Hearing Healthcare Practice’s Second Opinion Service for Hearing Aid users.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Just some of the questions people ask before seeking out Hearing Healthcare’s Practice’s expert guidance – for those who are unhappy with the performance of their hearing aids*.
1. Why don’t my hearing aids seem to be working properly?
Hearing aids may underperform if they are not correctly programmed, fitted, or adjusted to match your specific hearing profile and daily listening environments. Expectations also play a role, as hearing aids improve hearing but do not restore it perfectly. A detailed reassessment can often identify issues with setup, technology choice, or usage habits. Hearing Healthcare Practice’s Second Opinion Service provides expert evaluation and fine tuning, often improving performance significantly within one or two visits.
2. Is it normal to feel disappointed with expensive hearing aids?
Many people expect immediate results from hearing aids, especially after significant investment. However, hearing improvement often requires careful adjustment, adaptation time, and realistic expectations. Dissatisfaction can result from poor fitting, incorrect device choice, or limited follow up care. Hearing Healthcare Practice offers an expert second opinion to assess whether devices are suitable and correctly programmed, ensuring patients receive both technical optimisation and clear guidance about expected outcomes.
3. Could my hearing aids have been fitted incorrectly?
Hearing aids require precise calibration based on detailed hearing tests and real world listening needs. Even small inaccuracies in fitting or programming can affect clarity, comfort, and speech understanding. If sound feels unnatural, uncomfortable, or inconsistent, a reassessment may help. Hearing Healthcare Practice’s experienced audiologists review previous fittings carefully and can adjust most major hearing aid brands, helping ensure devices are working as effectively as possible.
4. How do I know if I have the right hearing aids for my hearing loss?
Different hearing losses require different technologies, features, and fitting approaches. Factors such as lifestyle, dexterity, listening environments, and medical history all influence which devices are most appropriate. If hearing aids feel unsuitable or ineffective, a second opinion may reveal better options. Hearing Healthcare Practice evaluates both hearing ability and individual circumstances, helping ensure the selected devices truly match each patient’s hearing profile and communication needs.
5. Should my audiologist spend time explaining what to expect from hearing aids?
Clear counselling is an essential part of successful hearing care. Hearing aids improve access to sound, but the brain needs time to adapt, and expectations should be realistic from the outset. Without proper explanation, patients may feel uncertain or dissatisfied. Hearing Healthcare Practice takes a relationship centred approach, ensuring patients fully understand their hearing loss, the role of technology, and how best to achieve long term improvement in communication confidence.
6. Can hearing aids usually be improved without buying new ones?
In many cases, existing hearing aids can be improved through detailed adjustment, reprogramming, or optimisation of settings. Small technical changes can make a noticeable difference to clarity and comfort. A thorough review may also identify accessories or adjustments that enhance performance. Hearing Healthcare Practice’s Second Opinion Service often improves hearing aid outcomes within one or two appointments, avoiding unnecessary replacement where possible.
7. What should I do if I feel my audiologist is not listening to my concerns?
Successful hearing care depends on open communication between patient and clinician. If concerns are not fully addressed, hearing aids may not perform as well as they could. Seeking an independent second opinion can provide reassurance and practical solutions. Hearing Healthcare Practice is well known for our patient focused approach, taking time to understand individual difficulties and working collaboratively to improve both hearing performance and confidence.
8. Are second opinions common for hearing aids?
When it comes to hearing aids, Hearing Healthcare’s Second Opinion Service is, we believe, unique. However, second opinions are common across many areas of healthcare, particularly when results are not meeting expectations. Hearing is complex, and different clinicians may take different approaches to assessment and fitting. An independent review can identify opportunities for improvement or confirm current treatment is appropriate. Hearing Healthcare Practice has extensive clinical experience across leading hearing aid brands and provides expert insight to help patients make informed decisions.
9. Who can adjust hearing aids from different manufacturers?
Many hearing aids can be adjusted by experienced audiologists, provided the devices are not locked by the original supplier and are still supported by current software. Specialist knowledge of multiple brands is important when reviewing existing fittings. Hearing Healthcare Practice works with leading manufacturers including Phonak, Oticon, Widex, Starkey, Signia and GN ReSound, allowing expert evaluation of most privately supplied devices.
10. Where can I find an expert audiologist for a hearing aid second opinion in the UK?
When hearing aids are not delivering expected results, seeking expert reassessment can help identify whether adjustments, alternative devices, or further counselling are needed. Experience and clinical expertise are key factors when choosing an audiologist. Hearing Healthcare Practice provides award winning clinical experience and an international reputation for high standards, offering a dedicated Second Opinion Service focused on achieving the best possible hearing outcomes.
When to Contact Hearing Healthcare Practice
Hearing Healthcare Practice is an internationally respected audiological practice based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK.
Our Second Opinion Service goal is simple: to offer expert insight, whether that means confirming your current hearing aids and additional equipment are working optimally or identifying areas for improvement. After the initial clinical evaluation, we can adjust, fine-tune, and significantly improve most hearing aids in just one or two visits.
Arranging an appointment is straightforward. As part of our service, we will handle the transition to Hearing Healthcare Practice for you and, in most cases, honour any outstanding guarantees. We are experts in all leading private brands, including Phonak, Oticon, Bernafon, Widex, GN ReSound, Starkey, Signia, and more.
Our second opinion service is charged on a per-visit basis.
If your hearing aids are not performing as well as you hoped, our Second Opinion Service may help identify improvements or provide clarity about next steps.
Telephone: 01582 767218
Email: [email protected]
*Please Note: we are unable to adjust NHS or own-brand hearing aids, as well as a small number of hearing aids that may be ‘locked’ by the original supplier and we also are unable to adjust hearing aids that are more than five years old.
About the Author
Hearing Healthcare Practice Founder, Robert Beiny (above, left) is an award winning audiologist with over 40 year’s clinical experience. Winner of the UK Audiologist of the Year Award on three occasions and the European Audiologist of the Year twice, he’s recognised as a leading figure in Independent British Hearing Aid Audiology.
Created 16th April 2026.