with wider ear canals tend to have more flexibility, also there are open fitting modular CIC hearing aids now that do not block your ears. There is also the age old rule to consider, that a hearing aid will not help you if it's sat in the drawer gathering dust. If the only hearing aid you would be happy wearing is one that people can't see, then that's what you should get. Most people can adapt to any type of hearing aid, as long as they know what to expect. Have an honest conversation with your audiologist as to what your needs are.

What are channels, and how many do I need?

Generally speaking, six or more. Unless it's none at all. The number of channels a hearing aid has is often a simplistic way an audiologist will use to explain why one hearing aid is better than another, but channels are complex and it is really not that straightforward. Here are some reasons why: Hearing aids amplify sounds of different frequencies by different amounts. Most people have lost more high frequencies than low and therefore need more amplification in the high frequencies. The range of sounds you hear are split into frequency bands or channels and the hearing aids are set to provide the right amount of hearing at each frequency level. Less than six channels and this cannot be done with much accuracy, so six is the magic number. However, a six channel aid is typically very basic with few other features and is suitable only for hearing a single speaker in a quiet room. The number of channels is not what you should be looking at, it's more the rest of the technology that comes with them. As a final note, different manufacturers have different approaches. One method is not necessarily better than any other. For example, some manufacturers have as many as 64 channels in their top aids. Most tend to have between 17 and 20. One m anufacturer has no channels at all.

Where can I get the hearing aids covered?

Hearing aids are easily lost, misplaced or damaged and typically are one of the most expensive personal possessions an individual can own. We offer hearing aid warranty coverage for £80 per year per aid. Find out more about this service we provide here

How much does the hearing test cost?

All our audiologists use the very latest technology and provide the full range of tests to accurately measure your hearing for free. Find out about what hearing healthcare services we offer all our customers here

Do home visits cost extra?

Hearing Aid UK offers all their customers free home visiting services, even in a care home environment, for no extra cost. Including hearing tests, fittings, maintenance, check-ups and much more in the comfort of your own home and at your convenience. Find out more information about our home visits here

How come you're much cheaper than other places?

Here, at Hearing Aid UK, we are dedicated to offering low hearing aid prices. We achieve this by having no head office and low marketing costs. Our hearing aid prices are amongst the lowest you will find anywhere in the world. Explore our prices, brands, and models here

Asking people to repeat themselves frequently

Asking people to repeat themselves frequently?

You might have hearing loss

Do you find yourself saying, "Could you say that again?" quite often? Or maybe you find yourself straining to catch snippets of conversations and feeling a growing sense of frustration as words seem unclear. The question: "I keep asking people to repeat themselves frequently, do I have hearing loss?" might hang in the air.

The simple answer is yes, it is a significant red flag for potential hearing loss. While occasional mishearings are a normal part of life, a consistent need for repetition signals that your auditory system may not be processing sound effectively. Ignoring this can lead to further communication difficulties, social isolation, and even impact your overall well-being.

So, why does asking people to repeat themselves frequently point towards hearing loss? Let's find out...

Difficulty understanding soft speech

As our hearing naturally evolves with time, one of the first noticeable shifts is a fading ability to pick up quieter noises, a hallmark often linked to the initial stages of age-related hearing loss (presbycusis). This is the reduced ability to hear softer sounds.

Consonants, which carry much of the meaning in speech (think the difference between "cat" and "hat"), are often higher-pitched and softer than vowels. When you can't clearly perceive these consonants, the words become confusing, and you're left piecing together only parts of sounds, needing a request for repetition.

Related reading: Age-related hearing loss

Struggling to hear in noisy environments

A crowded restaurant or a busy social gathering becomes quite a challenge for those with hearing loss. Someone with "normal" hearing has an auditory system that filters out background noise and focuses on the speaker. Hearing loss impairs this ability.

The competing sounds overwhelm the speech signal, making it incredibly difficult to understand individual words and follow the conversation. You will find that the need for repetition escalates dramatically in these situations.

Misunderstanding and guessing

When you don't clearly hear what someone is saying, your brain tries to fill in the gaps. This often leads to misinterpretations and incorrect assumptions. You might nod along, almost pretending you've understood the context of the conversation, only to realise later you were completely wrong.

The frequent need for clarification arises from this constant struggle to accurately process incomplete auditory information.

Increased listening effort and fatigue

Constantly straining to hear and understand requires significant cognitive effort. Your brain works overtime trying to recognise fragmented sounds, filter out noise, and piece together meaning. The persistent effort to decipher unclear sounds can zap your mental energy, often turning social gatherings into exhausting experiences rather than enjoyable ones.

Asking for repetition becomes a way to momentarily lessen this cognitive load, in the moment, even if it doesn't fully resolve the bigger issue.

Related reading: Listening and digital fatigue

Specific sound frequencies affected

Different types of hearing loss can affect different frequencies. High-frequency hearing loss, for instance, makes it harder to hear women's and children's voices, as well as those important consonants. This can lead to specific instances where you struggle to understand certain speakers or types of sounds, prompting the need for them to repeat themselves.

Sounds like I might have hearing loss. What should I do next?

Acknowledging that constantly needing others to repeat themselves is a key indicator marks the initial, important stage in understanding what might be happening with your hearing. Ignoring it won't make the problem disappear and may even allow potential hearing loss to progress unnoticed. Here's what you should do:

Schedule a hearing test: The most important step is to speak to a qualified audiologist for a hearing assessment. This will accurately assess your hearing abilities across different frequencies and identify any loss and what type it is.
Be honest about your symptoms: When speaking with the audiologist, be detailed about the situations where you struggle to hear, including the frequency of asking for repetition. This information will help them understand the impact on your daily life.
Discuss potential causes: Hearing loss can have various causes, including age, noise exposure, genetics, certain medical conditions, and medications. Discuss your medical history and lifestyle with the audiologist.
Explore treatment options: Should a hearing assessment confirm a loss, your audiologist will advise suitable ways to manage it. Often, this involves exploring the benefits of hearing aids. These are advanced pieces of technology that boost particular sounds and enhance how clearly you perceive them.
Understand expectations: If hearing aids are recommended, have an open discussion about what to expect. The hearing aids of today are incredibly advanced, but they aren't a perfect restoration of hearing. Be realistic with your expectations.

Related reading: Types of hearing loss

Keep asking people to repeat themselves? Don't delay seeking help

It is normal to brush off the occasional "Can you say that again?", but when it becomes frequent, it's a clear signal that something might be amiss with your hearing. Early detection and intervention for hearing loss can significantly improve your communication abilities, maintain your social connections, and enhance your overall quality of life.

Don't let the frustration of constantly asking for repetition become your new normal. Take that important first step and schedule a hearing test today. Your ability to connect with the world around you is worth it.

Are you asking people to repeat themselves often?

You might have hearing loss

Frequent repetition is a key warning sign of potential hearing loss; don't ignore it. Early detection and professional help from an audiologist are important. Be open about your struggles and explore all treatment options, as modern solutions are advanced.

Don't delay seeking a hearing test; early intervention can significantly improve your communication and quality of life. You're not alone, and taking action is a positive step. It's about clarity and understanding, not just volume.

I keep asking people to repeat themselves frequently, do I have hearing loss?