Hearing tests are essential in determining the requirements of EACH of your ears. It's not just a case of increasing the volume which is just shouting at you. Hearing tests give the technicians the information for personalised hearing. Base and treble levels are measured. A variety of sounds are checked. Discrete adjustments are made for YOU. My hearing test took over one hour. Then I had to wait about a month whilst the aids were being prepared. You won't get what is really required with "off the peg" devices no matter how much you pay. Just an increase in noise in your ears along with all the squeeks and whistles. I'm no chicken at 88 years. Without my hearing aids I cannot hear much at all - except maddening tinitus. From zero to hero thanks to my FREE hearing aids. Tried, tested and professionally maintained for over ten years giving me a continious high quality of life - and it is free to pensioners - as long as Starmer keeps his thieving hands off.