Hearing aids

Discover the perfect solution for you.

Southwest Hearing is your serene haven for hearing health care. As an independent and registered hearing aid dispensary, we're dedicated to improving your hearing experience with bespoke solutions – and we know that no two ears are alike.

What you’ll get

  • Personal

    Just like your fingerprint, the dimensions of your ear are unique. That's why each hearing aid we recommend is equally unique to the individual. Whether you desire an invisible and discreet device or something more powerful and wirelessly enabled, we have the flexibility to select from any device manufacturer to cater to your specific needs.

  • Eco-Friendly

    As a hearing care clinic, we also recognise a responsibility to environmental values, and we're committed to reducing our impact. That's why we exclusively recommend hearing aids equipped with rechargeable batteries as standard, rather than wasteful disposable batteries. Our energy efficient clinic building (Leatside Surgery) is also fitted with community-owned solar panels, as part of the Totnes Renewable Energy Society. It's these small steps that make a significant difference to the whole.

  • Guidance

    Navigating the world of hearing aids can be daunting, but rest assured, we're here to guide you. Your journey begins with a comprehensive case history and diagnostic hearing test, allowing us to make tailored recommendations. We offer a 30-day trial period for all devices, including fine-tuning follow-up appointments, and we provide ongoing aftercare once your trial has been successful.

Leaders in the industry

Widex

We are proud to work closely with this Danish hearing aid manufacturer. Their sleek Scandinavian design is not only visually appealing, but they are also leading the way as the only carbon-neutral hearing aid manufacturer in the world. Once properly programmed and fitted by our expert audiologist, Widex hearing aids represent the pinnacle of premium sound quality and comfort. Widex devices produce by far the most natural sound quality of any manufacturer. They are effortless to use, and built with the superior craftsmanship and quality you’d expect of a medical device befitting a five-year warranty as standard.

Phonak

Phonak have a strong reputation for investing heavily into their own research & development. At their headquarters in Zürich, Swiss precision engineering meets cutting-edge lab innovation. Their hearing aids come in any shape or style you might require, custom-fitted, rechargeable, and fully waterproof as standard. Their hearing technology is powered by a dedicated AI chip integrated with their renowned sound processors, in order to deliver unparalleled improvements in signal-to-noise ratio. With a Phonak hearing aid, consider background noise interference officially a thing of the past.

Oticon

One of the longest-running European hearing aid manufacturers, Oticon has established itself as a trusted name in the realm of hearing health. With an esteemed legacy of novel devices and a commitment to high quality products, their aids offer a cost-effective solution without compromising on performance. The range of Oticon hearing aids combine advanced speech processing with user-friendly control features, providing patients with a clear sound in various listening environments. From discreet designs to customisable settings, Oticon caters well to diverse hearing needs, making it an excellent all-rounder choice for those seeking reliable and affordable technology.

Starkey

Hearing aids made and manufactured in the USA. Starkey represent, to this day, the only family-run business in the hearing tech world. Their innovative use of computer generated solutions means their devices are more than just hearing aids; incorporating everything from in-built body function monitors, gyroscopic fall detectors, step-counters, hands-free Bluetooth voice recognition capabilities, and enhanced auditory scene analysis modes. They are truly a tech enthusiasts dream. Complex features render them equally as capable your personal health assistant as they are at being demonstrably effective hearing devices.

FAQ’s

  • On a full charge the batteries should easily accommodate at least 20 hours of wear - more than a full days use - and depending on the make and model they can provide up to 50 continuous hours! If the battery is not performing to this standard then notify our team, and we will have it checked for repair (usually under warranty).

    * Whilst we exclusively recommend new rechargeable hearing aids, we do service older models with disposable batteries. A size 10 (small) hearing aid battery should last at least 2-3 days, a size 312 (medium) battery 3-4 days, and a size 13 (large) battery 5-7 days.

  • As is the case with most forms of technological advancement, the landscape of front runners in the hearing aid world too is constantly shifting, and each manufacturer will excel in specific fields or niches. Because your hearing and listening needs are unique we will recommend the solution which is most appropriate for you as an individual - and because we are independent we will only use the best supplier of that particular solution, free from the constrains of trade-supply contractual obligations.

  • No - you will not need to purchase new hearing aids in this instance. Any good hearing aid recommendation should be made with longevity in mind, and all of the hearing aids we provide will be adjusted regularly based on your hearing checkup results (our annual review service is included in the purchase price of your devices).

  • Yes! But importantly, you do not need a mobile phone connection for the hearing aids to work - they are fully functional as standalone devices. Most of the hearing aids we provide are directly compatible with both Android and iPhone mobile devices, using Bluetooth. Some of the smaller more discreet hearing aids may require an additional streaming accessory in order to enable this connection.

  • Don’t put up with it! Your hearing aids should be comfortable to listen with, but they will take a bit of time to adjust to. This is exactly why we offer all of our hearing aids on a success-guaranteed trial basis. If you don’t like the sound quality initially, we always fine-tune the settings during your included follow-up consultations, so that they meet and exceed your sound quality expectations. On the rare occasion that a new hearing aid trial doesn’t turn out to be successful then we can try a different style of device, or a refund minus any appointment costs incurred.

  • This does depend on the severity of your hearing loss. A mild or moderate hearing loss can be accommodated by a completely discreet, custom fitting ‘Invisible / Completely In Canal’ or IIC / CIC devices.

    More severe hearing losses tend to require slightly larger hearing aids, though even these are far more discreet than they used to be. Some custom hearing aids are designed to mimic the appearance of popular personal audio earphone / headphone brands (these are called ‘In The Ear’ or ITE devices).

    Other behind the ear devices have adapted to become exceptionally form fitting, using a thin speaker wire into the ear (rather than a bulky sound tube). The behind ear unit can be matched to hair colour or skin tone and therefore still is very discreet, whilst also powerful enough to deal with profound hearing losses. These are called ‘Receiver In Canal’ or RIC devices.

    We have demo versions of all shapes and sizes of hearing aids in our clinic, and your audiologist will ensure you are physically comfortable with any option you may choose.

  • We do not carry stock, as each hearing aid we order is bespoke and specific to the individual patient.

    As such, turnaround time varies depending on both style and manufacturer. See the above question ‘What will the hearing aid look like?’ for a list of styles;

    Custom fitting devices, including IIC, CIC, or ITE styles take at least two to three weeks to return from the lab.

    Behind the ear, or RIC devices, will be much quicker - typically arriving in four to five business days.

  • No - hearing aids will not negatively impact your hearing, so long as they are programmed safely by an expert audiologist.

    Your hearing aids will reduce listening effort, making it much easier to follow conversation and hear speech. This in turn does foster a reliance on your hearing aids over time, such that you may feel less able to hear without them in, but it does not actually impair your hearing.

  • Hearing aids are water resistant, but crucially they are generally NOT waterproof. If you require a truly waterproof hearing aid, to be worn during watersports or boating, then there are some limited options available - please ask during your appointment. Otherwise as a rule of thumb, it is always a good idea to keep your hearing aids as dry as possible.

  • No, we do not offer credit / loaned / repayment schemes. We are a small family business, and as such payment for the hearing devices is required in full ahead of your fitting appointment. This can be refunded (minus any reasonable appointment costs incurred) to you in the event that your trial does not proceed as planned.