Hearing aids

[martyn94]

My husband realised ( or admitted!!) a few years ago that he needed hearing aids. We have a Mutuelle and firstly went to their audio shop to ask about things. They sent him to a "specialist" in Perpignan who did a comprehensive test, giving him a prescription which then entitled him to a small payment by the Assurance Maladie and in our case , a ten percent discount on the hearing aids plus their contribution to the Assurance. The Audiophonist in the shop confirmed the prescription with her own testing and then showed him the full range of devises available to him. The prices varied a lot. So we took a few weeks to go away and compare with other shops, including Specsavers in UK who were doing a big discount on the same HAs we were interested in. As a matter of interest, our own Mutuelle were selling cheaper anyway. We ended up paying net 1100€ x2 . (Specsavers were 1500€ x2 at the then exchange rate.) . "Free" maintenance for the life of the aids.

It goes without saying that €1100 per ear is staggeringly more than the kit must cost the providers. You could buy most of the Apple range for that, and they are not notorious for giving it away. And that was Allan's concern. But maybe you just have to bite the bullet at a certain point, if you can at least be satisfied that you have identified the right kit.

[Sue]

I can't remember what I paid but I know it was buy one get one free and they are made by Siemens so not cheapos.

[Libby]

I've been with Audika for some years. I find their service good. The man who works in Argèles on Tuesdays speaks English too.
The price you quoted seems within the normal range.
If you're still on the British system you can get them free on the NHS, but don't have the choice of types.
If you're in France full time, then biting the bullet is the only answer.