I dont have a lot of trouble hearing but when people drop their voice tone at the end of a sentence I have to guess what the exact wording was,. I have had a preliminary test which shows that both ears are n`not up to the mark'' and that a full hearing test is required. If hearing aids are required, what costs can I expect for hearing aids and for batteries. Are there any recognised ` good price' suppliers/ hearing consultants. I really cant accept that I have much of aproblem and i believe that people do not speak clearly enough.

Think in thousands oakbridge. Many thousands, plus the hearing tests, ear cleaning etc. You need cash in the bank to afford them and if you have not got it then Winz will loan you money for one, but what quality of one is to be discovered. Good luck.

I wear hearing aides. I should be wearing them on both ears but I accidentally stood on one so that leaves me with one - however, luckily it is the ear that is bad. The other one seems to have rightened itself.
I got them through Enable (going thru another clinic) who paid half, and I paid the rest through work and income but of course I had to pay them back. As for going back to get the other one fixed? I will have to pay $86.00 for just walking thru the door and going to the appointment. Then there is the cost for making another mould of my ear......then the opt's fees etc. Yes, I got them privately but I had/and still have no medical insurance. And if I went on the hospital list it would had three years before I saw anyone and got my hearing aides.
I also have trouble as well wearing the hearing aide that is still in one piece which I cant wear during summer because I have itchy ears which drive me crazy.
So hearing aides are not helpful for me but don't let me put you off. They certainly do their job - just in my case I find them difficult. And I have been the doctor about my itchy ears, and he cant find anything in there.

oakbridge; what was or is your work history In a lot of cases you can check with ACC The hearing aids made now don't require ear moulds, the hearing aids fit behind your ear with a thin tube that fits in the ear.
There used to be a $500 subsidy for each aid, that Winston Peters introduced.( I don't know if that is still in force) and some practitioners offer free tests.
Have a look at "Hearing Association New Zealand" ; The price range is = Basic, $2,000 - $3,500. Mid Range $3,000 - $6,000. Advanced $5,500 - $8,000. each less the $500 subsidy.